Examination arrangement

Course content

The course will give the students insight into personality psychology at an advanced level. In addition, the course provides students with a practical, statistical, methodological, and theoretical basis for conducting personality testing with scientifically developed personality tests. To achieve this, the students must work on a theoretical term paper/semester essay in which they themselves must find and use original scientific literature, where they can demonstrate an ability for independent and critical academic dissemination. In addition, the course consists of an exercise in profile feedback (NEO PI-3), which emphasizes practical utility and focus on the combination of traits and implications for different areas (professional life, health, interpersonal). The course will focus on a deeper understanding of personality psychology and especially on the topics of behavioral genetics and the biological basis of personality, trait theory vs. type theory, personnel selection, situation-person interaction, and a deep-dive in the classic theories, as well as insight into personality theories, and practice in the practical application of tests as well as their associated theories and basic knowledge of statistics and methods.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The candidate has advanced theoretical, empirical, and applied knowledge within personality psychology and can apply relevant research literature in a theoretical, empirical, and practical context
• The candidate knows classic test theory and statistics related to test development and use.
• The candidate has knowledge of the importance of norm bases, basic psychometrics, and transformation of scores.
• The candidate is familiar with ethical guidelines for testing, and has knowledge of common errors in profile feedback
• The candidate has knowledge of personality-related risk and protection factors linked to the development of psychological difficulties and disorders (chapter 5, §13a) and has knowledge of how personality psychological factors interact with other factors in inhibiting and promoting human health, education, work participation and living conditions, recovery processes, and quality of life throughout life.

Skills

• The candidate can analyze and relate independently and academically critically to theories, methods, and research results within personality psychology.
• The candidate can analyze and apply knowledge from personality psychology in new areas within psychological research.
• The candidate has basic experience with the use of scientific personality tests, and can give feedback on various tests.
• The candidate can evaluate the characteristics of a personality test, assess limitations and usefulness, as well as understand the difference between raw scores and standardized test scores.

General competence

• The candidate can use knowledge from personality psychology to contribute to professional innovation
• The candidate can communicate about, and convey, personality psychology knowledge both to other professional groups, specialists, and the general public.
• The candidates have an understanding of ethical test use, and can give a profile feedback that emphasizes the combination of features as well as practical implications of the profile.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching consists of three main parts. 1) Discussion-based lectures with two and two lecturers who give different perspectives on theory and empiricism. 2) Teaching related to the exercise in personality testing and report writing. 3) Discussion meetings with the students where topics related to the term paper, theory and empirical work are discussed with the course supervisor.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in a practical exercise in the use of NEO-PI 3
• Approved mandatory submission (profile feedback)

Further on evaluation

Previously approved mandatory assignments are approved for repeat of exam.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

PSY1124, PSY1504, PSY1016, PSYPRO4116, PSYPROPSY1128, PSYK4128 or equivalent.

Credit reductions