People management- psychological reefs 2600-RZL-OG

In times when the internet is flooded with psychological texts and AI multiplies this number even further, during our classes we will synthesize knowledge about an information-altered world and about how the neural networks in our minds cope with it.
Reefs and traps are like the nymphs luring Odysseus with their beautiful singing — they promise effortless (and therefore, in most situations, pleasant) information processing that often leads us astray. To avoid falling into them, we should remember that: (1) No one is free from the alluring power of reefs and traps.(2) Avoiding reefs and traps requires the skill of accurate self-reflection, which itself requires knowledge about our cognitive (what we think), emotional (what we feel), and behavioral (how we act) responses. (3) The ability for accurate self-reflection must be accompanied by the willingness to actually use this capacity.
During the course, we will discuss nine dangerous reefs in managing people — including oneself — in order to learn how to activate this crucial knowledge at the moment it is needed. To help remember what matters, we will use a list of 16 traps and 44 examples of research findings.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Remote learning

Course coordinators

Grażyna Wieczorkowska-Wierzbińska

Learning outcomes

During the course, students will complete both group and individual tasks (tests, crosswords).

Assessment criteria

The final grade is based on the assessment of individual and group assignments documented on the KAMPUS platform.

Graded group work and individual tasks include completing tests and crosswords on the KAMPUS platform.

The final grade depends on the percentage of points possible to obtain during and after classes, calculated as follows:
• 50% or less FAIL
• <51-60%> grade „3”
• <61-70%> grade „3.5”
• <71-80%>grade „4”
• <81-90%>grade „4.5”
• <91-100%>grade „5”

Bibliography

Materials on e-learning platform + ebook: Wieczorkowska, G. (2025). Rafy zarządzania. Ludzie różnią się od śrubokrętów. WUW.

Notes

Term 2025L:

On Monday 5:30 pm ( first meeting on 23.02.2026)

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2600-RZL-OG in USOSweb