Psychology of Personality

PSYC 308

Lecture Outlines        Study Guides        Resources

Instructor:                     Tara L Mitchell

Email:                           tmitchel@lhup.edu

Office:                           Robinson 305

Office Phone:               570-484-3866

Office Hours:                M 3:00 – 4:00 pm; T 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; W 2:00 – 3:00 pm; R 11:00 – 12:00 pm; by appointment

Class Website:            http://www.lhup.edu/tmitchel/personality

I.          Course Information:      

A.        Course Title:           Psychology of Personality, PSYC 308

            B.        Class meetings:     TR

                                                         3: 40 – 4:55

                                                         Robinson 317

            C.        Credits:                   Three (3)

            D.        Gen. Ed. Overlays: None

II.         Course Description

Theories of Personality is designed to give students a broad introduction to the study of personality. The concept of personality is actually one of controversy within psychology, with psychologists disagreeing over the definition of personality, the theory behind personality, and the importance of personality. It is important to note that the concept of personality differs among the many theories we will be discussing in this course. Each theory is a scientific (but creative) attempt to explain personality. Please remember that theories can not be PROVEN; they are judged on their ability to address issues or concerns within the topic area, as well as their ability to generate new research ideas. The major focus in the course will be to discuss a number of personality theories that have been developed within the last century. These theories will include some of the most well-known personality theories proposed, such as psychoanalytic theory, social/cognitive theories, trait theories, and humanistic theories. We will also discuss a theory that is currently being developed - the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a relatively recent development within trait theories that will serve as a reminder of the continuing development of the field of personality psychology.

III.       The method of instruction consists of lectures, class discussions, and learning activities.

IV.       Requirements:

A.        Required Texts:

Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009).  Theories of personality (7^th ed.).  Boston: McGraw Hill.

            B.         Strongly Recommended Texts:

                        Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (2003). Discovering your personality type. Boston: Houghton

Mifflin Company.

C.      Method of evaluation:

1.   Exams:

There will be four (4) exams, including the final.  The final exam will have a cumulative essay section.  You will receive a zero (0) on an exam if: you do not promptly notify me that you have to miss an exam day, or you miss the final. Please see the expectations section for more details on this process. The exams will be worth 50% of your grade.

2.   Paper:

You will be required to write a paper in APA format, worth 35% of your grade.  The paper will be a personality “case study” of anyone you choose. There are several steps that you will need to take for this paper. First, you must choose one of the personality theories that we discuss in class to focus on. Secondly, you will need to interview someone following the style of the personality theory that you choose. Third, you will need to be able to describe the person’s personality in the vocabulary of your theory. Finally, you will need to write a paper, following APA format, that discusses the personality theory you chose and the results of your case study. When you turn in your paper, you will need to submit your interview/interviewing tools. The paper is due on the last day of classes – Dec 10. There are no exceptions regarding the due date pertaining to the paper. If it is late you will not get credit.

3.  Projects

You will have various projects throughout the course to demonstrate the principles we will be discussing in class. The projects will be worth 15% of your grade. We will discuss each individual project as we cover the appropriate material in the course. Some of these projects will be random quizzes over the reading material.

4.   Academic Dishonesty:

Academic honesty is essential! Any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in, at minimum, a zero score on the specific assignment and a maximum of a “E” grade for the class. See the Student Handbook for the University “Academic Honesty Policy and Procedure.” Cheating on an exam is unacceptable and if you are caught cheating you will be given an “E” in the course.  There will also be no tolerance for plagiarism in your assignments.  If you are reporting information that you learned from another source, that source must be cited and direct quotes must be placed in quotation marks and cited.  If you are discussing thoughts based on discussion with another classmate, it must be indicated. Failure to do so will result in an “E” in the course and you will be reported for academic misconduct.  Not understanding what constitutes plagiarism will not be accepted as an excuse for plagiarism. 

III.       Expectations:

            A.        Attendance and Preparation:

1.   Taking attendance:

I believe that you will benefit the most from this class by attending each class and having the reading assignments completed. I also, however, realize that you have a life outside of my class and that things happen.  I will not be taking attendance. 

2.   Missing class:

Keep two things in mind in regards to missing class.  First, if you are not in class, your participation grade will be low, because you will not be able to turn in your assignments.  Secondly, when you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the notes for that session.  I will make outlines of the PowerPoint lectures available to everyone, but I will not provide detailed notes. 

3.   Missing assignments:

I will not take attendance each day. If, however, you miss an assignment or exam, you must have a documented reason for doing so in order to make up the assignment. Make-up work will be given at my discretion. 

B.         Electronics in the classroom:

1.         Laptops/Tape Recorders:

I am open to the use of any electronic equipment that will help your learning.  You are free to bring laptops or tape recorders in order to record the lecture. You are not, however, required to use a laptop for this class.

                        2.         Communication Devices:

There will be NO beepers or cellular telephones allowed in class.  This includes pagers set to vibration mode. If a phone rings during my class, I will answer it. If there is a legitimate problem with this rule, please see me. 

                        3.         Classroom Behavior:

                                    1.         Schedule:

You should arrive in class on time. It is distracting for me, and probably for everyone, when people come in late. Please do everything in your power to arrive on time. Secondly, you should stay in the class until I dismiss you. It is extremely distracting to have people pack up and leave in the middle of a class session. If, due to that life thing happening, you have to leave early, please be sure to sit near the exit and to leave as quietly as possible.

2.         Discussions:

I expect for you to take an active part in the course and your education. This means answering questions posed to the class, asking questions for clarification of the information presented in class, and coming to my office hours for any additional help you need. I can not work with you to make the material clear, if you do not tell me that you do not understand the material!

3.         Conduct:

I expect you to treat one another, and me, with respect. This means that you will not talk amongst yourselves during class, which is disrespectful to me, and to your classmates who are trying to hear the material. You will also be respectful of the opinions of all your classmates during our discussions, even when you disagree. The classroom will be an area where you are each welcome to express opinions and ideas and to learn from one another. Also, if you have a question or need clarification, it is likely one of your classmates has the same question. Please ask the question as we cover the material. Your grades, and your classmate, will thank you!

4.         Exams:

You are expected to arrive on time, with a pencil, to take exams.  If you arrive after someone else has already finished the exam, you can not take the exam.  Make-up exams will be given at my discretion.  If you miss an exam and wish to take a make-up, you must contact me immediately.   If you do not contact me before the next class period, then no make-up exam will be considered. You must have some form of documentation in order to schedule a make-up exam (see section on attendance for more information). There will be no make-up for the final exam.  If you miss the final exam, you will receive a zero for that exam - no exceptions!

IV.       Outside Resources:

            A.        Reasonable accommodations:

Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss requests for reasonable accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester. For accommodations to be provided, the Office for Disability Services must verify your disability. Please contact Dr. Reynol Junco, Director at 104 Russell Hall, extension 2926 or via email at rjunco@lhup.edu.

B.         Help with material:

If you find yourself having difficulty with the material, please make use of my office hours. In a one-on-one session, we will be able to come up with a plan to help you with the course material. If you do not make use of these office hours, I will not be as able to help with any difficulties.

If you are unhappy with your test grade on the first exam, you can earn up to 3 extra points by coming to see me to discuss your grade. When you come to this meeting, you will need to bring the materials you used to study with you.

VII.      Grading Scale:

Tentative Schedule