Registry

Module Specifications

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

Module Title	Individual Differences
Module Code	PSY5B
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

This module 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. Plan, execute and report the results of an online study of either personality or intelligence.

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

Unit 1: Introduction to Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence.
Unit 2: Methodology: The Psychometric.

Unit 3: Personality: Freudian and neo-Freudian perspectives.
Unit 4: Methodology: Assessing Individual Differences.

Unit 5: Personality: Learning Theory Perspective.
Unit 6: Methodology: How to Write a Research Report.

Unit 7: Personality: Humanism, Phenomenology and Cognitive Perspectives.
Unit 8: Methodology: Factor Analysis.

Unit 9: Personality: Trait Perspective.
Unit 10: The Biological Basis of Personality.

Unit 11: Mood and Motivation.
Unit 12: Personality: More ideas and Debates.

Unit 13: Intelligence: Traditional Models.
Unit 14: Intelligence: Cognition – Biological, Genetic and Evolutionary Influences.

Unit 15: Intelligence Broader Concepts.
Unit 16: Intelligence: Issues in Intelligence Theory.

Unit 17: Personality and Intelligence in the real world.
Unit 18: 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

Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A.: 2010, Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence, Second Edition, Pearson Education Limited,
Cooper, C.: 2002, Individual Differences, Third 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 PSY5B

Date of Last Revision

09-NOV-12

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