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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Advanced Individual Differences
Module Code PSYC507 (ITS) / PSY1062 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorÁine Travers
Module TeachersDarragh McCashin, Simon Dunne
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

The aim of this module is to provide a theoretical and research-based understanding of individual differences. The module will also provide a critical understanding of the principles of measurement and psychometric testing in the study of individual differences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss psychological theories relevant to individual differences
2. Discuss how individual differences explain and predict behaviour and outcomes in applied contexts (e.g. health, social, educational, organizational).
3. Discuss the principles and methods of psychological measurement and psychometrics
4. Critically appraise the application of psychological tests and assessments across a number of applied settings
5. Critically discuss the ethical and professional issues in individual differences, psychological assessment and measurement



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture10In Person Lectures: attendance at lectures addressing indicative syllabus
Laboratory20Face-to-Face synchronous practical classes
Assignment Completion45Preparation and write-up
Independent Study50Self-directed reading
Total Workload: 125

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

Approaches to personality (biological, cognitive, humanistic or traits)

Approaches to intelligence and cognitive function (definitions, nature, influences on)

Approaches to individual differences (cognitive style, motivation, emotion, mood)

Influences of personality, intelligence and individual differences on health and wellbeing

Importance of psychological measurement, psychometrics and assessment

Psychometric testing

Reliability and validity

Test design

Measuring intelligence, cognition, personality and individual differences

Current debates (e.g. nature-nurture, idiographic-nomothetic debates)

Ethical and professional issues

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayCritical evaluation (e.g. an approach to understanding individual differences or the application of individual differences in applied settings)50%n/a
Report(s)Critical Evaluation Report (e.g. examining the psychometric adequacy of a new or existing psychological measure)50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Ashton, M.C.: 2013, Individual Differences and Personality, 2nd Edition, Elsevier,
  • Cooper, C.: 2020, Individual Differences and Personality, 4th Edition, Taylor & Francis, UK,
  • Miller LA, Lovler RL: 2016, Foundations of Psychological Testing: A Practical Approach,, 5th, SAGE, London, UK,
  • Coaley, K.: 2014, An Introduction to Psychological Assessment and Measurement, SAGE, London, UK,
  • Cohen, R. J., & Werdlik, M. E.: 2012, Psychological Testing and Assessment, McGraw Hill, Maidenhead, UK,
  • Cooper, C.: 2012, Intelligence and Abilities, Taylor & Francis, UK,
  • Field, A.: 2018, Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics, 5th, SAGE,
  • Furr, R. M.: 2011, Scale Construction and Psychometrics for Social and Personality Psychology, SAGE, London, UK,
  • Furr, R. M., & Bacharach, V. R.: 2014, Psychometrics: An Introduction, SAGE, London, UK,
  • Groth-Marnat, G.: 2009, Handbook of Psychological Assessment5TH, John Wiley & Sons, New York, US,
  • Haslam, N., Smillie, L., Roberts, R. D., Bates, T., Song, J.: 2017, An Introduction to Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence, SAGE, London, UK,
  • Maltby, J., Day, L. & Macaskill, A.: 2017, Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence, Pearson Education, Uk,
  • Pallant, J.: 2010, SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS, McGraw-Hill Education,
  • Van Ornum, B., Dunlap, L. L., & Shore, M.: 2008, Psychological Testing Across The Lifespan,, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, US,
Other Resources

None

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