1 Psychology of Personality -3320

Instructor: Sherri Shoefstall Ed.D

Psychology Department
Phone: (409) 880-8289
Email: sherri.shoefstall@lamar.edu
Office: SBS 203B

Dates: August 28 – October 20

Course Description:
This course is designed to acquaint students with personality psychology. Which can be described as the scientific
study of an individual’s characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior, together with the psychological
mechanism behind those patterns. The course will cover an extensive, but not exhaustive, overview of the lives,
ideas, and models of a number of theorists and their theories within the field of personality psychology and how
these theorists and theories explain and assess personality from their own unique perspectives. Lecture, readings,
and class activities will be utilized to address these areas. Students will be able to convey understanding of these
concepts through discussion boards, reaction paper, quizzes and exams.

Requirements for Course:

1. Participation in all course activities and readings.

2. Obtain a satisfactory score on course examinations.
3. Complete one reaction paper assignment.
4. Participate in class discussion boards.
5. Participate in weekly quizzes.
6. Communication through Lamar email address only.
7. The course requires a successful completion (grade of C or better) of 2301 General Psychology.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

1. Distinguish the major theories that shape the study of personality psychology.
2. Apply the terminology associated with the study of personality psychology.
3. Compare and contrast different personality theorists, and their theories, and how each has a
different perspective on personality.
4. Identify methods of researching personality theories, so you can critically evaluate research, the
results it produces, and claims derived from those results.
5. Make use of psychological principles learned in class outside of class during your day-to-day
life.
6. Create and actively participate in class discussion posts with relevant contributions.

Required Text:

Ryckman, Richard M. (2013). Theories of Personality (10th Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage
Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1111834517 or ISBN-10: 1111834512

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Technology Prerequisites:

Students are not required to have advanced technology training or skills in order to be successful in the class.
They should, however, feel confident about their ability to navigate through typical online websites and their
ability to use common word processing software in order to submit written assignments. The minimum technical
skills and the system requirements for this course:

System Requirements
Computer/Technology Requirements
1. Students will need regular access to a computer with a broadband Internet connection. The minimum
computer requirements are:
 Any current Flash-compliant browser (recent versions of Firefox or Safari)
o Please note that Blackboard may not support Internet Explorer or Chrome.
 512 MB of RAM, 1 GB or more preferred
 Broadband connection (cable modem, DSL, or other high speed) required – courses are heavily video
intensive
 Video display capable of high-color 16-bit display – 1024 x 768 or higher resolution
 A sound card and speakers or headphones
 Current anti-virus software must be installed and kept up to date.
 Students will need some additional free software for enhanced web browsing. Be certain to download
the free versions of the software.
o Adobe Reader
o Adobe Flash Player
 Most home computers purchased within the last 3-4 years meet or surpass these requirements.
2. At a minimum, students must have Microsoft Office 2003, XP, 2007 or OpenOffice, or Student Office for
Mac. Microsoft Office is the standard office productivity software utilized by faculty, students, and staff.
Microsoft Word is the standard word processing software, Microsoft Excel is the standard spreadsheet
software, and Microsoft PowerPoint is the standard presentation software. Copying and pasting, along
with attaching/uploading documents for assignment submission will also be required. If you do not have
Microsoft Office or Student Office for Mac, you can check with the bookstore to see if they have any
student copies.
3. Your computer must be compatible with Blackboard. Please see the Blackboard Supported Browsers
and Operating System page to make sure your system will allow you to use all the tools and features
available.
Technology Skills Requirements
You need to be able to:
 Navigate websites, including downloading and reading files from them.
 Download and install software or plug-ins such as Adobe Reader, Window Media Player or Flash.
 Use e-mail, including attaching and downloading documents/files from e-mail.
 Save files in commonly used word processing formats (.doc, .docx, .rtf).
 Copy and paste text and other items in computer documents.
 Save and retrieve documents and files on your computer.
 Locate information on the Internet using search engines.
 Locate information in the library using the online catalog.

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Reaction Paper:

Since one of the main goals of this course is to provide you with the understanding, usefulness and everyday
value of personality psychology, you will be required to complete one (1) reaction paper on the theories and
theorists of your choice. For the paper you will chose one personality theorist or theory, explain the major
concepts, include your reaction (opinion) about the theory or theorist, then apply it to either a relevant current
event or a relevant personal experience. This paper should be 3-4 pages, typed, doubled spaced, not including
your title page or reference page. Your paper will be submitted through SafeAssign on BlackBoard on or before
the following date: Oct. 02. Your plagiarism score as identified by SafeAssign must be less than 25%.
Assignment Rubric can be found in BlackBoard.

*American Psychological Association (APA) format is required for all written assignments.*

Discussion Board Participation: Individual contributions to online class discussions should meet the following
criteria to be considered complete.
1. Fulfill all requirements listed in the instructions for each discussion.
2. Read the assigned textbook chapters and the Power Point lectures before posting.
3. Post your initial message in an online discussion as a new message, not a reply.
4. Reply to AT LEAST one posting by another student each week. Reply to any questions asked of you by
others students in their replies to your posts. Be informative.
5. Change the subject line of the message to reflect its content.
6. Complete all postings by the 11:59 pm on the assigned date.
7. Read your fellow participants' posts before posting yourself. Do not repeat what someone else has stated.
Instead, reference that person's post in your own ("I agree with what Susan has said about potential
benefits of streaming video. I have one to add of my own...").
8. Ensure that all posts should add new information, perspectives, evidence, opinions, or questions to the
discussion; all posts should move the discussion forward.
9. Support your opinions and ideas with specific details from research or information from your experience
but be careful about sharing information that is overly personal. Cite your sources, as appropriate.
10. When asked to reply to colleagues, reply first to people who have yet to receive responses to ensure
everyone is answered. Always be respectful, any personal attacks will not be tolerated.
11. Utilize professional communication skills (e.g. etiquette, grammar, and word usage). Use spell check and
grammar check.
12. Each of the eight (8) discussions is worth 21.88 points for a possible total of 175 points. Discussion
grades are cumulative and all points will be added together for a total score at the end of the course.
13. For full grading information, the assignment rubric can be found in BlackBoard by clicking on Grading
Information.

Weekly Assignments:

Weekly Assignments are designed to reinforce concepts presented in Readings, PowerPoints and Videos. There
will be five (5) weekly assignments required throughout the course. Weekly assignments will be worth a total of
100 points-5 assignments which will be worth 20 points each. Assignment Rubric can be found in BlackBoard.

Quizzes:

Weekly quizzes are scheduled to review comprehension of the unit material. Quizzes will be open throughout the
entire grading period for that module (Monday-Sunday). If you have technical issues with a quiz, please contact
me as soon as possible. Once a quiz has closed, it cannot be re-opened for any reason. Quiz grades will be worth
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a total of 175 points- 7 quizzes worth 25 points each.
Examinations:

There are three (3) online exams. Exam items will be taken from assigned chapters, PowerPoints, and videos for
the particular exam. You are not allowed to use your book, notes, PowerPoints or the Internet to complete your
exams. The purpose of the exam is to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained by learning the material presented.
Exams will be posted until the test date closes and cannot be made up after that date. Exams are scheduled as
follows: Open Close

Exam 1: Friday 09/15/17 Sunday 09/17/17

Exam 2: Friday 09/29/17 Sunday 10/01/17
Exam 3: Monday 10/16/17 Thursday 10/19/17

Grading Scale:

In order to receive the optimum educational benefits from this course, students are expected to be prepared and
actively participate in class discussions boards and submit the required assignments on or before assigned due
dates. I don’t accept late discussions/posts, quizzes, or tests. I will deduct points from late assignments.
Achievement of learning objectives will be measured by class examinations, weekly quizzes, reaction papers, and
discussion board participation. Failure to notify the instructor of any grade discrepancy within 7 days will
finalize the score for the remainder of the semester.

You will be graded according to your performance out of total points.

First Exam-100 pts.

Second Exam- 100 pts. A = 765-850
Third Exam- 100 pts. B = 679-764
Discussion Board- 175 pts. C = 593-678
Reaction Paper - 100 total pts. D = 507-592
Quizzes- 175 total pts. F = BELOW 506
Weekly Assignments- 100 pts.
TOTAL POINTS = 850
Drop Dates:
All policies regarding drops, withdrawals, and academic integrity are applicable in this class for each term as
stated by Lamar University. For more details, refer to the Lamar Academic Calendar. If the link does not work,
visit Lamar University at http://www.lamar.edu, and search the site with the term, “Academic Calendar.”
RESPONSE TIMES
Please email me at sherri.shoefstall@lamar.edu this email goes directly to my phone and you will likely get a
response within 24 hours. I DO NOT check the blackboard email every day, therefore if you email me in Blackboard it
maybe longer before you get a response.

All assignments, discussions, and tests will be graded within 7 days. The quiz feedback will be available as soon as the
quiz closes for the class. Each quiz closes on Sunday at 11:59, so quiz feedback and answers are available Monday at
12:00 am.
To view your quiz answers:
Click on My Grades
Click on Chapter 1 Quiz
Click on your calculated grade
This will bring you to the quiz answers.

Please pay close attention to the deadlines and rubrics. Deadlines are final in almost all cases, so do not wait until the
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last minute to complete activities.

Additionally, please consult your grading rubrics for each activity, including the discussion posts. You will be graded
on the posted rubrics for all assignments. My experience has been that students lose points not because of wrong
answers but because they did not follow the rubrics and provide enough information.
Please look for and review all provided feedback.

Disability Accommodation:

Lamar University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The
Disability Resource Center (DRC) is located in the Communications building room 105. Office staff will
collaborate with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. If you
have, or think you may have a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory or
physical), please contact the DRC at (409) 880-8347 or drc@lamar.edu to arrange a confidential appointment
with the Director of the DRC to explore possible options regarding equitable access and reasonable
accommodations. If you are registered with the DRC and have a current letter requesting reasonable
accommodations, contact your instructor early in the semester to review how the accommodations will be applied
in the course.

Academic Integrity:

All projects must reflect original work by the students in this course. Materials for projects must reflect original
work by the students in this course. Materials for projects must be used only for this course. Academic dishonesty
or plagiarism will result in punishment ranging from failure of the assignment to failure in the course. The
instructor will thoroughly investigate all cases of suspected academic dishonesty, and may issue an incomplete (I),
even to a graduating senior, while the investigation is underway. Students are expected to earn their own
credit, and this includes taking their own notes and obtaining their own handouts and other class materials.
Accidental plagiarism may be avoided by consulting web pages such as those that follow.
-http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
-http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
-http://www.hamilton.edu/writing/style/plagiarism/plagiarism.html

Netiquette (Online Etiquette) Statement

Please adhere to the same standards of behavior and professional respect online that you would follow in face-to-
face communication with others, but most particularly when writing email and when taking part in collaborative
and discussion board activities. Lamar provides access to network resources, including the Internet, in order to
support learning and to prepare students for the 21st century world. Students, however, are expected to adhere to
the Lamar University Acceptable Use Policies when Using Networks
 Acceptable Use
Students must respect the integrity and security of LU's computer systems and network, and the privacy
and preferences of other users. Responsibility for learning about and complying with LU's Acceptable
Use Policy ultimately rests with the individual. The network may be used to download, copy, or store any
software, shareware, digital media files or freeware, as long as the use complies with copyright law;
licensing agreements, and campus policies such as storage space limitations and network bandwidth
restrictions. The network may not be used for any activity, or to transmit any material, that violates
United States or local laws.
 Unacceptable use
The network may not be used for commercial purposes. Advertising and sponsorships on UW web sites is
restricted. In addition, students may not permit other persons to use their usernames, passwords, accounts
or disk space, or disclose their usernames, passwords or account information to any third party. Students
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 may not log on to someone else's account, internet address, or other network codes, or attempt to access
another user's files. Students may not create false or dummy accounts to impersonate someone else.
Students may not try to gain unauthorized access ("hacking") to the files or computer systems of any
other person or organization. Students may not impersonate another person by forging e-mail, web pages
or other electronic media. Students who maliciously access, alter, delete, damage or destroy any computer
system, computer network, computer program, or data will be subject to disciplinary action by LU, and
criminal prosecution as well. Students may not disrupt or attempt to disrupt network traffic, and they may
not attempt to monitor or capture network traffic in any way. Finally, students may not intentionally
create, store, display, print or transmit information that violates the university’s Sexual Harassment
Policy.

General Guidelines to Respect All Participants

 Respect the right of each person to disagree with others.
 Treat people the same as you would face-to-face.
 Respect the time of others

Guidelines When Communicating with Others (email, discussion, blogging, and etc.)

 Always sign your names to any contribution you choose to make.

 Be constructive in your responses to others in the class.
 Do not use all caps. (Doing so may be interpreted as shouting)
 Re-read your postings before sending them.
 Always think before you write.
 Respond respectively.
 Use appropriate grammar and structure.
 Spell-check your postings.
 Use short paragraphs focused on one idea
 Use appropriate business language at all times

Privacy Policy Statement

Student records maintained by Lamar University comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of
1974 as amended (PL93-380). Detailed information should be accessed through this link:
https://sacs.lamar.edu/catalog/PrefMaterial/V.GenAcademicPol.htm#edurights

myLamar Portal
Students are asked to obtain a Lamar Electronic Account username and password so they can log onto the
myLamar Web site. Students may get information on how to get into the myLamar Web site from the University’s
homepage (http://www.lamar.edu) by clicking on the myLamar link on the left top corner of the screen. Follow
the steps to secure your myLamar username and password. Access to library resources is described on the
Academic Partnership page, also available through the http://www.lamar.edu.

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Emergency Procedures:
Many types of emergencies can occur on campus. Instructions for severe weather, violence/active shooter, fire, or
chemical release can be found at http://www.lamar.edu/about-lu/administration/rish-management/index.html.
Following are instructions for the first two:

Severe Weather:
• Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel.
• Seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between
you and the outside.
• If you are in a multi-story building, and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of
the building.
• Stay in the center of the room away from exterior walls, windows and doors.

Violence/Active Shooter (CADD):

• CALL – x8311 from a campus phone (409-880–8311) from a cell phone. Note: Calling 911 from either
a campus phone or a cell phone will contact Beaumont City Police Dispatch rather than University Police.
• AVOID – If possible, self-evacuate to a safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police
officers.
• DENY – Barricade the door with desks, chairs, bookcases or any other items. Move to a place inside the
room where you are not visible. Turn off lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it is
safe.
• DEFEND – Use chairs, desks, cell phones, or whatever is immediately available to distract and/or defend
yourself and others from attack.

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 • Course Content Outline

Open Reading Assignment

Date Module And Topic Assignments Due Date
Welcome Video
Syllabus & Syllabus Quiz
Welcome & Introduction Icebreaker Discussion Post
Week 1 1

Chapter 2- Sigmund Freud- Readings: Chapter 2 09/03/17

08/28/17 Psychodynamic Theory & Power Points – Chapter 2
Personality Development,
Video: Introduction to Freuds'
Assessment Techniques &
Personality Theory
Therapy-Freud

Complete Week One-Assignment 1

Quiz 1
Discussion Post and Response Post -1

Chapter 3- Carl Jung-

Analytical Psychology
& Personality Development,
Week 2 1 Assessment Techniques &
Therapy
09/04/17
Chapter 4: Alfred Adler–
Individual Psychology &
Personality Development,
Assessment, Techniques &
Therapy
Readings: Chapter 3 & 4
Power Points – Chapter 3 & 4
Video: Adlerian Theory
Video: Birth Order 09/10/17
Complete Week Two-Assignment 2
Quiz 2
Discussion Post and Response – 2

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 Open Reading Assignment
Date Module And Topic Assignments Due Date

Chapter 5: Karen Horney- Reading: Chapters 5 & 6

Week 3 2 Social & Cultural Analysis Power Point: Chapters 5 & 6
& Personality Development, Video: Erickson
Assessment Techniques &
Video: Carl Jung & Karen Horney
Therapy -Horney 09/17/17
09/11/17
Complete Week Three-Assignment 3
Chapter 6: Erikson- Quiz 3
Psychoanalytic Ego
Psychology &Personality Discussion Post and Response – 3
Development, Assessment
Techniques & Therapy

Exam will open on Friday 09/15/17

09/15/17 EXAM 1 TEST 1: Chapters 2 – 6 and close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 09/17/17
09/17/17

Chapter 8: Gordon Allport–

Trait Theory & Personality Reading: Chapters 7 & 8
Week 4 2 Development, Assessment Power Point: Chapters 7 & 8
Techniques & Therapy Video: Psychology 101: Trait Theories
of Personality 09/24/17
09/18/17
Video:
Chapter 10: Hans Eysenck –
Biological Typology Quiz 4
Approaches to Personality & Discussion Post and Response – 4
Personality Development,
Assessment Techniques &
Therapy

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 Open Reading Assignment
Date Module And Topic
Week 5 Lecture & Handout: Five
Factor Model (Big Five)
09/25/16 3 10/01/17
Lecture & Handout:
Personality Disorders
09/29/17 EXAM 2 TEST 2: Chapters 8, 10, Big
Five & Personality Disorders
Open Reading Assignment
Date Module And Topic
Chapter 12: Abraham
Maslow – Humanistic
Week 6 3 Perspective & Personality
Development, Assessment
10/02/17 Techniques & Therapy
Chapter 13: Carl Rogers –
Person-Centered Theory &
Personality Development,
Assessment Techniques &
Therapy
10
Assignments Due Date
Reading: Chapters 10 & 11
Power Point: Chapters 10 & 11
Video: Big Five Personality Traits in
Movies
Videos: Personality Disorders
Quiz 5
Discussion Post and Response – 5
Exam will open on Friday 09/29/17
and close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 10/01/17
10/01/17
Assignments Due Date
Reading: Chapters 12 & 13
Power Points: Chapter 12 & 13
10/08/17
Video: If You Know Nothing About
Personality: 12 Maslow
Video: Rogers In Ten Minutes
Video: What is Positive Psychology?
Quiz 6
Complete Week 6-Assignment 4
Discussion Post and Response – 6
Reaction Paper Due-October 08 by
11:59pm
 Open Reading Assignment
Date Module And Topic Assignments Due Date

Chapter 15: B.F. Skinner – Reading: Chapters 14 & 15

Week 7 4 Operant Analysis &
Personality Development,
10/09/17 Assessment Techniques &
Therapy
Chapter 17: Albert Bandura–
Social Cognitive Theory &
Personality Development,
Assessment Techniques &
Therapy
Power Point: Chapter 14 & 15
Video: Social Cognitive Theory by 10/15/17
Albert Bandura
Video: Self Efficacy: Its Role and
Sources
Video: Operant conditioning
Video: Big Bang Theory-operant
conditioning
Video: Learned Helplessness
Complete Week Seven-Assignment 5
Quiz 7
Discussion Post and Response – 7

Week 8 4 Test 3: Chapters 12 ,13, 15 & Exam will open on Monday 10/16/17
17 and close at 11:59 pm on Thursday
10/16/17 EXAM 3 10/19/17 10/19/17

Final Discussion Post-Due 10/19/17

Course Evaluation Course Evaluation

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