Overview
This unit introduces major perspectives of studying personality, including psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, dispositional, and behavioural. Representative theories within each approach will be discussed with the consideration of both theory and application. Apart from requiring students to familiarise with theoretical materials and research findings regarding personality studies, this unit also encourages students to look at their own personality and tries to interest student by exploring the practical applications of the theories to several issues relevant to people's daily lives. The approach adopted in this unit towards the study of various theories is experiential and involves personal reflections. It is a requirement of enrolment in the unit that students have access to the CQU World Wide Web site via the Internet.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
PSYC 11008 and PSYC11009
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Course evaluation
The relaxation of formality in the discussion forum assessment was popular with the students as it allowed engagement with the material and interaction with peers without the expectation that the contributions be abstract and impersonal in nature.
This lends weight to the idea that informal discussion forums seem to increase participation and engagement
Feedback from Course evaluation
Consideration of increasing the weighting of Assessment 1 to 10% of the overall unit grade.
A change of weighting to 10% for the forum discussion assessment should be implemented for term 1 2018
- distinguish the study of personality as a psychology discipline from the talk of personality as an everyday common sense
- identify basic issues in contemporary personality research
- recognise six major domains of knowledge about personality functioning outlined in the text
- understand significant ideas and themes of major theories within each domains in the textbook covered by the unit
- display certain critical thinking skills in evaluating, comparing and applying various theories
- have an appreciation of the importance of the contextual factors in personality cultivation and development, including environmental and cultural influences and their implications for personal growth
This unit is to introduce the field of human personality as a branch of scientific study within psychology through the study of representative personality theories applied to major domains of personality studies.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 5% | ||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||||
| 4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 25% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 5% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 25% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Personality Theories
Edition: 9th (2014)
Authors: Engler, B.
Cengage
Belmont Belmont , CA , USA
ISBN: 978-1-285-08880-8
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.carlsen@cqu.edu.au
b.p.smith@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction; Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis
Chapter
1 & 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Join in the discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Carl Jung and Analytic Psychology
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Alfred Adler, Harry Stack Sullivan and Individual/Inter-psychic Psychology
Chapter
4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Karen Horney and Eric Fromm: Psychoanalytic Social Psychology
Chapter
5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Anna Freud, Erik Erikson, Dan McAdams and Ego-Analystic Psychology
Chapter
6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Human Relations: Object Relations Theory, The Stone Centre Group
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Experimental Analysis of Behaviour: John Dollard, Neal Miller & B.F. Skinner
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Online Quiz Due: Week 7 Monday (23 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Social Learning Theories: Albert Bandura, Julian Rotter and Walter Mischel
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Written Essay Due: Week 8 Monday (30 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Humanism: Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers
Chapter
13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Existential Psychoanalysis: Rollo May
Chapter
14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Cognitive Behavioural Theories: Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck & Arnold Lazarus
Chapter
16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Eastern Theories: Yoga and the Hindu Tradition, Zen Buddhism
Chapter
17 & Conclusion
Additional reading on the Hindu Tradition will be provided on the Moodle Unit page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Response to this week's discussion forum.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Discussion
Every student is required to participate in the weekly discussion forums. Ten genuine contributions to twelve different weekly topics are expected. In general, there will be one discussion topic each week which will be posted in the weekly topic area on Moodle. The content of your contribution is expected to be around that topic. It is expected that students contribute to the discussion forums by providing meaningful thoughts, constructive critiques, helpful answers, or suggestions, and other relevant information in relation to the weekly topic and/or fellow students' messages and/or by starting other worthy threads relevant to the topic of personality. It is up the student to give thought to the topic and responses of others and contribute something meaningful to the discussion. Therefore the word limit of 100-200 words is just a guideline. Proper references should be given in posts where it is applicable.
Forum contribution is due 9am Monday of every week.
Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018)
Forum posts will be marked within 14 days of submission.
Each forum post is worth 0.5% of the final unit grade up to a maximum of 10 posts or 5% of the final unit grade.
Marking is based on a Pass/Fail criteria. Provided students make genuine posts that are relevant, meaningful and constructive, a pass grade will be awarded. This includes replying to the post of another student with questions, helpful answers, critiques or elaboration.
- distinguish the study of personality as a psychology discipline from the talk of personality as an everyday common sense
- identify basic issues in contemporary personality research
- recognise six major domains of knowledge about personality functioning outlined in the text
- understand significant ideas and themes of major theories within each domains in the textbook covered by the unit
- display certain critical thinking skills in evaluating, comparing and applying various theories
- have an appreciation of the importance of the contextual factors in personality cultivation and development, including environmental and cultural influences and their implications for personal growth
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Online Quiz(zes)
Task Description
Students are required to answer 100 multiple-choice questions in 90 mins. There will be 4 options for each multiple-choice question. All questions will have equal weight. There will not be any penalties for wrong answers.
Other
Week 7 Monday (23 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Quizz will open at 9am on Friday the 21st of April (Week 6) and close on Monday the 23rd of April at 9am.
Week 7 Monday (23 Apr 2018)
Students will be able to view their results immediately after finishing the quiz.
No Assessment Criteria
- distinguish the study of personality as a psychology discipline from the talk of personality as an everyday common sense
- identify basic issues in contemporary personality research
- recognise six major domains of knowledge about personality functioning outlined in the text
- understand significant ideas and themes of major theories within each domains in the textbook covered by the unit
- display certain critical thinking skills in evaluating, comparing and applying various theories
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
3 Written Assessment
Objectives
The purpose of the essay is to give students the opportunity to study a selected area of personality theory in greater depth. In general this will involve comprehensive reading of primary sources (wherever possible), a critical approach to the material, and the development of an argument reflecting students' own reasoning and viewpoint about the topic. This assessment item closely relates to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Task
You are required to write an original essay on one of the topics that will be provided on the unit website. Be sure to make the argument logical, convincing and supported by appropriate sources. First hand readings (i.e., original journal articles) of empirical studies are essential to enhance the quality of your writing. It is NOT appropriate to use the prescribed textbook for this sources (or any first year psychology textbook) as a reference for the essay although, other books and publications on personality theory/theorists are acceptable.
The essay must be between 1500-2500 words in length, must be presented in APA style, and must include title page and an abstract. Your essay must include an introduction of not more than 2 paragraphs. The body of our essay should address your chosen topic question. Topic questions will be provided at the beginning of the term. You should also provide a conclusion of no more than 2 paragraphs, and a complete reference list. Be sure that any statements made in answer to your chosen topic question are supported by evidence from peer-reviewed literature. Remember to write clearly and in a well organised manner.
APA Format 6th edition is to be followed.
Week 8 Monday (30 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018)
Essays will be returned before the end of term exam
Your essay will be assessed according to the following marking scheme.
Marks wil be awarded from 0-5.
(0 = absent, 1= very poor, 2 = below satisfactory, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = outstanding)
Each of the following section of the contents and structure may receive a maximum grade of 5 marks, giving a total of 50 marks available for this assessment. Students grade out of 50 will be converted to a weighting reflecting value out of 30%.
Contents
1. Theoretical and conceptual knowledge
2. Themes and arguments
3. Literature review and supporting evidence
4. Critical reflection
5. Overall coherence
Structure and Style
1. Title Page, Abstract and Introduction
2. Discussion
3. Conclusion
4. Referencing format
4. Language usage and grammatical rules.
- distinguish the study of personality as a psychology discipline from the talk of personality as an everyday common sense
- identify basic issues in contemporary personality research
- understand significant ideas and themes of major theories within each domains in the textbook covered by the unit
- display certain critical thinking skills in evaluating, comparing and applying various theories
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
