Course_SyllabusPSY230THEORIES_OF_PERSONALITY_I_THINK_THEREFORE

Course Syllabus

PSY/230 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY: I THINK, THEREFORE WHO AM I? Course Start Date: May 20, 2013 Course End Date: July 21, 2013

Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy reference. Whenever there is a question about what assignments are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling document.

Copyright Copyright ©2009 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. University of Phoenix© is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft©, Windows©, and Windows NT© are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix© editorial standards and practices.

Facilitator Information

Kami Himes [email protected] (University of Phoenix) [email protected] (Personal) 815-218-7555 (CST)

Facilitator Availability I am available from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Central Time on most days, but I attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. On Saturdays, I tend to be online in the morning only. If these times are not convenient for you, please let me know. I will be happy to accommodate your schedule, if possible. I provide you with these times to make it easier to communicate with me, and not to limit our contact. Feel free to text me as well at (815) 218-7555 (and be sure to identify yourself!)

For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a message to my personal email address. In the event a third party needs to contact me, please direct them to my contact information listed under "facilitator information." No third party should use your login credentials to gain access to the classroom.

BOOKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER COURSE MATERIALS

McAdams, D. (2009). The person: A new introduction to personality psychology. (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Axia Writing and APA Handbook (see file in our classroom’s course materials)

Where to Go to Class Main: This is the main forum for the class and is where discussion is conducted. It has read-and-write access for everyone. Chat-Room: This is a read-and-write access forum. It is designed as a place to discuss issues not related to the course content. This is the forum to which we will send our bios. Course-Materials: This is a read-only forum, which means you can read messages here but cannot send any. This is where I will post the course syllabus and materials. Individual Forum: You will see one forum with your name on it. This is a private forum, shared only by you and me, the facilitator. Your classmates will not have access to this forum. You can ask questions here. However, if you have general questions about instructions of assignments, please post those in the Main forum, since other students may benefit by that exchange as well.

Where to Submit Your Assignments Assignment Section: This is where you will submit all formal assignments. Navigate to the Assignments link on eCampus. Locate the link to submit your assignment as an attachment.

Policies For class policies, please see the "Policies" link on the left side of the Materials page for the course on eCampus. Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within that link. University policies are subject to change so please be sure to read them at the beginning of each class as it may have changed since your last class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities it is important you read the policies governing your current class modality.

Late Assignments

Late assignments receive a 10% deduction for each day they are late if assignments are not posted by 11:59 p.m. M.S.T. on the day they are due. Assignments more than 4 days late will not be accepted. Technological issues are not considered valid grounds for late assignment submission. In the event of a University of Phoenix server outage, students should submit assignments to the instructor and when systems are restored, submit those assignments according to syllabus instructions. Unless an Incomplete grade has been granted, learner assignments submitted after the last day of class will not be accepted.

Technical Support Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-877-832-4867, or use the e-mail support form . Answers to the most common issues are found in the Knowledge Base by clicking Help, found at the top of every student Web site.

Feedback Each week, I will provide grades or scores and comments on assignments within 6 days of when they were submitted. After I send feedback each week, I will post a notification in your individual forum.

Grading Formula

Percentage %	Grade
95+	A
90-94	A-
87-89	B+
84-86	B
80-83	B-
77-79	C+
74-76	C
70-73	C-
67-69	D+
64-66	D
60-63	D-
<59	F

Course Description What is theory? What is personality? What is your theory of your personality? This course introduces the student to a number of personality theorists, their personalities, and their views in offering insight in to the question of the self. Psychoanalytic, social, behavioral, traits, biological, humanistic, and cognitive are some of the theories that will be discussed in this course.

Course Materials

McAdams, D. P. (2009). The person: An introduction to the science of personality psychology (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Course Objectives:

Week One:

Objectives

1.1 Describe the five basic dispositional traits.

1.2 Discuss the three levels of personality.

1.3 Explain the three steps of the scientific process as applied to personality psychology.

Week Two:

Objectives

1.4 Describe the three historic periods of modern personality psychology.

1.5 Summarize key concepts of behaviorism and of Bandura’s social-learning theory.

Week Three:

Objectives

3.1 Describe the qualities of an effective trait inventory.

3.2 Compare mechanistic and reciprocal interactionism.

3.3 Compare and contrast the different positions of the nature of traits as presented by 20th-century theorists.

Week Four:

Objectives

1.6 Discuss the meaning and implications of the Big Five basic trait clusters.

Week Five:

Objectives

1.7 Distinguish between absolute continuity and differential continuity.

1.8 Discuss trait continuity patterns from infancy through adulthood.

1.9 Compare genetic and environmental influence on trait origins and development.

Week Six:

Objectives

1.10 Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic, humanistic, and diversity views of human motivation.

Week Seven:

Objectives

1.11 Describe how cognitive styles influence personality.

1.12 Examine the major components of social-cognitive theory.

1.13 Analyze George Kelly’s theory of personal constructs.

Week Eight:

Objectives

1.14 Examine Erik Erikson’s eight stages of life.

1.15 Explain Jane Loevinger’s stages of ego development.

Week Nine:

Objectives

1.16 Compose a personal narrative identity.

1.17 Construct a unique personality theory.

Point Values for Course Assignments

ASSIGNMENTS	Points
Week 1: PERSONALITY THEORIES
Discussion Questions	10
Participation	10
Checkpoint: Observations	30
Week 2: Social-Learning Theory and Behavior .
CheckPoint: History of Personality Psychology	30
Assignment: Personality Theory Presentation	100
Week 3: The Nature of Traits .
Discussion Questions	10
Participation	10
Checkpoint: Interactionism	30
Week 4: Basic Traits .
CheckPoint: The Clusters	30
Assignment: Character Evaluation	100
Week 5: Personality Traits Over Time .
Discussion Questions	10
Participation	10
Checkpoint: My Experience	30
Week 6: Human Motivation .
CheckPoint: Motivation Theories	30
Assignment: Motivation Evaluation	100
Week 7: Social-Cognitive Theory .
Discussion Questions	10
Participation	10
Checkpoint: Personal Constructs	30
Week 8: Stages of Life and Development .
CheckPoint: Stages of Ego Development	30
Assignment: Erikson’s Timeline	100
Week 9: Narrative Identity and You .
Capstone Discussion Question	20
Participation	10
Final Project: Personal Narrative	250

Total Points Possible for this class:	1,000

Week One May 20, 2013 – May 26, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.18 Describe the five basic dispositional traits. 1.19 Discuss the three levels of personality. 1.20 Explain the three steps of the scientific process as applied to personality psychology.
Course Preparation	Read the course description and objectives. Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.	5/20/12 5/20/12
Readings	Read Appendix A. Read Ch. 1 & 3 of The Person.
Participation	Participate in class discussion.	4 days	10
Discussion Questions	Respond to weekly discussion questions.	TU: 5/21 TH: 5/23	10
CheckPoint Observations	Write a 200- to 300-word response to the following: How have you used the scientific process (unsystematic observation, building theories, and evaluating propositions) in your life to better understand your personality? Provide an example in your response.	Friday 5/24/13	30

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Participation

All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions 4 out of 7 days during the week.

Summary of Week 1 Deliverables:

Discussion Questions 1 and 2

Participation (4 of 7 days of substantive posts!) Checkpoint

Week Two May 27, 2013 – June 2, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.21 Describe the three historic periods of modern personality psychology. 1.22 Summarize key concepts of behaviorism and of Bandura’s social-learning theory.
CheckPoint History of Personality Psychology	Resource: pp. 21-26 in Ch. 1 of The Person and Appendix B List and explain at least five of the events or major concepts found in each of the three historic periods of personality psychology.	Friday 5/24	30
Individual Personality Theory Presentation	As an expert in the field of personality theory, you have been asked to present at a large Psychology conference. The focus of your presentation is behaviorism and social-learning theory. Create a 10- to 12-slide PowerPoint® presentation on behaviorism and social-learning theory. Include speaker notes and graphics, use appropriate font size, limit text on each slide to five lines, and use approximately five words per bulleted item. Incorporate key concepts from the following theories in your presentation: · Behaviorism – Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement, tabula rasa, etc. · Bandura’s social-learning theory – Information on observational learning and self-efficacy	Sunday 6/02	100

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Summary of Week 2 Deliverables:

Checkpoint

Assignment

Week Three June 3, 2013 – June 9, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.23 Describe the qualities of an effective trait inventory. 1.24 Compare mechanistic and reciprocal interactionism. 1.25 Compare and contrast the different positions of the nature of traits as presented by 20th-century theorists.
Readings	Read Appendix A. Read Ch. 4 & 5 of The Person.
Participation	Participate in class discussion.	4 days	10
Discussion Questions	Respond to weekly discussion questions.	TU: 6/4 TH: 6/6	10
CheckPoint Interactionism	Resource: Table 4.1 on p. 110 of The Person. Observe a social gathering. Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following: What influence does culture have on personality? Do you see a person’s reaction to something as separate from social experience or as a result of social experience? Which one of the four positions of the nature of traits do you agree with most and why? Compare and contrast your position against one of the other four positions of the nature of traits.	Friday 6/7	30

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Discussion Questions

Participation

All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions 4 out of 7 days during the week.

Summary of Week 3 Deliverables:

Discussion Questions 1 and 2

Participation (4 of 7 days of substantive posts!) Checkpoint

___________________________________________________________________________________________ Week Four June 10, 2013 – June 16, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.26 Discuss the meaning and implications of the Big Five basic trait clusters.
CheckPoint The Big Five	Resource: The Person Select three of the Big Five personality traits. Explain in 200 to 300 words where you think you fall within the spectrum of each. Of the five traits, where do you think your personality fits overall?	Friday 6/14	30
Individual Character Evaluation	Think about a character from one of your favorite films or books, fictitious or biographical. Write a 350- to 700-word paper that describes the character’s personality in terms of the Big Five personality traits. Provide specific examples of how these personality characteristics affect the character’s choices. Cite the film you used as a reference. Format consistent with APA guidelines.	Sunday 6/16	100

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Summary of Week 4 Deliverables:

Checkpoint

Assignment

Week Five June 17, 2013 - June 23, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.27 Distinguish between absolute continuity and differential continuity. 1.28 Discuss trait continuity patterns from infancy through adulthood. 1.29 Compare genetic and environmental influence on trait origins and development.
Readings	Read Appendix A. Read Ch. 6 & 7 of The Person.
Participation	Participate in class discussion.	4 days	10
Discussion Questions	Respond to weekly discussion questions.	TU: 6/18 TH: 6/20	10
CheckPoint My Experience	Think about an experience, positive or negative, that has affected the course of your life. Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following: Do you think this event changed your personality? If it has changed your personality, how has your personality been changed? If the event has not changed your personality, why not? How much of your personality do you think has been determined by environmental influence versus genetic influence?	Friday 6/21	30

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Discussion Questions

Participation

All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions 4 out of 7 days during the week.

Summary of Week 5 Deliverables:

Discussion Questions 1 and 2

Participation (4 of 7 days of substantive posts!) Checkpoint

Week Six June 24, 2013 – June 30, 2013

*Week Six: Human Motivation*
	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.30 Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic, humanistic, and diversity views of human motivation.
CheckPoint Motivation Theories	Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following: Which of the motivation theories do you agree with most? Which of the theories do you agree with least? Explain your position.	Friday 6/28	30
Individual Motivation Evaluation	Select a famous person in the media or in history and think about a choice the person has made. Write a 350- to 700-word paper profiling this person and explain how each of the three views of motivation—psychoanalytic, humanistic, and diversity—may help understand his or her reasoning and choice. Include a summary of the concepts and terms from Henry Murray’s theory of needs. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.	Sunday 6/30	100

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Summary of Week 6 Deliverables:

Checkpoint

Assignment

Week Seven July 1, 2013 – July 7, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.31 Describe how cognitive styles influence personality. 1.32 Examine the major components of social-cognitive theory. 1.33 Analyze George Kelly’s theory of personal constructs.
Readings	Read Appendix A. Read Ch. 8–10 of The Person.
Participation	Participate in class discussion.	4 days	10
Discussion Questions	Respond to weekly discussion questions.	TU: 7/02 TH: 7/04	10
CheckPoint Personal Constructs	Explain the concept of personal constructs. What is a personal construct? How are personal constructs related to social perspectives? What is the relationship between personal constructs and behavior? Compose your response in a single, 200- to 300-word post.	Friday 7/05	30

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Discussion Questions

Participation

All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions 4 out of 7 days during the week.

Summary of Week 7 Deliverables:

Discussion Questions 1 and 2

Participation (4 of 7 days of substantive posts!) Checkpoint

Week Eight July 8, 2013 – July 14, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.34 Examine Erik Erikson’s eight stages of life. 1.35 Explain Jane Loevinger’s stages of ego development.
CheckPoint Stages of Ego Development	Explain Jane Loevinger’s stages of ego development in 200 to 300 words. Include manifestations that might appear during each of the stages.	Friday 7/12	30
Individual Erikson’s Timeline	Write a 350- to 700-word paper that explains which of Erikson’s eight stages of life you believe you are currently in. Explain why you think you are at that stage and describe that stage in your paper. What is the central question posed during that stage? How have you consciously or unconsciously sought to answer that question? Provide specific examples. Choose someone you know who you think is at another stage in his or her life. Briefly describe that stage. What is a central question posed during that stage? How has this person consciously or unconsciously sought to answer that question? Provide specific examples. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.	Sunday 7/14	100

Weekly Reminders

Weekly Checkpoints

Weekly checkpoints will be required in this course but not counted as class participation. They will be graded separately.

Summary of Week 8 Deliverables:

· Checkpoint

· Assignment

Week Nine July 5, 2013 – July 21, 2013

	*Details*	*Due*	*Points*
Objectives	1.36 Compose a personal narrative identity. 1.37 Construct a unique personality theory.
Participation	Participate in class discussion.	4 days	10
Capstone Discussion Question	Respond to the capstone discussion question. · Post your response to the following: Integrate multiple ideas from theorists you have studied during this course to construct your own personality theory. Using the text to support your theory, address the following questions: How is personality developed? What roles do genetics and environment play in personality development? How do experiences influence personality? How is a person motivated?	Wed 7/17	20
Final Project Personal Narrative	Review the Final Project Overview in Appendix A. Review your responses to CheckPoints in Weeks Three and Five. Write a 700- to 1,050-word personal narrative that addresses the following questions: · How have you seen the purpose and meaning of your life evolve over the past 5 years? What events have led to this evolution? Describe how one of the theories from your text might explain this evolution. Use specific concepts and terminology from the theory in your answer. · What roles have religion, race, culture, family, and gender played the development of your personality? · Suppose you might change one of the major episodes of your life (your earliest memory, a turning point, a high point, or a low point, for example). What change would you make and why? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.	Sunday 7/21	250

Weekly Reminders

All Week: Remember to participate in the class discussions 4 out of 7 days during the week.

Summary of Week 9 Deliverables:

· Capstone DQ

· Participation (4 of 7 days of substantive posts still required for this final week)

· Assignment

NOTE:

No Assignments will be accepted after the last day of class, so be sure you have your assignment submitted no later than 11:59pm Sunday night! No excuses will be accepted.

Copyright

University of Phoenix® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices.

APA Formatting

You are responsible for learning how to write your papers using APA formatting!

There is no way to receive an “A” in this class, if you do not follow APA formatting OR show me that you are, at least, trying :-)

~ ~ ~

Axia provides a wonderful tool to help you learn this! Examples are in the Writing Handbook that can be found online in our classroom AND in our classroom Course Materials forum. Please print this off and use it!

Some websites for you to use as well, are:

� HYPERLINK "http://www.apastyle.org" �www.apastyle.org�

� HYPERLINK "http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01" �www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01�

Follow this link for a quick tutorial!

� HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=youtube_gdata_player" �http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=youtube_gdata_player�

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