Current Issues in Human Mental Ability Differences (VS1) (U03038)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-4-CIHV1-PS

To describe and evaluate research on important aspects of current research into human mental ability (intelligence) differences. The following topics are typical of those that are covered: the number, nature and relations among human cognitive abilities; the ageing of human cognitive abilities; the foundations (cognitive, biological, genetic, environmental) of mental ability differences; the influence of childhood intelligence on adult mortality.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U00595

? Pre-requisites : Degree major in Psychology and passes in psychology courses at least to the equivalent of junior honours level in Edinburgh. Prior agreement with the 4th Year Honours Course Organiser: Dr. Martha Whiteman (Ext. 50 3317).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Psychology, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Block 1 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	09:00	10:50

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

- Being able to examine the evidence for the claims that there are many separate mental abilities and/or a single 'general intelligence'.
- To understand the evidence concerning the ageing of different mental abilities and to inquire after the mechanisms of cognitive ageing.
- Being able to evaluate critically the evidence for associations between individual differences in psychometric ability test scores and cognitive and biological brain processes; and to discuss the possible mechanisms for these associations.
- Being able to evaluate critically the evidence for genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in psychometric ability test scores; and to discuss how these vary with age.
- Understanding and being able critically to assess the evidence for and possible mechanisms of the association between childhood intelligence and adult mortality.
- General learning outcomes are the ability to assimilate and critically evaluate evidence from recent research in differential psychology.