PSY 334: Psychology of Personality

Course Description

This course will focus on the development of personality theory, major models of personality, the major theorists, and their contributions to the field. Topics include personality development, personality structure, and the potential for change. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Identify the major theories of personality
  2. Describe the major contributions to each theoretical school.
  3. Describe the major structural elements of each personality model.
  4. Explain the process of how personality develops and the potential for personality change throughout the life cycle in each personality model.
  5. Explain the concept of how personality develops within each personality model.
  6. Be able to describe the strengths and weaknesses of each model of personality

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Group Discussions and Posts (10pts. X 8 weeks)

35%

Weekly paper on theories (10 pts. X 8 weeks)

35%

Term Research Paper

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Feist, J, and Robert T. Feist. (2021). Theories of Personality. 10th ed. McGraw-Hill: NYC, NY. ISBN-13: 978-1-260-83862-6 [Looseleaf version]

Additional Resources

  • Various websites, readings and library (online) sources.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1-6

Topics: Intro to Personality, Freud and Psychoanalysis
  • Read chapters 1 & 2 of textbook
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Begin research for term paper

2

1-6

Topics: Adler: Individual Psychology & Jung: Analytical Psychology

  • Read chapters 3 & 4 of textbook
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Continue researching for term paper

3

1-6

Topics: Klein's Object Relations; Horney's Psychoanalytic Social Theory

  • Read chapters 5 & 6 of textbook
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Continue researching for term paper

4

1-6

Topics: Fromm's Humanistic Theory; Erikson's Post Freudian Theory

  • Read chapters 7 & 8 of textbook
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Continue researching for term paper

5

1-6

Topic: Maslow & Roger's Humanistic Theories & May's Existential Theories

  • Read chapters 9, 10 & 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Continue working on term paper

6

1-6

Topics: Allport's Dispositional Theory & McCrae & Costa's 5 Factor Trait Theory

  • Read chapters 12 & 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Continue working on term paper

7

1-6

Topics: Eyenck & Buss' Biological Theory & Skinner's Behavioral Theory

  • Read chapters 14, 15 & 16
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Submit term paper

8

1-6

Topic: Personality Development and Prejudice

  • Read chapters 17, 18 & 19
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Complete weekly discussions questions on group Discussion
  • Submit summary essay on Discussion Board
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.