Required Text

Personality Psychology, by Randy J. Larsen and David M. Buss, Fourth Edition (2010)

Course Description

This course introduces the general aspects of personality study. These may include (a) theories of personality, ranging from Freudian and revisionist Freudian perspectives to current formulations; (b) personality assessment from a psychometric perspective; and (c) past and present research on personality processes and individual differences. Students should gain a good understanding of how the methods and findings of correlational and experimental research contribute to the study of personality from a natural science approach.

Examples of topics covered: What is Personality? • Introduction to the field of Personality Psychology: Theory, Assessment and Research • Mainstream Personality Psychology: Personality Traits & Individual Differences • The Biology of Personality • The Inheritance of Personalty: Behavioural Genetics & Evolutionary Theory • The Unconscious & Psychoanalysis: Before, During, & After Freud • The Motives of Personality • Personality Assessment • Personality over Time • Cognition and Personality • Emotion and Personality • The Self

Evaluation

Course grades will be determined by (i) 3 objective multiple-choice term tests (test #3 has some fill in the blanks questions too), (ii) discussion group questions, and (iii) discussion group attendance. A 2500 word (10 typed pages, 12 pt. font), 10-references research paper (due by the last class) may be substituted for either test 1 or test 2, but only if you signup and hand in a 1-page proposal by the end of September. More details about the research paper will be discussed in class.

Term Tests

There will be 3 term tests. Tests 1+2 will consist of 50 multiple choice questions (click for sample questions), each selected from approximately 3-5 chapters from the text and material presented in lectures. Tests 1+2 will each be worth 25% of your grade.

The first term test will be given the first or second week of February:

 

MWF 10:30-11:20 (Sec2):	Friday, February 10th
MWF 11:30-12:20 (Sec1):	Friday, February 10th

 

covering chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the text, plus all lecture material and any additional readings assigned up to that date.

The second term test will be given in class in the first or second week of March:

 

MWF 10:30-11:20 (Sec2):	Monday, March 12th
MWF 11:30-12:20 (Sec1):	Monday, March 12th

 

covering chapters 6 (Genes) and 7 (Physio) plus all lecture material and any additional readings assigned up to that date, but not including material on the first test.

The third test will be given in the final exam period:

 

Sec 2 (MWF 10:30-11:20)	Wed, Apr 18, 9:00-10:00, Rm 1L12
Sec 1 (MWF 11:30-12:20):	Thurs, Apr 12, 1:30-2:30, Rm 4C40

 

covering two chapters, 8 (Evolution), 11 (Motives), and 19 (Disorders) plus lectures plus some cumulative material (see below). Test 3 will consist of 50 multiple choice questions + 10 cumulative fill-in-the-blanks questions based on material covered in previous exams (nothing "picky"--those ten fill-in-the-blank questions will focus only on quite important, basic material previously covered). Test 3 is worth 38% of your final grade. [Note: I reserve the right to change these dates if necessary. You will be forewarned in the unlikely event that I do.]

Discussion Groups

Approximately 6 times during the term, we will break into groups to discuss material covered in lectures and the text. To stimulate discussion, you will be responsible for coming up with 6 discussion questions sampled widely from available readings and lectures. Include a paragraph for each question in which you discuss a possible answer. You will hand in a written copy of your questions & answers to me at the beginning of that class. The discussion questions are worth 2 points each (for a total of 12 possible points). If you put a reasonable amount of effort into your discussion questions and hand them in on time, you will receive the full 2 points. 1 point will be given if you hand them in on time but the amount of effort is deemed to be unsatisfactory. If you do not hand anything in, you will receive 0 points. [Please note that late submissions of questions will not be accepted, as they are designed to stimulate discussion.]

In addition, you will receive 2 attendance points for each whole discussion period you attend (for a total of 12 pts.). Note, you will not receive any attendance points if you leave class early on a discussion day (unless you get permission to leave early). Thus discussion group participation and attendance can earn you a grand total of 24 points, or 12% of your grade.

Group Discussion Days:

Make-up Exams

Students who miss exams will only be allowed a make-up (during the final exam period, date TBA) if they have proper documentation (e.g., note from a physician dated for the missed exam day). There are no make-ups for missed discussion questions, however, with proper documentation for illness, etc., you will receive attendance points.

Numerical Cut-Offs For Letter Grades

A+ 190-200	A 175-189	A- 162-174	B+ 150-161	B 140-149
C+ 125-139	C 110-124	D 95-109	F 0-94

Example of Grading

Student	Tests (out of 176)	Discussion (out of 24)	Total (out of 200)	Letter Grade
1	110	22	132	C+
2	140	24	164	A-

Please Note carefully:

1. The above cut-offs are tentative and may be changed in either direction.

2. The final date for voluntary withdrawals without penalty from a half course is
Friday, Mar. 4th

3. Students are directed to read the general calendar sections on academic misconduct and appeals.

Disruption-of-Class Penalty

Cell phone ringers must be turned off. Unauthorized talking-in-class will not be tolerated. Talking and other seemingly minor disruptions (e.g., students arriving late or leaving early; flipping through a magazine, clipping their toenails, etc.) have a negative impact on the class environment (ranging from being somewhat annoying to the rest of us to being downright rude and offensive). Attendance in university is in general voluntary. If you attend class I expect you to be attentive and polite to others. To keep such unauthorized disruptions to a minimum, there will be a 5-point penalty administered for each disturbance, after a warning has been issued.