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Module No:
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011302
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Credits:
20.
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Quota:
120.
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Year: 1.
Term: 3.
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Module Organiser:
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Dr M. Zentner
[ Room: PS/B007 Tel. Ext: 2915 Email: mz510 @ york.ac.uk ]
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Module Lecturers:
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Dr M. Zentner [mz510]
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Assistants:
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Tulika Jaiswal
Nazar Soomro
Jessica Solari
Katherine Wheat
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Guest Lecturers:
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Pre-requisites:
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Introduction to Psychology as a Biological Science
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The module offers an overview of personality psychology, research in cognitive abilities, and the specific methodology used in the domain of individual differences. The module covers the main theoretical paradigms of personality, as well as the topics of temperament, the self, motives, environmental and genetic influences on personality, gender differences, and personality disorders. In addition to theoretical knowledge the module also conveys practical skills for developing and evaluating measures of individual differences.
- To present important theories and empirical findings of personality psychology.
- To present the key themes of personality traits and types.
- To introduce research designs and methods used in personality psychology and intelligence research.
- To familiarize students with the methodology of assessing individual differences.
- To familiarize students with the developmental and biological foundations of personality
- To discuss genetic and environmental influences on personality
On completing the module a student will be able to:
- Critically discuss major theories of personality psychology.
- Critically assess the use of intelligence and personality measures.
- Utilise and interpret the results of tests: reliability, validity, and factor analysis.
- Develop a questionnaire assessing a personality trait or attitude and test its psychometric properties.
- Contextualize research on personality within other domains of psychology
This module has 14 lectures, two in each of weeks 2..8.
Lectures are timetabled as two-hour sessions, and may
incorporate demonstrations, problems sessions and breaks, as
appropriate.
- Introduction to personality psychology
- Why personality matters (divorce, work, and health)
- Classical and modern approaches to personality
- Taxonomies of personality traits
- Psychometrics I: Test construction
- Psychometrics II: Factor analysis
- Personality assessment
- Personality development
- Biological bases of personality
- Personality, gender and close relationships
- Specific personality constructs (e.g., anxiety, self-esteem)
- Intelligence and cognitive styles
- Emotion and motivation
- Personality disorders
You will be expected to write, and
hand in for assessment, a report of the experiment conducted in
_
You should look at the information below for the
practical before the session.
Details of the arrangements for practical classes
will be available during Week 1 on the notice board.
You should come to tutorials prepared to contribute to a
discussion of the appointed topics. Details of tutorial topics and the
preparation required before each tutorial are given
below.
Details of the arrangements for tutorials
will be available during Week 1 on the notice board.
Questionnaire design practical report (40%)
An essay-length (2000 words) description of designing, constructing and testing a questionnaire to measure a particular personality type or trait, to be submitted by noon of Monday Week 9.
Consult the General guidance on writing practical reports. Any further specific details will be made available during the practical.
Examination (60%)
A closed examination held during Week 10. You have to answer about 60 multiple-choice questions. Working thoroughly through all rehearsal questions given in each lecture is a good preparation for the exam.
Assessment Details
There is a comprehensive reading list
which contains all
references for the module.
Specific references may also be found in the individual lecture pages.
Notes
Key texts are available in short term loan in the library.
Key Reading
The module content is based primarily on the following:
Larsen, R.J. & Buss, D.M. (2006). Personality Psychology, 3rd edition. Boston: McGraw Hill. (The second edition, published in 2004, is also suitable for this course, so feel free to pick up a 2nd hand copy. The chapters are the same for the Second and Third editions of Larsen and Buss).
The module methods are based primarily on:
- Kline, P. (2000). A Psychometrics Primer. London: Free Association Press.
These publications inform about intelligence and cognitive styles:
- Deary, I.J. (2001). Intelligence: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University press.
You can find more information on research methods and designs here:
- Rosnow, R. & Rosenthal, R. (2007). Beginning behavioral research. A conceptual primer. New York Prentice Hall.
There is a reading list registered at Blackwell's for this module:
http://www.readinglists.co.uk/rsl/student/sviewlist.dfp?id=16893.
Further Reading
- Nettle, D. (2007). Personality. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Funder, D.C. (2006). The Personality Puzzle (4th ed.). New York, London: Norton.
- Pervin, L.A. (2003). The science of personality (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Flynn, J.R. (1999). Searching for justice: The discovery of IQ gains over time. American Psychologist, 54, 1, 5-20.
- Neisser, U. et al. (1996). Intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. American Psychologist, 51, 2, 77-101.
- Kline, P. (1994). An Easy Guide to Factor Analysis. London: Routledge.
- Matthews, G. & Deary, I.J. (1998). Personality Traits. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Plomin, R., DeFries, J.C., McClearn, G.E. & McGuffin, P. (2001). Behavioral Genetics (4th edition). New York: Worth Publishers. give an overview
- Loehlin, J.C. (1992). Genes and environment in personality development. London: Sage. concentrates on the Big Five and gives a more general introduction to the research field and its rationale
- Kaplan, R.M & Saccuzzo, D.P. (2005). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and issues (6th ed.). Stamford: Wadsworth.
- Cronbach, L.J. (1990). Essentials of psychological testing. New York: HarperCollinsPublishers.
- Kline, P. (2000). The Handbook of Psychological Testing, 2nd Edition. London: Routledge.
Extra web Resources that may be of value:
Resources on PSYCFS for pnp (shared login)
Personality and Psychometrics