Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Business Psychology (E)

Master

The participants:
• understand business psychology issues in the context of different scientific disciplines.
• analyze complex problems from multiple theoretical perspectives.
• critically and evidence-based evaluate current trends and developments.
• integrate insights from different disciplines into their own arguments.
• reflect on the opportunities and limitations of interdisciplinary approaches.
• develop independent and innovative research questions at the intersection of psychology, business, and technology.
• apply interdisciplinary knowledge to practical challenges in organizations and society.
• strengthen their ability for critical thinking and scientific discussion of complex topics.

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• Introduction to Interdisciplinary Thinking (linking business psychology with related disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, medicine, and technology)
• Analysis of Current Trends in Business Psychology (e.g., digitalization, artificial intelligence, new work, sustainability, societal change)
• Psychological Perspectives on Technological Developments (human–machine interaction; trust in technology; automation and decision-making processes)
• Social and Cultural Influences on Economic Behavior (culture, values, norms, social identity, diversity)
• Biological and Neuroscientific Foundations of Business Psychology Phenomena (stress, emotion, decision-making behavior)
• Interdisciplinary Approaches to Explaining Human Behavior (integration of different models of human nature and theoretical perspectives)
• Ethics and Responsibility in Business, Technology, and Society (e.g., AI ethics, organizational responsibility, societal impacts of economic decisions)
• Reflection on the Limitations of Individual Disciplines and the Potential of Integrative Approaches
• Discussion of Current Research and Practical Examples from Various Disciplines
• Development of Own Research Questions at the Interface of Business Psychology and Related Disciplines
• Flexible Engagement with Evolving Topics in Line with Current Scientific and Societal Developments
• Transfer of Interdisciplinary Insights to Applied Fields of Business Psychology

Exemplarische Literatur abhängig vom zu behandelnden Themenfeld:

• Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2018). Neurowissenschaften: Ein grundlegendes Lehrbuch für Biologie, Medizin und Psychologie. Berlin: Springer.
• Hoffmann, O. (2025). Die Psychologie und die Künstliche Intelligenz: Maschinen, Bewusstsein und die menschliche Psyche. Berlin: Springer.
• Hoffmann, O. (2025). Holistische Psychologie: Die Vereinigung von Kognition, Emotion und Handlung. Baden-Baden: Nomos.
• Schmid, S. (2025). Soziologie und Psychologie für soziale Berufe. Freiburg im Breisgau: Lambertus.

Exam
Seminar paper

English

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The course is based on an e-learning concept that incorporates a didactically aligned combination of online and in-person phases. During the online phases, an inductive learning approach is applied, fostering the independent acquisition of knowledge and the completion of tasks. The in-person phases follow a deductive approach, in which learning processes are guided and deepened, and content is systematically delivered through lectures as well as practical examples.

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