Theories of Personality

PPE 3003 Dr. Kurtines Course Description This course is intended to provide a basic introduction to theories of personality. The focus will be on the historical contribution of the major traditions in theories of personality and personality development. Primary consideration will thus be given to the review and evaluation of the contribution of major theories of personality to the domain themes that have come to define contemporary psychology the implication of those theories for practical and applied areas will also be evaluated. Objectives At the end of the course, the student should be familiar with the major theories of personality. In addition, the student should be familiar with the research methods characteristics of each approach and some of the applied implications of this research. Course Outline Week Topic & Assignment 1 Introduction to Personality Theory PART I: PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORIES 2 Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory Feist & Feist, Ch. 2 3 Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 2 4 Erikson's Psychosocial Theory Feist & Feist, Ch. 9 5 Erikson's Psychosocial Theory (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 9 6 FIRST EXAM PART II: BEHAVORAL/LEARNING THEORIES 7 Skinner Behavior Analysis Feist & Feist, Ch. 15 8 Skinner Behavior Analysis (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 15 9 Bandura Social Cognitive Theory (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 16 10 Bandura Social Cognitive Theory (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 16 SECOND EXAM PART III: HUMANISTIC/EXISTENTIAL THEORIES 11 Rogers Person-Centered Feist & Feist, Ch. 11 12 Rogers Person-Centered (cont.) 1

13 14 15 16

Feist & Feist, Ch. 11 May Existential Psychology Feist & Feist, Ch. 12 (Supplemental readings TBA) May Existential Psychology (cont.) Feist & Feist, Ch. 12 Prepare for Final Exam THIRD EXAM (TBA) -----------------------------------------

Teaching Methods Lectures, assigned Chapter readings, class activities media and discussion. The exams will include questions from all three methods Texts Feist & Feist. Theories of Personality. (7th Ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Class attendance is required. Because of the size of the class, class attendance will be taken using the randomized lottery procedure. The way this work is that 6 to 8 times during the semester (at random intervals) an attendance sheet will be passed out in class. The sheet will be passed out (at random) either at the beginning, middle, or end of the class period. At the end of the semester, the names on the attendance sheets will be checked. A student may miss up to two of the classes checked without any penalty. After that, 1/2 letter grade will be deducted as follows: 1/2 letter grade for 3 classes missed, 1 letter grade for 4 classes missed, 1 1/2 letter grades for 5 classes missed, and 2 letter grades for 6 classes missed. Class Participation is welcome and encouraged. We will have class participatory exercises as appropriate for specific material. Participation includes contributing knowledgeably to discussions and/or exercises. Class group rules Because we are all here to learn, participation is important. A few "group" rules are helpful, especially because the class is large. 1) Everyone is encouraged to participate in class discussion. Participation, however, means talking TO the class; not talking IN class. Feel free to ask questions, raise issues, participate in discussions, etc. However, do NOT feel free to have a personal conversation with the person sitting next to you. Talking IN class, especially a large class like this, interferes with the orderly conduct of the class. Consequently, no side talk. Those who engage in persistent side talk will be asked to leave the classroom. 3) No "put downs. Everyone is entitled to respect.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Everyone should have read the FIU Policy regarding Academic Misconduct in your Student Handbook. In sum, it states that Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook. DISRUPTIVE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Everyone should have the FIU Policy regarding disruptive classroom behavior in your Student Handbook. Disruptive behavior is defined as repeated, continuous, and/or multiple student behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach and students to learn. The FIU Classroom Policy gives faculty members broad authority (and responsibility) to manage the classroom environment, including disruptive behavior. Rules of the Road: After the class starts No cell phone use or texting after the class starts. If you are talking on the cell phone or texting during class you will be asked to leave. No open laptops or computer use above the first three rows of seats. If you are in a row higher than the first three and using a laptop during class, I will ask you to either find a seat in the first three rows if you want to continue, close your laptop, or leave the room. Personal discussion versus classroom discussion Office hours Call for an appointment Phone 348-2880 DM 255 Course Requirements The requirements for the course include three one hour exams. This course does not have a scheduled final exam. Each exam will cover approximately one third of the course content and will be scheduled within one week after the material is covered. The third exam will be given on the last day of class. Questions from the class activities and discussions will be included in the exams. Everyone is expected to take the exams at the scheduled times, and no make-up exams will be given. If you are unable to attend an exam for a legitimate reason (e.g., a medical 3

problem, justified by a note from a doctor), your remaining exam grades will be averaged. Otherwise, you will receive a failing grade for the exam you missed. No individual extra credit projects will be accepted for this course. Please note that the examination dates on the course outline are only approximate dates. The final dates for exams will be based on how quickly the material is covered in class. Notice of exact date of the exam will be provided in class at least one week in advance of each exam date. Grade Requirements The final grade for this course will be based on the average of three computer scored objective examinations, each covering approximately one third of the course content. The computer will calculate the total number of points each student receives for each exam as well as a frequency distribution for the entire class. The letter grade equivalent of a student's score on each exam will be based on the percentage of questions correctly answered using the following ranges: 94% to 99% = A 90% to 93% = A87% to 89% = B+ 84% to 86% = B 80% to 83% = B77% to 79% = C+ 74% to 76% = C 70% to 73% = C67% to 69% = D+ 64% to 66% = D 60% to 63% = D01% to 59% = F In the event that the range of grades for the class falls below this distribution and there are no A's given for the exam, the grades will be curved using percentile scores 1 as equivalent to raw scores. The final grade for the course will be calculated using the average of percentage grades using the ranges described above. Thus, a student who received a percentage grade of 71% on the first exam, 68% on the second exam, and 74% on the final exam would have an average percentage grade of 71% and would receive a final grade of "C-" for the course. Note that while for each exam an 80% and an 89% are both "Bs, but that an 89% is equivalent to a B+, 85% to a middle B, and 80% to a B- for the purpose of calculating final grades.

A percentile score is expressed in terms of the percentage of individuals in the class who received a raw score (i.e., total number right) at or below that particular score. That is, a person who receives a percentile score of 76% answered correctly more questions more questions that 76% of the class. Similarly, a person who receives a percentile score of 95% answered correctly more questions than 95% of the class.

Other issues DISABILITY/SPECIAL NEEDS: Any student with a disability or other special need that may require special accommodations for this course should make this known to the instructor during the first week of class. CHECK YOUR FIU EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY: All official course information will be sent to you via your FIU email address All students are responsible for checking their FIU email account. No emails are sent to Yahoo, Gmail, etc. accounts. CHECK MOODLE REGULARLY: The announcements will alert you to anything that needs to be done before class or brought to class. RECEIVING FINAL GRADES EARLY: Students often want to know the grade they have earned before grades are available via the web or the kiosks on campus. However, Federal law (i.e., the Buckley Amendment) makes it illegal to violate a student's right to privacy. This means that instructors cannot post final grades using a student's name or social security number, or in any manner that allows others to identify the students information and includes posting of final grades on office doors, class websites, tweeting, or sharing in any public media. In addition, grades cannot not be given out over the phone. Finally, students CANNOT to ask secretaries or other staff members about their grades. They are not authorized to give them to you. If you need your final grade before the official reports are ready, please bring a stamped, self-addressed envelopes to the third exam and your third exam grade and final grade will be mailed to you at that address.