Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit will introduce you to key principles of psychological assessment, including reliability, validity and standardisation, and to the appropriate and ethical use of assessment tools. We will consider major theories that underpin explanations of individual differences, and the ways in which theory influences the way we conceptualise and measure psychological constructs. This unit will be of practical use to anyone considering a future in psychology and related fields which rely on psychological assessment (e.g., educational, organisational, developmental, forensic, research, clinical or counselling settings).

Aims

The aim of the unit is to introduce the major theories of individual differences with a particular focus on the constructs of personality and intelligence and on the assessment tools used to measure these factors, primarily in adult populations. Psychometric issues of instrument utility and applicability, reliability and validity, will also be examined in order to provide an understanding of issues pertaining to the use of assessment data.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major theories of personality and intelligence and other factors that promote individual differences such as culture, sex and life experience, and the ability to retrieve, synthesise and critically reflect on current research in personality psychology.


2. Demonstrate an understanding of how theoretical underpinnings relate to assessment choices through critical reflection of the psychological paradigms that drive assessment formation.


3. Exhibit an appreciation of the complexities of psychological test development and administration, including the concepts of validity and reliability of psychological test instruments and the ethical principles involved in psychological assessment in the past and currently.


4. Possess an ability to convey written communication regarding assessment in a concise and thorough manner required within the psychological profession.

Content

The unit is designed to provide a broad understanding of individual difference factors and the way in which those perspectives apply in various fields of psychological practice (e.g., employment selection, vocational counselling, clinical psychology, research). Major theories will be discussed such as psychoanalytic approaches to personality and motivation, biological, behavioural, cognitive and trait approaches to personality and theories of intelligence from Binet to Gardner and Wechsler. The unit will also cover the construction of tests used for psychological assessment beginning with the development of the initial instrument items through to assessing its psychometric properties and utility.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching in this unit is both conceptual and practical. You are expected to attend weekly 2 hour lectures and 1 hour tutorials. Information from a theoretical perspective is dove-tailed with practical demonstration of the applicability of theory to psychological practice. Video and case studies will also be used to exemplify the concepts covered. The tutorial classes will provide an opportunity to discuss lecture content in more detail on occasion but will also include different information such as extending concepts covered in lectures by giving students a chance to complete some tests of individual difference and as a forum to practice the report writing required in the final exam. Successful completion of the second assessment piece also relies on attendance at tutorials (please see below).

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Essay comparing and contrasting two alternate approaches that form the basis of our understanding of personality including the underpinnings of these approaches and their application to a specific individual case study. The essay will be 2000 words (including an Abstract) using APA 6th Edition formatting.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Report
Description: Students will engage in a class based activity in which you will identify an individual difference construct and develop a questionnaire to measure the construct. Following development of the questionnaire, students will administer this questionnaire to your fellow classmates and write a report about the process and results of the exercise including the provision of some psychometric data and critical reflection of the instrument and process. Information concerning the development, construction process, and writing up of this piece of assessment will occur in class. You will need to attend these classes to understand this process and interpret the information. The report will be 2000 words using APA 6th Edition report formatting
Relates to objectives: 3 & 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End of semester

Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: The final exam will cover all content and readings for the Lectures, Tutorials and other assessment items for the unit. Students will answer 80 multiple choice questions of equal value.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, & 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

TBA

Risk assessment statement

It is not expected that participation in this unit will result in any risk outside that of normal behaviour.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 18-Jan-2013