KINNAIRD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

Department of Psychology
Spring – 2018

Course Title: Personality Theories (Major)

Course Code: APSY215
Course Instructor: Asma Majeed
Semester: IV

Course Overview

This course will focus on definition and nature of personality. Students will study theoretical
perspective in detail. They will examine in depth theories under each of the major psychological models
of personality and examine each theories main concept and principles, explanation of personality
development, assessment techniques and application in treatment of psychopathology. They will learn
types of personality. Students will be able to articulate the major concepts and principles of each
personality theory and will be able to critically evaluate each theory.

Course Objectives

The primary objective of this course is to familiarize students with a variety of the influential
personality theories advanced in psychology throughout the past century. Students will acquire
foundational understanding and knowledge of the following personality theories: Psychoanalytical
Perspective (i.e., Freud), Neo-psychoanalytical Perspectives (i.e., Jung, Adler, Erickson), Humanistic
Perspectives (i.e., Maslow, Rogers) and Behavioral/Cognitive Perspectives (i.e., Skinner, Rotter, and
Bandura). Certain theories will be emphasized more than others due to their influence and status in the
field of psychology today. This course will place an emphasis on discussion, critical thinking, and
application with regard to these theories. Another objective of this course is to familiarize students with
several personality measures (i.e., MMPI, Rorschach, 16 PF, MBTI).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students will be able to theoretically explain the development of
personality, analyze the components of personality theories and the various schools of personality
psychology. They will examine each theory within the following: the view of man underlying the theory;
the structure of personality; the dynamics of personality i.e. optimal development; views on
psychopathology; implications and its application.
Course Content and weekly schedule

Week Topic Contents Self-study

( Refer to text book) (consult reference books)
I week Introduction to Definition of personality, Assignment I: Student will prepare
personality development of personality, assignment on application of TAT in
introduction to personality personality assessment.
assessment.
II week Psychoanalytic Freud personality theory Student will ask to prepare a quiz on these
approach 1.Structure of personality topics
(Freud) 2.Three parts of personality
3.Defense mechanism
4.Psychosexual stages of
personality development
Quiz I
III New Freudian Striving for superiority Student will ask to prepare a quiz on these
week Alferd Adler Parental influence topics
Birth order
IV Psychoanalytic Collective unconscious
week legacy Archetypes
Carl Jung Quiz II
V week Karen Horney Neurosis Assignment II: Critical evaluation of
Harry Stack Moving against people psychodynamic prospective in
Sullvian Moving away from people personality development

VI Eric Erikson Concept of ego Students will discuss impact of psycho-

week Erikson psycho-social stages social stages in their daily lives
of development
IX Mid-term Exams
week
X week Henry Murray Psychogenic needs Student will ask to prepare a quiz on these
Concept of press topics
Quiz III
XI Personality Projective and objective Assignment III: Alienation
week assessment technique
Types of projective tests
TAT
Rorschach inkblot test
Evaluation of projective test
XII Behavior and Type A
week pattern Type B
XIII Behaviorist theory 1.Ivan Pavlov , Watson : Students will debate on effect of
week classical conditioning conditioning on personality of individual
2.B.F skinner : operant
 conditioning
3.Albert Bandura: social
learning theory
XIV Humanistic Personality development
week approach Here and now
Personal growth
XV Carl Rogers 1.Fully functioning person Student will ask to prepare a quiz on these
2.Condition of worth topics
3.Unconditional positive
regard
4.Maslow hierarchy of needs
5.Application of Maslow
theory

Quiz IV
XVI Presentation Preparation of presentation
XVII Final- term Exams

Teaching Methodology

 Lectures will be delivered upon above topics

 Frequently questions will ask during lecture to keep students active listener

 Class-room discussion will be encouraged in last 5-10 minutes

Assessment Criteria

Students will have to take two (quiz and assignments) before midterm and two after midterm.
One Project/Presentation will be submitted after mid-term examination

Following is the assessment criteria for quiz.

Criteria Standards

A B C D F

10 –9 8.9 –7.5 7.4 – 6 5.9 –5 Less than 5

Test marking Logic, critical Slightly less Descriptive Could not Inadequate logic
(10 Marks) and analytical logical and detail of topic make it
coverage of analytical but with proper
topic giving sense satisfactory
content

Assignments
Each assignment total of (5 marks) will be marked on the following basis:
 Standard Marks

Relevance of subject matter 1

Concept clarity 1

Organization of material 1

Language proficiency 1

Originality Report 1

Presentations: Depending on the size of the class, presentation topics will be assigned to each
particular group.

Standard Content/material originality Intro/ Concept fluency Eye Handling Audio

/ conclusion clarity contact Question Visual
References aids
(hard copy)

Marks=15 5 2 1+1 1 1 1 2 1

Scoring Rubric for Presentation

Criteria Standards
A B C D
2 –1.5 1.4 – 1 0.9 – 0.5 Less than 0.5
Presents information Presents Student’s Information is not
Logical in logical sequence, information in a presentation is presented logically
organization at an appropriate mostly logical somewhat or is presented at an
level for a scientific sequence, at an disjointed. Student inappropriate level.
audience, and holds appropriate level has difficulty
audience interest. for a more general maintaining
audience. audience attention
Use of Excellent grasp of Generally correct Some incorrect Incorrect use of
technical technical application of applications of technical
terms and terminology and technical technical terminology, poor
concepts concepts. terminology and terminology and understanding of
concepts. limited technical
understanding of concepts
technical concepts.
Subject Fully explains and Adequately Inadequately Does not have a
knowledge elaborates subject explains subject explains subject grasp of the subject
and matter. Able to matter. Can answer matter. Able to matter and cannot
spontaneous provide cogent questions, but does answer only basic, understand or
reasoning answers to not elaborate. expected questions. answer questions.
ability questions.
Effective Balanced, finishes Generally balanced, Somewhat Too long, doesn’t
use of time on time, leaving finishes on time, unbalanced, rushes finish, or too short.
time for questions. but little if any time to finish on time, no Devotes too much
for questions. time for questions. or too little time to
each component of
the presentation.
Body Speaks clearly, Generally speaks Speaks in a low Voice inaudible,
language projects voice, well, stumbling voice, many speaks in mono
and voice varies modulation, occasionally. audience members tone, reads entire
uses pauses Mainly faces the cannot understand. presentation, faces
effectively. audience, maintains Occasionally makes the projection
Faces the audience, eye contact most of eye contact but screen with no eye
maintains eye the time, refers mostly reads from contact.
contact, does not use frequently to notes. notes.
notes.
Presentation Appropriate number Reasonable number Imbalance in Too many or too
technology and type of graphics, and type of number and type of few graphics,
easily readable, with graphics, that can graphics, many are illegible, poor
the appropriate be read. difficult to read. contrast, too much
amount of Graphics related to Graphics are information.
information. oral presentation. somewhat related to Graphics not related
Graphics reinforce oral presentation. to points made
and explain oral orally
presentation.

References

Burger . M. J (2002). Personality (5th ed.) USA: Wordsworth.

Fehr.L.A (1983). Introduction to Personality. USA: Macmilan publishing Co. Inc.

Schultz, D.P ., & Schultz, S.E. (1998). Personality Theories. Boston: Brook Cole Publishing
Company.

Ryckman, R. M. (2014). Theories of Personality (9th edition). Belmont, California: Wadsworth

Publishing Company.