PSYCH 205: Theories of Personality
SYLLABUS
Winter Quarter 2007
Class Meets: 11 a.m.-12:03 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Bldg. 21, Rm. 202
Instructor: Ruth Frickle
Telephone: 206 878-3710, ext. 3111
Email: rfrickle@highline.edu
Office Hours: 1 p.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs., 8 a.m. M & F, other times by appointment
Building 11, Room 101
Web address: flightline.highline.edu/rfrickle
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Allen, B. (2006). Personality Theories: Development, Growth and Diversity (5th ed.) Boston: Pearson/A & B.
Ashcraft, D. (2006). Personality Theories Workbook (3nd ed.) Belmont, CA:Wadsworth/Thomson
COURSE OBJECTIVES
With successful completion of the course you’ll:
z Be able to explain research methods used in exploring personality theory.
z Understand the value of theory in psychology.
z Identify and describe each of the major theories of personality developed by leading psychological theorists and researchers.
z Be able to discuss the strengths and limitations of the major theories and the current, as well as historical, applications of the theories.
z Have employed personality theory to understand yourself and others from a variety of perspectives.
Some thoughts about the course
The nature of a course in theory is to learn to apply a variety of theoretical perspectives and to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of those perspectives. To be able to accomplish these goals you must deeply understand each theory.
Understanding a theoretical perspective is akin to learning to walk in someone else’s shoes…sometimes they are six inch stiletto heels, sometimes they are brown wing-tips 3 times larger than you usually wear, sometimes they are similar to your own shoes but they’re on the opposite feet and feel really weird. In all cases you can still walk, but to do so you must wear the shoes and practice. To “wear” a theory, you have to think, talk and write about it. You’ll be doing more writing in this class and somewhat less test taking than you might be used to.
While psychology is wholeheartedly a science, and uses the rigors of the scientific method to explore the questions we have about behavior and mental processes, there are elements of the discipline that are philosophical as well as scientific. Theories of personality fall into this domain. As a result, we will look at these theories in terms of how they function as scientific endeavors and the pithiness of their underlying philosophical assumptions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Case Study Papers: The “Personality Theories Workbook” contains cases and application questions as a way for you to better understand specific theorists. You’ll complete 7 case study papers during the quarter. The best 5 will apply to your grade. Each paper is worth 30 points.
Capstone Case Study: Similar to the case study papers, you’ll read a case study and respond to application questions about the case. The application questions will require you to apply multiple theoretical views to the same case, demonstrating your understanding of multiple explanations for the same behavior. This paper is worth 100 points.
Exams: There will be 4 exams, each worth approximately 50 points. Each exam will be a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions. You'll need a Scantron sheet and a #2 pencil for each test. There are NO MAKE-UP exams.
Bonus Point Opportunities: I do occasionally offer bonus point opportunities worth 1 or 2 points, but I make no guarantee about that. In any case, I NEVER give individual students bonus opportunities.
COURSE POLICIES
z Cheating, plagiarism and/or other types of academic dishonesty are unacceptable in this course and are subject to disciplinary action. All work you produce should be clearly your own. It is your responsibility to avoid even the appearance of dishonesty. If you are confused or concerned about what constitutes plagiarism see me before you submit questionable work.
z Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day that they are due. You will lose 10% of the assignment’s value every day it is late (and that includes weekends). Due dates are shown in the attached course schedule.
GRADES
Final grades will be based on the following point distribution:
Case Study Papers 150 points
Capstone Case Study 100 points
Exams 200 points
TOTAL 450 points
The total number of points you earn will be converted to a percentage of the total points possible. This percentage will be converted to a decimal grade according to the attached grade chart.
GRADE SCALE
% Decimal % Decimal % Decimal % Decimal
Grade Grade Grade Grade
95-100% 4.0 83 2.8 69 1.8 59 0.8
94 3.9 82 2.7 68 1.7 58 0.7
81 2.6 67 1.6
93 3.8 80 2.5 66 1.5
92 3.7
91 3.6 79 2.4 65 1.4
90 3.5 78 2.3 64 1.3
77 2.2 63 1.2
89 3.4
88 3.3 75 2.1 62 1.1
87 3.2 73 2.0 61 1.0
71 1.9 60 0.9
86 3.1
85 3.0
84 2.9 *Grades below 0.7 do not satisfy the minimum requirement for course credit.
WITHDRAWAL
The last day to complete official withdrawal is March 9. If you decide to or are forced to stop attending class, you should file for an official withdrawal or risk receiving a failing grade.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Please provide me with the Letter of Accommodation you have received from the Office of Access Services if you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability; if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor; or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated. The Office of Access Services is located in Building 6 in the Student Development Center.
CLASSROOM BASICS
Here are some basic courtesies you need to use in this class:
v Be on time and stay the entire period (no packing up before the class ends J). If you must leave early or will be late for a future class let me know before class begins.
v Turn all electronics OFF (phones, pagers, music portables) and keep them in your bag or pocket. You may not use them in the classroom at any time.
v Ask three before me. If you have a question about an assignment, test, due date or any course policy ask three people in the class before you ask me.
v Listen carefully and respectfully to other students’ contributions and questions in class. One way to ensure that you are listening carefully is to be prepared to restate (in your own words) what they have said before you chime in with your response or opinion.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Participate in class by asking questions, being active in group interactions and contributing to class discussions. When you actively engage with the material, like writing or talking about it, it will help you learn and remember.
Read the text before class, and again afterward. Take notes while you read, using your own words. Using your own words makes you actively think about the material, which helps with comprehension and retention. If it helps, study with a friend by asking each other questions. Teach someone else what you are learning—it’s a great way to learn!
Pace yourself by distributing the reading and the work on your assignments. Don't try to cram, it doesn’t work and it takes all the fun out of learning.
Use a dictionary when you are reading and when you write your assignments. I expect you to use proper spelling and punctuation. It can be very helpful to have someone proofread your assignments.
Psych. 205: Theories of Personality
Winter 2007
Reading, Assignment and Test Schedule
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Week |
Topic |
Reading/Case Papers/Tests |
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Jan. 8-11 |
Personality Theory: Introduction |
Chapt. 1 |
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Freud |
Chapt. 2 |
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Jan. 16-18 |
Jung |
Chapt. 3 |
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Case Paper due 1/18, Case 4 or 7 |
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Jan 22-25 |
Adler & Horney |
Chapt. 4 & 5 |
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TEST #1 Jan. 25 |
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Jan. 29-Feb. 1 |
Sullivan & Erikson |
Chapt. 6 & 7 |
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Case Paper due 2/1, Case 6 or 9 |
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Feb. 5-8 |
Fromm, Rogers & Maslow |
Chapt. 8, 9 & 10 |
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Case Paper due 2/8, Case 13 or 17 |
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Feb. 12-15 |
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TEST #2 Feb. 12 |
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Kelly, Mischel & Rotter |
Chapt. 11 & 12 |
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Case Paper due 2/15, Case 21 |
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Feb. 20-22 |
Mischel etc cont. |
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Bandura |
Chapt. 13 |
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Case Paper due 2/22, Case 24 or 26 |
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Feb. 26-Mar. 1 |
Bandura cont. |
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Skinner |
Chapt. 14 |
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TEST #3, Mar. 1 |
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Mar. 5-8 |
Murray, Cattell & Eysenck |
Chapt. 15 & 16 |
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Case Paper due 3/8, Case 30 or your choice of previous cases |
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Mar. 12-15 |
Allport, The future of personality theory |
Chapt. 17 & 18 |
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Case Paper due 3/15, your choice of previous cases |
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Mar. 19-20 |
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Capstone Case Due 3/19 |
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TEST # 4, Mar. 20 10 a.m. |
No Classes: Monday, January 15—MLK Day
Monday, February 19—Presidents’ Day