Postgraduate Course: Seminar in Personality (PSYL11075)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The goal of the course is to immerse students in the personality literature and introduce them to the methods used in personality research (e.g., twin designs, longitudinal studies, etc). The primary reading for the course consists of the most impactful and relevant articles in personality.
Students concerned about their background knowledge may draw upon an optional textbook and sit in on the year 4 personality courses.
PLEASE NOTE: this course is primarily intended for students on the MSc in Psychology of Individual Differences. Any other students should contact the course organiser for permission to take this course. |
| Course description |
The syllabus will be similar to the course description and will also highlight the breakdown of marks in the course. It will also provide a list of papers under each topic that can be read and discussed by the students. This is because, aside from the introductory lecture, there is no week-to-week plan for the course and that the schedule depends entirely on what students will present each week.
Topics that may be covered include:
1) The trait-situation debate
2) The structure of personality
3) Genetic and familial influences on personality
4) The evolutionary psychology of personality
5) Personality in non-human animals
6) Positive Personality psychology: influences on health, well-being, and psychopathology
7) Personality and culture
8) Personality and development
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 15 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
175 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. A 1-2 page summary of the research papers to be handed out to follow students (10%)
2. Performance when leading discussion group (10%)
3. Participant in discussion groups during the other weeks (10%)
4. Final paper of 2500 words similar to an introduction section in that it summarises a body of literature and highlights what questions still need to be addressed or how to address conflicts within a literature (70%)
Final paper deadline: Thursday 14th January 2016, by 12 noon
Word limit: 3000 maximum
Return deadline: 5th February 2016
The other works will be handed in as the course progresses and will differ per student. |
| Feedback |
Each week 1 or 2 students will present on and lead a discussion covering a topic in personality (see below). This is done via a 1-page summary of one or occasionally two target articles, possibly drawing on smaller related articles. The tutorials will involve the presenter meeting with either of the course organisers the week before the presentation; presenting a summary; and leading the following discussion. All student should read the target article each week. Students will receive feedback from both lecturers that day, with a written grade soon after.
Comments provided on submitted assessments. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Knowledge of some of the major research that has been conducted in personality
- Knowledge of how one conducts personality research (methodological design issues, etc)
- Being able to summarise and present a set of scientific papers
- Leading and participating in small discussion groups
- Drafting the equivalent of an 'introduction' to a dissertation or scientific paper
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Reading List
| Classics and recent papers form a range of journals that focus on personality, individual differences, behaviour genetics, and animal behaviour will be used. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Reading and evaluating scientific papers and methods.
Drafting the equivalent of an introduction section for an MSc thesis or large paper.
Leading small group discussions.
Public speaking. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Attend all lectures as scheduled |
| Keywords | Individual differences,personality,positive psychology,well-being,twin research,genetics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Timothy Bates
Tel: (0131 6)51 1945
Email: tim.bates@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk |
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