PSY3040 Individual Differences

PSY	3040	91266	2, 2009	EXT	Individual Differences	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	090701

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Gerry Fogarty
Moderator: Andrea Lamont-Mills

OTHER REQUISITES

Recommended Pre-requisite: PSY1010, PSY1020, PSY2100 and PSY3010

RATIONALE

The field of individual differences is concerned with ways that people differ psychologically and how these variations might be conceptualised and measured. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding and appreciation of individual differences in functions that are central to human nature, such as personality. An appreciation of the different aspects of personality and its functions will help to explain the diversity of human behaviour across settings such as education, industry, and life in general.

SYNOPSIS

This course is designed to cover the main theoretical approaches to the study of individual differences and to critically examine research findings in this area. The focus of the course is on developing an integrated picture of the whole person through understanding of the major facets of personality and how these work together to shape behaviour. Subject matter covered includes theories of personality, measures of personality, and applications to individual differences. Apart from covering the eight basic aspects of personality, the course will challenge the student to think about the complexity of human nature, learning how to evaluate assumptions, theories, and research.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.: understand current and recurring issues in the measurement and assessment of personality (Assessment 1, 2, and 3);
2.: outline and contrast the eight basic aspects of personality (Assessment 1, 2, and 3);
3.: critically evaluate the research literature in personality theory (Assessment 2 and 3);
4.: debate issues related to the notion of gender-based psychological differences (Assessment 3);
5.: critically examine the relations among personality, stress, adjustment, and health (Assessment 3);
6.: discuss the influence of culture on personality (Assessment 3);
7.: discuss the personality of hate and the personality of love (Assessment 3);
8.: appreciate future trends in the study of personality (Assessment 3);
9.: apply the style and format requirements outlined in the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) (Assessment 2).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Personality in perspective - What is personality? - Preview of the eight perspectives - How is personality studied and assessed? - The future of personality psychology	10.00
2.	Psychoanalytic and neo-analytic aspects of personality - Psychoanalytic structure and process - Anxiety, defence and self-protection - Ego psychology - Psychosocial theories	15.00
3.	Biological aspects of personality - Inheritance, evolution and personality - Biological processes and personality - Eysenck's model - Personality and public policy	15.00
4.	The behaviourist, cognitive, and social-cognitive aspects of personality - The classical conditioning of personality - The behavioural approach to personality and behaviour change - Other learning approaches to personality - Cognitive approaches to personality - Social-cognitive learning theory	15.00
5.	Traits and skill aspects of personality - History of trait approaches - Allport's trait psychology - The five-factor model - Types, motives, styles and skills	15.00
6.	Humanistic, existential, and person-situation interactionist aspects of personality - The phenomenological perspective - Self-actualisation - Interpersonal interactions - Motivations and goals - Consistency in behaviour across situations	15.00
7.	Applications to individual differences - Male-female differences - Biological influences on gender differences - Personality and stress - Personality and health - The personality of love - Personality and culture - Language as a cultural influence - Culture and testing	15.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Burton, LJ 2006, An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane, Australia.

Friedman, HS & Schustack, MW 2009, Personality: classic theories and modern research, 4th edn, Allyn & Bacon, New York.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Ackerman, PL, Kyllonen, PC & Roberts, RD 1998, Learning and individual differences: process, trait and content determinants, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Boyle, GJ & Saklofske, DH 2004, The psychology of individual differences four volume series, Sage, London.

Sternberg, RJ & Ruzgis, P (eds) 1994, Personality and intelligence, Cambridge University Press, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessments	30.00
Examinations	2.00
Private Study	133.00
Residential Schools	8.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS	20.00	20.00	31 Aug 2009
CASE STUDY	30.00	30.00	12 Oct 2009
PART A OF 2HR REST EXAM (M/C)	60.00	30.00	END S2	(see note 1)
PART B OF 2HR REST EXAM (S/A)	20.00	20.00	END S2	(see note 2)

NOTES

1.: Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.
2.: Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
Final grades for students will be determined by the addition of the marks obtained in each assessment item, weighted as in the Assessment details and by considering the students' level of achievement of the objectives of the course.
Examination information:
In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination; Students whose first language is not English, may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until an appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate and unfair advantage.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Students who, for medical family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Students will be granted a deferred examination only if they perform satisfactorily in all other assessment items. Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch an assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner.
10.	As there are resources cited in the Study Materials that are available of the World Wide Web, and a discussion group that will be used throughout the course, students undertaking this course will require access to email and Internet access to UConnect to enable them to participate fully in the course.
11.	The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. You do not need to request an extension from the Examiner if you submit your assignment within one week of the due date. However, you still need to provide a written statment explaining why you are not submitting your assignment on the original due date. Assignments submitted more than one week after the due date, without an extension approved by the Examiner, will attract a penalty of 10 percent of the total marks available for the assignment for each working day (or part thereof) that the assignment is late. Extensions will usually not be granted for workload reasons unless it can be shown that your work commitments prior to the due date for the assignment were above and beyond your normal duties or responsibilities. In such cases, a letter from your employer would be required. If you think you have grounds for an extension, you must apply in advance. A covering letter and appropriate documentation must be submitted with the assignment. No assignments will be accepted after marked copies have been returned to students.
12.	As there are resources cited in the Study Materials that are available on the World Wide Web, and a discussion group that will be used throughout the course, it is highly recommended that students undertaking this course have access to computer and Internet facilities which will enable them to participate fully in the course.
13.	Students will be granted a deferred examination only if they perform satisfactorily in all other assessment items.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.