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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 335"
COURSE NAME: "Theories of Personality"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Erik Noftle
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 3:40 PM 5:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PS 101
OFFICE HOURS:
after class or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Personality is generally defined as an individual’s unique stable pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving, and its study has been an extremely important focus in scientific psychology. This course examines the various theories of personality and, according to each theory, a personality’s structure and development. The scope of theories studied will be from the Freudian tradition through to Trait Theories, Biological Perspectives, Behavioral/Social Learning theories, Humanistic/Existential models and finally to more current Cognitive theories. Students will have opportunities to critically evaluate each theory/perspective, and in each of the theories address a variety of questions.
Satisfies "Sociocultural Area" core course requirement for Psychological Science majors.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Welcome to Theories of Personality! The aim of this course is to give you an in-depth introduction to contemporary and classic perspectives on personality psychology. We will discuss personality at all different levels: human nature, individual and group differences, and the unique individual. As you’ll see, personality psychology integrates a diverse range of topics – topics such as biology, work, social relationships, physical and psychological health, cognition, emotion, free will, culture, dreams, sex, and aggression – and applies them to the understanding and scientific study of the individual.
Whereas this class is partly lecture-based, class participation is highly encouraged—I’d like you ask questions when you have them, and speak up if you have comments. There will be several days when the class format is more discussion-based, and I will also have questions for you on a regular basis. There will be several activities throughout the course for which your in-class participation will be required.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Student Learning Objectives
I have three student learning objectives for the course:
Objective #1 is for students to understand the different approaches and perspectives in personality
psychology. We will cover current and classic theories, research, and applications of personality psychology in class and in readings, and I will test your mastery and knowledge of these areas using both exams and papers.
Objective #2 is for students to learn how personality psychologists study their field scientifically. We
will discuss several methods used to test theories and to conduct research in personality, and I will test your knowledge of these areas and your creative ability to apply this knowledge to novel hypothetical situations.
Objective #3 is for students to directly and indirectly apply concepts central to personality psychology to
their own lives, in the pursuit of better understanding of oneself and other people. Coursework not only includes feedback on your personality using some of the most commonly administered inventories in personality research, but also affords you the opportunity to engage in application of theories and research from the course to your own life and life story, in the form of a written psychoautobiography.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Personality Puzzle, 8th Edition (2019) | Funder, David C. | W. W. Norton | 978-0-393-42180-4 | | | Hard Copy | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exam 1 | Covers unit 1 | 20 |
| Exam 2 | Covers Unit 2 | 20 |
| Exam 3 | Covers Unit 3 | 20 |
| Participation | Regularly attends and contributes to class discussion. | 10 |
| Small assignments | Included in class as time allows | 10 |
| Psychoautobiography | More detail provided in class | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Date
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Tentative Class Topic
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Readings DUE
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Assignments DUE
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May
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20
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Introduction and Syllabus; What is Personality?
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Funder Chpt. 1
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21
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Research: Types of Personality Data
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2
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Who am I? due
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22
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Research: Research Methods in Personality
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3
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23
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FILM: Dont Look Back (Pennebaker, 1967)
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27
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Research: Personality Assessment
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Furr (2001)
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28
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Research: Traits, Situations, and Behavior
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4
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29
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Research: Personality Judgment
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5
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30
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Exam 1
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June
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3
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Trait Approaches: Trait Systems
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6
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4
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Trait Approaches: Development
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7
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5
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Biological Approaches: Physiology & Genetics
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8
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6
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Biological Approaches: Genetics & Evolution
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9
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10
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Topic: The Self and Identity
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15
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11
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Exam 2
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12
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Psychodynamic Approaches: Freud & Post-Freudians
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10-11
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13
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Humanistic Approaches and Happiness
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12
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17
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Behaviorist and Social-Cognitive Approaches
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14
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18
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Topic: Personality and Close Relationships and Work
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16
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Final Paper Due
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19
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Topic: Personality and Culture
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13
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20
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Personality Psychology: Wrapping Up
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Epilogue
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21
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Exam 3
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