Psychology 2316: Psychology of Personality
Fall 2014, Town and Country Campus, 9:30-11 a.m. MW
CRN:77022, Room 206
INSTRUCTOR: Jeanne Spaulding and HCC EMAIL jeanne.spaulding@hccs.edu,
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment.
Tutoring in the Library Tutoring Center: TBA
Psychology Department Webpage: http://learning.nwc.hccs.edu/courses/psyc
The learning objectives will be on my Learning web page under Spaulding
PREREQUISITE: Psyc 2301 or permission of the instructor. Students should have completed Eng. 1301 before taking
this course. Case report 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 all 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.
2.
Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials.
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, doherent, 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:
Abnormal Psychology, Ronald J. Comer, 2014. ISBN-133 978-1-4641-3719-8
You will be given a set of Learning Objectives that you will need to learn and understand, and bring to class when we
review for test.
Publisher website:
DISABILITIES OR LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES: Please inform your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you
have a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) that may limit your ability to participate fully
in this course. You may do this with the official letter or have an email sent to me. Arrangements will be made to assist you if you
have documentation from the ADA counselors in office RC12.The phone number is 713 718 5422. The Testing Center phone is 713
718 5671.
If English is your second language, you may use a bi-lingual dictionary (book form only) during exams with the permission of the
instructor. Tutoring is available to help you.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: This includes, but is not limited to, cheating on tests (including inappropriate notes for the tests),
plagiarism, and collusion. A zero will be given for any paper or test on which there is cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism includes
copying the text word for word on the essays as well as internet sourcesw.. You will get an F in the course if it happens twice. See the
student handbook for details.
ATTENDANCE: Please discuss with me if you are having difficulty attending to class. Note that you can receive up to 25 points
for completion of in-class quizzes and exercises so that attendance is very important. Usually you will not know in advance when we
will have an activity or quiz and there are no make-ups.
TARDINESS AND LEAVING EARLY: This is disruptive to the class and thus will count as ½ absence if more than ten
minutes late, or leave early. If you feel you have a valid reason, please discuss it with your instructor outside of class timeor by email.
As with absences, it is the student’s responsibility to ask if there were handouts or special announcements.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for
the course on the Withdrawal date (Nov. 6th this semester), 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.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Students, in order to withdraw, will need instructional or counseling faculty approval before
the withdrawal deadline each term. The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses
excessively. Iif you take the same course more than two times, you have to pay extra tuition. In 2007, the Texas Legislature
passed a law limiting students who started college in Fall 2007 or later to no more than six total course withdrawals
throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree. There may be future penalties imposed.
I offer opportunities for tutoring or other assistance throughout the semester. Please discuss any problems you are having as soon as
possible so that you can receive passing grades. If you decide to withdraw, then you need to request that your instructor or a
counselor withdraw you before the withdrawal deadline. Otherwise, you will be given whatever grades earned (A, B, C, D, or F)
for the course.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students who talk among themselves are disruptive to both the other students and the instructor.
Both faculty and students are expected to treat each other with respect in a way that facilitates learning. During the second week of
class a seating chart will be created. If you want to sit in a different part of the classroom, this is the time to request this. If your
behavior is impeding the other students’ ability to hear the lecture or discussion, it is the option of the instructor to move you to
another seat or withdraw you from the class for repeated disruptions .
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, and in-class discussions and possible outside
activities. Tests I-IV will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions (50 points). you will be allowed to use the 1/2 page review sheet to
write notes to help you during the test. This 1/2 page of notes must be hand-written on both sides of the paper. Do not copy anyone
else's notes.
GRADING SYSTEM:
3 Tests, made up of 50+ M/C questions, one test is dropped
In-class activities and assignments
One case report, written according to my guidelines
Final exam: 50 questions, not comprehensive
150 points
25 points
75 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 since one exam will be dropped.
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
exam. Relevant outside lectures or activities may be used for extra credit with approval of the instructor.
SPRING 2013 CLASS SCHEDULE FOR PSYC 2316, 9:30-11 MW:
Jan. 13 Introducing ourselves and discussing the syllabus. Start Chapter 1: Abnormal Psychology: Past and Present
Jan. 15 Continued. Only a few details on pages 7-12 will be on the test. Read Chapter 2.
Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Day, the college is closed. Read Chapter 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology. Your goal
is to understand how these methods are used to study psychological disorders, and to know the key terms.
Jan. 22 Finish 2 and read Chapter 3: Models of abnormality. If you do not yet have a textbook, the library has textbooks
by other authors that you can use. You have an assignment due on January 29.
Jan. 27 Chapter 3. You need to read carefully the models/theories and pick one to write on, from a list on Wednesday.
You will cover these theories throughout the semester.
Your assignment is to: Choose a theory you find interesting and type a one page paper summarizing your topic with the
correct terms but no plagiarism (copying more than 5 words in a row from the text or other source). Include why you
picked the model/theory. At the end of the assignment, specify which text you used and the pages covered. Do not use
internet sources for this assignment, use a text.
Jan. 29 Class discussions of your theories and why you liked them. Your assignment (10 points) is due, or you lose one
point per class if it is late. Begin Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Begin answering for Learning
Objective Questions on my HCCS learning page to do better on the test and for extra credit.
Feb. 3 Chapter 4: continue learning how the diagnostic process works with the DSM-5. Demonstration of personality
tests. Finish Chapter 4. Begin Chapter 5.
Feb. 5 Chapter 5 on Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and related disorders. Videos on these disorders
Feb. 10 Finish Chapter 5 and Review for Test 1on chapters 1-5 .Bring your Learning Objectives. Discuss the extra credit.
Feb. 12 *Test I: Chapters 1-5. Bring Scantron and pencil. Hand in extra credit on Learning Objectives at the
beginning of class, and pick it after you finish the exam. Extra credit can be handed in late, but it is not helping you on
this test.
Feb. 17 President's day, no class. But please read Chapter 5 on Anxiety Disorders.
Feb. 19 We will go over the multiple choice test and then cover Chapter 6: Stress Disorders (including PTSD)
Feb. 24 Continued. Videos of DSM training cases. We will cover parts Chapter 7: Disorders focusing on somatic and
Dissociative sympoms.
Feb. 26 *Discussions about the Cases and the Case Report, your major paper(80 points). Remember to keep doing the
Learning Objectives. Overview of Chapter 8: Disorders of Mood with the new DSM-5 Criteria. Videos of patients with
mood disorder. Please know the criteria well enough to discuss the symptoms using correct terms.
Mar. 3 Chapter 8 continued. Chapter 9: Treatment of Mood Disorders. Work on your Case Report using the guidelines I
pass out.
Mar. 5 Parts of Chapter 10: Suicide. Discussion of depression and suicide. Work on your Case Report using the guidelines
I pass out.
Mar. 10-16: SPRING BREAK. PLEASE CATCH UP WITH YOUR READING, BUT HAVE FUN TOO!
Mar. 17 Brief coverage of Chapter 11: Eating Disorders and Chapter 12: Substance abuse and addictive disorders.
Mar. 19 Chapter 13:Disorders of SEx and Gender. Review for Test DSM-IV Criteria. Group Discussions on Cases (5
points)
Mar. 26 *Test III: Chapters 9-11.
Mar. 28 Complete essays (25minutes). Go over multiple-choice.
Mar. 31 Chapter 12: Personality Disorders.
Apr.2
Continued. Conferences with students about their grades so far.
Apr. 3** Last day for you to withdraw from the class. It is also the last day that I can withdraw you!!! I can no
longer withdraw you at the end of the semester.
Apr. 4 Continued with DSM-IV and videos
Apr. 7 Chapter 13: Childhood Disorders
Apr. 9 Finish 13.
Apr. 11 Parts of Chapter 14: Cognitive Disorders: Dementia, Delirium and Amnesia
Apr. 14 *Group discussion of Cases (5 points). Review for Test IV.
Apr. 16 Finish Review. Complete essays for Test IV.
Apr. 18 *Test IV: Chapters 12-14.
Apr. 21 Go over test and Chapter 16: Sexual Disorders and Gender Identity Disorders (certain parts only).
Apr. 23 Chapter 17: Substance-Related Disorders (certain parts only)
Apr. 25 Continued.
Apr.28 Chapter 18: Mental Health and the Law
Apr. 30 * Final group activity: Reports on Chapter 19 project.
May 2
Review for the Final Exam on Chapters 16-18 and review of major disorders. Discussion of essays for final
exam.
May 7 *
(Wednesday) *Final Exam: Chapters 16-18 plus questions that review major disorders.
* Reminds you there is an exam or graded activity that day.
Test I: Chapters 1-5
Test II: Chapters 6-10
Test III: Chapters 11-15
Test IV: Chapters 16-19