Module Details

Module Code: BULD8007
Title: Construction Psychology
Long Title: Construction Management Psychology
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2022/23 ( September 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5821 - Building Science
Module Delivered in: 4 programme(s)
Module Description: This module aims to provide an understanding of issues which affect individuals in organisations including ethics, stress, conflict, negotiations and change management.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Summarise the ethical frameworks for professional and business conduct.
LO2 Summarise the six main psychological approaches to understanding human behaviour.
LO3 Evaluate the management of stress within construction organisations.
LO4 Differentiate between different views of conflict in construction organisations.
LO5 Evaluate the use of negotiating skills with respect to construction management.
LO6 Assess the critical issues in relation to change management in construction organisations.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Ethics
Individual ethics, ethical frameworks, corporate social responsibility, professional ethics, professional codes of conduct, CIOB Code of Conduct, equality, diversity and inclusivity.
Psychological perspectives
Behaviourist, psychodynamic, humanism, cognitive psychology, biological psychology, evolutionary psychology.
Stress
Sources of work stress, responding to stress, managing stress, stress at different stages of the development process.
Conflict
Task, relationship, process conflict. Stages in the conflict process. Functional, dysfunctional conflict, resolution techniques.
Negotiation
Distributive and integrative bargaining, negotiation processes, traditional & modern approaches.
Change Management
Drivers of change. Individual and organisational resistance to change. Managing change in construction organisations and projects. Change management paradigms.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination80.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
In-class phase test
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 80
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and worked examples. Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Review of course topics and worked examples. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture notes and recommended material and preparation of worked examples for selected tutorial sessions Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Tutorial Contact Review of course topics and worked examples. Every Week 1.00 1
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and worked examples. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture notes and recommended material and preparation of worked examples for selected tutorial sessions Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • John Hayes. (2018), The Theory and Practice of Change Management, 5th. Palgrave Macmillan, [ISBN: 9781352001235].
  • Carsten K. W. De Dreu , Edited by Michele J. Gelfand. (2013), The Psychology of Conflict and Conflict Management in Organizations, Taylor & Francis, [ISBN: 9780415651110].
  • Mei-yung Leung , By (author) Isabelle Yee Shan Chan , By (author) Cary L. Cooper. (2015), Stress Management in the Construction Industry, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, [ISBN: 978111845641].
  • Nigel Benson. (2015), Introducing Psychology : A Graphic Guide, Icon Books Ltd, [ISBN: 9781840468526].
  • Rebecca Mirsky , John Schaufelberger. (2015), Professional Ethics for the Construction Industry, Taylor & Francis, [ISBN: 9780415677523].
  • Maureen Rhoden & Brian Cato. (2016), Construction Management and Organisational Behaviour, Wiley Blackwell, [ISBN: 9781118674819].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Jeffery Whitfield. (2012), Conflict in Construction, Wiley-Blackwell, UK, [ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-118-29870-1].
  • Sepani Senaratne, Martin Sexton,. (2011), Managing Change in Construction Projects: A Knowledge-Based Approach, Wiley-Blackwell, p.UK, [ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-4443-3515-6].
  • Health & Safety Authority. (2009), Work Related Stress - A Guide for Employers, Ireland, [ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-84496-148-1].
  • Robbins, Stephen P.. (2013), Organisational Behaviour, 15th. Pearson, New Jersey, [ISBN: ISBN-13: 9780132834872].
  • Ezekiel Chinyio (Editor), Paul Olomolaiye (Editor). (2009), Construction Stakeholder Management, Chpt 9, Wiley, UK, [ISBN: ISBN: 9781405180986].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Prepared by the Health and Safety Laboratory for the Health and Safety Executive. (2007), An analysis of the prevalence and distribution of stress in the construction industry, RR518 Research Report.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CCNMG_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management 8 Elective
CR_CQTSU_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying 8 Elective
CR_CCOPM_9 Master of Science in Construction Project Management 2 Elective
CR_CCNPM_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Construction Project Management 2 Elective