Spring 2009
Professor : Dr. Krista Bridgmon
E-Mail: Krista.bridgmon@colostate-pueblo.edu
Office Phone: 719-549-2780
Office: Psychology 170
Office Hours: Mondays: 1:00-3:00 PM
Tuesdays: 4:00-5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 1:00-3:00 PM
Required Text:
Feist, J. & Feist, G.J. (2009). Theories of Personality (7 th
ed.). McGraw-Hill: Boston.
Course Objective:
This course provides a broad introduction to major theories of personality, including psychoanalytic/psychodynamic (Freud, Jung, Adler), social/life-span (Horney, Erikson), humanistic
(Maslow, Rogers), and cognitive/behavioral (Skinner, Bandura) perspectives. In addition, we will focus on important current movements in psychology (positive psychology and cross-cultural psychology) and their application to the study of personality. Course objectives include:
(a) understanding the basic concepts and principles of each theoretical perspective, (b) relating the personality theories to one's own development, characteristics, and behaviors, and (c) learning to apply the theories to others' lives in order to better understand their personalities and experiences and (d) to develop your own personality theory utilizing the concepts in this class.
Grading Criteria:
Each student will be asked to complete two exams (100 points each). Exam format will include multiple choice questions that will be answered on a Scantron sheet. Questions for the exams include lecture material, assigned text material, videos, handouts, and other assigned readings. Dates for the midterm in final will be announced in class with a minimum of one week notice. All exams will be taken in class.
The final exam will be taken during finals week. Both the midterm and the final exam are not cumulative exams.
There is NO make up exam policy in this class. Exceptions will only be made in the case of an emergency as defined by the instructor. If a student feels they must be absent during a scheduled exam, and they meet the criteria of an emergency, he/she MUST CONTACT by telephone or in person prior to the exam. This does not include leaving a voice mail message. Contact with the instructor must occur prior to the exam in order to make it up at a later date. Additionally, you must make up the exam within 2 weeks of the emergency absence. When there will be an excused absence, that one is aware of in advance
(e.g., away games, conferences), you will take the exam BEFORE the scheduled exam date. Please do not be late for an exam. Once exams are graded and passed back in class, they must be returned to the instructor that day prior to leaving class. If an exam and Scantron are not returned, you will receive a zero for your grade on that exam.
You will be completing five short writing assignments throughout the course (20 points each). Each writing assignment is distinct in content and length. Writing assignments will be given in class and are due at the beginning of the following class unless you are notified otherwise by the instructor. If you are

absent the day a writing assignment is given, you must contact a classmate for the assignment or meet me in my office during office hours BEFORE the due date of the assignment. You may NOT make up a writing assignment after the due date has expired. Emergencies and excused absences for the short writing assignments are treated in the same way as the exam make up policy.
You will be completing a book review during the course (100 points). The due date on this project is
April, 14, 2009. You will select a book from the list provided the first day of class, or another title that has been approved by the instructor and writing a 4-7 page paper (typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times
New Roman font). You should have an APA title page, 2-3 pages critiquing the book, 1-2 pages relating its contents with the information you have learned in this class, 1-2 pages on your personal reaction to the book, and an APA reference page. Your title page and reference page do not count toward the 4-7 page requirement.
Finally, you will be writing your own personality theory (100 points) due the final day of class instruction. You will write a 4-6 page paper (typed, double spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font), describing you own critical analysis of personality. You are required to address the following topics:
1.
Create a title for your personality theory
2.
Create you definition of personality
3.
Compare and contrast your theory to others you have learned about and describe which theory has influenced you most.
4.
Determine what the major source of motivation for personality development is.
5.
Detail the development of personality (nature vs. nurture, continuous vs. discontinuous)
6.
Create a case study that will help be explained by your personality theory like in your text.
Grading Scale:
Grades will be determined by the point scale below. It is the responsibility of each student to track their own grade.
A = 450-500 points
B = 400-449 points
C = 350-399 points
D = 300-349 points
F = 299 and below
Class Schedule:
I.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality
II.
Chapter 2: Freud
III.
Chapter 3: Adler
IV.
Chapter 4: Jung
V.
Chapter 6: Horney
VI.
Chapter 9: Erikson
Midterm
VII.
Chapter 10: Maslow
VIII.
Chapter 11: Rogers
IX.
Chapter 12: May
X.
Chapter 14: Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa
XI.
Chapter 15: Skinner
XII.
Chapter 16: Bandura
Final Exam

Class Policies:
Class attendance and active participation are required of all students. It is also expected that students will make thoughtful contributions to class discussions. It should be noted that dates for examinations will be announced in class. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain announcements for upcoming events and lecture notes from a fellow class mate for the dates that you were absent. The professor reserves the right to fail a student on an exam for violations of academic dishonesty. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated or excused. There is no opportunity for extra credit.
Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is any form of cheating which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own.
In cases of academic dishonesty, the instructor will inform the chair of the department prior to implementation of punitive action. Academic dishonesty is grounds for disciplinary action by both the instructor and the Dean of Student Life. Any student judged to have engaged in academic dishonesty may receive a failing grade for the work in question, a failing grade for the course, or any other lesser penalty which the instructor finds appropriate.
To dispute an accusation of academic dishonest, the student should first consult with the instructor. If the dispute remains unresolved, the student may then state their case to the department chair (or the dean if the department chair is the instructor of the course).
Academic dishonesty is a behavioral issue, not an issue of academic performance. As such, it is considered an act of misconduct and is also subject to the University disciplinary process as defined in the
CSU-Pueblo Student Code of Conduct Policies and Procedures Manual. Whether or not punitive action has been implemented by the faculty, a report of the infraction should be submitted to the Dean of Student
Life who may initiate additional disciplinary action. A student may appeal a grade through the Academic
Appeals Board. The Dean of Student Life’s decision may be appealed through the process outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct Policies and Procedures Manual.
Disability Statement:
This University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of education “solely by reason of a handicap”. If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Resource Office.