Psychology 353

Theories of Personality

Lori L. Mills, Ph.D.

Spring, 2003

Meeting Times: TR 12:40 – 2:00 p.m., Derthick 208

Office Hours:    Hardin 206; Office Phone: 461-8663

                           e-mail: lmills@milligan.edu

                           Monday – Friday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

                           Other appointment times available upon request

Required Text:  

Frankl, V.E. (1984). Man’s search for meaning (3^rd ed.). New York: Touchstone.  

Ryckman, R.M. (2000). Theories of personality (7^th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth.

Recommended Text:

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (5^th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Course Description: This course will involve an examination of contemporary theories of personality development in the context of Christian, scientific, historical, social, and political events.   

Objectives: Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

1.      Appreciate the contributions of major personality theorists.

2.      Discuss concepts and principles, personality development, assessment techniques, and implications for psychotherapy of the following personality theories:

a.       Psychoanalytic

b.      Neo-analytic

c.       Interpersonal

d.      Social/interpersonal

e.       Ego psychology

f.        Trait theory

g.       Biological typology

h.       Personal construct theory

i.         Humanistic

j.        Existential

k.      Behavioral

l.         Social-cognitive

3.      Understand variables that affect the behaviors, cognitions, and emotions of themselves and others.

4.      Examine critically major personality theories.

5.      Appraise each personality theory in terms of a Christian worldview.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class session. There is not a formal attendance policy, but attendance and class participation will be considered when determining borderline grades.

Course Requirements: The following assignments will be required of all students:

Total Points Possible: 450

All assignments are due during class on the assigned dates. If, for some reason, you are unable to take a test or turn in an assignment at the designated time, notify me before the deadline. The grading scale for the course is as follows:

BIOGRAPHICAL PAPER

For the Biographical Paper, you are to write a 2 to 3-page essay on one of the theorists we cover in the course. On the first or second day of class, you will have an opportunity to choose the theorist about which you want to write a paper. Due dates will vary, depending on which theorist you choose. The paper will be due on the date we are to talk about your theorist in class. Two individuals will be assigned per theorist in most cases. Each of you is to do independent research and write your own paper. You and the other person assigned to your theorist will also be expected to give a brief oral presentation to the class on the theorist, in which you will primarily focus on personal, rather than professional, information about the theorist. However, only your written assignment will be graded. Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to completion of this assignment. Please attach the grading criteria sheet to the back of your paper.

TESTS

There will be 3 tests in the course, including the non-comprehensive final exam. The format for the tests will be multiple choice, matching, and short essay.

APPLICATION PAPER

For the Application Paper, you will write a 3 to 5 page paper. You will be given a therapeutic scenario and assigned a particular personality theorist. You will write in first person about how the theorist might approach the problem. Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to completion of this assignment. Please attach the grading criteria sheet to the back of your paper.

CLASS SCHEDULE