COURSE OUTLINE IN THEORIES OF PERSONALITY

Course Code : Psych 103

Course Title : THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
Course Description : A survey of the major/ classical theories of personality and the theoretical and
practical issues involved in the scientific study and understanding of personality
formation and dynamics.
Course Outcome : Apply and understand the major classical facets of theories of personality in
understanding human behavior.
No. of Units :3
No. of Hours : 54

Course Topics:
TOPIC/S NO. OF HOURS
PRELIMINARIES
Discussion on the Overview of the Course, Classroom Policy and Setting of 1
Expectations
Part 1. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1. The Study of Personality: Assessment, Research, and Theory 4
 The Study of Personality
 The Place of Personality in the History of Psychology
 Definitions of Personality
 Ethnic and Gender Issues in Personality
 Assessment in the Study of Personality
 Research in the Study of Personality
 Theory in the Study of Personality
 Questions About Human Nature

Part 2. THE PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH

Chapter 2. Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalysis 6
 The Life of Freud
 Instincts: The Propelling Forces of the Personality
 The Levels of Personality
 The Structure of Personality
 Anxiety: A Threat to the Ego
 Defense Mechanisms Against Anxiety
 Psychosexual Stages of Personality Development
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Freud’s Theory
 Research in Freud’s Theory
 Reflections on Freud’s Theory

Part 3. THE NEOPSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH

Chapter 3. Carl Jung: Analytical Psychology 6
 The Life of Jung
 Psychic Energy
 The Systems of Personality
 The Development of the Personality
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Jung’s Theory
 Research in Jung’s Theory
  Reflections on Jung’s Theory

PRELIM EXAM 1
MIDTERMS
Chapter 4. Alfred Adler: Individual Psychology 4
 The Life of Adler
 Inferiority Feelings: The Source of Human Striving
 Striving for Superiority, or Perfection
 The Style of Life
 Social Interest
 Birth Order
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Adler’s Theory
 Research in Adler’s Theory
 Reflections on Adler’s Theory

Chapter 5. Karen Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory 5

 The Life of Horney
 The Childhood Need for Safety
 Basic Anxiety: The Foundation of Neurosis
 Neurotic Needs and Trends
 The Idealized Self-Image
 Feminine Psychology
 Questions of Human Nature
 Assessment in Horney’s Theory
 Research in Horney’s Theory
 Reflections on Horney’s Theory

Chapter 6. Erich Fromm: Humanistic Psychoanalysis 4

 The Life of Fromm
 Freedom of Security: The Basic Human Dilemma
 Personality Development in Childhood
 The Basic Psychological Needs
 The Productive and Nonproductive Character Types
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Fromm’s Theory
 Research in Fromm’s Theory
 Reflections on Fromm’s Theory

Chapter 7. Henry Murray: Personology 4

 The Life of Murray
 Principles of Personology
 The Divisions of Personality
 Needs: The Motivators of Behavior
 Personality Development in Childhood
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Murray’s Theory
 Research in Murray’s Theory
 Reflections on Murray’s Theory
 MIDTERM EXAM 1
FINALS
Part 3. THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE ORGANIZATION
Chapter 8. Melanie Klein: Object Relations Theory 6
 The Life of Klein
 Introduction to Object Relations Theory
 Psychic Life of the Infant
 Positions
 Psychic Defense Mechanisms
 Internalizations
 Later Views on Object Relations
- Margaret Mahler’s View
- Heinz Kohut’s View
- John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
- Mary Ainsworth and The Strange Situation
 Assessment in Klein’s Theory
 Research in Klein’s Theory
 Reflections on Klein’s Theory

Chapter 9. Harry Stack Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory 5

 The Life of Sullivan
 Tensions
 Dynamisms
 Personifications
 Levels of Cognition
 Stages of Development
 Psychological Disorders
 Assessment in Sullivan’s Theory
 Research in Sullivan’s Theory
 Reflections on Sullivan’s Theory

Part 4. THE LIFE-SPAN APPROACH

Chapter 10. Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development 6
 The Life of Erikson
 Psychosocial Stages of Personality
 Basic Weaknesses
 Questions about Human Nature
 Assessment in Erikson’s Theory
 Research in Erikson’s Theory
 Reflections on Erikson’s Theory

FINAL EXAM 1
Grading System:
Major Examination (Prelims, Midterms, Finals) - 50%
Quizzes - 30%
Class Standing - 20%
Attendance – 5%
Recitation – 5%
Assignments/ Group Activity – 10%
__________________________________________________________
TOTAL - 100%
Percentage Passing Rate - 75%

CLASSROOM POLICIES:
1. Attendance. Attendance is vital to the successful completion of this course. In the event of an
unavoidable absence, students are responsible for turning in any late work at the beginning of the
period on the day after the day they return. Please take note that “tardies” will be considered absences
when students are more than fifteen (15) minutes late to class.
2. Class Participation. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and come to class having
completed the assigned readings.
3. Late Work. Late papers lose 30% on the overall grade before scoring. Papers more than one day late
will not be accepted.
4. Missed Examinations. All work and/ or assignment missed because of an official absence must be
completed in the time allowed according to college policy.
5. Academic Integrity. Any assignment reflecting cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic
dishonesty will receive a grade of zero. A second instance of plagiarism results in automatic failure
in class.
6. Uniform. Students are required to wear the prescribed school uniform except for Wednesdays.

References:

Burger, J. 2011. Personality. 8th Edition. Wadsworth CENGAGE Learning. CA, USA

Cloninger, S. 2004. Theories of Personality: Understanding Persons. 4th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. NJ,
USA

Ewen, R. 2003. An Introduction to Theories of Personality. 6th Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
NJ, USA
Feist, J. & Feist, G. 2008. Theories of Personality. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. USA

Ryckman, R. 2008. Theories of Personality. 9th Edition. Thomson Higher Education. CA, USA

Schultz, D. & Shultz, S. E. 2005. Theories of Personality. 8th Edition. Wadsworth, Thompson Learning, Inc.
CA, USA