Module ERPM007Z for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 5. 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 Skills | 8. 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 |
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 Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 27 | Engagement online with taught content |
| Guided Independent Learning | 27 | Reading (textbooks, journal articles, web resources and lecture slides) in preparation for online taught content |
| Guided Independent Learning | 60 | Work on assessments |
| Guided Independent Learning | 9 | Collation and review of class materials |
| Guided Independent Learning | 27 | Undertaking 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).
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 assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster presentation | 750 words equivalent | 2-3,6,8 | Written 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.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written essay | 45 | 2000 words | All | Written feedback and grade |
| Written essay | 45 | 2000 words | All | Written feedback and grade |
| Engagement log | 10 | 500 words | 8 -10 | Written 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written essay (2000 words) | Written essay (2000 words) | All | Ref/def period |
| Written essay (2000 words) | Written essay (2000 words) | All | Ref/def period |
| Engagement log | Engagement log | 8-10 | Ref/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.
