Course Title: Individual Differences

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Individual Differences

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BESC1191	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006
BESC1192	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006
BESC1193	City Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006
BESC1369	City Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006

Course Coordinator: Mr Merv Jackson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 992 57367

Course Coordinator Email: merv.jackson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Rm 201.3.10

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BESC1182/1181/1179/1374, Developmental psychology
BESC11901189/1187/1375, Biological Psychology
BESC1178/1177/1175/1176, Cognitive Psychology
BESC1186/1185/1183/1372, Social Psychology

Course Description

This course will build upon the lectures on personality presented in Year 1. An examination of the 4 major schools of personality theory will provide greater depth and breadth than in the introductory unit. Important threads running through the course include: theories of individual difference and scientific rigour; heredity and environment; and traits vs situations, and the social and cultural context of individual difference. The course will explore and compare the forms of individual difference assessment used in the different models of individual difference, and indicate the uses made of such assessment, for example, in assisting personnel selection, vocational judgements, etc. Finally, the major methodological and statistical techniques used in individual difference research (for example, multiple regression, factor analysis, & reliability analysis) will be discussed.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this course the student should be able to appreciate the fundamental knowledge about human psychology underpinning approaches to psychological intervention

Upon successful completion of this course students will be expected to be able to:
1. Describe and critically evaluate the major theories of individual difference: dispositional, psychoanalytic, phenomenological, cognitive/behavioural.
2. Describe the biological, social, and cultural influences on individual difference.
3. Describe the methods of individual difference assessment and their use in society.
4. Present in oral form a summary of an individual difference research article.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the statistical and methodological techniques used in individual difference research.
6. Relate the introduced individual difference y concepts to their own view of individual difference, and consider the implications for their own development.

Overview of Learning Activities

Planned Student Learning Experiences Lectures - Students in lectures acquire a framework of relevant knowledge and an understanding of underlying theoretical / conceptual material 1, 3, 6.
Tutorial exercises - Students completing tutorial exercises engage in a critical analysis of relevant knowledge and underlying theoretical / conceptual material. Students develop responsibility for a synthesis of knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to their field of interest. Students finally acquire abilities to develop group and individual problem solving skills. 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6.
Problem solving exercises - Students completing problem solving exercises will apply conceptual material to field settings, will develop critical thinking skills in research methods, will develop skills to evaluate community-based interventions, and will develop skills in effective communication (both verbal and written) of research findings to relevant academic / community representatives. 1, 3, 4, 5.
Role plays - Students engaging in role plays will demonstrate the abilities to convert theory into practice through simulation of real life experiences, will develop skills through practice and feedback in structured environments and reflect and monitor their own performance. 1, 3, 6.
Multi-media presentations - Students completing multi-media presentations develop abilities to combine different forms of media presentations in creative ways to effectively communicate critical knowledge. Through multi-media tutorial presentations, students develop a broad range of effective communication skills, expose themselves to the experience of public speaking, and develop an ability to work as a member of a team. 4.
Critical appraisal of issues - As individual difference theories/research are fundamental to understanding humans, students engage in a critical appraisal of issues regarding the essence of individual difference to demonstrate on understanding of the theoretical / conceptual position and the associated research. Students develop a broad range of effective communication skills and develop an ability to work as a member of a team. 1, 4, 6.

Overview of Learning Resources

No Prescribed Text: These various references are useful
Aiken, L.R. (1993). Personality: Theories, research and application. NJ: Prentice Hall.
Burger, J.M. (2004). Personality (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will consist of written work, an exam, and tutorial activities