Psychology 2316: Psychology of Personality
Fall 2011, Spring Branch Campus, 9:30-11 a.m. MW
CRN: 51425, Room 206
INSTRUCTOR: Jeanne Spaulding
HCC EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER: jeanne.spaulding@hccs.edu, 713 718-5526.
OFFICE HOURS: 11-12:30 MW and 12-12:30 TR in office AD5, and by appointment.
Psychology Department Webpage: http://learning.hccs.edu. Go to Learning Web,
Subjects, Psyc 2316. For my website go to learning web, faculty, Spaulding.
PREREQUISITE: Psyc 2301 or permission of the instructor. Students should have completed
Eng. 1301 before taking this course. Case essays will be 25% of the grade.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS:
In this course you’ll learn about normal and abnormal personality, with the focus on the abnormal.
In order to better understand personality, the early portion of this course will look at the major
theoretical approaches to understanding personality. This will be followed by a look at
psychological assessment and the diagnostic criteria for the different disorders. We will also
discuss issues such as the insanity plea and psychological disorders among the homeless.
Upon Completion of this course, you should:
1. Understand the major theories of personality and how they apply to both normal and
abnormal behavior.
2. Understand the methods of research and assessment that are unique to the study of mental
disorders.
3. Be able to describe the diagnostic criteria for most of the major mental disorders in both
adults and children.
4. Understand the issues relating to prevention and treatment of mental disorders, as well as
current social issues such as the insanity plea and homelessness.
The overall goal of this course is for you to engage as a full partner in the learning process. There
will be discussions during every aspect of the course, from fundamental concepts of abnormal
psychology, to how you will be evaluated. It is your responsibility to choose to prepare for each
class, to participate in discussions and activities, and ask questions to further your understanding
of psychology. It is my responsibility to facilitate learning and to be available during my office
hours.
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
1. Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed
materials.
2. Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct, and
coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion and audience. In addition, students should
have correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
3. Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive
language.
4. Listening means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken
communication.
5. Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills
analytically to the subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and construct alternative
strategies.
6. Computer literacy means having the ability to use computer-based technology in
communicating and acquiring information.
TEXTBOOKS: TEXTBOOKS: Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan. (2011) (Ab)normal Psychology, Fifth
Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill. The text was not ordered by the bookstore until 8/25, so hopefully
it will arrive during the first week. The text manager says it will cost:
Hardback Purchase Price$169.65
Rental Price
$ 83.15
Loose leaf Purchase Price$118.00
Digital Version Purchase Price$102.95
180 Rental Price- $80.45
We will discuss this in class. You could temporarily use the 4th edition which is very cheap online
($3 and up). But the order of pages and chapters is different, and it is missing about 5% new
material. There will be a set of Learning Objectives online that you will need to learn and
understand, and bring to class when we review for test. Publisher website:
www.mhhe.com/nolen5 (not updated yet for 5th edition)
HCC Policy Statement – ADA Services to Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at
the
respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Northwest ADA Counselor – Mahnaz Kolaini – 713.718.5422. Her office is the first one on the
right as you come in the main entrance off the Beltway 8.
Southwest ADA Counselor – Dr. Becky Hauri – 713.718.7910
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has
been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The
instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for
ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has
teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's
Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an
offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting
themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary
proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic
dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism,
and collusion.
It is my policy to give an F/0 on the first occasion and an F in the course if any of the below
occurs a second time.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;
 Using materials such as extra notes that not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit. This includes paraphrasing a source without
citing the source and page number. It also means copying the work of another student!
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in
the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal
from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the
best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in
student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to
succeed. You are expected to attend all lectures. You are responsible for materials covered
during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to
drop a course for nonattendance or poor grades, the instructor has the authority to drop you for
excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours of instruction. The six hours of class time would
include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the
first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or a buddy
in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in paper if you
unavoidably miss a class. If you have a question, you may email me.
Tardiness and leaving early: This is disruptive to the class and thus will be noted on the official
attendance forms. If you feel you have a valid reason, please discuss it with me outside of class
time or by email. As with absences, it is the student’s responsibility to ask if there were handouts
or special announcements and get the notes from another student.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw yourself online from
the course prior to the final date of withdrawal which is November 3rd at 4:30 . Remember to
allow sufficient time (at least 24-hour response time). When you begin to have trouble in the
class, please contact me to discuss any academic or person problem that is interfering with your
success in the class. I may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to
complete the course. Your success is very important to me. You also need to realize that if you
have more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a
degree, there will be financial consequences. It is your responsibility to visit with me or a
counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online
tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic
performance. I will usually give you a W if you have missed more than 6 hours of class before the
Withdrawal date.
I will meet with students who are wondering if they need to take a W about 2 days before
the withdrawal date. Usually withdrawals for documented medical reasons or military
service are not counted in the six.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase student success and protect the taxpayer, students who repeat the same
course more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. HCC charges a higher tuition rate to
students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. I am willing to help avoid
withdrawing if you ask me to help as early as possible. I can help you improve your study habits,
improve your reading and writing skills and test taking skills.
International Students
Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the
course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the
International Student Office at 713-718-8520, if you have any questions about your visa status
and other transfer issues.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. I take this responsibility very seriously
and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for me to carry out this
task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and
assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
If a disruption of class continues, it is my policy to move the student to another part of the room
and, if necessary, withdraw the student from the class.
Use of cell phones, cameras and/or recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow students
and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these
devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
You may use a laptop computer to take class notes and use an e-Text. But it is
inconsiderate of others and not helpful to learning to use them to surf the web or use Face
Book. If they are open while we are going over a test or quiz, you may get a 0 on that test
or quiz. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding
reasonable accommodations
STUDENT ACTIVITIES IN PSYCHOLOGY: It is highly recommended that psychology majors join
the psychology honor society (Psi Beta) if you received an A in Psyc 2301, or have a 3.5 in all
psychology courses and a 3.0 overall. There are also lectures and other activities sponsored by
Psi Beta., and lectures in the community.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION: There will be lectures, discussions, in-class
activities and videos/media. The instructor is responsible for the lectures, but students are
expected to attend classes and to participate in discussions and activities. These in-class
activities earn points, which cannot be made up, so attendance is very important. If a student is
absent or tardy, it is their responsibility to ask after class about any announcements or handouts.
The lectures will cover most of the textbook material on which you will be tested. Talking between
students during lecture is considered disruptive. Students should be ready at any time to
answer questions about the lecture or text.
Evaluation will measure the different skills needed on multiple-choice tests, case reports, and inclass discussions and possible outside activities. Tests I-Final Exam will consist of 50 multiplechoice questions (50 points). Since these case reports are meant to fulfill the “writing across the
curriculum” requirement of HCC, they are expected to be well written, with correct spelling and
grammar. The first Case Report that earns less than 18 points may be rewritten for additional
partial credit. You will have a handout for guidance.
GRADING SYSTEM:
3 Tests 50 M/C question, 50 points each
Two case reports
In-class quizzes, activities and assignments
Final exam: 50 questions
150 points
70 points
30 points
50 points
300 points
A=270-300 points or 90%
B=240-269 points or 80%
C=210-239 points or 70%
D=180-209 points or 60%
There will be no make-up exams without a documented emergency. Then arrangements will
be made to take a harder exam two weeks before the end of class.
Extra credit (up to 15 points) can be earned by writing out the answers to the learning objectives
and handing them in just before each test. Relevant outside lectures or activities may be used for
extra credit with approval of the instructor.
SPRING 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE FOR PSYC 2316, 9:30-11 MW
Aug. 29 Introduction and Chapter 1: Looking at Abnormality. Only a few details on pages 9-15
will be on the test.
Aug. 31 Please finish Chapter 1 and ½ of Chapter 2 so we can discuss the theories.
Sept. 5 *Chapter 2: Theories and Treatment of Abnormality. *see the handout for the
Assignment on your favorite theory in Chapter 2 and why (1-2 pages typed) with group
presentation and class discussion (10 points). Sign-up today.
Sept. 7 Theories and treatments continued.
Sept 12 *give your group presentations and discussion of your favorite theories and hand in a
onCover Chapter 3: Assessing and Diagnosing Abnormality.
Sept 14 Demonstration of personality tests and we will finish Cha
Sept. 19 Chapter 4: the Research Endeavor. Skip 101-104. Get your case reports.
Sept. 21 Review for Test 1.Bring your Learning Objectives. Discuss extra credit.
Sept. 26 *Test I: Chapters 1-4. Bring Scantron and pencil. Hand in extra credit on Learning
Objectives at the beginning of class, and pick it after you finish the exam.
Sept. 28 No Class. Read Chapter 5: Anxiety disorders. Read pages 467-470 on stress. How
does this relate to anxiety? Look though the cases on anxiety, mood and dissociative disorders.
Oct. 3 Anxiety disorders and videos. We will go over the multiple choice test
Oct. 5 Sign up for the disorder you will write about in your 1st Case Report. Videos of DSM
training cases.
Oct. 10 Chapter 6: Somatoform and Dissociative. Read your case and meet with others who
are doing the same case.
Oct. 12 Begin Chapter 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide
Oct. 17 Mood disorder and videos. Create your case notes or outline
Oct. 19 *Group discussions on Cases (5 points max). Review for Test II. Remember to bring your
Learning Objectives for the Test Review. Go over guidelines for case report. Make sure you
follow the case report format carefully.
Oct. 24 *Test II: Chapters 5-7.
Oct. 26 * Go over test II. Hand in Typed Case Report. If it is handed in late on Oct. 31, you will
lose 2 points (put in my mailbox by 4 p.m., 4 points on the Nov. 2nd, or 6 points on Nov. 4th. It will
not be accepted after Nov. 4th. Start Chapter 8: Schizophrenia.
Oct. 31 Sign up for 2nd case report. Chapter 8: Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders
with videos and discussion.
If you have less than 85 points, you might consider withdrawing from the course.
Nov. 2 Chapter 9: Personality Disorders.
Nov. 3 ** Last day for you to withdraw from the class by 4:30 p.m. Finish Chapter 9 with
videos.
Nov. 7 Chapter 10: Childhood disorders.
Nov. 9 finish Chapter 10. Review DSM-IV Criteria and test review. *Begin looking for articles on
the internet, newspaper, or news magazine that feature issues covered in Chapter 18 (insanity,
commitment, etc.) or new discoveries or treatments for the disorders we have covered. This is
due on May 4, 2010.
Nov. 14* Group Discussions on Cases (5 points),
Nov. 16 *Test III: Chapters 8-10.
Nov. 21 *Hand in one typed case report. If it is late, you will lose 5 points on Wednesday
Nov. 23 and 10 points on November28th. It will not be accepted after Nov. 30th and you will
lose 15 points. Go over multiple-choice . Start Chapter 11.
Nov. 23 Chapter 11: Cognitive Disorders and life span issues. Brief coverage of Chapter 13.
Nov. 28 Chapter 13 Sexual Disorders and Gender Identity Disorders (certain parts only, note the
page numbers on the review). Chapter 17: Substance-Related Disorders (certain parts only).
Nov. 30 Brief coverage of Chapter 15: Health Psychology
Begin Chapter 18: Mental Health and the Law
Dec. 5 Finish Chapter 18 and Type a ½ to 1 page summary of the article you found.
Dec.7 * Final group activity: Five minute oral reports on Chapter 18 project and hand in
summary. Review for the Final Exam on Chapters 13,14,16-18.
Dec. 12 *9:30 a.m. (Monday) *Final Exam: Chapters 13,14,16-18 (50 Multiple-choice). Hand in
extra credit before the exam and pick it up after.
*means that there will be an assignment, group discussion or Test on that day.