COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING

SPRING SEMESTER, 2007

PSYC3450

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY

3 HOURS

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S)

Burger, J.M. (2004) Personality (6th edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to the nature, study, and conceptualization of personality. Historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives of personality will be critically examined, and applications will be discussed.

 

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING OUTCOMES

1.     Students will use the scientific method as a primary basis for engaging in critical thinking and evaluating multiple sources of information. (Outcome #1)

2.     Students will communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories clearly and effectively, both in oral and written form. (Outcome #6)

3.     Students will use appropriately the technical language of the science of psychology in oral and written communication. (Outcome #7)

4.     Students will articulate the developmental changes resulting from both hereditary and environmental factors that shape individual differences. (Outcome #9)

5.     Students will compare and contrast differing theoretical perspectives within and among the differing disciplines of psychology.  (Outcome #10)

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.  Students will define the components of personality and issues involved in studying and assessing personality. (Principle #1)

2.  Students will demonstrate familiarity with the following theories of personality and be able to apply these theories to case studies:

            a. Psychoanalytic theory

            b. Neoanalytic theory

            c. Humanistic theory

            d. Personal construct theory

            e. Learning theory

            f. Social cognitive theory

            g. Trait theory (Principles #1, 9, and 10)

3.     Students will describe the applications of personality theory to treatment and research. (Principles # 6, 7, and 10)

 

COURSE EVALUATION

Exams: There will be four unit exams (see calendar below for dates and chapters to be covered) for this course.  Each exam is worth 100 points (20% of your grade).  The third of these exams will be administered during the regularly scheduled final exam period.  Exams will consist of multiple choice items.

 

Papers: You are required to write a paper in which you describe someone's personality from three different theoretical perspectives.  The individual you select may be a famous person, someone you know, or yourself.  You must describe the individual's attributes and development which support your "assessment" of their personality.  In addition, following the discussion of the individual from these three theories, some evaluative comparison of the perspectives should be conducted. Outside resources may be used.  You must discuss the subject of your paper with me and decide on the three perspectives you will employ.  The paper will be due on April 19, 2007.  For each school day a paper is late, 10 points will be deducted.  The paper is worth 100 points (20% of your grade).  The paper must be typed, anywhere from 8-15 pages in length, and clearly written.

 

Grading Criteria: Four exams worth 100 points each plus one paper worth 100 points each for a total of 500 possible points.

            A = 90% = 450-500 points                 

B = 80% = 400-449 points

            C = 70% = 350-399 points     

            D = 60% = 300-349 points

            F = 299 points or less

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

VSU policy requires class attendance.  Class roll will not be taken, so you are on your honor to attend class.  It will be very difficult to do well on exams without class attendance.  Changes to class calendar may be announced in class, and you will be expected to be aware of them.  In addition, quizzes for extra credit may be given and will not be made up if you miss class.

 

CELL PHONE/TECHNOLOGY POLICY

You may use a laptop to type notes, but use of laptops for activities unrelated to class activities will result in being asked to leave. Using cell phones to take pictures, text message, or to make phone calls during class is prohibited. Cell phones should be switched off and left in bookbags, purses, or pockets. Having a cell phone on your desk will subject it to being confiscated for the duration of the class. MP3 players or other stereo equipment with earpieces or cell phones should also be switched off and put away during class time.

 

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING POLICY:

The full text of this policy is available in the College of Education Dean’s Office, EC room 227.  The following penalties will be enforced, as stated in the Policy:

FIRST OFFENSE: The student will earn a “0” on the assignment, test, project, etc. 

SECOND OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course.            

THIRD OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course, and further action involving referral of the matter (with documentation) to the appropriate college (university) officials within the administrative structure will be taken. (Please see page 39 of the VSU Student Handbook.)

If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism, I recommend you review the following web site:

http://www.valdosta.edu/~cbarnbau/personal/teaching_MISC/plagiarism.htm

 

INSTRUCTOR

David Wasieleski, Ph.D.
#306 Regional Center for Continuing Education

Office Hours:

            MWF 9:30-11:00 a.m.

            TR 1-3:30pm

Phone: 333-5620

Email: dwasiele@valdosta.edu

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski

(Available at other times by appointment)

 

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

Valdosta State University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability.  If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to make me aware of it.  Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in room 1115 Nevins Hall. The phone numbers are 245-2498 (voice) and 219-1348 (tty).

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

1/9:      Chapter 1: Introduction

1/11:    Chapter 2: Personality Research Methods

1/16:    Chapter 2: Personality Research Methods

1/18:    Chapter 11: Humanistic Approach: Theory

1/23:    Chapter 11: Humanistic Approach: Theory

1/25:    Chapter 12: Humanistic Approach: Research

1/30:    Chapter 12: Humanistic Approach: Research

2/1:      Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 11, & 12)

2/6:      Chapter 3: Psychoanalytic Approach: Freud

2/8:      Chapter 3: Psychoanalytic Approach: Freud

2/13:    Chapter 4: Psychoanalytic Approach: Research

2/15:    Chapter 5: NeoFreudian Theories

2/20:    Chapter 5: NeoFreudian Theories

2/22:    Chapter 6: NeoFreudian Theories: Research

2/27:    Exam 2 (Chapters 3-6)/ Midterm Date

3/1:      Chapter 7: Trait Approach: Theory

3/6:      Chapter 7: Trait Approach: Theory

3/8:      Chapter 8: Trait Approach: Research

3/20:    Chapter 8: Trait Approach: Research

3/22:    Chapter 9: Biological Approach: Theory

3/27:    Chapter 9: Biological Approach: Theory

3/29:    Chapter 10: Biological Approach: Research

4/3:      Chapter 10: Biological Approach: Research

4/5:      Exam 3 (Chapters 7-10)

4/10:    Chapter 13: Behavioral/Social Learning Approach: Theory

4/12:    Chapter 13: Behavioral/Social Learning Approach: Theory

4/17:    Chapter 14: Behavioral/Social Learning Approach: Research

4/19:    Chapter 15: Cognitive Approach: Theory

            Paper Due

4/24:    Chapter 15: Cognitive Approach: Theory

4/26:    Chapter 16: Cognitive Approach: Research

Final Exam: Thursday, 5-3-07, 5-7:00p.m.: Chapters 13-16

 

Please note that dates of chapters are approximate and subject to change.