PS938-7-SP-CO:
Special Topics in Individual Differences and Developmental Psychology

The details
2020/21
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
15
04 June 2020

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module is an advanced survey of major contemporary topics in individual differences and developmental psychology. The topics covered will be directly related to the current research specialisations and active research programmes of staff in the department. This will provide students with insights into the major unresolved questions and controversies in the field, as well as discussing recent major in advances in our understanding. For each topic, critical analysis of relevant theory and research will form the basis of written and oral work in the module.

Module aims

The modules aims:

To provide advanced understanding of contemporary theoretical and empirical research in individual differences and developmental psychology.

To engage students with critical analysis of relevant theory and research.

To provide a research-led approach to teaching, by structuring the seminars with reference to the ongoing research programmes within the department.

To encourage intellectual engagement with these research programmes, and help to foster a sense of scientific enquiry in preparation for the research project module (PS934)

Module learning outcomes

1. Students will be able to critically discuss scientific articles and studies around the topics of individual differences and developmental psychology.
2. They will be up-to-date with the literature in these fields.
3. Students will have improved their academic oral presentation skills.
4. Students will have improved their academic writing skills.

Learning outcome 1,2 and outcome 3 will be assessed by the oral presentation coursework, learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4 will be assessed by the essays coursework.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

All teaching will be through seminars (10 x 2 hour lecture/seminars). The seminar leader will typically give a talk explaining the relevant theoretical background and contemporary research findings, and discuss their own recent research in this area. There will be a focus on understanding the current unanswered questions in the field, and how these might be addressed through novel empirical research. Students will be encouraged, and expected, to discuss these issues themselves. Seminars will employ a variety of techniques, such as group discussion and student presentations. Information about the seminars will be provided in advance through Moodle.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non-essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Essay 1     

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Silvia Rigato, email: srigato@essex.ac.uk.
Silvia Rigato, Vanessa Loaiza, Gerulf Rieger, Jonathan Rolison, Keith May, Maria Laura Fillipetti, Silvia Rigato, Carina de Clerk
srigato@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Prof Bettina Forster
City, University of London
Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 21 hours, 21 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Psychology

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