Personality and Individual Differences
PSY 313 401
Spring 2004
Dr. Mary Beth (Diener) McGavranClass Time: M 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Office: 211 Kastle HallClass Location: CB304
Phone: 257-6431
Email:
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1 - 2 p.m. or when my door is open and by appointment
Text:
Friedman, H.S., & Schustack, M.W. (2003). Personality: Classic Theories and Modern Research. (2nd edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Website for class:
You can access the overheads used in class, your grades, and links of interest via the website.
Goals for the course:
1. Learn about major theoretical approaches to personality.
2. Learn about current research in the area of personality.
3. Improve your ability to think analytically about theories and research in personality.
Course Requirements:
1) Class/lectures: It is to your benefit to come to class, although attendance is not required. Class time will be used for lectures and activities related to the material. Some lectures will cover material not in the book. Even when the material overlaps with the text, one way to improve your learning is to be exposed to the same material in different ways (e.g. through hearing and reading). Class time will also include activities and discussions which are designed to help you think about the material and actively integrate it. You will receive credit for participating in some of the in-class activities (see #2 below). Therefore, attending class regularly will help both your learning and your grade.
If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the notes from someone in class. You can access the overheads used in class via the website.
2) In-class assignments: Brief, in-class assignments will be assigned. These assignments will consist of your responses and reactions to questions that are asked in class, and they are designed to help you actively process the information covered in the course. There will be 7 in-class assignments. Each activity will be worth 5 points and the in-class assignments will total 30 points (i.e. your lowest grade will be dropped).
If you miss a class assignment, it can be made up only if you have an excused, documented absence. In order to make up a class assignment, you must get the assignment from me and write a one-page, typed response.
3) Exams: You will have 3 exams. Each exam is worth 55 points. The test questions will be mostly multiple choice, but some fill in the blank, matching, or short answer questions may also be included. You are responsible for all information presented in class and in the required chapters from the text. Exams are not comprehensive.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: Students with an excused absence may take a make-up exam within one week of the scheduled exam date. Please see the Registrar=s website for definitions of excused absences. YOU MUST NOTIFY ME BEFORE the exam if you will miss it for one of these reasons and you will want to take a make-up exam. In addition, you must provide acceptable written documentation of the reason for the absence at the time that you take the make-up exam.
4) Final Exam (Optional): The final exam is optional. If you are satisfied with your grade as it stands after the 3rd exam, you do NOT need to take the final exam. Alternatively, you can choose to take the final exam, which will be comprehensive. You will then have 4 exam grades and you can drop your lowest exam grade.
5) Extra Credit (Optional): Read and summarize a scientific journal article in the field of personality psychology. In order to meet the requirements of this project, you must find and read one refereed journal article (in other words, you need an article from a scientific journal, not a magazine or web-based information sheet). You will write a 3-4 page typed summary of the article. Include the following points:
$State the hypothesis or hypotheses under investigation.
$Explain why the author(s) wanted to investigate this topic.
$Describe how the investigators tested the hypotheses.
$Describe the results.
$Explain what conclusions may be drawn from the results.
$You must turn in a copy of the journal article with your summary.
Of course, pay attention to grammar, writing quality, typographical errors, etc. This assignment is worth up to 5 points added to your total points for the class, and points will be given based on the quality of your work. The extra credit assignment is due NO LATER THAN APRIL 5th.
6) Academic Honesty and Integrity: I expect all students to exercise academic honesty in their written work and on exams. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating on any exam (e.g. the use of cheat sheets, copying, talking during the exam, looking at other students= exams, etc.) will minimally result in an E for the course.
Grading:
A = 176 - 195 points (90%)
B = 156 - 175 points (80%)
C = 137 - 155 points (70%)
D = 117 - 136 points (60%)
E = 116 and below
I reserve the right to lower these cutoff points (i.e. to make it easier to obtain a higher grade) but I will not raise them. I highly recommend that you keep track of your points as the semester progresses so that you can assess your grade on an ongoing basis. This will allow you to determine whether or not it will be beneficial to complete extra credit and will prevent any surprises at the end of the semester. I have included space below to help you in this endeavor. I also recommend that you talk to me early in the semester if you are having trouble in the class.
My points:
Exam #1 ____/55Optional final exam: _____/55 (lowest exam score will be dropped)
Exam #2 ____/55
Exam #3 ____/55
In-class Work:Date# of points earned Date # of points earned
#1______#6 ______
#2______#7 ______
#3______
#4______
#5 ______
5 points each for a maximum of 30 points
Course Schedule:
DateTopicReading
I. Personality: Theories and methods
II. Trait Theories
01/26/04intro. to personality, theories Ch. 1
02/02/04research methods, begin trait theories Ch. 2 and 8
02/09/04Five Factor Model, relevant research Ch. 8
02/16/04exam #1 (Chs. 1, 2, and 8)
III. Psychodynamic Theories
IV. Biological Theories
02/23/04psychodynamic theories Ch. 3 and 4
03/01/04attachment theory & research, temperament Ch. 5
03/08/04inheritance, evolution, BIS/BAS, hormones
03/15/04 no classB Spring Break
03/22/04exam #2 (Chs. 3, 4, and 5)
V. Phenomenological (Humanistic) Theories
VI. Cognitive and Social-Cognitive Theories
03/29/04Rogers, Maslow, Q-sort Ch.9
04/05/04cognitive and social-cognitive theories Ch. 7 and 10 Extra Credit Due
04/12/04issues, applications, integration Ch. 7 and 10
04/22/04exam #3 (Chs. 7, 9, and 10)
VII. Integrationand Wrap-up
04/29/04pick up review questions for final exam
05/03/04optional final exam - will be comprehensive
Monday May 3rd at 6 p.m. in same classroom