Psychology of Personality (PSY 351)
Fall 2014
T-Th 11:00am – 12:15pm in AL 201
All Tuesday class sessions are online
All Thursday class sessions are in AL 201
Instructor: Shawna Saponjic, PhD
Office: 619.594.6293
E-mail: saponjic@mac.com
Office hours: Tuesdays 11:15am – 1:00pm & by appt. in LS north 24K
Graduate Teaching Assistants:
Nathan Honeycutt
Email: nhoneycutt@mail.sdsu.edu
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants:
Michelle Arrollado
Office Hours & Location:
Thursdays 9:45-10:45am in LS north 24A
Email: mi.arrollado@gmail.com
Marissa LaMar
Office Hours & Location:
Mondays 3:00-4:00pm in LS north 24C
Email: marissa.lamar@yahoo.com
Ashley Weinberg
Email: aweinber@rohan.sdsu.edu
Sandra Challma
Office Hours & Location:
Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm in LS north 24C
Email: challma@rohan.sdsu.edu
Ally Raphael
Office Hours & Location:
Tuesdays 11:00am-noon in LS north 24A
Email: ally_raphael@yahoo.com
Course Description:
This course is a study of modern theories of personality. Emphasis is placed on personality
research methods (experimental, correlational, and case studies), theoretical approaches
(psychoanalytic, trait, biological, humanistic, behavioral/social learning and cognitive) and
their applications. Assessment techniques associated with the above theoretical approaches
will also be examined.
Course Format:
This course is a blended learning (or “hybrid”) course. This means that on Thursdays at
11:00am in AL 201 we will conduct typical face-to-face lectures. On Tuesdays, lectures can
be viewed via Blackboard. Tuesday lectures will be posted by the previous Monday at
6:00pm. The lectures will be a pre-recorded format so it is not required that you view the
lectures during class time (11:00-12:15) on Tuesday. The lectures can be accessed on
Blackboard by clicking the “Archived Lectures” tab. Once posted, the lectures will remain on
Blackboard for the remainder of the semester. So – once again, only attend lectures in AL
201 on Thursdays. Another class will be meeting in AL 201 on Tuesdays.
Course Learning Objectives:
1. Understand personality research methods
2. Describe the major personality approaches
3. Identify/analyze the similarities and differences between the personality approaches
4. Identify notable individuals together with their contributions to psychology
5. Describe the assessment procedures of the personality approaches
6. Describe practical applications of the personality approaches
7. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to
everyday life
Additional Department Level Learning Objectives:
1. Identify notable individuals together with their contributions to psychology (SLO 1.1)
2. Explain the roles of persons, situations and person-situation interactions as causes of
behavior (SLO 1.3)
3. Characterize the nature of psychology as a scientific discipline and identify its primary
objectives: to describe, understand, predict, and control behavior and mental
processes (SLO 1.7)
4. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to
everyday life (SLO 2.4)
5. Explain the similarities and differences among the research methods used by
psychologists (SLO 4.2)
6. Write a paper summarizing scientific literature on a psychological topic (SLO 8.2)
7. Demonstrate effective writing skills and use of APA-style in various formats (e.g.,
essays, technical papers) (SLO 9.4)
Required Materials:
1. Burger, J.M. (2015). Personality. (9th ed.). Belmont, California:
Wadsworth/Cengage. ISBN: 9781305520912
2. Online Teaching Materials (Accessed on Blackboard)
These materials include flashcards, a glossary and videos.
*You will find these materials bundled at the SDSU bookstore. Packaged with the
textbook is the access code that is required in order to access the online teaching materials.
This bundle will also provide you with access to the Burger ebook.
Classroom Policies:
Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code of Conduct is online at
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html. The academic dishonesty code specifies
actions for behaviors such as cheating on tests, plagiarism, and/or inappropriately
collaborating with others. I will enforce the code in the course; cheating or other
violations will result in appropriate penalties, including a failing grade on the assignment
or in the course, and the reporting of that incident to the Center of Student Rights and
Responsibilities. Students have the right to appeal such action in accord with due
process.
Students with disabilities: San Diego State University seeks to provide equal access to
its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need
accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Student
Disability Services (SDS), 619.594.6473 or online at http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds.
Grade challenges: Upon receiving graded assignments, you have 1 week after the grade
is posted to challenge your grade. This includes the grade for the final exam and your
final grade for the class. After one week, grade challenges will not be reviewed.
Evaluation and Grades:
Exams: The course consists of four content areas, each of which concludes with
an in-class exam. Each exam is worth 100 points. The exams will consist of 50
multiple choice questions. The exams will include questions on both the lectures
and the text chapters. You will need an 882 scantron. A review sheet will be
posted on Blackboard one week prior to each exam. If an exam is missed (with a
university excuse) a makeup will be arranged. If an exam is missed (with a
reasonable excuse) then a makeup to be taken within one week will be arranged.
In addition, 10 points will be deducted from exam score. Once you have started
taking an exam in class you may not leave the room for any reason.
Personality Approach Papers: Students will write two Personality Approach
Papers. Each paper is worth 50 points and will be turned in in hard copy format.
For each paper, students will choose a different personality phenomenon/disorder
(e.g., anxiety, depression, aggression) from the provided list and discuss the
phenomenon in terms of a personality approach (e.g., Psychoanalytic, Humanistic).
All students will use the Psychoanalytical Approach in their first paper. For the
second paper, students can choose from the Biological, Humanistic or
Behavioral/Social Learning Approaches. Each paper should be approximately 5
pages in length, (not including title & reference pages) and include the following
information:
-general description of the phenomenon/disorder
-general description of the personality approach
-how the specific approach explains the phenomenon/disorder
-possible treatments for the phenomenon/disorder
-follow an abbreviated American Psychological Association (APA) format
-in addition to your text book, use at least 2 other references
-Paper #1 is due Thursday October 2
-Paper #2 is due Thursday November 6
*Paper guidelines will be posted on Blackboard and discussed/described further in
class
Quizzes: There will be 9 quizzes throughout the semester (see calendar
below). The quizzes will cover lecture information from the Tuesday online class
session before the quiz. Quizzes will be worth 5 points and take place the first part
of class on Thursdays. Only 8 quizzes (40 points) are part of the point total below
so if you take all 9 quizzes you can earn more than 40 points. There are NO
make-up quizzes unless you have a university excuse.
Personality Assessments: We will be completing 10 personality assessments
in class. The assessments will be posted on Blackboard a few days before we
complete them in class (you will be notified via email). If you bring a copy of the
assessment and complete it in class you will receive 1 bonus point. Your grade will
not be negatively impacted if you do not complete the assessments. There are NO
make-up assessments unless you have a university excuse.
Grading will be as follows:
Exams (4)
Personality Approach Papers (2)
Pop Quizzes
400 (100 each)
100 (50 each)
40 *can earn up to 45 pts
Total possible points
540
A = 94% & above
A- = 90 - 93%
B+ = 87 - 89%
B = 83 - 86%
B- = 80 - 82%
C+ = 77 - 79%
C = 73 - 76%
C- = 70 - 72%
D+ = 67 - 69%
D = 63 - 66%
D- = 60 - 62%
F = 59 & below
Attendance:
Class attendance is the responsibility of the student. If a student is unable
to complete the course, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw.
Class Schedule:
August
September
October
November
December
26
28
2
4
9
11
16
18
23
25
30
2
7
9
14
16
21
23
28
30
4
6
11
13
18
20
25
27
2
4
Overview
Overview & Ch.1 What is Personality?
Ch.2 Personality Research Methods
Ch.2 Personality Research Methods (quiz 1)
Ch.2 Personality Research Methods
Ch.3 Psychoanalytic Approach: Freudian Theory (quiz 2)
Ch.3 Psychoanalytic Approach: Freudian Theory
Ch.4 Freudian Approach: Relevant Research (quiz 3)
Finish Exam 1 Information & Review
Exam 1 (Chapters 1 – 4)
Ch. 5 Psychoanalytic Approach: Neo-Freudian Theory
Ch. 5 Psychoanalytic Approach: Neo-Freudian Theory (quiz 4)
Ch. 6 Neo-Freudian Theories: Relevant Research
Ch. 7 Trait Approach (quiz 5)
Ch. 7 Trait Approach
Ch. 8 Trait Approach: Relevant Research (quiz 6)
Finish Exam 2 Information & Review
Exam 2 (Chapters 5 – 8)
Ch. 9 Biological Approach
Ch. 10 Biological Approach: Relevant Research (quiz 7)
Ch. 11 Humanistic Approach
Ch. 12 Humanistic Approach: Relevant Research & Review (quiz 8)
No Class – Veterans Day
Exam 3 (Chapters 9 – 12)
Ch.13 Behavioral/Social Learning Approach
Ch.13 Behavioral/Social Learning Approach (quiz 9)
Ch.14 Behavioral/Social Learning Approach: Relevant Research
NO CLASS - Thanksgiving
Ch.16 Cognitive Approach & Research & Review for Final Exam
Final Exam (Chapters 13 - 16) 11:00am