Teaching Staff

Dr Elisabeth Blagrove (convenor)

Dr James Adelman

Aims

The module examines both the research and theoretical frameworks for understanding personality and intelligence, including the methods used in exploring individual differences. The module extends the work begun in PS111 without repeating it, and satisfies the requirements for the British Psychological Society’s Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR). The aim is to give students insight into the ways in which theory and research on individual difference have developed, sometimes in competition and sometimes in cooperation. In the pursuit of this primary goal, students will be introduced to:
•Theories, research and practice in the psychology of intelligence and personality
•Methods of assessing individual differences
•Broader societal and behavioural issues relating to individual differences in personality and intelligence

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

• Understand the basic units of personality as set out in psychodynamic, cognitive, humanistic-existential-interpersonal, and social-constructionist theoretical frameworks
• Understand the basic units of intelligence
• Critically evaluate the main research programmes in each of these areasHave an understanding of the goals of multiple regression, factor analysis, and Q-sort procedures
• Understand parallels in the development of research and theory into individual differences in personality and intelligence
• Articulate and comment upon the nature of the main controversies in each of these areas of researchBe familiar with some of the applications of personality and intelligence theories

Student Population

YEAR II Psychology students

Philosophy with Psychology students (optional)

YEAR III 2 + 2 Social Studies Students (optional)

Work Load

Weeks 1-6: One hour lecture per week, one seminar per fortnight

Week 7: Personal study week

Weeks 8: Two hour lectures per week; no seminars

Week 9-10: Three hour lectures per week; no seminars

Attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory. Examination questions may be set on seminar topics.

There will be two revision classes in the Summer Term. Students are encouraged to make individual arrangements to see Dr. Blagrove and discuss any problems.

Method of Assessment

One 2,000 word essay or other assessed work 33%

AND

One two-hour unseen examination 67%

Credit Accumulation and Transfer System

Students who successfully complete this module will gain credit worth 15 CATS points at the relevant level. The weight given to the module is consequently 12.5% of a normal 120 CATS load for the year in Psychology degrees.

Programme

Term 1:

1. Introducing Individual Differences

2. Personality Theories: The Trait Approach to Personality

3. Personality Theories: Psychodynamic Approaches

4. Personality Theories: Learning Theory, Humanistic & Cognitive Approaches

5. Personality and Behaviour: Interpersonal Relationships

6. Personality and Behaviour: Positive Psychology

7. Personal Study Week

8. Introduction to Intelligence; Measures of General Intelligence

9. Multiple Intelligences; Mechanisms of Intelligence

10. Group differences in Intelligence; General ability & Performance

Term 3:

1. Revision

2. Revision

Set Texts

Maltby, J., Day, L. & Macaskill, A (2010) Personality, individual differences and intelligence. 2nd edn. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education (available as an e-book through the University of Warwick Library).

Chammorro-Premuzic, T. (2011) Personality and individual differences. 2nd edn. Oxford: BPS Blackwell.

Further Suggested Readings

Cooper, C. (2010) Individual differences. 3rd edn. London: Hodder Education.

Deary, I.J. (2001) Intelligence: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Funder, D.C. (2007) The personality puzzle. 4th edn. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Gardner, H., Kornhaber, M.L. & Wake, W.K. (1996) Intelligence: Multiple perspectives. Toronto: Harcourt Brace Publishers.

Mayer, J.D. (2007) Personality: A systems approach. Boston: Pearson Education.

Pervin, L.A. (2003) The science of personality. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sternberg, R.J. & Ruzgis, P. (eds.) (1994) Personality and intelligence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

For up-to-date research findings, look at such journals as:

IntelligenceAmerican PsychologistJournal of Personality and Social PsychologySocial Psychology BulletinJournal of Applied Psychology