Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Individual Differences
  • Unit Code

    PSY2305
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to individual differences from a psychological perspective, with a particular emphasis on describing the major theories, methods, research findings and debates about personality and intelligence. The unit integrates previous learning in psychology through discussion of the complex ways in which individual differences in human development are influenced by biological, interpersonal and socio-cultural factors.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from PSY1101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the manner in which the development of individual differences is influenced by biological, interpersonal, and cultural factors.
  2. Compare the major concepts and propositions of the approaches to personality.
  3. Compare the major concepts and propositions of the intelligence theories.
  4. Critique a published paper, and demonstrate that ability through a written communication.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of theories of individual differences and how they may be applied to diagnosis and therapy, and to training and organisational development.
  6. Describe the methods used in individual differences research and practice.
  7. Explain the fundamental concepts of intelligence theory and intelligence research.
  8. Explain the fundamental concepts of personality theory and personality research.
  9. Outline the implications and applications of intelligence theories for individuals and groups in society.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of intelligence research and theory to real-world settings.
  2. Definitions of intelligence.
  3. Definitions of personality.
  4. Examination of major theories and measurement of intelligence.
  5. Examination of major theories of personality, including psychodynamic, trait, humanistic, learning, social-cognitive, and biological approaches.
  6. Individual differences: definitions, historical overview and key methods of research and practice
  7. The development of individual differences from biological, interpersonal and cultural perspectives.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Internal mode: Lectures and tutorials. External mode: Self-directed study of modules provided on-line in the comprehensive package.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseMy future career20%
ReviewCritical evaluation40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseMy future career20%
ReviewCritical evaluation40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A. (2013). Personality, individual differences, and intelligence. (3rd ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education.

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY2305|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Individual Differences
  • Unit Code

    PSY2305
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to individual differences from a psychological perspective, with a particular emphasis on describing the major theories, methods, research findings and debates about personality and intelligence. The unit integrates previous learning in psychology through discussion of the complex ways in which individual differences in human development are influenced by biological, interpersonal and socio-cultural factors.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from PSY1101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the manner in which the development of individual differences is influenced by biological, interpersonal, and cultural factors.
  2. Compare the major concepts and propositions of the approaches to personality.
  3. Compare the major concepts and propositions of the intelligence theories.
  4. Critique a published paper, and demonstrate that ability through a written communication.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of theories of individual differences and how they may be applied to diagnosis and therapy, and to training and organisational development.
  6. Describe the methods used in individual differences research and practice.
  7. Explain the fundamental concepts of intelligence theory and intelligence research.
  8. Explain the fundamental concepts of personality theory and personality research.
  9. Outline the implications and applications of intelligence theories for individuals and groups in society.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of intelligence research and theory to real-world settings.
  2. Definitions of intelligence.
  3. Definitions of personality.
  4. Examination of major theories and measurement of intelligence.
  5. Examination of major theories of personality, including psychodynamic, trait, humanistic, learning, social-cognitive, and biological approaches.
  6. Individual differences: definitions, historical overview and key methods of research and practice
  7. The development of individual differences from biological, interpersonal and cultural perspectives.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Internal mode: Lectures and tutorials. External mode: Self-directed study of modules provided on-line in the comprehensive package.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseMy future career20%
ReviewCritical evaluation40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseMy future career20%
ReviewCritical evaluation40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A. (2013). Personality, individual differences, and intelligence. (3rd ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education.

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY2305|2|2