Postgraduate Module Descriptor


ERPM007Z: Personality and Individual Differences

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary over time, it is envisaged that the syllabus will consider a range of issues that relate to the current and historical study of personality and individual differences, drawing on theory, assessment of personality and empirical research. The syllabus will likely include:

  • A general introduction to personality and individual differences
  • Psychoanalytic theory
  • Personality trait theory
  • Personality type theory
  • The person-situation debate
  • Biological and evolutionary approaches
  • Personality and intelligence tests; reliability and validity of such measures
  • Behaviourist, social learning and cognitive approaches
  • Humanistic approaches
  • Intelligence
  • Personality disorders
  • Individual differences and psychosis

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
271230

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching27Engagement online with taught content
Guided Independent Learning27Reading (textbooks, journal articles, web resources and lecture slides) in preparation for online taught content
Guided Independent Learning60Work on assessments
Guided Independent Learning9Collation and review of class materials
Guided Independent Learning27Undertaking additional class tasks and activities (e.g. on ELE) and preparing for online taught content.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).