Module: Advanced Individual Differences

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced Individual Differences
Module Code	PSY1062 (ITS: PSYC507)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	10	In Person Lectures: attendance at lectures addressing indicative syllabus
Laboratory	20	Face-to-Face synchronous practical classes
Assignment Completion	45	Preparation and write-up
Independent Study	50	Self-directed reading
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20978	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Áine Travers	Module Teacher	Simon Dunne

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Critical 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:

Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M.: 1977, Attitude-behavior relations: A theoretical analysis and review of empirical research., Psychological Bulletin, 84(5), 888, 517905
2018: Best practices for developing and validating scales for health, social, and behavioral research: a primer., Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 149,

Other Resources

None