PSY-235 Personality Psychology

This course considers the concept of personality from three vantage points: (1) the aspects of being human that we all share; (2) the characteristics that we share with some – but not all – other people; and (3) the unique personal attributes that set us apart from everyone else. Major theories of personality will be reviewed, including the trait, biological, psychoanalytic, humanistic, and cross-cultural approaches. In addition, various strategies for assessing personality will be discussed. Finally, the relevance of personality psychology within larger social, organizational, and global contexts will be considered.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

PSY-100

Department

• Social Science

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

PSY 235: Personality Psychology

Department

Social Science

Course Description

This course considers the concept of personality from three vantage points: (1) the aspects of being human that we all share; (2) the characteristics that we share with some – but not all – other people; and (3) the unique personal attributes that set us apart from everyone else. Major theories of personality will be reviewed, including the trait, biological, psychoanalytic, humanistic, and cross-cultural approaches. In addition, various strategies for assessing personality will be discussed. Finally, the relevance of personality psychology within larger social, organizational, and global contexts will be considered.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Prerequisites

PSY-100

Topic Outline

1. 1. Defining "personality"
2. 2. Strategies for assessing personality
3.     a. Self-report measures
4.         i. The NEO Personality Inventory
5.         ii. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
6.     b. Projective measures
7.         i. The Thematic Apperception Test
8.         ii. The Rorschach inkblot test
9.     c. Observational and other naturally occurring methods of assessing personality
10. 3. Major theories
11.     a. Trait approach
12.     b. Biological approach
13.     c. Psychoanalytic approach
14.     d. Humanistic approach
15.     e. Cross-cultural approach
16. 4. Relevance of personality to learning, cognition, motivation, and emotion
17. 5. Application of course material to relationships, workplaces, and physical and mental health