UNISA Industrial and Organisational Psychology Course Module 2025-2026
| Industrial Psychological Testing and Assessment – IOP3701 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the origins and functions of psychological testing by studying aspects such as technical and methodological principles: norms and the meaning of test scores, reliability, validity, item analysis; ability testing: individual tests, tests for special populations, group testing; personality testing: self-report personality inventories, measuring interests and attitudes, projective techniques; applications of testing: major contexts of current test use, ethical and social considerations in testing, and the practical application of tests. | |||
| Organisation Development Interventions – IOP4865 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of Organisation Development (OD), including practitioners who elect to specialise as professional OD practitioners or consultants. The purpose of the module is to gain comprehensive and specialised knowledge, critical reasoning ability and applied competence in organisation development intervention design. The module outcomes describe competencies aimed at deepening students’ and practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning and functional competence about complex real-world problems related to the field of OD in the South African organisational context. | |||
| Personnel Psychology: Organisational Entry – IOP3702 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the foundations, historical background and research methods in personnel psychology. The following aspects are covered: criteria: standards for decision making, job analysis, job evaluation; predictors: psychological tests and inventories, interviews, assessment centre evaluations, biographical information, new and controversial selection methods; personnel decisions: a model of personnel decisions, recruitment, selection, placement and classification; and training and development. | |||
| Organisation Diagnosis – IOP4866 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma | Semester module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of Organisation Development (OD), including practitioners who elect to specialise as professional OD practitioners or consultants. The purpose of the module is to gain comprehensive and specialised knowledge, critical reasoning ability and applied competence in organisation diagnosis. The module outcomes describe competencies aimed at deepening students’ and practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning and functional competence about complex real-world problems related to the field of OD in the South African organisational context. | |||
| Psychological Processes in Work Context – IOP1501 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma | Semester module | NQF level: 5 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Purpose: To introduce students to theoretical perspectives, methodology and the psychological basis of human behaviour. The study includes processes such as biological, development, learning, perception, cognition, motivation, attitudes, prosocial behaviour, aggression and conflict, and social processes such as groups. | |||
| Career Psychology – IOP3703 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To gain insight into aspects such as the meaning of work; career concepts and a career management model; theories of career choice; life and career stages; organisational choice; career management in a changing environment; organisational support; and career issues. | |||
| Change Management – IOP4867 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of Organisation Development (OD), including practitioners who elect to specialise as professional OD practitioners or consultants. The purpose of the module is to gain comprehensive and specialised knowledge, critical reasoning ability and applied competence in change management. The module outcomes describe competencies aimed at deepening students’ and practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning and functional competence about complex real-world problems related to the field of OD in the South African organisational context. | |||
| Customer Service in Tourism – IOP1502 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree,Higher Certificate | Semester module | NQF level: 5 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to customer behaviour and characteristics; interpersonal skills and communication; developing a customer care culture and strategy; customer recovery strategies and customer satisfaction and loyalty. psychological disorders, work adjustment, and assessment and research in personality and psychology. | |||
| Employment Relations – IOP3704 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: To gain insight into the industrial psychological approach to labour relations by studying aspects such as the nature of labour relations; perspectives on labour relations: an open-system framework; labour relations context: environmental factors, international and South African development; parties to the relationship; conflict: recognition, manifestation and identification; dealing with conflict; negotiations: the nature of negotiation, the role of power, characteristics of the negotiator; preparing for negotiations; conducting negotiations; approaches to facilitate negotiation: interpersonal skills, persuasion and attitude change, cross-cultural communication, negotiation tactics; third-party intervention: conciliation, mediation, arbitration; stages of group development; process interventions; content interventions and the implications for industrial and organisational psychology. | |||
| Research Project Report in Organisation Development – IOP4868 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all students who are pursuing a career in the field of Organisation Development (OD), including practitioners who elect to specialise as professional OD practitioners or consultants. The purpose of learning in this module is to consolidate, advance and deepen students’ professional expertise in the field of OD which may lead to enhanced career and employment prospects for the student. The module further aims to develop students’ research capacity in the methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the field for the purpose of contributing new knowledge that may potentially contribute to assist individuals, groups and organisations in evaluating and developing effective behaviour that may lead to the improved performance and effectiveness of organisations. | |||
| Environmental Psychology – IOP1503 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 5 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a fundamental knowledge base of principles and theories related to environmental psychology in the organisational context for the purpose of applying such knowledge in assisting individuals and organisations to evaluate, develop and engage in behaviour and decision-making that contributes to individual and organisational performance. | |||
| Organisational Development and Change – IOP3705 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all students who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the human resource profession and who need to develop a well-rounded and systematic knowledge base about principles and theories related to organisation development (OD) and change management. Students will be able to apply their knowledge and insights in assisting individuals and organisations to improve overall organisational performance and effectiveness. Qualifying students will be able to critically discuss principles, concepts and theories pertaining to OD differentiate between the different steps associated with entering into OD relationships and organisation diagnosis evaluate principles underlying the design of OD interventions critically discuss the facilitation of change management for an organisation. | |||
| Consumer Psychology – IOP4869 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To consolidate, advance and deepen students’ skills in the field of Consumer Psychology in order to distinguish themselves as specialists in this particular applied field of Industrial Psychology. This should enable them to contribute to the world of work, their organisation and our country. | |||
| Workforce Diversity – IOP1504 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 5 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a fundamental knowledge base, skills and values in the field of managing workforce diversity for the purpose of promoting and managing diversity in a personal and organisational setting. | |||
| Personnel Psychology: Employee Retention – IOP3706 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: To gain insight into the following concepts: performance development: the organisational context; individual performance: results, behaviour and competencies, determinants; performance appraisal and supporting of performance; rewarding performance; implementing performance management; fairness in personnel decisions: test bias, culturefair tests, legal framework, models; human resource planning; compensation; career management, and the changing nature of work. | |||
| Personality in Work Context – IOP1601 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1501 or IOP101M | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the nature of personality with regard to the psychodynamic, behaviouristic, dimensional, humanistic/phenomenological and cognitive perspectives, psychological wellbeing, | |||
| Psychology of Leadership – IOP3707 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2601 & IOP2602 or IOP201Q & IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all students who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including professional human resource practitioners who specialise in the field of leader development. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a well-rounded knowledge base of the principles and theories of leader behaviour in an organisational context for the purpose of evaluating and developing leader behaviour for improved organisational effectiveness. | |||
| Environmental Psychology – IOP205U | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1501 & IOP1601 or IOP101M & IOP102N. (Not applicable to 02038-ENV, 02089-ENB, 02089-ENC & 02089-ENZ,) | |||
| Purpose: To enable students to understand the need for and the importance of theories and research methods in environmental psychology and includes aspects such as environmental perception, cognition and attitudes; the effects of environmental stressors and the relevance of territoriality, privacy and personal space to environmental behaviour and to apply this understanding in practical situations. | |||
| Investor Psychology – IOP3708 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the recently developed field of investor psychology. Students will be exposed to the cognitive and emotional weaknesses of the efficient market hypothesis. Students will discuss and explain established key psychological terms, principles, concepts and theories that affect investment decisions taken by individual investors, analysts, strategists, brokers, portfolio managers, options traders, currency traders, futures traders and commentators. This unit is related to behavioural finance and deals with prospect theory, efficient market theory from a psychological perspective, heuristics and framing. | |||
| Organisational Research Methodology – IOP2601 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology or practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to calculate and interpret basic descriptive and inferential statistics as part of a research project in an organisational context. Qualifying students are able to demonstrate solid knowledge and a sound understanding of the key terms and terminology as well as rules and principles that apply to basic descriptive and inferential statistics in Industrial Psychology. They are also able to effectively select and apply appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical techniques that are commonly used in Industrial Psychology. | |||
| Research Methodology – HMEMS80 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours,Post Graduate Diploma | Semester module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all students who are pursuing studies on an honours level. Students will be exposed to the research process and all its facets in order to equip them to participate in and contribute to research projects in the work environment. It will thus address scientific research, ethical principles and behaviour in research, and the nature, methods and process of conducting quantitative and qualitative research. | |||
| Organisational Psychology – IOP2602 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1601 or IOP102N | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to organisational psychology and important aspects such as the individual: foundations of individual behaviour and the role of perceptions; values, attitudes and job satisfaction; basic motivational concepts; the group: Foundations of group behaviour; understanding work teams; communication; leadership; power and politics; conflict, negotiation and intergroup behaviour; the organisational system: foundations of organisational structure; work design; organisational culture; organisational change and stress management. | |||
| Research Report: Employee and Organisational Wellness – HRIOP84 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Co-requisite: HMEMS80 | |||
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the competencies required to plan, execute and write an acceptable academic research proposal in Employee and Organisational Wellness. Students will be able to gather, analyse, evaluate and apply knowledge and reason and debate in written format a specific topic, recognising existing research on the topic and integrate appropriate research methodologies in Employee and Organisational Wellness. | |||
| Ergonomics – IOP2603 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1601 or IOP102N | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a solid knowledge base and sound understanding of the theory and practical implications of human factors and ergonomics in workplace design to improve employee productivity. The qualifying student will be able to explain the application of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) principles in planning and designing workstations; discuss the application of principles of human information processing in workplace design; discuss the application of ergonomic principles in the design of controls, displays and symbols; explain principles of and considerations in workstation design evaluate. | |||
| Research Report: Consumer Psychology – HRIOP85 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Co-requisite: HMEMS80 | |||
| Purpose: This module deals with consumer well-being, and how Consumer Psychology knowledge contributes towards achieving this state. The learning is facilitated, particularly within the South African socio-political, socio-economic, legal and multi-cultural environment. It focuses on how transformative consumer research may enrich consumer research in this country. This module prepares students for post-graduate study by consolidating and deepening their expertise in the field of Consumer Psychology. It involves a research proposal, under guided supervision. Qualifying students can demonstrate: Applied competence in selected practice areas of Consumer Psychology to improve consumers quality of life. A critical understanding of Consumer Psychology as applied in the global and African context with particular reference to transformative consumer research. Conducting and writing an applicable research proposal in Consumer Psychology. | |||
| Psychological Adjustment in the Work Context – IOP2604 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1601 or IOP102N | |||
| Purpose: To gain insight into the connection between work and psychological wellbeing by studying aspects such as psychological adjustment; determinants and causes of work maladjustment; the assessment of work adjustment; types of work disfunctions and other work-related and organisational adjustment problems; organisational strategies and methods to manage and promote organisational and employee wellbeing; individual methods to promote the psychological health in the workplace, and the future of work and psychological health. | |||
| Research Report: Employment Relations – HRIOP86 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English | Module presented online | ||
| Co-requisite: HMEMS80 | |||
| Purpose: This module deals with the following learning Behavioural dynamics and the employment relationship; The Interaction between the employment relations role players at macro level, transformation towards co-determination, workplace democratisation and labour-management co-operation; negotiation behaviour for handling conflict, change and dispute resolution. The purpose of the module is to equip students with the competencies required to plan, execute and write an acceptable academic research proposal in Employee Relations. Students will be able to gather, analyse, evaluate and apply knowledge and reason and debate in written format a specific topic, recognising existing research on the topic and integrate appropriate research methodologies in Employee Relations. | |||
| Human Capacity Development – IOP2605 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1601 or IOP102N | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a solid knowledge base and sound understanding of the theory and practice of human capacity development in the organisational context for the purpose of facilitating professional development and lifelong learning. | |||
| Industrial Psychological Assessment – IOP4861 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the historical development of psychological assessment, nature of psychological testing and procedures, psychological approaches and assumptions in psychological assessment, psychometric theory in psychological assessment, measurement concepts and types of psychological assessment techniques, psychological assessment in the work context, professional, legal and social questions in psychological evaluation. | |||
| Workgroup Dynamics and Diversity – IOP2607 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP1601 or IOP102N | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a solid knowledge base and sound understanding of the theory and practical implications of workgroup dynamics and diversity in the organisational context for the purpose of improving workplace dynamics, employee productivity and organisational effectiveness. | |||
| Managerial and Organisational Psychology – IOP4862 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours,Post Graduate Diploma | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To enable them to understand and reason about individual, group and organisational phenomena from literature and how to apply these in practice. The purpose of the acquired competencies is to enable students and practitioners to apply such knowledge, insight and reasoning in assisting individuals and organisations to critically evaluate and engage in organisational behaviour related activities that contribute to individual, team and organisational performance. The ultimate aim is the enhancement of quality of work life in the work environment. | |||
| Forensic Industrial Psychology – IOP2608 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 6 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Purpose: To introduce students to the basic principles, processes and fields in psychology and industrial and organisational psychology of importance for the legal profession with regard to the history and the development of law; different forms of law, with and the emphasis on civil procedural law, the hierarchy of courts, the jurisdiction of the courts and court rules; procedures that are important for concluding legal processes, and report writing in order to enable students to practice in the forensic context. | |||
| Personnel and Career Psychology – IOP4863 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: To deepen students’ and practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning about complex real-world problems related to the field of Personnel and Career Psychology in the South African organisational context for the purpose of applying such knowledge, insight and reasoning in assisting individuals and organisations to critically evaluate and engage in personnel and career related activities that contribute to individual and organisational performance. | |||
| Individual Differences and Work Performance – IOP2606 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate Degree | Semester module | NQF level: 7 | Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans | |||
| Pre-requisite: IOP2602 or IOP202R | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, including practitioners in the field of human resources. The purpose of learning in this module is to enable students to develop a solid knowledge base and sound understanding of the theory of individual differences and its practical implications for work performance for the purpose of improving employee productivity and organisational effectiveness. | |||
| Organisation Development and Change Approaches – IOP4864 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma | Year module | NQF level: 8 | Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English | |||
| Purpose: This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a career in the field of Organisation Development (OD), including practitioners who elect to specialise as professional OD practitioners or consultants. The purpose of the module is to gain comprehensive and specialised knowledge, critical reasoning ability and applied competence in organisation development and change. The module outcomes describe competencies aimed at deepening students’ and practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning and functional competence about complex real-world problems related to the field of OD in the South African organisational context. | |||
