Personality Theory

(Spring 2020)


Professor:

Dr. Linda M. Woolf

Office Hours:

  • MWF 10:00 - 11:00 or by appointment.

  • 318 Browning Hall, Psychology Department.

  • Phone 246-6970 or 246-7062

Text:

Catalog Course Description:

Examines the structure, dynamics, and development of personality and explores the assumptions about human nature that underlie the various theories about personality.

Course Description:

This course focuses on the major models of personality including Psychoanalytic, Neoanalytic, Learning, Dispositional, and Humanistic-Existential. During the term we will examine these models and approaches, the major theories representative of each, each theories methods and research, and will explore the assumptions about human nature which underlie each perspective. We will examine how people like Freud, Jung, Maslow, and others reached their conclusions about personality. In addition, we will apply various theorist's and traditions ideas in an analysis of the main character in Camus' The Stranger.

Course Objectives:

  1. To become familiar with the major models and traditions related to the study of personality and personal growth.
  2. To examine, in depth, specific theories under each of the major psychological models of personality. To examine each theories concepts and principles, their explanation of personality development, their assessment techniques, and their application to treatment of psychopathology.
  3. To become familiar with a specific set of criteria which can be used to evaluate any theory of personality.
  4. To develop the skills necessary to be able to draw on these theories to describe and explain an individual's personality or behavior.

Course Outcomens—upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, articulate, evaluate, and discuss the underlying themes, methodology, and assumptions of each model and tradition.
  2. Identify, articulate, evaluate, and discuss the major concepts and principles of each personality theory discussed in the class and in the text. Students will be able to articulate each theories assessment techniques and the theories approach to the treatment and understanding of psychopathology. Students will be able critically evaluate each theory.
  3. Critically the theories of personality using criteria provided in class lecture as well as criteria identified in the text
  4. Apply and elucidate the various theorists’ ideas to explain the behavior of the main character in Camus' book The Stranger.

Class Meetings:

The class will meet on MWF from 11:00 - 11:50 p.m. Attendance is expected as material will be presented that is not in the book.

Incoming Competency:

All students should have completed 9 hours of psychology and be capable of 3000 level work.

Course Requirements:

Five exams, two analysis papers, a written book review, and class attendance/participation.

All grades will be assigned on a scale of 0 - 10 with:

90 - 100A-, ASuperior Work
80 - 89B-, B, B+Good Work
70 - 79C-, C, C+Satisfactory Work
60 - 69D, D+Passing, but less than Satisfactory (not passing if used as a requirement for the major)
Less than 60FFailing

Percent of Grade:

Examinations (5)70%
Analysis Papers (3) 15%
Book Review 10%
Class Attendance/Participation 5%

Examinations: Exams will include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture, readings, and discussion. Five exams will be given.

POLICY STATEMENTS: All exams must be taken on the date scheduled except in case of an emergency. In case of the above, the instructor must be notified in advance that a test is going to be missed. No make-up exams will be provided if you fail to notify and discuss your situation with the instructor. No extra credit work will be made available to make-up for a poor test grade.

Analysis Papers: The purpose of the analysis papers is to provide you the opportunity to apply a major theorist from each of the major categories of personality theorists to the character of the stranger. Each analysis paper must include examples from the book and lecture to support your analysis. Also, include aspects of the character's personality or behavior that the theory does not adequately explain. Dates when each analysis paper is due are listed on the course outline. Although three analysis papers can be completed, only the top two grades will be recorded. A sample analysis paper is available on World Classroom.

Written Review: The purpose of the written review (note a book review is more extensive than a book report) is to provide you the opportunity to read and review on an original work written by a personality theorist. All books must be approved by the instructor via email prior to reading and reviewing any book. Sample book reviews are available on World Classroom.

  • All papers must be typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, and in APA style format.

    If you are in doubt as to what this means, see me for details.

    or

    All papers must be submitted electronically in Word format through Canvas. No hard copies will be accepted.

    • Policy Statements:

    Use of Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Please respect others in the class by turning off all cell phones and pagers before entering the room. Text messaging during class is not acceptable. Laptops may be used in class but are only to be utilized for class related activities (e.g., taking notes). If it becomes apparent you are using the computer for non-class activities (e.g., checking your email, playing games) then you may be asked to turn off your computer and refrain from bringing it into class in the future. Laptop use is restricted to the back or sides of the classroom so that other students are not distracted during lecture.

    Plagiarism (attempting to pass off the work of another as one's own) is not acceptable. Plagiarism includes copying all or part of another's writings (even a single sentence), inappropriate paraphrasing, using another student's paper as your own, submitting a paper for more than one class. All papers will be submitted to the university's plagiarism database for review. Plagiarism, either intentional or unintentional, will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment but also may be turned over to the appropriate university source for disciplinary action and a grade of F for the course. In addition, cheating on exams will also result in the same fate.

    Here are some Web sites that will help you avoid the problem of plagiarism particularly plagiarism resulting from paraphrasing too closely to the original source. -

    Late withdraws from this class will not be approved by the instructor except in cases of emergency discussed with the instructor. No late withdraws will be approved on the basis of poor class performance.

    This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. All changes concerning course requirements will be provided in writing. Changes concerning exam dates may be made at the instructor's discretion and communicated verbally to the class.

    It is understood that remaining in this course (not dropping or withdrawing from this course) constitutes an agreement to abide by the terms outlined in this syllabus and an acceptance of the requirements outlined in this document.


    Course Outline

    Week EndingTopic Readings
    January 17 Introduction to the Class

    Introduction to Personality Theory
    • Chapter 1
    • Freud video - link on Canvas

    January 24
    January 31    		Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis
    • Chapter 2

    Additional Web Resources:

    February 7 Carl Gustav Jung and Analytical Psychology

    Exam I, Chapters 1, 2, 4 (Friday, February 7)

    • Chapter 4

    Additional Web Resources:

    February 14Karen Horney and Humanistic Psychoanalysis

    • Chapter 6

    February 21

    Alfred Adler

    Analysis Paper I Due - Adler or Horney, February 23
    • Chapter 3

    February 28

    Erik Erikson and the Life Cycle

    Exam II, Chapters 3, 6, 7 (Monday, March 2)

    • Chapter 7

    Additional Web Resources:

    March 6 Erich Fromm
    • Chapter 8

    March 20 Abraham Maslow and Transpersonal Psychology

    Analysis Paper II Due - Fromm or Maslow, March 22
    • Chapter 9
    Additional Web Resources:

    March 27 Carl Rogers and Person Centered Psychology

    Exam III, Chapters 8, 9, 10 (Monday, March 30)
    • Chapter 10

    Additional Web Resources:

    April 3Rollo May and Existential Psychology

    • Chapter 11

    Additional Web Resources:

    April 10 Gordon Allport

    McCrae and Costa

    Analysis Paper III Due - Costa & McCrae or May, April 12

    • Chapters 12 & 13

    Additional Web Resources:

    April 17 Eysenck

    Exam IV, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14 (Monday, April 20)

    • Chapter 14

    Additional Web Resources:

    April 24Skinner

    Book Review Due April 26
    • Chapter 16

    Additional Web Resources:

    May 1Bandura
    Rotter, and Mischel
    • Chapters 17 - 18
    Additional Web Resources:

    May(Check Posted Final Exam Schedule for date and time) Exam V - Chapters 16, 17, 18


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