Johnson State College External Degree Program PSY-3010-JYA01 Theories of Personality Syllabus Fall 2016 Instructor: Glen Hueckel Glen.Hueckel@jsc.edu Dates: Accelerated Online Section (7 weeks) August 29 to October 17 Location: Online using Moodle (http://myjsc.jsc.edu) ADA Statement: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact JSC s Learning Specialist in Academic Services, as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations, if needed, are implemented in a timely fashion. Please call 802-635-1264. Academic Honesty: (from JSC Catalog) Students are expected to conform to the highest standards of academic honesty in all of their academic work at Johnson State College. Academic dishonesty in any form is prohibited and unacceptable. Acts of dishonesty for which a student may be disciplined include, but are not limited to, receiving or providing unauthorized assistance on an examination and plagiarizing the work of others in writing assignments. The American Heritage Dictionary defines plagiarism in the following way: To steal or use (the ideas or writings of another) as one s own. Students are responsible for knowing what specific acts constitute plagiarism; if students are uncertain as to whether a particular act constitutes plagiarism, they should consult with their instructors before turning in assigned work. Texts: Texts are available through the JSC bookstore. Call 802-635-2503 or go to www.jsc.bkstr.com. Course Description: This course addresses a fundamental question in the study of psychology- what it means to be human. The content is an overview of the major perspectives of personality theory and their representative theorists. Validity of these personality theories and their related assessment tools will be a part of this study. Throughout the course we will also consider multi-cultural influences on personality theories, as well as a focus on at least one non-western theory of personality. 1
Course Objectives: As a result of this course, you will be expected to: 1. Distinguish major approaches to personality development: psychoanalytic, neopsychoanalytic, trait, biological, humanistic, and behavioral/social learning. 2. Compare and contrast characteristics of these approaches, including ways in which they conceptualize and answer fundamental questions about human nature. 3. Demonstrate understanding of strengths and limitations of the approaches; identify relevant evidence. 4. Demonstrate understanding of the place of the study of personality and the development of personality theories in the history of psychology. 5. Identify multicultural issues and the role of diversity in the study of personality. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of assessment techniques and methodology used in the investigation of personality. 7. Recognize ways in which the theories contribute to our understanding of human behavior. 8. Analyze behavior from multiple perspectives. 9. Demonstrate an ability to apply theories to "real life". Required Text: Engler, Barbara (2014). Personality Theories (9th ed.) An earlier edition may substitute for the 9th. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 9781285088808 *Readings from primary sources, articles and case studies may also be assigned. Student Work and Responsibilities: * Students are required to "attend class" and to participate in class discussions via the Discussion Forum on our Moodle site. At times, discussions may be assigned in a small format. * Students are responsible for all information in the text, online discussions, and supplementary materials. * In order to better understand class instruction, assigned readings must be completed by their due dates. * Weekly work will be assigned as the course progresses. These assignments will be tied to the topic and the readings for the day, and may include review questions, critical thinking responses, or short essays. * Final paper- Everyone will need to complete a final paper, addressing one of the subject areas offered. Subjects and details for the paper will be posted on our course site. * Graded homework assignments will have a due date, and will be graded down ten points per day when late. Assigned work will not be accepted later than one week past its due date. 2
Methods and Weighting: Teaching methods will include the following: Discussion Forum 40% 300 points possible Weekly Reading/Online Quizzes (RR's) 20% 150 points possible (approximately) Short writing assignments 20% 150 points possible Final Essay 20% 150 points possible Total: 100% 750 points possible A Note About Interactive Work: Attendance: Your work through the Discussion Forum and Small Group Projects will be counted as your attendance. The expectation is that you will post to the Discussion Board at least 4 times per week; twice Monday through Wednesday, once Monday through Thursday, and once (or more) Wednesday through Saturday. This will allow you to post to the Discussion Forum in a way that will facilitate an active exchange of ideas with other students and myself. During the weeks that small group projects are assigned, the expectation is that you will be online for the Small Group at least 4 times per week as well, following the same schedule. Grades: Grades will be based on total points accumulated from the Discussion Forum, weekly readings, small group work, short writings and final paper. Points are assigned to each item in order to weight the assignments. Grading Criteria: Discussion Forum Grading A Work: (A = 92-100%, A- = 90-91%) Post 1 and 2: 15 points per post, 30 points possible = 100% Post 3 and 4: 10 points per post, 20 points possible = 100% Weekly: 50 points = 100% 90-100 % Discussion question is carefully and systematically answered. Responses are substantial and address all aspects of the question, demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject, and relate ideas to other learnings. Responses and questions demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter Viewpoints, theories and conclusions are well supported by primary and secondary sources, are well developed, and show evidence of critical thinking and reflection. Writing (with a very limited number of spelling and grammar errors) clearly communicates the point of view. 3
80-89% All major pieces of the question are carefully and systematically answered. Responses demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter, however there may be a limited ability to relate subject matter to other learnings. Viewpoints, theories and conclusions are somewhat supported by primary and secondary sources and are well developed. A small number of spelling and grammar errors may be present. 70-79% Student responds to most elements of the discussion assignment. Response demonstrates a basic understanding of the subject matter. Viewpoints, theories and conclusions are not fully developed, with little or no support from primary and secondary sources. Spelling and grammatical errors impede the student's ability to communicate the main points of his/her argument. 60-69% Student responds to some elements of the discussion assignment. Response demonstrates a limited understanding of the subject matter. Spelling and grammar errors make it difficult for the student to communicate the main points of his/her argument. 0-59% Student does not respond to the components of the discussion assignment. Response does not demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter. No research or use of primary and secondary sources. Spelling and grammar errors make it impossible for the student to communicate the main points of his/her argument. Please note: Late and Early Posting: All work must be submitted within the assigned dates. If it is not, your posts will not receive full credit, unless circumstances are extraordinary and prior arrangements are made. Grading Scale: 97-100 A+ 88-89 B+ 78-79 C+ 68-69 D+ 0-59 F 93-96 A 83-87 B 73-77 C 63-67 D 90-92 A- 80-82 B- 70-72 C- 60-62 D- * Students are strongly urged to discuss a D or an F grade with me. 4
Attendance Policy- Attendance Requirements: Attendance Policy: Class attendance at JSC-EDP is essential to your success. This course will use a six calendar day "class period" which is the equivalent to the site-based course three (3) hour class period. Our class week runs from Monday through Saturday (if needed for work completion). This will allow all of us Sunday off and conceivably Thursday through Sunday, if work is completed during any given week. If you cannot post online for some reason, contact me beforehand and make arrangements for making up any missed work. This course relies on online participation, which means that regular attendance will be critical to the quality and success of the course for you and your class members. In our seven week intensive session, absence for a full week may greatly impact your grade. If you anticipate an absence due to emergency or other compelling reasons, make arrangements previously (when possible) with me. This will give you the opportunity to stay on track with the class. Reading, Subject and Assignment Schedule This schedule is subject to changed as needed. Reading assignments are to be completed early in the week, in order to provide a knowledge base for that week s work. A copy of the text is required by the beginning of our first week. The RR's listed below are Reading Reviews, or open book online quizzes. Critical thinking and personal application questions will be assigned as they apply. WEEK 1: Introduction, Psychoanalytic and Neopsychoanalytic Approaches Chapter 1: Introduction and The Study of Personality- please be familiar with content Reading, Chapter 2: Sigmund Freud RRCH2 Freud o Unconscious Processes o Psychosexual Theory Reading, Chapter 3: Analytical Psychology- Carl Jung o The Personal and Collective Unconscious o Dynamics of Personality- Principles of Opposites, Equilibrium and Entropy Discussion Forum: 5 or more posts (includes an introductory post) Short Essay: "Blindsight" WEEK 2: The Neopsychoanalytic Approach Reading, Chapter 4: Alfred Adler, Harry Stack Sullivan (Focus: Alfred Adler) 5
RRCh4 Adler o The Styles of Life o The Importance of Birth Order Reading, Chapter 5: Karen Horney, Erich Fromm (Focus: Karen Horney) RRCh5 Horney o Modes, Needs, Trends o Self Theory Discussion Forum: 4 or more posts Short Essay: "Adler's Birth Order Theory" Final Paper Assignment- Personality- Perspectives in Focus WEEK 3: Ego Analytic and Object Relations Theories of Personality Reading, Chapter 6: Anna Freud, Erik Erikson, Dan McAdams (Focus: Anna Freud, Erik Erikson) RRCh6 A. Freud, Erikson o Developmental Lines in childhood Personality o Eight Ages of Man Reading, Chapter 7: Human Relations- Object Relations Theory, The Stone Center Group o Disorders of Personality o Interpersonal Connections and the Healthy Personality RRCh7 Object Relations, Stone Center Group (RCT) Short Essay: "Disorders of Personality: Two Case Studies" WEEK 4: Behavioral and Learning Theories of Personality Reading, Chapter 8: John Dollard, Neal Miller, B.F. Skinner (Focus: B.F. Skinner) RRCh8 Skinner o Operant Conditioning and Human Personality o Superstitious Behavior Reading, Chapter 9: Albert Bandura, Julian Rotter, Walter Mischel (Focus: Albert Bandura) RRCh9 Bandura o Triadic Reciprocal Causation o Reinforcement, Regulation and Self-Efficacy Short Essay: "Moral Disengagement" WEEK 5: Trait Theories of Personality Reading, Chapter 10: Traits and Personology- Gordon Allport, Henry Murray RR Ch10 Allport, Murray o The Lexical Hypothesis o Traits and Needs Reading, Chapter 11: Factor Analytic Theories of Personality: Raymond Cattell RR Ch11 Factor Analytic Theories of Personality 6
o Cattell s 16 PF o Costa & McCrae s Biopsychosocial Model The Big Five Personality Traits, Genetic and Evolutionary Developments Short Essay: "Body Language and Faking Your Way to Personality Change" WEEK 6: The Biological Basis of Personality Reading, Chapter 12: Biological Traits- Hans Eysenck RRCh12 Eysenck o PEN: A Hierarchical Model o The Reticular Activating System and Visceral Brain: Personality Foundations Short Essay: The Lemon Test Final Paper Due- Personality: Perspectives In Focus WEEK 7: East Meets West: Humanistic Psychology and Buddhist Philosophy Reading, Chapter 13: Humanism- Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers RRCh13 Humanism o Self Actualization o Self Determination Theory Reading, Chapter 17: Zen Buddhism RRCh17 Zen Buddhism o The Mind/Body Connection Short Essay: The Peak Experience, Flow, and Existential Living 7