Course Description
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Course Name
Individual Differences
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Host University
University of Glasgow
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Location
Glasgow, Scotland
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Area of Study
Behavioral Science, Psychology
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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Scotcat Credits
10 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits2.5
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units1
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Short Description
To build on the study of theories of intelligence and personality covered at Level 2 by introducing a series of key topics within the area of individual differences.
Assessment
Formal written examination 100%
Main Assessment In: April/MayCourse Aims
To build on the study of theories of intelligence and personality covered at Level 2 by introducing a series of key topics within the area of individual differences. To inform the students on current statistical thinking in psychometrics and the key debates in human abilities measurement. To develop the students' understanding of the major theoretical approaches to the study of personality including Freudian theory, the lexical approach, the trait measurement approach.
To introduce the evidence for the 'Big 5' and compare and contrast Eysenck and Cattell's theory.
To summarise the evidence on genetics, and personality, and gene environment interactions.emphasising the brain mechanisms involved in personalityIntended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course students will be able to :
- Explain the various types of validity: face, content, criterion and construct.
- Analyse the role of factor analysis in construct validity critically.
- Review the key episodes in the historical development of IQ tests.
- Explain the evidence on IQ and genetics.
- Outline the evidence on group differences in IQ.
- Appraise the ideological aspects of the 'race and IQ' debate.
- Criticise the legal and ethical issues involved in psychometric assessment.
- Criticise the attempts to extend he concept and measurement of intelligence beyond that of a general intelligence factor
- Analyse test validity critically.
- Explain what is meant by Personality Theory in Context;
- Define the key concepts in the Psychoanalytic Approach to personality;
- Critically evaluate the developments of Freudian Theories and criticise its evidential basis;
- Critically evaluate evidence for the Trait Approach to Personality;
- Evaluate evidence on the comprehensiveness of the 'big five' in explaining variability in personality
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.