6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
School of Psychological Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Ms Kelly Atkins
(Clayton)
Associate Professor Shamsul Haque
(Malaysia)
Unit guides
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.
Synopsis
The unit will provide students with a theoretical and practical overview of individual differences, and how these may be assessed and treated using evidence-based approaches. The course of study will include the theoretical background to the development of classes of tests, detailed examination of a range of models of ability and other individual difference issues. 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 in various psychological settings. An overview of evidence-based interventions for common clinical disorders will also be discussed.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Describe and discuss theoretical bases for undertaking psychological tests, and the place of psychological assessment in various settings of psychological practice.
- Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological assessments, including common psychiatric conditions, neurocognitive abilities, and personality traits.
- Integrate and summarise information obtained during psychological assessments in the form of a professional report.
- Describe and discuss limitations of psychological assessment tools and how they can be misused, and assess the ethical considerations of administering, interpreting, and reporting of test results.
- Appraise approaches to psychological intervention from the theoretical and empirical evidence bases.
- Integrate assessment and intervention knowledge and skills for behavioural changes and symptom improvements.
Assessment
NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
- Essay (2,000 words) (30%)
- Report on psychological assessment (40%)
- Closed book multiple-choice exam (2 hours) (30%)
Attendance at 75% of lectures is a hurdle requirement.
Workload requirements
Twelve 2 hour lectures (delivered weekly), and two 2 hour practical workshops.
See also Unit timetable information