Personality Theory (Spring 2012) Professor: Dr. Linda M. Woolf

Office Hours:

MWF 10:00 - 11:00 or by appointment. 301 WH, Behavioral and Social Sciences Department. Phone 968-6970 or 968-7062

woolflm@webster.edu Woolf Web Page: http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/

Text:

• Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2008). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

• Camus, A. The Stranger. On eReserves.

  Course Description:

  This course focuses on the major models of personality including Psychoanalytic, Neoanalytic, Learning, Dispositional, and Humanistic-Existential. During the term we will examine these models and approaches, the major theories representative of each, each theories methods and research, and will explore the assumptions about human nature which underlie each perspective. We will examine how people like Freud, Jung, Maslow, and others reached their conclusions about personality. In addition, we will apply various theorist's and traditions ideas in an analysis of the main character in Camus' The Stranger.

  Course Objectives:

  1. Objective: To become familiar with the major models and traditions related to the study of personality and personal growth.
     Outcome: Students will be able to articulate the underlying themes, methodology, and assumptions of each model and tradtion.

  2. Objective: To examine, in depth, specific theories under each of the major psychological models of personality. To examine each theories concepts and principles, their explanation of personality development, their assessment techniques, and their application to treatment of psychopathology.
     Outcome: Students will be able to articulate the major concepts and principles of each personality theory discussed in the class and in the text. Students will be able to articulate each theories assessment techniques and the theories approach to the treatment and understanding of psychopathology. Students will be able critically evaluate each theory.

  3. Objective: To become familiar with a specific set of criteria which can be used to evaluate any theory of personality.
     Outcome: Students will be able to critically evaluate a theory of personality using the outlined criteria.

  4. Objective:To develop the skills necessary to be able to draw on these theories to describe and explain an individual's personality or behavior.
     Outcome: Students will be able to use the various theorists ideas to explain the behavior of the main character in Camus' book The Stranger.

  Class Meetings:

  The class will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. Attendance is expected as material will be presented that is not in the book.

  Incoming Competency:

  All students should have completed 9 hours of psychology and be capable of 3000 level work.

  Course Requirements:

  Three exams, three analysis papers, and a written book review.

  All grades will be assigned on a scale of 0 - 10 with:

  90 - 100	A-, A	Superior Work
  80 - 89	B-, B, B+	Good Work
  70 - 79	C-, C, C+	Satisfactory Work
  60 - 69	D, D+	Passing, but less than Satisfactory (not passing if used as a requirement for the major)
  Less than 60	F	Failing

  Percent of Grade:

  Examinations (3)	70%
  Analysis Papers (3)	20%
  Book Review	10%

  Examinations: Exams will include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture, readings, and discussion. Three exams will be given.

  POLICY STATEMENTS: All exams must be taken on the date scheduled except in case of an emergency. In case of the above, the instructor must be notified in advance that a test is going to be missed. No make-up exams will be provided if you fail to notify and discuss your situation with the instructor. No extra credit work will be made available to make-up for a poor test grade.

  Analysis Papers: The purpose of the analysis papers is to provide you the opportunity to apply a major theorist from each of the major categories of personality theorists to the character of the stranger. Each analysis paper must include examples from the book and lecture to support your analysis. Also, include aspects of the character's personality or behavior that the theory does not adequately explain. Dates when each analysis paper is due are listed on the course outline. Although four analysis papers can be completed, only the top three grades will be recorded. A sample analysis paper is available on eReserves

  Written Review: The purpose of the written review (note a book review is more extensive than a book report) is to provide you the opportunity to read and review on an original work written by a personality theorist. All books must be approved by the instructor via email prior to reading and reviewing any book. Sample book reviews are available on eReserves.

  All papers must be typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, and in APA style format.

  If you are in doubt as to what this means, see me for details.

  or

  • APA 6th Edition Publication Manual

  • Purdue Online Writing Lab

  All papers must be submitted electronically in Word format to woolflm@webster.edu. No hard copies will be accepted.

  Policy Statements:

  Use of Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Please respect others in the class by turning off all cell phones and pagers before entering the room. Text messaging during class is not acceptable. Laptops may be used in class but are only to be utilized for class related activities (e.g., taking notes). If it becomes apparent you are using the computer for non-class activities (e.g., checking your email, playing games) then you may be asked to turn off your computer and refrain from bringing it into class in the future. Laptop use is restricted to the back or sides of the classroom so that other students are not distracted during lecture.

  Plagiarism (attempting to pass off the work of another as one's own) is not acceptable. Plagiarism includes copying all or part of another's writings (even a single sentence), inappropriate paraphrasing, using another student's paper as your own, submitting a paper for more than one class. All papers will be submitted to the university's plagiarism database for review. Plagiarism, either intentional or unintentional, will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment but also may be turned over to the appropriate university source for disciplinary action and a grade of F for the course. In addition, cheating on exams will also result in the same fate.

  Here are some Web sites that will help you avoid the problem of plagiarism particularly plagiarism resulting from paraphrasing too closely to the original source. -

  • Establishing Authorship by Paul C. Smith, Alverno College

  • How to Avoid Plagiarism Tutorial

  • The University of Indiana's Online Plagiarism Tutorial - You can print out a certificate of completion!

  Late withdraws from this class will not be approved by the instructor except in cases of emergency discussed with the instructor. No late withdraws will be approved on the basis of poor class performance.

  This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. All changes concerning course requirements will be provided in writing. Changes concerning exam dates may be made at the instructor's discretion and communicated verbally to the class.

  It is understood that remaining in this course (not dropping or withdrawing from this course) constitutes an agreement to abide by the terms outlined in this syllabus and an acceptance of the requirements outlined in this document.

  
  

  Course Outline

  Week Ending	Topic	Readings
  January 20	Introduction to the Class Introduction to Personality Theory	Chapter 1
  January 27 February 3	Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis	Chapter 2 Additional Web Resources: Sigmund Freud Archives Freud's The interpretation of dreams Freud's The psychopathology of everyday life. Freud's The origin and development of psychoanalysis. Freud's The history of the psychoanalytic movement A history of hypnosis from Mesmer to Freud
  February 10	Carl Gustav Jung and Analytical Psychology	Chapter 4 Additional Web Resources: Jung's The association method Jung's General description of the types.
  February 17	Karen Horney and Humanistic Psychoanalysis	Chapter 6
  February 24	Erik Erikson and the Life Cycle Analysis Paper I Due - Jung or Horney, February 25	Chapter 9
  March 2	Alfred Adler Exam I, Chapters 1,2,4,6,9 (Friday, March 2)	Chapter 3 Additional Web Resources: North American Society of Adlerian Psychology
  March 9	Erich Fromm	Chapter 7
  March 23	Abraham Maslow and Transpersonal Psychology Analysis Paper II Due - Adler or Fromm, March 24	Chapter 10 Additional Web Resources: Maslow's A theory of human motivation
  March 30	Carl Rogers and Person Centered Psychology	Chapter 11 Additional Web Resources: Rogers' Significant aspects of client-centered therapy Roger's' APA Presidential Address Some observations on the organization of personality
  April 6	Rollo May and Existential Psychology Analysis Paper III Due - Maslow, Rogers, or May, April 7	Chapter 12 Additional Web Resources: Thinking Allowed Interview
  April 13	Gordon Allport Exam II - Chapters 3, 7, 10-12 (Wednesday, April 6)	Chapter 13 Additional Web Resources: Allport's Concepts of trait and personality. Allport's The functional autonomy of motives. Allport's The Psychologist's Frame of Reference - Allport's APA Presidential Address
  April 20	Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa	Chapter 14 Additional Web Resources: Eysenck's The effects of psychotherapy: An evaluation.
  April 27	Skinner	Chapter 15 Additional Web Resources: Skinner's Two types of conditioned reflex and a pseudo type. Skinner's Two types of conditioned reflex: A reply to Konorski and Miller. Skinner's 'Superstition' in the pigeon Skinner's Are theories of learning necessary?
  May 4	Bandura Rotter, and Mischel Analysis Paper IV Due - Allport, Eysenck, or Skinner, Monday April 30	Chapters 16 - 17 Additional Web Resources: Bandura, Ross, & Ross' Transmisssion of aggressions through imitation of aggressive models..
  May (Check Posted Final Exam Schedule for date and time)	Exam III - Chapters 13-17

  
  

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