PS945-7-SP-CO:
Advanced Personality and Individual Differences
2026/27
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
22 April 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C80012 Psychology,
MSC C80024 Psychology,
MSC C800JS Psychology,
MSC C800PJ Psychology
Why do people differ in personality, ability, motivation, and behaviour? This module critically examines the main theories and methods used to explain individual differences, including cognitive, trait, and biological approaches. Students will evaluate key findings and consider how psychologists assess evidence, measure individual differences, and draw conclusions from research.
Alongside core theory, the module addresses contemporary and emerging issues in the field, with attention to conceptual, empirical, and methodological debates. Students will develop an advanced and research-informed understanding of the sources of individual differences in behaviour and of the ways these differences are investigated, interpreted, and critically evaluated.
The aims of this module are:
- To understand key theories of personality and temperament, and how these individual differences shape behaviour.
- To understand theories of intelligence and cognitive ability, including why people differ in reasoning, problem-solving, and learning.
- To evaluate contemporary debates and applications in Differential Psychology, using research evidence to explain individual differences in thinking, feeling, and behaviour.
- To explore further contemporary debates and applications, such as effects of socio-economic factors on traits. Explore of conceptual and empirical theoretical papers in the context of these debates and applications.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Critically evaluate major theories and empirical debates in personality and individual differences.
- Integrate evidence from primary research literature to assess competing explanations.
- Analyse methodological and conceptual issues in the measurement of individual differences.
- Develop and defend reasoned arguments about historical and contemporary debates in the field.
No additional information available.
This module will be experienced via two-hour weekly teaching sessions. Sessions will combine live lectures alongside opportunities for questions and discussion. The module uses blended learning, integrating online resources with face-to-face teaching to support preparation, consolidation, and revision.
Lectures are designed to be active rather than passive. Students are encouraged to engage with key questions and debates in personality and individual differences research during sessions, through short prompts, discussion, and guided problem-solving. Students will have regular opportunities to ask questions, test their understanding, and connect theoretical ideas to research evidence.
In additions of lectures, students have two additional in-depth critical thinking seminars (Level 7) which focus on developing and defending reasoned arguments about historical and contemporary debates in the field.
In addition, the module includes short online self-test activities to help students explore individual differences and to reinforce core concepts and methods.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Class Test |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes 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
Reassessment
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
No
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 310 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
310 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Psychology
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