PL1S133 - Individual Differences and Learning 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL1S133
Module Title: Individual Differences and Learning
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Shakiela Davies
Module Team: Leigh Webber, Charlotte Reynolds, Amy Lewis, Dawn Latham, N Michael
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

The module aims to give students a broad overview of the role of individual differences in psychological functioning as well as introducing students to principles and research associated with learning.

Content Summary

The module will cover the main approaches to learning including classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theory. Additionally individual difference approaches will be studied and this will be broadened out to consider how individual variability can affect psychological functioning. Specifically students will be introduced to theory and research in personality including the different types of personality, methods of measuring personality and current research on this topic. Finally students will consider research on intelligence, different types of intelligence such as emotional and social intelligence as well as the different ways of measuring intelligence.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 24
Independent Study 112
Directed Study 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss the key theoretical approaches in learning and individual differences.
LO2 Explain and compare relevant historical and current research in learning and individual differences.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Literature/book/paper review 1 Review a research article on a topic related to individual differences or learning 0 2500 80 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 A multiple choice class test covering content in both learning and individual differences 50 N/A 20 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Literature/book/paper review 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Hood, B.M., Schacter, D., Wegner, D., Gilbert, D., (2015) Psychology, (2nd ed.), (European Edition). Palgrave Macmillan, Basinstoke, UK:

Maltby, J., Day, L., Macaskill, A., (2013) Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.

Plus Journals relevant to Learning and Individual Differences such as:

Journal of Individual Differences

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Personality and Individual Differences

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Perspectives on Psychological Science