Postgraduate Module Descriptor


ERPM007Z: Personality and Individual Differences

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

Module Aims

The module will introduce you to theories, research and practice in relation to the psychology of personality and individual differences. In the pursuit of this we aim to:

  • Develop in you a broad and critical understanding of the ways in which personality and individual differences influence various aspects of human behaviour
  • Introduce you to a range of instruments and tools used in this psychological study, including for example, questionnaires, interviews and psychometric tests
  • Develop your awareness of the issues, controversies, challenges and potential problems in measuring personality and individual differences

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of theories of personality and individual differences and a basic understanding of how these might be applied to some key topics
2. Describe how instruments and tools like questionnaires and psychometric tests may be used in personality research
3. Illustrate how our understanding of personality and individual differences depends on the methods used to measure these concepts and the theories employed to frame them
4. Illustrate a good basic knowledge and understanding of a range of societal and behavioural issues relating to individual differences in personality
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Illustrate detailed factual and conceptual knowledge of theoretical positions and see relationships and differences between them
6. Identify and critically evaluate the main areas of controversy in these areas of research
7. Solve complex problems creatively, critically and systematically
Personal and Key Skills8. Develop clear and logical arguments in your writing or visual representation of these topics
9. Manage and source information and material for use in written assessments
10. Read, review and critically evaluate relevant research evidence and literature

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Poster presentation750 words equivalent2-3,6,8Written comments

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written essay452000 wordsAllWritten feedback and grade
Written essay452000 wordsAllWritten feedback and grade
Engagement log10500 words8 -10Written feedback and grade

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Written essay (2000 words)Written essay (2000 words)AllRef/def period
Written essay (2000 words)Written essay (2000 words)AllRef/def period
Engagement logEngagement log8-10Ref/def period

Re-assessment notes

Three assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the assessments you will be required to resubmit them. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%; deferred marks are not capped.