PSYb2551 Psychology of individual differences

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025

The course is not taught in Spring 2025

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
Students should have basic knowledge of personality psychology and developmental psychology at the time of enrollment.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course of the psychology of individual differences follows the knowledge of personality psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology. The thematic consists of a four-block curriculum that reflects the theoretical constructs of contemporary psychology of personality in a social context: interpersonal personality dispositions, emotional dispositions, cognitive dispositions, and motivational dispositions. The subject is a critical reflection of historical and contemporary methodologies of differential psychology and psychology of individual differences.
Learning outcomes
Student will: - understand the basic principles of the methodology of psychology of individual differences - understand the most important theoretical constructs of the field - understand the cross-contingency of the ontogenetic development of these constructs - be able to use available research tools in individual diagnostic considerations - be able to connect the theoretical knowledge of the field with the reality of everyday life
Syllabus
  • A. Interpersonal personality dispositions: 1) Extraversion 2) Agreeableness 3) Interpersonal dependency 4) Gender Identity B. Emotional Dispositions: 5) Neuroticism and depression 6) Social anxiety, shyness 7) Pronneness to guilt and shame 8) Hostility and anger, affect intensity C. Cognitive Dispositions: 9) Openness to experience 10) Faith in the Just World 11) Authoritarianism and Dogmatism 12) Need for Cognition; Cognitive Closure, Integrative Complexity 13) Social perspective taking D. Motivation Disposition: 14) Consciousness 15) Social desirability 16) The need to belong & affiliate 17) Need for power 18) Sensation seeking 19) Rejection sensitivity
Literature
    required literature
  • Selman, R. L. (2003) The promotion of social awareness : powerful lessons from the partnership of developmental theory and classroom practice. New York: Russel Sage Foundation.
  • Handbook of individual differences in social behavior. Edited by Mark R. Leary - Rick H. Hoyle. New York: Guilford Press, 2009, xv, 624. ISBN 9781593856472. info
Teaching methods
Teaching is done in the form of lectures and online seminar exercises.
Assessment methods
Seminar assignments are evaluated as received if they are fully and credibly elaborated. Seminar work is evaluated on the standard A-F scale as well as the final oral exam. The total score consists of 40% of the seminar paper and 60% of the oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
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