Psychology of Intelligence and Personality

Objectives

Intelligence

1. Understand the scope and meaning of the theories of intelligence;

2. Learn about the different theories of intelligence, including their limitations and potential;

3. Distinguish between basic and higher cognitive processes.

Personality

1. Acquire knowledge on the models and theories of personality;

2. Understand different methods of personality assessment;

3. Cooperate with others in exploratory research projects

Assessment of Intelligence and Personality (practical component)

1. Meet instruments used in the evaluation of intelligence and personality in children and adults, including those assessed for the Portuguese population;

2. Apply some tests to evaluate intelligence, understanding the logic of its quotation and result interpretation;

3. Understand the ethical principles both of cognitive psychological evaluation and personality assessment.

Program

Intelligence

1. Concept of intelligence

2. Main conceptual approaches

3. Issues of debate around the concept and measurement of intelligence.

4. Limits and potentials in measuring intelligence.

Personality

1. Concept of personality

2. Trace theories and the Big Five

3. Major models of personality (psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive)

4. Some personality disorders

5. Personality assessment. Types of evidence and related issues. Ethical issues related to personality assessment.

Assessment of Intelligence and Personality

1. Ethical principles in the use of psychological assessment instruments

2. Assessment of intelligence in children and adolescents

3. Assessment of intelligence in adults

4. Personality assessment in children and adolescents

5. Personality assessment in adults

Teaching Methodologies

This curricular unit includes expository sessions based on PowerPoint presentations and active methodologies, such as problem solving and project work aiming to consolidate topics. The learning activities also include the presentation and discussion of written work.

Bibliography

Afonso, M. J. (2002). Inteligência funcional: Aspectos heurísticos e hermenêuticos do construto. Revista Portuguesa de Psicologia, 36, 9-24.

Almeida, L. S. (1994). Inteligência: Definição e Medida. Aveiro: CIDInE.

Gonçalves, M. M., Simões, M. R., Almeida, L. S. e Machado, C. (Coords.). Avaliação Psicológica: Instrumentos validados para a população portuguesa (Vol. I; 2.ª ed.). Coimbra: Quarteto Editora.

Gonçalves, M., & Simões, M. R. (2000). O Modelo Multiaxial de Achenbach (ASEBA) na avaliação clínica de crianças e adolescentes. In I. Soares (Coord.), Psicopatologia do desenvolvimento: Trajectórias (in)adaptativas ao longo da vida (pp.45-87). Coimbra: Quarteto Editora.

John, O. P., Robins R. W., & Pervin, L. A. (Eds.) (2008). Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd nd). New York: The Guilford Press.

McAdams, D. P. (2001). The person: An integrated introduction to personality psychology. Orlando, Fl.: Harcourt.