Suspended in 2025/26
PB425 Half Unit
Organisations, Groups and Identity
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Ilka Gleibs
Dr Miriam Tresh
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Behavioural Science, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology, MSc in Social and Public Communication and MSc in Societal and Environmental Psychology. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. How to apply: All PBS 0.5-unit courses in Winter Term are controlled access and capped. Students enrolled on PBS programmes will be given priority.
Each course is available with permission as an outside option to students outside of PBS where regulations permit, providing there is space. All students must submit a short statement (around 100 words) outlining their motivation for enrolling on the course, which will be considered by the course convenor.
Deadline for application: Please apply as soon as possible after the opening of course selection for all courses.
For queries contact: Pbs.msc@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Students who come to this course without any background in social psychology are expected to familiarise themselves with the relevant literature. To this end, we strongly suggest that those students read the following books:
Hogg, MA & Vaughan, G. (eds) (2017). Social Psychology. 8th edition. Harlow: Pearson
Brown, R. & Peherson, S. (2019). Group processes: Dynamics within and between groups . . Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
https://librarysearch.lse.ac.uk/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9781118719428&context=PC&vid=44LSE_VU1&lang=en_US&search_scope=CSCOP_ALL&adaptor=primo_central_multiple_fe&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,brown%20and%20Pehrson&offset=0
Course content
In any society and any successful organisation understanding group dynamics and identity processes and how they are connected to the individual are an essential element and often provide a competitive advantage in managing organisations of all sorts. Thus, the dynamics within and between groups directly informs the ability of individuals to think, learn, and innovate together. This course provides students with a critical understanding of the different theories and practices associated with identity and group dynamics in organisational settings and beyond. The objectives of the course are two-fold:
1. To introduce past and present theories of identity and group dynamics by introducing concepts used by social and organisational psychologists to understand and improve social and organisational behaviour
2. To apply and critical evaluate how identity and group dynamics theory help us explain and predict real-life experiences in social and organisational settings.
The course aims at highlighting how a better understanding of key social and organisational psychological concepts can contribute to understanding and managing the effectiveness of groups.
Examples of topics that will be covered include: Why group dynamics?; Influence and power; Identity and inclusion; Collective behaviour; Importance of groups on mental and physical health; Performance and decision-making; Diversity management; Organisational change; Group dynamics and the internet.
Teaching
10 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay and 1 presentation in the WT.
Indicative reading
Brown, R. & Peherson, S. (2019). Group processes. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Forsyth, D. (2019). Group dynamics. 7th edition Cengage Learning.
Haslam, S.A., (2004). Psychology in Organisations. A Social Identity Approach. London: Sage.
Levi, D. (2013). Group dynamics for teams. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Assessment
Policy brief (100%, 2500 words)
Key facts
Department: Psychological and Behavioural Science
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 29
Average class size 2024/25: 15
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills