Theories of Personality (PSYC 3341/5341)
The University of St. Thomas
Spring Semester 2010
Class: Wednesdays 5:30 – 8:15 p.m.
Office Hours: Wednesdays 4:15 – 5:15 pm.
Or by appointment
Catherine R. Barber, Ph.D.
Phone number: 281-650-8252
Email: barbercr@stthom.edu
Psychology Department, Rm. 123
Course Description & Objectives
This course provides an introduction to the basic theories of personality, including
psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, trait, biological, humanistic, existential, behavioral, social
learning, and cognitive perspectives. The successful student will gain an understanding of the
foundational ideas in each of these areas and apply personality theories to both real and fictional
case histories. Students will also demonstrate a solid understanding of the assessment strategies
and research supporting each perspective.
For students preparing for (or continuing) graduate study in psychology, this course will offer a
theoretical foundation for discussions of models of personality development, psychopathology,
and treatment. For students preparing for or continuing in the workplace, this course provides a
basic theoretical framework for understanding the personality features of self and others to
promote effective work relationships. Material from this course may also be useful to students
seeking to better understand their own and others’ patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
Required Reading
Burger, J. M. (2008). Personality (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Course Requirements & Expectations
Instructor’s Expectations & Assumptions
I assume that you value your education and that you strive to produce your best work out of
respect for both yourself and your instructor. I expect that you will complete all assigned
readings and carefully review the material outside of class so that we can use class time to
explore topics in more depth. I also expect that the classroom will be a place of mutual respect
and that students will not engage in behaviors that are not conducive to learning (e.g., having
side conversations, sleeping in class, late arrival or early departure).
Attendance & Participation
Students are expected to attend all class sessions and to participate actively. Each student should
be prepared to make a contribution to the discussion at least once every class session. Because
we will cover material in class that is not in the textbook, it is essential that anyone who misses a
class take responsibility for covering missed material and obtaining any handouts. Students are
asked to turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other chiming electronic devices; calls and text
messages should not be responded to during class. Students who use laptop computers during
class are expected to use the computers exclusively for course purposes.
Class Preparation
Students are expected to read the assigned material in advance of each class session and be
prepared to discuss and apply the reading during class time. Class sessions are designed to build
upon the reading rather than duplicate it. Students are encouraged to bring their textbooks to
class to use as a reference for some activities. Students who have not completed the reading
assignment for the class will be asked to act as silent observers of the class (and to sit at the back
of the class), rather than slow the class down.
Grading
Journal article reviews
Paper
Exam #1
Exam #2
Graduate Project (MLA)
50
100
100
150
100
A
AB+
B
B-
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
CD
F
77-79
73-76
70-72
60-69
Below 60
It is my expectation that all students will study and work to master the material, and that grades
will reflect this. If you earn a D or an F on an assignment or exam, I expect that you will meet
with me during my office hours within one week to discuss how you plan to improve your
performance. Students who are pro-active in remedying problems early in the semester can
expect to see their grades improve over the course of the term. Any student who is dissatisfied
with his or her performance on the exams is encouraged to meet with me during office hours to
review the material, identify strategies for improving performance, etc.
Adjustments to final grades may be made to reflect improvement and mastery of material and
skills over the course of the term.
Attendance & Participation
Students are expected to attend and actively participate in each class session. It is the
responsibility of the student to cover missed material with a classmate and to ask a classmate to
pick up handouts for him/her when absent. Students are asked to turn off all cellphones, pagers,
and other chiming electronic devices and never accept calls or respond to text messages during
class. Each student should expect to offer a verbal contribution to the class discussion at least
once per class session. Students using computers during class time are expected to use the
computer solely for class-related tasks (e.g. taking notes).
Journal article reviews: Each student will choose a personality construct of interest (e.g.,
introversion, humor, avoidant attachment, loneliness, negative cognitive style). Next, select two
journal articles about this personality construct (from scholarly journals only; journals published
on-line only are not acceptable). Students will identify the following elements from each article:
the theory underlying the research, specific hypotheses, type of study design (case study,
correlational, or experimental), dependent and independent variables (where applicable), what
statistical procedures were used, and main conclusions. A handout reviewing each of these
elements will be provided to guide completion of the assignment. The journal article reviews
(along with a copy of the journal articles) will be due separately (see schedule, below) and are
worth 25 points each. The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with applications of
research methods to the field of personality.
Paper assignment: Students are encouraged to seek the assistance of a peer reviewer prior to
submission of the paper. Students are also encouraged to use the resources in the LWC.
Students will be permitted to revise graded papers for up to one letter grade improvement (but
should not submit unfinished or unrevised work when the paper is due). Graduate projects cannot
be revised, but graduate students may seek feedback on their projects before the due date.
Application of Theory to Personal Experiences
The paper must be 5-7 double-spaced, typed pages, written in APA style. Choose one of the
theories reviewed in class (e.g., Freudian, Biological, Social-Learning). Discuss your
experiences (or those of a volunteer, if you prefer) from the perspective of this theory. The paper
should include a cover page, introductory paragraph, three content sections (each of which
includes a presentation of a concept of your chosen theoretical approach and the application of
that concept to personal experience), a concluding paragraph, and a reference page. This paper
requires the student to gather, interpret, synthesize, apply and present personality information.
Graduate Project (MLA Students Only)
The paper must be 7-10 double-spaced, typed pages, written in APA style. Graduate writers will
also include 3 or more references from external sources (beyond the textbook and lecture
material). The paper should compare and contrast the applicability of two theoretical approaches
to a character from film. Please obtain approval of your chosen subject prior to starting work on
this paper. This paper is submitted in addition to the other requirements for the course.
Exams
Students will complete two multiple-choice examinations. These exams will cover material from
the text, lectures, handouts, and films. Exams will be cumulative, placing the heaviest emphasis
on new material. The emphasis will be on comprehension, synthesis, and application, rather than
strict memorization. Make-up exams will only be given in cases of verifiable emergency, at the
discretion of the instructor. Students who anticipate missing an exam due to a universityapproved event must make arrangements for the make-up exam prior to the scheduled exam date.
Study Groups: Students are encouraged to form and participate in study groups outside of class.
Some of the tasks these groups might tackle are the preparation of chapter summaries, review for
examinations, discussion of reading and class material, and peer consultation on papers.
Academic Integrity: Cheating or plagiarism on assignments or exams will not be tolerated and
may result in a failing grade on an assignment or exam and referral for disciplinary action.
Please read the statement on academic integrity found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Late Assignments will result in the reduction of the grade by 5 points for each late class day.
The last day to submit late assignments is the last regularly scheduled class period before final
exams.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability that will impact your work in
this class, please contact me to discuss your needs. Additionally, you will need to register with
the Counseling and Disability Services Office in Crooker Center. This office can be reached at
(713) 525-6953 or x3162.
Extra Credit: Per departmental policy, students may earn up to 1/3 letter grade improvement in
the final grade by participating in departmentally-approved psychological research. Research
opportunities will be announced in class.
Additional class-specific extra credit opportunities may be available, including taking personality
measurement instruments, attending Psi Chi educational or professional events. The maximum
number of extra credit points that may be earned in class-specific extra credit is 20.
Course Schedule
Week Dates
Topic(s)
Assignment(s)
1
1/20
Introduction to Personality
Research Methods in Personality
Syllabus
2
1/27
**No class**
Review material from previous class and
work on journal article review #1.
Ch. 1, 2
3
2/3
The Psychoanalytic approach – Freud
Ch. 3
4
2/10
Research on Freudian concepts
Ch. 4
5
2/17
The Psychoanalytic approach – Neo-Freudians
Research on Neo-Freudian theories
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
6
2/24
The Trait approach
Journal article review #1 due
Ch. 7
7
3/3
Research on the Trait approach
Ch. 8
8
3/10
Exam 1
The Biological approach
Ch. 9
9
3/17
No class…Spring Break!
10
3/24
The Biological approach (continued)
Research on the Biological approach
Journal article review #2 due
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
11
3/31
The Humanistic approach
Ch. 11
12
4/7
**No class**
Continue to work on papers.
13
4/14
Research on the Humanistic approach
Papers due
Ch. 12
14
4/21
The Behavioral/Social Learning approach
Papers returned for revision
Ch. 13
15
4/28
Research on Behavioral/Social Learning approach Ch. 14
16
5/5
The Cognitive approach
Research on the Cognitive approach
Final revisions due
Graduate papers due
17
5/12
Exam 2 (Final Exam)
Ch. 15
Ch. 16
This is the instructor’s best estimate of how the course will proceed prior to the start of the
semester. The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus, as needed, as the course
proceeds.