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Individual Differences and Psychometrics

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
  • Convenor and tutor: Alyson Kelleher
  • Assessment: a two-hour examination (100%)

Module description

In this module you will have the opportunity to look at key ways in which people differ from each other in terms of:

  • personality
  • intelligence
  • ability.

We will examine key theoretical perspectives about individual differences, such as humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive, biological, genetic and social theories. We will also critically evaluate, compare and contrast these approaches in relation to their usefulness to human resource aims. This will help you to understand the psychometric measurement of individual differences and limitations of this approach.

Indicative syllabus

  • Introduction to individual differences and humanistic approaches
  • Type and trait theories of personality
  • Biological, cognitive and social approaches to individual differences
  • Psychometrics and the measurement of individual differences
  • Cognitive ability and intelligence
  • Personality, cognitive style and well-being
  • Behavioural genetics, and nature versus nurture approaches to individual differences
  • Diversity problems, dilemmas and unintended consequences of psychometric testing

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • describe approaches to the study of individual differences, covering personality, cognitive style and intelligence
  • critically evaluate, compare and contrast these approaches
  • understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations
  • explain key theories and research relating to several approaches to individual differences
  • describe and critically evaluate key research carried out on the extent to which our personality, intelligence and ability is due to nature and nurture
  • discuss several ways of measuring individual differences, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of these methods
  • understand and critically evaluate psychometrics testing methods in relation to diversity
  • discuss the application of theory and research on individual differences in the workplace.