Personality Theory

(Spring 2025)


Professor:

Dr. Linda M. Woolf

Office Hours:

  • MWF 9:00 - 9:50 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.

Expanded Course Description:

Personality theory is an evolving field within psychology that seeks to understand the consistent patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define individual differences among persons and peoples. Rooted in both psychological theories and contemporary research, this course explores how personality is formed, how it influences our lives, and how it can be measured.

At its core, personality theory integrates various perspectives, ranging from trait theory, which focuses on stable characteristics like extroversion or conscientiousness to multicultural approaches, which consider the influence of the situation and environment on our sense of self.

Overall, personality theory offers a comprehensive framework for exploring the complexities of human individuality, providing valuable insights into behavior, cognition, mental health, and interpersonal relationships.

Course Objectives:

  1. To become familiar with the history of the study of personality.
  2. To become familiar with a specific set of criteria which can be used to evaluate any theory of personality.
  3. To explore the research related to the study of personality and personal growth.
  4. To examine, in depth, the study of personality from trait, cognitive/learning, and other perspectives. .
  5. To become familiar with the study of personality across the life-span, including biological influences.
  6. To explore the role of personality in a variety of contexts (e.g., work, relationships).
  7. To examine the relationship of personality to mental health challenges (e.g., personality disorders).

Course Outcomes-upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss a brief history of the study of personality.
  2. Critique a theory of personality based on specific criteria as outlined in class.
  3. Identify, articulate, evaluate, and discuss the underlying themes, methodology, and assumptions associated with the study of personality. Identify and discuss the issues of personality across the life-span, specifically as it relates to stability vs. change.
  4. Evaluate the concept of the "self" in the study of personality.
  5. Critically evaluate the role of context (e.g., culture, situations) on personality.
  6. Discuss the relationship of personality to health and well-being.
  7. Critically evaluate and discuss current personality research.

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 and much of the course is designed to focus on discussion of concepts.

Incoming Competency:

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

Course Requirements:

Seven quizzes, three research article critiques, class presentation/leading of a class discussion, and a final self-reflection paper.

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:

Quizzes (7)50%
Presentation 20%
Research Article Critiques (3) 25%
Final Self-Reflection 5%

Quizzes: Quzzes will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture, readings, and class discussion. Six quizzes will be given.

POLICY STATEMENTS: All quizzes must be taken by the date scheduled on Canvas. No make-up exams will available for students without a documented excuse AND who discuss their situation with the professor prior to missing an exam. Students with learning challenges, documented learning disabilities, and students for whom English is not your first language, should discuss with me accommodations as sent by the Academic Resource Center or if you need additional time for testing based on issues discussed with me in advance of any quiz

Presentation and Lead Class Discussion: Students in pairs or small groups will be select a topic to present to the class grounded in the readings for their assigned week. You will present a concept from the reading (not the entire reading) and add material from other articles related to your topic. Dates for presentations to be assigned during the first two weeks of class.

Research Article Critiques: The purpose of the research article critique is for you to:

Find an original article through the use of PsycArticles (APA's database -- all full text) related to the study of personality. Specific topics are assigned for each critique (i.e., trait theory; lifespan development; personality disorders). Critique each article using the rubric provided on Canvas: Research Article Critique Directions.pdf and demonstrate your understanding of the research within the context of the study of peresonality. Dates when Research Article Critique are due are listed on Canvas. Papers are due by 11:59 on Saturday of the week due.
  1. Critique 1: Trait Theory (any topic related to the use of the Big Five or HEXACO
  2. Critique 2:: Personality across the lifespan (any topic related to child, adolescent, adulthood, or aging and personality)
  3. Critique 3: Personality Disorders (any topic related to personality disorders and the study of personality)

Self-Reflection: At the end of the term, you will be asked to write a reflection paper concerning what you have learned in the class, including an analysis of how the class has shaped your view of personality. You will need to include reflections on the topics covered each week in this class (i.e., culture, traits, cognitive/learning, personality across the lifespan, etc.). Also, discuss how this course might influence your thinking about the future (e.g., careers, relationships). Additionally, onclude a ranking of the 5 most important concepts that you have learned in the class! What should your neighbor or family know about the study of personality?

  • 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.

    • 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.

    AI Use Restricted

    All work submitted in this course must be your own. Contributions from non-academic sources (such as AI tools) are prohibited. Contributions from approved sources must be fully acknowledged and properly quoted or paraphrased by you every time they are used. Failure to follow this policy constitutes a violation of academic integrity and may result in disciplinary action.

    Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact me or the Director of the Academic Resource Center, as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations can be implemented in a timely fashion.

    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
    • Bergner, R. M. (2020). What is personality? Two myths and a definition. New Ideas in Psychology, 57.

    January 24
    January 31    		Introduction to Personality continued
    Personality Across Cultures
    • APA Multicultural Guidelines
    • Church, A. T. (2010). Current perspectives in the study of personality across cultures. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 441-449.
    • Giordano, P. J. (2019). Culture and theories of personality: Western, Confucian, and Buddhist perspective. In K. D. Keith (Ed.), , 2nd ed. (pp. 661-684). Wiley Blackwell. (focus on the two sections directly related to the "Two Eastern Approaches to Understanding Personality.")

    Quiz I (Friday, January 31)

    February 7
    February 14    		 Trait Approaches
    • McCrae, R. R., & John, O. P. (1992). An introduction to the five-factor model and its applications. Journal of Personality, 60(2), 175-215.
    • Ashton, M. C., Lee, K., & de Vries, R. E. (2014). The HEXACO Honesty-Humility, agreeableness, and emotionality factors: A review of research and theory. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 18(2), 139-152.

    Critique 1: Trait Theory (any topic related to the use of the Big Five or HEXACO, Due February 8

    Quiz 2 (Friday, January 14)

    February 21
    February 28    		Cognitive/Learning Approaches

    • Bandura, A. (2018). Toward a psychology of human agency: Pathways and reflections. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 130-136.
    • Strickland, B. R. (1989). Internal-External control expectancies: From contingency to creativity. American Psychologist, 44(1), 1-12.

    Quiz 3 (Friday, February 28)

    March 7
    March 21

    Personality Across the Lifespan
    • Donnellan, M. B., Hill, P. L., & Roberts, B. W. (2015). Personality development across the life span: Current findings and future directions. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences. (pp. 107-126). American Psychological Association.
    • McAdams, D. P., & Manczak, E. (2015). Personality and the life story. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences. (pp. 425-446). American Psychological Association.

    Critique 2:: Personality across the lifespan (any topic related to child, adolescence, adulthood, or aging and personality), Due March 8.

    Quiz 4 (Friday, March 21)

    March 28
    April 4

    Personality and the Self
    • Leary, M. R., & Toner, K. (2015). Self-processes in the construction and maintenance of personality. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences. (pp. 447-467). American Psychological Association.
    • Mosig, Y. D. (2010).East Meets West: The non-self versus the reified. In K. D. Keith (Ed.), Cross-cultural psychology: Contemporary themes and perspectives., 1nd ed. (pp. 443-456). Wiley Blackwell. (focus on the two sections directly related to the "Two Eastern Approaches to Understanding Personality.")

    Quiz 5 (Friday, April 4)

    April 11
    April 18    		 Personality Across Contexts
    • Jensen-Campbell, L. A., Iyer-Eimerbrink, P. A., & Knack, J. M. (2015). Interpersonal traits. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences. (pp. 351-368). American Psychological Association.
    • Cuadrado, D., Salgado, J. F., & Moscoso, S. (2021). Personality, intelligence, and counterproductive academic behaviors: A meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(2), 504-537.
    • Hogan, R., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2015). Personality and career success. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences. (pp. 619-638). American Psychological Association.

    Quiz 6 (Friday, April 18)

    April 25
    May 2    		 Personality and Health
    • Haeyen, S., van Hooren, S., van der Veld, W. M., & Hutschemaekers, G. (2018). Promoting mental health versus reducing mental illness in art therapy with patients with personality disorders: A quantitative study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 58, 11-16.
    • Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Toward a taxonomy of dark personalities. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(6), 421-426.
    Critique 3: Personality Disorders (any topic related to personality disorders and the study of personality), Due April 26

    Self-Reflection, Due May 3

    May(Check Posted Final Exam Schedule for date and time) Quiz 7


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