PS945-7-SP-CO:
Advanced Personality and Individual Differences

The details
2023/24
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
06 November 2023

 

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

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC C80012 Psychology,
MSC C800JS Psychology

Module description

This module gives a detailed review of personality, intelligence and individual differences. It includes coverage of cognitive perspectives, trait theories, and biological approaches to these topic areas.


This module will also cover influential topics in individual differences that are contemporary and exciting. This module will give students a theoretical and research-based knowledge of the sources of individual differences in behaviour.

Module aims

The aims of the module are:



  • To investigate theories of personality, i.e. to what extent do differences in temperament influence people`s behaviour.

  • To investigate theories of intelligence, i.e. how and why people differ in their problem solving and inference skills.

  • To explore further contemporary debates and applications in individual differences, i.e. how do individual differences explain a wealth of human behaviours, feelings and thinking.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate methodology, research, and theoretical approaches in personality, intelligence and individual differences.

  2. Critically evaluate a range of theories and methods used in personality, intelligence and individual differences. Assessed in the exam.

  3. Understand how research in this topic area informs debates about real-world issues. Assessed in the report.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be experienced via:

  • One 1-hour teaching slot per week which will vary in content.

Teaching is made up of a combination of lecture podcasts, live lectures, drop-in sessions and seminars. Students are expected to attend all teaching sessions. This module will be taught by blended learning. This will combine online material and face to face sessions where appropriate.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   MCQ Class Test    100% 
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period) 

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
25% 75%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
25% 75%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Tracy Robinson, email: tracy@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Tracy Robinson, Dr Max Roberts, Dr Gijsbert Stoet
tracy@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr John Patrick Rae
Roehampton University
Reader in Psychology
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 34 hours, 32 (94.1%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Psychology

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