module specification

This module extends and develops students’ knowledge of personality and individual differences to include psychometrics, intelligence, personality disorders and mental illness, motivation and emotion, and further examines social behaviour in terms of how individuals think about and seek to understand their social world and interact with others at group and societal level.

PC4006 Personality and Social Psychology

The aims of this module are to provide students with an understanding of (1) key theories and models of personality and individual differences in the areas of psychometrics, intelligence, personality disorders, motivation and emotion; (2) theory and research relating to social cognition and social behaviour; (3) how these areas can be scientifically investigated using appropriate research methodologies; (4) how knowledge of individual differences and social psychology can be applied to the ‘real-world’ and their relevance to a range of employment settings. This will further develop students’ employability by providing a basis of knowledge and understanding which will be beneficial in future work and training (e.g., how others can be motivated, effective team-working, understanding interpersonal and intergroup conflict). The module also fosters students’ knowledge of applied research and methodology and fosters skills in the development of psychological assessment, academic argument and critical evaluation.

Topics will be selected from the following broad areas:
Individual differences
Personality and its assessment; psychometrics; individual differences; personality disorders and mental illness; intelligence and its assessment
Social psychology
Social cognition; impression formation and stereotyping; attribution theories; attitudes and their assessment; prejudice and discrimination; models of prejudice reduction.

Students’ knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, theories and empirical evidence will be developed through lectures and small group discussions (90 hours) and through guided use of learning resources, included web-based material and independent study (219 hours).

On successful completion of this module students will:

1. Have knowledge and understanding of key theories of individual differences and the extent to which they provide a comprehensive account of human behaviour.
2. Have knowledge and understanding of key theories relating to social cognition and social behaviour and the relationship between individuals, society and culture.
3. Be able to apply both theory and methodology in these areas to real world settings, and in particular appreciate the potential strengths and limitations of methods of psychological assessment.
4. Be able to critically evaluate key concepts, theories and empirical work and debate the comparative merits of different types of explanation and methodology.

Summative assessment will be via a coursework essay of maximum 1500 words (50%) and an MCQ exam (50%). Formative assessment will be via a series of in class and online tests throughout the module.

Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2013). Personality and individual differences (2nd edition). Oxford: Blackwell
Crisp, R., & Turner, R. (2013). Essential social psychology (2nd edition). Oxford: Blackwell
Hogg, M.A. & Vaughan, G.M. (2013). Social psychology (7th edition). Harlow: Pearson.
Maltby, J. Day, L. & MacAskill, A. (2013) Personality, individual differences and intelligence. Second Edition. Prentice Hall: Harlow.
Rust, J., & Golombok, S. (1999). Modern psychometrics. London: Routledge.