Leader: Dr Gordon Walker

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2008 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
South Africa First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit will provide students with a theoretical overview of individual differences and how these may be assessed. The course of study will include the theoretical background to the development of classes of tests, detailed examination of a range of models of human ability, and other individual difference issues. The different approaches to the design and construction of personality assessment tools will also be addressed. Test evaluation methods and a review of recent trends in test development theory will also be covered. The unit will also cover the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a range of psychological tests and classification tools.

Objectives

At the end of the Unit, students will:

1. possess a sound knowledge of the theoretical and historical bases of test development, particularly measures of ability and personality;
2. be able to decide on the appropriate assessment procedures necessary to undertake specific psychological classification;
3. possess the basic skills necessary to summarise the findings of psychological assessments in the form of a professional report;
4. appreciate the limitations of psychological assessment tools and how they can be misused;
5. appreciate the ethical issues related to the administration, interpretation, and reporting of psychological test results;
6. understand the place of psychological assessment in psychological practice;
7. integrate data obtained from a number of sources to produce a psychological report;
8. be thoroughly conversant with the principles of psychological assessment; and
9. have developed beginning level skills in administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological tests.

Assessment

Essay (2000 words): 30%
Report on psychological assessment: 40%
Multiple-choice and short answer exam: 30%

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelors Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average for third year psychology units.

Prohibitions

PSY4503