MyLabs Group
MyPsychLab
PsychLab_Prompt14
Prompt Code
Provide a unique identifier
Prompt Type
Check appropriate type
Expository
X
Descriptive
Narrative
Persuasive
Prompt
Describe the four major theories of personality (psychodynamic, trait or five-factor
model, humanistic, and social-cognitive) and identify advantages and disadvantages
of each theory.
Length of Response
Minimum
Maximum
Expected (Avg.)
100
1000
300
Holistic
Trait Only
Holistic + Trait
List any traits
X
Ideas (content);
Organization; Conventions
(Mechanics); Voice; Focus
and Coherence
Comments
(in words)
Type of Scoring
Holistic, Trait, or
Holistic + Trait
Anticipated Scoring (Preliminary)
Trait 1
Trait Type
Holistic
Score Points
Trait 2
Trait 3
Trait 4
Trait 5
Development
of Ideas
(Content)
Organization
Conventions
(Mechanics)
Voice
Focus &
Coherence
4
4
4
4
4
Trait 1 Rubric: Development of Ideas
Specific Trait
Response Priorities
Complete for all multi-part prompts
Top
Priority
Second
Priority
Score Point
4
Description of the 4 theories (Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Trait/5
Factor, Social Cognitive), clearly distinguishing them.
Includes advantages and disadvantages of each.
Description of Student Response
Response describes the four major personality theories along with their
advantages and disadvantages:

The psychodynamic theory is based on Freud’s psychoanalytic
theory and includes the idea that people have defense
mechanisms, that sexual impulses play a large role in personality,
that part of personality is outside of awareness (unconscious),
and that the past is important.
o Advantages to this theory include recognizing the
importance of childhood, other theorists after Freud have
revised the approach to be less controversial, and this
theory has been around a long time.
o Disadvantages to this theory include being too focused on
sex and the past plus it is difficult to assess unconscious
aspects of personality.

The humanistic theory is based on Maslow and/or Rogers. The
focus is on experience, consciousness, self-conception,
consideration of a person as a whole, and the potential for positive
life.
o Advantages of this theory includes bringing attention to
positive aspects of humans and focusing on growth.
o Disadvantages of this theory include being too optimistic,
too simplistic, and having excessive self-love.

The trait perspective or 5 Factor theory of personality consists of
broad, enduring dispositions that can be assessed.
o Advantages of this theory include being able to identify
personality traits using assessment and the use of
questionnaires as a more reliable method of assessing
personality.
o Disadvantages of this theory includes a focus on broad
dimensions instead of uniqueness of individuals and the
tendency for biased self-reporting.

The social cognitive theory is based on Bandura’s theory (and/or
Mishel) and states that behavior, environment, and
person/cognitive factors are important to personality, that selfefficacy is important, and that a situation can alter a person’s
personality.
o Advantages of this theory include a focus on cognitive
processes and self-control.
o Disadvantages of this theory include a failure to account
for individual differences and ignoring biological factors.
Responses describes most of the four major personality theories along
with most of their advantages and disadvantages.
3
Responses describes some of the four major personality theories along
with some of their advantages and disadvantages.
2
1
Responses fails to describe the four major personality theories along with
their advantages and disadvantages.
Trait 2 Rubric: Organization
Score Point
Description of Student Response

4
3
2
1


Organization is effective and demonstrates a logical flow of ideas
within the response.
Transitions effectively connect concepts.
May contain an effective introduction and/or conclusion.



Organization is clear and appropriate.
Transitions appropriately connect concepts.
May contain an appropriate introduction and/or conclusion.


Organization is skeletal or otherwise limited, which may impede the
reader’s ability to follow the response.
Some simple or basic transitions are used but may be inappropriate or
ineffective.
May contain a minimal introduction and/or conclusion.



Response lacks a clear plan.
Transitions are lacking or do not link ideas.
Both the introduction and conclusion are minimal and/or absent.

Trait 3 Rubric: Conventions
Score Point
Description of Student Response

4




3


2





1

Demonstrates sophistication and skill with a wide variety of
conventions.
May contain minor editing errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation,
or sentence construction.
Errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Demonstrates adequate control over a variety of conventions.
Response may contain some errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation,
and/or sentence construction.
Most errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Although basic conventions may be mostly controlled, overall the
response demonstrates inconsistent control over conventions.
May not use a variety of conventions, OR may only use basic
conventions.
May contain a substantial number of errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and/or sentence construction.
Some errors interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Demonstrates a lack of control over basic conventions.
May contain a large number of errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and/or sentence structure OR the errors are severe.
Errors interfere with the reader’s understanding OR the response is
minimal and has a density of errors.
Trait 4 Rubric: Voice
Score Point
Description of Student Response

4
3





Voice is appropriate and clear.
Words are appropriate to the subject matter.
Sentences are appropriate and varied, making the response easy to
read.


Voice may be artificial or uneven.
Word choice, overall, may be appropriate for the subject matter, but
original writing may indicate a limited vocabulary range.
Sentences may be choppy, rambling, or repetitive in a way that limits
fluency.
2

1
Voice is appropriately authoritative, indicating a high level of
comfort with the material.
Words are precise and well-chosen.
Sentences are varied and have a natural fluidity.



Voice may be lacking or inappropriate.
Original writing may be simplistic, vague, inappropriate, or incorrect.
Sentences may be limited in variety or may comprise awkward
fragments or run-ons that produce a halting voice.
Trait 5 Rubric: Focus & Coherence
Specific Trait
Score Point
Description of Student Response
Response persuasively justifies its conclusions through logic, examples,
and illustrative language. References to theories, concepts, etc.
effectively demonstrate a strong command of psychology.
4
Response justifies its conclusions through some combination of logic,
examples, and illustrative language. References to theories, concepts, etc.
effectively demonstrate a good command of psychology.
3
2
1
Response provides some justification for its conclusions. Some
combination of logic, examples, and illustrative language are present but
are inconsistent or somewhat ineffective. References to theories,
concepts, etc. effectively demonstrate only a partial understanding of
psychology.
Response provides no significant justification for its conclusions. Logic,
examples, and illustrative language are absent, inconsistent, and/or
ineffective. References to theories, concepts, etc. effectively demonstrate
no more than a weak grasp of psychology.