Psychology 207Professor: Tim Kasser
Theories of Personality341-7283; SMAC E-119;
Spring 2009MWF – 2nd hour
Texts: Theories of Personality (9th Ed.) - Ryckman
Readings on Reserve in SMAC library for Abstracts - TBA
Goals of course:
My primary goal for this course is to introduce students to the various ways that psychologists think about and study personality. To this end, we will discuss both theoretical and contemporary empirical work from the psychodynamic, attachment, identity, self-concept, trait, humanistic, and existential schools of thought. By the end of the course, students should be able to think like theorists from each of these perspectives.
To help them reach this overarching goal, students will be presented, in lecture and via the textbook, with the basic theoretical concepts as well as be given ample opportunity to explore and apply the ideas from the theories. For example, every couple of weeks we will analyze the personality of a character in a movie by using the theories we have been studying. Students will also complete a survey packet that includes questionnaires designed to measure constructs from each of the theories; students will be given feedback about their scores on these surveys, and we will also discuss statistical relationships between some of the variables. The assignments listed below will also give students further opportunities to engage the material in the course and better understand theory and research in the field of personality.
Assignments:
1) Exams - 120 points. Four exams worth 30 points each will be given. Each exam will be composed of multiple-choice, fill in the blank, and essay questions. Because it is important to understand the similarities and differences between theories, exams may ask about material tested earlier in the term. Exams will cover information presented in the lectures, textbook, and reserve readings (including the abstract assignments, see below).
2) Abstracts - 45 points. In order to improve students’ writing skills and understanding of primary source material published in scientific journals, they will read three journal articles placed on reserve in SMAC library. These articles will be complete, except that the abstract of the article will have been removed. Students will then write their own abstract of the article. Students’ abstracts must be in APA format, be no longer than 120 words, and be placed in the class computer drop box by the start of class on the due date. Hard copies will not be accepted. Further instructions about this assignment will be given later in the term. My interpretation of the honor code in this case is that you may not look at the authors’ own original abstract, nor may you have any other student in this class read your abstract; you may, however, talk with other students about the article in order to improve your understanding of it. Each abstract is worth 15 points.
3) Application Papers. 30 points. Students will complete three 300-word papers in which they apply ideas from the personality theories we discuss to something in the “real world.” Specifically, in each paper students will use one construct from one of the personality theories we are studying and show how it expresses itself in their own lives, in the life of someone they know well, in a social or political situation, in dynamics at Knox, etc. Almost anything in the “real world” is fair game, but please do not apply the theory to a fictional character from movies, TV, novels, etc. I will be looking for students to demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical concept through appropriate application and the use of concrete supporting evidence. Papers may be turned in up to two class periods after I have completed lecturing on a particular theoretical perspective. For example, if I finish Psychodynamic theory on 4/6, an application paper on this theory may be turned in no later than the start of class on 4/10. Each application paper is worth 10 points and should be placed in the class drop box; no hard copies will be accepted.
4) Extra Credit. Up to 8 extra credit points can be earned in this class by helping the professor collect data. Students will be awarded 1 point for each individual they get to fill out a short survey packet. Each student may recruit up to 8 subjects; relatives, friends, etc., are all welcome, provided they are: 1) not college students; 2) age 18 or over; and 3) each from a different household. Packets of surveys will be available from the professor on request.
There are 195 points available in this class. I will take the number of points you earn on your assignments and divide it by 195 to determine your final grade. For example, if you earn 185 points in the term, you will receive a 95%, or an A. I use a standard grading scale, and award plusses and minuses.
Grading Scale
A+97-100A 93-96A- 90-92 B+87-89
B83-86B-80-82C+77-79C 73-76
C-70-72D+67-69D63-66D-60-62
F59 or lower
Note on citation. APA format is expected for all work. The 5th edition of the APA manual is on reserve in SMAC library; a variety of websites exist that purport to teach APA format, but the final word will be this edition of the APA manual.
Note on naming files. It is important that every file dropped in the class drop box be named appropriately. For all of the writing assignments, please name your files using the following formula. First, begin the file name with your last name followed by the first initial of your first name (e.g., kassert). Then place an underscore. Then, for abstracts, use the abbreviation “abs” and for application papers, use the abbreviation “appl.” Then, use a number that reflects whether it is the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd abstract or whether it is the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., theory we have covered. Finally, add the .doc appendix. For example, then, the second abstract paper should be named “kassert_abs2.doc” and the application paper using trait theory would be “kassert_appl5.doc.”
Note on late papers. Assignments are due on the assigned date at the beginning of class, unless otherwise announced. If they are handed in later that day (i.e., before midnight), 5% of the total possible points will be deducted from your grade. If they are handed in the next day, 10% of the total points available will be deducted, with an additional 10% for every additional day late. Only excused absences from the Dean are valid excuses for late papers. I will not accept late application papers; that is, they are due only on the date specified.
Note on class preparation: Please make sure to have completed the assigned readings by the day of the lecture. I will refer to these materials in lecture as if you have read them.
Note on word length. All expressed word lengths are firm, i.e., if you are even one word above the limit, you will receive 10% off on that assignment. Word lengths occur in the real world and they also improve writing, I find.
Notes on plagiarism and writing mistakes. Please visit the following website in order to obtain information on my plagiarism policy and the Writing Mistake Policy that will apply to your abstract and application papers.
Daily Schedule for Personality
Date / Topic / Reading / Assignment3/25 / Course Business / None
3/27 / Theories / Chapter 1
3/30 / Theories / Chapter 1
4/1 / Psychodynamics / Chapter 2
4/3 / Psychodynamics / Chapter 2
4/6 / Psychodynamics / Chapter 2
4/8 / Exam # 1 / None / Exam # 1
4/10 / Attachment / Reserve
4/13 / Attachment / Reserve
4/15 / Attachment / Reserve
4/17 / Identity / Chapter 6 / Abstract # 1
4/20 / Identity / Chapter 6
4/22 / Identity / Chapter 6
4/24 / Exam # 2 / None / Exam # 2
4/27 / Self-Concept / Chapter 17
4/29 / Self-Concept / Chapter 17
5/1 / Self-Concept / Chapter 17
5/4 / Traits / pp. 266-271; 283-287; 298-311 / Abstract # 2
5/6 / Traits / Chapter 10
5/8 / Traits / Chapter 10
5/11 / Exam # 3 / None / Exam # 3
5/13 / Humanism / Chapter 12
5/15 / Humanism / Chapter 13
5/18 / No class –
Professor out of town / None
5/20 / Humanism / Chapter 13
5/22 / Existentialism / Chapter 14 / Abstract # 3
5/25 / Existentialism / Chapter 14
5/27 / Existentialism / Chapter 14
5/29 / Open / None
Finals / Exam # 4 / None / Exam # 4