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Unit of study_
PSYC3015: Personality and Psychological Assessment
2025 unit information
This study unit explores contemporary topics related to individual differences, such as cognitive and metacognitive abilities, personality traits, decision-making processes, and psychological assessments. Students are introduced to different theoretical models used in these paradigms and are expected to evaluate these theories critically based on the research evidence. Additionally, the unit covers various psychological testing methods, techniques, psychometrics, and applied aspects of the individual differences approach in fields like industry, education, clinical psychology, and policymaking.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Psychology Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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PSYC2012 and (PSYC2014 or PSYC2017) |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the different major purposes and applications of psychological tests
- LO2. understand the history and content of the main theoretical approaches to personality, intelligence or/and metacognition (trait theories, psychophysiological theories, interpersonal theories and evolutionary theories)
- LO3. understand and be able to define and describe key concepts in intelligence, metacognition, decision-making, personality and emotional intelligence
- LO4. understand the way that personality, intelligence, and metacognition predict valued life consequences such as successful aging, health, educational and workplace success
- LO5. perform literature reviews, including formulating a specific research question, creating search criteria/prompts for key terms, searching multiple relevant databases (e.g., PSYCInfo, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Medline, Elicit), integrating the search in reference software (e.g., ENDNote), summarising findings in a table, and evaluating and interpreting the meaning of the results.
- LO6. understand how different research designs can be used to answer specific questions (e.g. understand how to interpret the results of cross-sectional and longitudinal research; how to interpret a lagged panel model)
- LO7. display familiarity with different traditional and contemporary assessment techniques (e.g., standardised psychological tests, questionnaires, structured interviews, behavioural observations, rating scales, computer adaptive testing, anchoring vignettes, situational judgment test, confidence judgment paradigm, overclaiming technique)
- LO8. respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to thought and behaviour
- LO9. evaluate psychological tests using the criteria outlined in the current version of the test standards
- LO10. form a reasoned argument about current issues in intelligence, personality, metacognitive, and other individual differences research
- LO11. critically evaluate the administration and use of psychological tests, and identify their strengths and weaknesses (e.g. individually administered intelligence tests, emotional intelligence tests)
- LO12. critically evaluate popular media, internet or AI content/claims about intelligence, personality, and other individual differences topics (e.g. critically evaluate sources and content)
- LO13. understand, follow and be able to evaluate ethical use of psychological tests and testing, research and the research process, and information use
- LO14. write a psychological assessment assignment using American Psychological Association (APA) formatting conventions and referencing
- LO15. prepare and present a presentation on current issues
- LO16. participate in small and large group discussion
- LO17. demonstrate knowledge of the way psychological theory and tests of intelligence, personality, and other constructs are applied in education and clinical settings.
- LO18. demonstrate knowledge of the way that psychological theory and tests of intelligence, personality, and other constructs are applied in workplace environments, industry, and policymaking.
Unit availability
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