Term Paper Topics
PSYSC 317
Personality
Multi-chapter topics.
1.Traits and pets. Do dogs (or other pets, but most research seems to have focused on dogs) have
personalities? First, describe the basics of trait taxonomies as they are applied to humans. Then,
identify 5-10 articles that have empirically investigated personalities in pets. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. Traits, motives, and presidential candidates. Find 5-10 articles that investigate the traits
and/or motives of presidential candidates. Focus in particular on traits/motives that are
associated with presidential behavior and success. Summarize each article.
3. On-line personality. Are on-line personalities perceived any differently than face-to-face
personalities? For example, are very extraverted people perceived just as extraverted on-line as
face-to-face? Also, are the same traits used for perceiving people on-line as are used in face-toface interaction? Find and summarize 5-10 articles examining on-line personalities.
Chapter 3 Traits and Trait Taxonomies
1. Larsen and Buss review the act frequency formulation of traits. First, discuss this formulation,
and identify the four key steps in carrying out this research program. Conduct a search of the
psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years that
apply the act frequency approach to the study of personality. For each article, summarize what
the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. Larsen and Buss review Eysenck’s hierarchical model of personality. First, review this model
of personality, and identify and briefly discuss each of the three super-traits included in this
model. Next, conduct a search of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten
articles published in the last ten years that investigate one or more of these super-traits. You may
focus on just one of these traits if you prefer. For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
3. Larsen and Buss review Wiggins’ circumplex model of personality. First, review this model,
and identify and discuss the two major dimensions included in this model. Next, conduct a
search of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last
ten years that investigate Wiggins’ circumplex model of personality. For each article, summarize
what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Chapter 4 Theoretical and Measurement Issues in Trait Psychology
1. Person-situation interactionism is the perspective adopted by most modern personality
psychologists. This perspective assumes that behavior is produced by an interaction between
personality traits and situational factors. Conduct a review of the psychological research
literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years that present a personsituation interactionist perspective on the relationships between personality traits, situational
factors, and manifest behavior. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated,
how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. A key response set that personality psychologists have long been concerned about is socially
desirable responding. First, define socially desirable responding. Next, review the two major
perspectives on social desirability, as presented by Larsen and Buss. Finally, conduct a review of
the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years
that address personality traits and that include an assessment of socially desirable responding.
For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what
they found. In your discussion of the results of each paper, explain how socially desirable
responding was addressed in each study.
3. Larsen and Buss review empirical work on the relationship between scores on the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE) and performance or success in graduate school. Discuss, in your
own words, what Larsen and Buss conclude, on the basis of their review of the literature. Next,
conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles not
discussed or cited by Larsen and Buss that investigate the relationship between GRE scores and
performance or success in graduate school. For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. For each article, address whether the
results are consistent or inconsistent with the conclusions provided by Larsen and Buss. If they
not consistent with the conclusion provided by Larsen and Buss, what might account for this
inconsistency?
Chapter 5 Personality Dispositions over Time: Stability, Change, and Coherence
1. Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles
published in the past ten years that address the stability of temperaments during infancy. Select
articles that were not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what
the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles
published in the past ten years that address the stability of temperaments during childhood.
Select articles that were not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize
what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
3. Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles
published in the past ten years that include presentation of sex differences or similarities in
development over time. Select articles that were not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For
each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what
they found.
Chapter 6 – Genetics of Personality
1. Larsen and Buss discuss four key research designs used by behavioral geneticists who study
personality. These are selective breeding studies, family studies, twin studies, and adoption
studies. Conduct a search of the psychological research literature and locate five to ten research
articles published within the last ten years, each of which uses only one of the four types of
designs. For each article, first summarize what the researchers investigated, how they
investigated it, and what they found. Then suggest how the researchers might have used each of
the remaining three research designs. Finally, address whether you think the results might have
turned out differently if they had used different research designs and why.
2. Larsen and Buss distinguish between shared environmental influences and nonshared
environmental influences. Larsen and Buss note that, for most personality variables, the shared
environment has either little or no discernible impact. Instead, environmental influences are
usually of the nonshared type. First, briefly discuss, describe, and distinguish between shared
environmental influences and nonshared environmental influences. Next, and in your own words,
speculate as to why nonshared environmental influences so frequently account for more of
environmental impact than do shared environmental influences. Finally, conduct a search of the
psychological research literature and identify five to ten articles that address empirically shared
and nonshared environmental influences on personality (Try searching by using the key words
“personality and nonshared environment”). For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Highlight the distinction between
shared and nonshared environmental influences.
3. Larsen and Buss discuss molecular behavior genetics, the most recent development in the
science of behavioral genetics. Larsen and Buss note that these techniques are designed to
identify, for example, the specific genes associated with, for example, personality traits. Conduct
a search of the psychological literature and identify five to ten articles that report research at the
interface of molecular genetics and personality. For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. In your own words, what are some
of the advantages and disadvantages of studying personality using molecular behavioral
genetics?
Chapter 7 Physiological Approaches to Personality
1. Larsen and Buss discuss Eysenck’s physiological theory of personality and Gray’s competing
physiological theory of personality. First, discuss the similarities and differences between the
two theories. Next, conduct a search of the psychological research literature and identify five to
ten articles published in the past ten years that present research designed to test one of these
theories. For each article, summarize the hypotheses that were tested, how the research was
conducted, and what the researchers found. Now, offer an interpretation of the results from the
perspective of the theory not explicitly tested in the research (i.e., either Eysenck’s or Gray’s
theory). Is offering such an alternative interpretation straightforward or difficult and why?
2. Larsen and Buss present recent theory and research on the relationships between
neurotransmitters and personality traits. Conduct a search of the psychological literature and
identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years and that are NOT discussed by Larsen
and Buss that present research on the relationship between neurotransmitters and personality
traits. For each article, summarize the hypotheses that were tested, how the research was
conducted, and what the researchers found.
3. Larsen and Buss present recent theory and research on the relationships between asymmetrical
frontal brain activity and affective style. Conduct a search of the psychological literature and
identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years and that are NOT discussed by Larsen
and Buss that present research on the relationship between asymmetrical frontal brain activity,
and affective style or other individual differences. For each article, summarize the hypotheses
that were tested, how the research was conducted, and what the researchers found.
Chapter 8 Evolutionary Perspectives on Personality
1. According to Darwin, and as reviewed by Larsen and Buss, sexual selection takes two forms:
intrasexual selection and intersexual selection. First, and in your own words, define each of these
two forms of sexual selection. Second, provide an example of each, but use examples that were
not provided by Larsen and Buss. Third, provide a brief discussion of the relationships between
intrasexual selection and intersexual selection. Finally, conduct a review of the psychological
research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years, two of which
provide an evolutionary psychological analysis of intrasexual competition, and two of which
provide an evolutionary psychological analysis of intersexual selection. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. Two cornerstones of modern evolutionary psychology are adaptive problems and evolved
psychological mechanisms. First, define each of these terms in your own words. Second, discuss
the relationships between adaptive problems and evolved psychological mechanisms. Next,
conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in
the past ten years that provide an evolutionary psychological analysis of a specific adaptive
problem and a proposed evolved psychological solution. For each article, identify the adaptive
problem that is being investigated and the psychological mechanism that is proposed to have
evolved as a solution to that adaptive problem. If the authors do not clearly specify the adaptive
problem and evolved psychological mechanism, use what you have learned about evolutionary
psychology to identify these. Finally, and for each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
3. Evolutionary psychologists conduct research at each of the three levels of personality
analysis—human nature, sex differences, and individual differences. Conduct a review of the
psychological research literature and identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years
that address one and only one of these three levels of analysis. For each article, summarize what
the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Finally, address how
the research presented in each article might be profitably extended to each of the remaining two
levels of personality analysis. How might this research be extended to the remaining two levels
of analysis, and what results might you expect, and why?
Chapter 9 Psychoanalytic Approaches to Personality
1. Larsen and Buss present several studies that investigated the phenomenon of subliminal
psychodynamic activation (SPA). First, discuss, in your own words, what this phenomenon
means, how it is investigated, and what some of the key results of these investigations reveal.
Next, locate three original articles that present an empirical investigation of SPA. Locate five to
ten articles that are not discussed at length in Larsen and Buss. Any one of the many articles
published by Lloyd Silverman (and not discussed at length by Larsen and Buss) would be
appropriate, but you can choose others as well. For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. According to classical psychoanalysis, projection is a key defense mechanism. First, and in
your own words, define projection, and discuss how and when it is used. Next, provide a few
examples of the use of projection. Then conduct a search of the psychological research literature.
Identify five to ten articles that present an empirical investigation of projection. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Finally, and for each article, discuss how the results might have been interpreted by Freud, had
they been published when he was alive.
3. According to Freud, all people pass through a series of stages in personality development. This
theory of personality development is known as the psychosexual stage theory. First, discuss this
theory, including brief reviews of each of these five stages of development. Include in your
discussion a review of the key challenges and conflicts that occur during each stage. Next,
conduct a search of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles that
empirically investigate personality development during the first five or six years of life. For each
article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they
found. Finally, and for each article, discuss how Freud might have interpreted the results, had
they been published when he was alive.
Chapter 10 Psychoanalytic Approaches: Contemporary Issues
1. Larsen and Buss present recent theory and research on the phenomenon of “false memories”
of childhood abuse. Conduct a search of the psychological research literature and identify three
empirical articles published in the past ten years that address false memories. Identify five to ten
articles that are not discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the
researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Finally, and for each
article, discuss how Freud might have interpreted the results, had they been published when he
was alive.
2. Larsen and Buss present recent theory and research on narcissism. Conduct a search of the
psychological research literature and identify five to ten empirical articles published in the past
ten years that address narcissism. Identify five to ten articles that are not discussed by Larsen and
Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it,
and what they found. Finally, and for each article, discuss how Freud might have interpreted the
results, had they been published when he was alive.
3. Larsen and Buss present recent theory and research on the adult attachment or relationship
styles. Conduct a search of the psychological research literature and identify five to ten empirical
articles published in the past ten years that address these attachment styles. Identify five to ten
articles that are not discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the
researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Finally, and for each
article, discuss how Freud might have interpreted the results, had they been published when he
was alive.
Chapter 11 Motives and Personality
1. According to Murray, a person’s needs influence how he or she perceives the environment,
particularly when the environment is ambiguous (such as when a stranger smiles at you). The act
of interpreting the environment and perceiving the meaning of what is going on in the situation is
a process that Murray called apperception. He developed a technique for assessing apperception,
known as the Thematic Apperception Technique, or TAT. Conduct a search of the psychological
research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that use any version
of the TAT to investigate any variable that is of interest to you. For each article, summarize what
the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Finally, and for each
article, relate the findings to Murray’s motivational theory of human nature and human
personality.
2. One of the key needs identified by Murray is the need for achievement. First, in your own
words, define the need for achievement. Next, conduct a search of the psychological research
literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that investigate the
relationship between the need for achievement and any variable that is of interest to you. For
each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what
they found. Finally, and for each article, relate the findings to Murray’s motivational theory of
human nature and human personality.
3. According to Rogers, one of the three conditions for therapeutic progress is empathic
understanding. The client must feel that the therapist understands him or her. Empathy can be
defined as understanding the person from his or her point of view. Modern personality
psychologists continue to conduct a tremendous amount of theoretical and empirical work on
empathy, from a variety of perspectives, including a humanistic perspective. Conduct a search of
the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years
that investigate the relationship between empathy as an individual difference or personality
variable and any other variable that is of interest to you. For each article, summarize what the
researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Finally, and for each
article, relate the findings to Rogers’ humanistic motivational theory of human nature and
personality.
Chapter 12 Cognitive Topics in Personality
1. Larsen and Buss identify three levels of cognition that are of interest to personality
psychologists: Perception, interpretation, and goals. Conduct a review of the personality
psychology research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years, each of
which primarily addresses one of these three levels of cognition and has direct relevance to
personality or individual differences. These articles can be identified in an electronic search by
using such key words as “personality and perception,” “personality and interpretation,” and
“personality and goals.” For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they
investigated it, and what they found.
2. In its original formulation, learned helplessness refers to the finding that animals (including
humans), when subjected to unpleasant and inescapable circumstances, become passive and
accepting of their situation, in effect learning to be helpless. Conduct a review of the
psychological literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years that examine
learned helplessness as a personality dimension. Select articles that were not discussed or cited
by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they
investigated it, and what they found.
3. Larsen and Buss review some of the historical and recent work on intelligence. One widely
accepted definition of intelligence is that it is the application of cognitive skill and the
knowledge to solve problems, learn, and achieve goals that are valued by the individual and the
culture. Conduct a review of the psychological literature. Identify five to ten articles published in
the last three years that address intelligence as an individual difference variable. One excellent
source of scholarly work in this area is the journal Intelligence. Select articles that were not
discussed or cited by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers
investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Chapter 13 Emotion and Personality
1. Researchers have investigated individual differences in several different positive emotions,
including satisfaction with life. Conduct a review of the psychological literature. Identify five to
ten articles published in the last ten years that address individual differences in life satisfaction.
Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. A good place to start is to
search for recent papers published by Dr. Ed Diener, a leader in this field. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
2. Type A personality is a syndrome of personality and emotion traits that is predictive of heart
disease and other health problems. Conduct a review of the psychological literature. Identify five
to ten articles published in the last ten years that address the relationships between Type A
personality and heart disease, or another health problem. Select articles that are not cited or
discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated,
how they investigated it, and what they found.
3. The Affect Intensity Measure (AIM) was developed as a questionnaire measure of affect
intensity or emotional variability and volatility. Many studies have used this measure to
investigate individual differences in affect intensity, or the relationships between affect intensity
and other personality variables. Conduct a review of the psychological literature. Identify five to
ten articles published in the last ten years that use the AIM to assess affect intensity, and
investigate the relationships between affect intensity and some other individual difference
variable. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Chapter 14 Approaches to the Self
1. According to Larsen and Buss, the self-concept is the descriptive component of the self. The
self-concept is the basis for our self-understanding, and it forms the answer to the question,
“Who am I?” Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten
articles published in the last ten years that address either the development of self-concept or
individual differences in self-concept. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen
and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated
it, and what they found.
2. According to Larsen and Buss, self-esteem refers to your general evaluation of your selfconcept along a good-bad dimension or like-dislike dimension. Self-esteem is the evaluative
component of the self. Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to
ten articles published in the last ten years that address individual differences in self-esteem.
Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize
what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
3. According to Larsen and Buss, identity refers to the social component of the self. Identity is
the self that is shown to other people. This is the part of ourselves that we use to create an
impression, to let other people know who we are and what they can expect from us. Larsen and
Buss present Erikson’s ideas about identity crisis. Identity crisis refers to the feelings of anxiety
that accompany efforts to define or redefine one’s individuality and social reputation. Conduct a
review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last
ten years that address identity crises. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and
Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it,
and what they found.
Chapter 15 Personality and Social Interaction
1. Larsen and Buss identify and discuss selection as one of the three mechanisms of social
interaction. Briefly describe this mechanism, in your own words. One of the examples Larsen
and Buss provide of the operation of selection is the process of mate selection. Conduct a review
of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years
that address mate selection in humans. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen
and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated
it, and what they found.
2. Larsen and Buss identify and discuss evocation as one of the three mechanisms of social
interaction. Briefly describe this mechanism, in your own words. One of the examples Larsen
and Buss provide of the operation of selection is evocation of anger and upset by romantic
partners. Conduct a review of the psychological research literature. Identify five to ten articles
published in the last ten years that address any aspect of the evocation of anger and upset by
romantic partners. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each
article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they
found.
3. Larsen and Buss identify and discuss manipulation as one of the three mechanisms of social
interaction. Briefly describe this mechanism, in your own words. One of the examples Larsen
and Buss provide of the operation of selection is the use of manipulative social strategies by
people who score high on measures of Machiavellianism. Conduct a review of the psychological
research literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the last ten years that address the
manipulative social strategies used by people who score high in Machiavellianism. Select articles
that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the
researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Chapter 16 Sex, Gender, and Personality
1. Larsen and Buss review research on sex differences in the “Big Five” dimensions of
personality. Select one of these five dimensions. Now, conduct a review of the psychological
literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that address sex differences
or similarities in this particular personality dimension. Select articles that are not cited or
discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated,
how they investigated it, and what they found. Discuss whether the results of these five to ten
articles are consistent with the results of research presented by Larsen and Buss.
2. Larsen and Buss review work on sex differences in self-esteem. Conduct a review of the
psychological literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that address
sex differences or similarities in self-esteem. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by
Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they
investigated it, and what they found. Discuss whether the results of these five to ten articles are
consistent with the results of research presented by Larsen and Buss.
3. Larsen and Buss review work on sex differences in sexual beliefs and desires. Conduct a
review of the psychological literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years
that address sex differences or similarities in any dimension of sexuality, beliefs, emotions, and
behaviors. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Discuss whether the results of these five to ten articles are consistent with the results of research
presented by Larsen and Buss.
Chapter 17 Culture and Personality
1. Larsen and Buss review research that has investigated the causes and consequences of the
“culture of honor” found among people who live in the southern United States. First, identify the
key features of this culture of honor. Next, conduct a review of the psychological literature.
Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that address this “culture of honor.”
Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize
what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found. Discuss
whether the results of these five to ten articles are consistent with the results of research
presented by Larsen and Buss.
2. Larsen and Buss review research that has investigated cultural differences along the
personality dimension of individualism-collectivism. First, define the key features of this
personality dimension, in your own words. Next, conduct a review of the psychological
literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that address individualismcollectivism. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by Larsen and Buss. For each article,
summarize what the researchers investigated, how they investigated it, and what they found.
Discuss whether the results of these five to ten articles are consistent with the results of research
presented by Larsen and Buss.
3. Larsen and Buss review research that has investigated the cross-cultural similarities and
differences in the “Big Five,” or the five-factor model of personality. First, describe in your own
words each of these five personality factors. Next, conduct a review of the psychological
literature. Identify five to ten articles published in the past ten years that address cross-cultural
similarities and differences in the Big Five. Select articles that are not cited or discussed by
Larsen and Buss. For each article, summarize what the researchers investigated, how they
investigated it, and what they found. Discuss whether the results of these five to ten articles are
consistent with the results of research presented by Larsen and Buss.