Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Individual Differences & Physiological Psy
Module Code	PSY5A
School	Oscail
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: James Brunton Semester 2: James Brunton Autumn: James Brunton
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	PSY1
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Part 1 introduces the neurological basis of mental illness, substance abuse and addiction. Part 2 focuses on biological as well as psychometric aspects of personality differences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate the importance of factor analysis to the psychometric model of individual differences
2. Critically analyse the relationship between personality traits and the biology of the nervous system and the brain in disputing the objections levelled against trait theory
3. Critically evaluate the psychometric theories of intelligence and ability and the hypotheses that intelligence may be linked to the biology of the central nervous system and is influenced by genetic factors
4. Examine, in a critical way, the psychology of mood and motivational states and the correlates of mood variability
5. Critically evaluate the usefulness of valid and reliable personality and intelligence tests in applied psychology
6. Critically appraise how knowledge of the structure and function of the brain and the nervous system contributes to our understanding of the pharmacological effects of particular drugs
7. Critically examine the symptoms and methods of treatment for mental health problems such as schizophrenia and depression

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Tutorial	15	No Description
On-line learning	15	No Description
Independent learning time	345	No Description
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Part 1: Physiological Psychology.
Unit 1: Structure of the Human Brain and the General Layout of the Nervous System.

Unit 2: Nerve Cell and Synaptic Conduction.
Unit 3: Anxiolytics.

Unit 4: The Opiates.
Unit 5: Schizophrenia and its Treatment.

Unit 6: Depression and its Treatment.
Unit 7: Substance Abuse - Designer Drugs.

Unit 8: Substance abuse – Hallucinogens.
Unit 8: Stimulants - Amphetamines.

Unit 9: Stimulants – Amphetamines.
Unit 10: Stimulants – Cocaine.

Part 2: Individual Differences.
Unit 11: Introduction to Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence.

Unit 12: Methodology: The Psychometric Model of Individual Differences.
Unit 13: Personality: Freudian and neo-Freudian perspectives.

Unit 14: Methodology: Assessing Individual Differences.
Unit 15: Personality: Learning Theory Perspective.

Unit 16: Methodology: How to Write a Research Report.
Unit 17: Personality: Humanism, Phenomenology and Cognitive Perspectives.

Unit 18: Methodology: Factor Analysis.
Unit 19: Personality: Trait Perspective.

Unit 20: The Biological Basis of Personality.
Unit 21: Mood and Motivation.

Unit 22: Personality: More ideas and Debates.
Unit 23: Intelligence: Traditional Models.

Unit 24: Intelligence: Cognition – Biological, Genetic and Evolutionary Influences.
Unit 25: Intelligence Broader Concepts.

Unit 26: Intelligence: Issues in Intelligence Theory.
Unit 27: Personality and Intelligence in the real world.

Unit 28: Review.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, reports, learning journals, presentations and group assignments.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Grilly, D. M.: 2002, Drugs and Human Behaviour, 4th Edition, Allyn & Bacon,
Pinel, J.P.J: 2010, Biopsychology, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall,
Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A.: 2010, Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence, 2nd Edition, Pearson Education Limited,
Cooper, C.: 2002, Individual Differences, 3rd Edition, Hodder Arnold.,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

Diploma/BA in Humanities

BASM

BA Single Module

Timetable this semester: Timetable for PSY5A

Date of Last Revision

13-FEB-12

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