Department of Psychology
PSYC 2310H-A: Introduction to Personality Theory
2014 FA PTBO
Instructor:
Trent email:
Office Location
Telephone:
Office Hours
Psychology Dept.
Wendy Kelly, M.A., C..Psych. Assoc.
[email protected]
LHS C106
705 930-4878
Thursdays, 5:00-5:50 pm, by appointment
LHS C104, 705-748-1011 ext. 7535
Course
Description:
This course will introduce you to a wide range of scientific theories on the study of human personality. A
cross-section of personality theories and theorists will be examined, including psychoanalytic,
neopsychodynamic, trait, behavioural, social-learning and humanistic perspectives. This is a survey course, in that
we will examine several different approaches to personality as advanced by major theorists, and also explore the
empirical evidence in order to evaluate the theories. We will relate these classic theories to modern personality
research, whenever possible.
Course
Prerequisite:
listed on pp. 204-210 in the 2014-15 Academic Calendar
http://www.trentu.ca/calendar/
Course Format:
Lecture:
Seminar:
Thursday (5:00 -6:50) pm
1.Thursday (7:00-7:50 pm)
2.Thursday (8:00-8:50 pm)
For classroom locations see http://scheduler.trentu.ca/AcademicTimetable/
For syllabus, lecture outlines, assignment, handouts, announcements, and marks see Learning
System/Blackboard : http://www.trentu.ca/mytrent/
Lectures are intended to complement assigned readings. Following the 2-hour lectures, fortnightly seminars will be
used for workshops and exercises, presentation and discussion of debatable current topics. Seminars will also
provide an opportunity for students to discuss course content, readings, test and paper preparation, or other
general questions.
Required
Readings:
Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2013). Personality Theory and Research (12th ed.).Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th
ed). Washington, DC: Author.
Trent’s policy on academic integrity: http://www.trentu.ca/academicintegrity
Learning
Outcomes
Students successfully completing this course will:
1. Write critically and reflectively about various personality theories and their implications.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of personality theories in written assignments and tests.
3. Apply understanding of personality theories through active learning activities.
Withdrawal
Deadline
Students will have 25% of their grades by the final date for withdrawal without penalty (November 4, 2014).
FA 2014 PSYC 2310H-A PTBO, W. Kelly
Evaluation
Component
1. Midterm Exam
2. Final Exam
4. Major Research Paper
5. Journal Assignment
6. Seminar Attendance
Weight
25%
25%
30%
15%
5%
Due Date
Oct. 16
Exam Period (December)
Nov. 13 (In Class)
Nov. 27 (In Class)
It is the responsibility of each student to read and accept the due dates outlined on the course syllabi.
Explanation of Evaluation & Course Policies
Exams: All exams (100 mins. each) will consist of multiple choice & short answer questions. All exams will be composed of
approximately 50 multiple-choice questions and approximately 5 short answer questions. Note: Exams cover all assigned readings and
all material covered in class & seminar.
Seminar Participation: Participation grade will be calculated according to attendance, taken for all seminars.
Journal Assignment: This written component will require students to reflect personally on lecture content (minimum 5 lectures)
delivered throughout the course. Each lecture reflection will be two pages in length and provide evidence of student’s attendance and
comprehension of that particular lecture as well as show thoughtfulness and insight into how that material relates to the student
personally – that is, how it helps the student to further understand their own personality, behaviour, relationships, etc. The journal will be
submitted to the instructor during the final lecture (thus, the final lecture will not be a possible selection for reflection).
Major Research Paper: Students will prepare a brief (Max. 8 pages, typed and double-spaced) highly focused review paper on a
choice of topic provided by the instructor. The topic and format of the paper will be determined by the instructor according to their
suitability for students at this level of study. The resources and references needed to complete these assignments can be obtained
through the Trent library. Students are required to use American Psychological Association style (6th edition) for written assignments.
Important: It is the student’s responsibility to retain one full back-up copy of their paper, either on disk or in hard copy, to be available to the
instructor on request. Papers are due in class on or before the set due date.
Course Policy on Late
Submissions
Course Policy on
attendance in
class/labs
All assignments are expected to be handed in in class. If this is not possible they must be handed in via the
Assignment Drop Box outside the man Trent office.. Late assignments will be penalized 5% for each day not
including weekends that the assignment is late (after the day it is due). Exceptions will be considered only in
cases of medical need accompanied by appropriate documentation from a professional. No assignment will
be accepted more than one week after the due date.
Attendance is not taken in lectures. Please note: The instructor will not provide students with full lectures or
lecture notes outside of class. Not attending a seminar will result in an attendance mark of 0 for that seminar.
FA 2014 PSYC 2310H-A PTBO, W. Kelly
PSYC 2310H-A FA 2014 SCHEDULE
Winter term classes begin Sept. 4 & end Nov 27, 2014
Week
Class
Date
1.
Sept. 4
General introduction to Personality Theory and
the Scientific Study of People
2.
Sept. 11
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
3
3.
Sept. 18
Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory
(Seminar 1, Block A)
4
4.
Sept. 25
Rogers’ Person-Centred Theory of Personality
(Seminar 1, Block B)
5
5.
Oct. 2
Maslow: Humanistic, Positive, and Existentialist Theories
(Seminar 2, Block A)
6
6.
Oct. 9
Trait Theories and the Five-Factor Model of Personality
(Seminar 2, Block B)
7.
Oct. 16
Exam 1 (during class)
Oct. 23
READING WEEK no class
8.
Oct. 30
Biological Foundations of Personality
(Seminar 3, Block A)
9
9.
Nov. 6
Behaviourism and Personality
(Seminar 3, Block B)
10
10.
Nov. 13
Cognitive Theory: Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory)
(Seminar 4, Block A)
Note: MAJOR PAPER DUE IN CLASS
11
11.
Nov. 20
Social-Cognitive Theory: Bandura
(Seminar 4, Block B)
12.
Nov. 27
Personality in Context
Note: JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT DUE IN CLASS
Exam
Period
(Dec. 520)
Topic
Exam 2
Text
Chapter
1&2
7&8
Weeks
1-6
12 & 13
14
Weeks
8 - 12
FA 2014 PSYC 2310H-A PTBO, W. Kelly
University Policies
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism and cheating, is an extremely serious academic offence and carries penalties varying from a 0 grade
on an assignment to expulsion from the University. Definitions, penalties, and procedures for dealing with plagiarism and cheating are set out in Trent
University’s Academic Integrity Policy. You have a responsibility to educate yourself – unfamiliarity with the policy is not an excuse. You are strongly
encouraged to visit Trent’s Academic Integrity website to learn more – www.trentu.ca/academicintegrity.
ACCESS TO INSTRUCTION:
It is Trent University’s intent to create an inclusive learning environment. If a student has a disability and/or health consideration and feels that he/she
may need accommodations to succeed in this course, the student should contact the Accessibility Services Office as soon as possible – in
Peterborough ([email protected], BH Suite 132, 748-1281) or in Oshawa (Student Accessibility Services Office Room 111,
[email protected], (905) 435-5102, ext. 5024).
A.
Departmental Policy on Tests, Exams, and Assignments
MIDTERMS & FINAL EXAMINATIONS
Midterm examinations for half courses within the Psychology Department are scheduled by the instructor of the course. Midterm examinations
for full courses and final examination for all courses are scheduled by the Registrar’s Office. Students are strongly urged NOT to make any
commitments (i.e., vacation, job related, or other travel plans) during either the term as a whole or the final examination period. Students are
required to be available for all examinations during the periods for which they are scheduled (as published in course syllabi).
B.
DEFERRAL OF MIDTERM / FINAL EXAMINATIONS and/or TERM WORK
Extensions of deadlines for completion of assignments or writing of midterms/final examinations may be granted to students on the basis of
illness, accident, or other extreme and legitimate circumstances beyond their control. Consideration for deferrals will not normally be granted
on the basis of vacation/travel plans or job-related obligations.
C.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Students should expect that supporting documentation will be required and must be submitted before a deferral is approved. For illness or
accident, supporting documentation will take the form of: (1) the Trent University Medical Certificate from Health Services:
(http://www.trentu.ca/healthservices/medical.html), or (2) a certificate or letter from the attending physician clearly indicating the start and end
dates of the illness and the student’s inability to write an examination, complete assignments, and/or attend classes, as relevant to the
particular request. For other circumstances, students should consult the individual Psychology faculty member about acceptable forms of
documentation.
1.
Notes
Academic Integrity:
For the purpose of interpreting and applying the University policy on academic dishonesty, the Department of Psychology has adopted the
following:
When a student submits a piece of written work in fulfillment of an assignment, he/she implicitly acknowledges the following: a) that
she/he is the sole author of the work; b) that the wording and organization of the work, apart from acknowledged quotations, is her/his
own; and c) that she/he has not and will not submit this work, either as a whole or in part, to satisfy another course requirement.
These basic assumptions will be reasonably interpreted. They do not preclude collaboration between students upon a single project,
by prior arrangement with the instructor, for shared academic credit (either for written or oral presentation).
For an elaboration of the Department’s policy on, and for specific examples of, plagiarism, students should consult p. 178 in the APA (2010)
and the sections on academic honesty (pp. 6-8), and appropriate citing and referencing (pp. 135-137, 169) in Mitchell et at. (2010) on reserve in
the library. Students who have doubts about what might be considered academic dishonesty are urged to consult the instructor of the course.
Ignorance of the University or Department policy does not excuse academic dishonesty. Submissions that fail to meet one or more of these
considerations will be subject to procedures laid down in the policy on academic dishonesty as stated in the University calendar.
2.
It is the policy of the Department NOT to accept faxed assignments.
3.
The same assignment cannot be submitted in more than one course without the prior written permission of all instructors concerned. The
written approval must be attached to the work when it is submitted.
4.
Students are required to use American Psychological Association style (6th edition).
5.
Please see the Trent University academic calendar for University Diary dates, Academic Information and Regulations, and University and
departmental degree requirements.
6.
Last date to withdraw without academic penalty Nov. 4, 2014 for Autumn ½ courses.