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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 (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Written Assignments (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Term Research Paper (Week 7)

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.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1, 2, 6

Topics: Introduction to Personality & Freud
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 1 Assignment
  • Begin research for term paper

2

1, 2, 3, 6

Topics: Adler & Jung

  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 2 Assignment
  • Continue research for term paper

3

1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Topics: Klein & Horney

  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 3 Assignment
  • Continue research for term paper

4

1, 3, 6

Topics: Fromm & Erikson

  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 4 Assignment
  • Begin writing term paper

5

2, 3, 4, 6

Topic: Maslow, Rogers & May

  • Chapters 9-11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 5 Assignment
  • Continue writing term paper

6

2, 3, 4, 6

Topics: Allport, McCrae & Costa

  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 6 Assignment
  • Continue writing term paper

7

2, 3, 6

Topics: Eyenck, Buss & Skinner

  • Chapters 14-16
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 7 Assignment
  • Submit Term Research Paper

8

1, 2, 3

Topic: Bandura, Rotter, Mischel & Kelly

  • Chapters 17-19
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in Group Discussions
  • Submit Week 8 Assignment
  • Submit Course Reflection

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.