Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102906

Coordinator Emma Walter Opens in new window

Description Most of us probably use the term 'personality' almost every day. Yet the conceptualisation and definition of personality is far from settled. This unit introduces the controversies and debates in the psychology of personality, as well as the major theoretical and applied approaches to its measurement. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of personality research and its implications for the practice of psychology.

School Psychology

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Equivalent Subjects BEHV 2011 - Personality Motivation and Emotion BEHV 3017 - Personality

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Describe the major theories of personality.
2. Analyse contemporary personality research to solve scientific problems.
3. Identify the practical implications of individual differences and personality research to applied psychology.
4. Demonstrate effective written expression of scientific thinking using APA structure and formatting conventions.

Subject Content

Introduction to Personality: General overview of definitions and approaches. The place and value of personality theory in psychology as a whole. The question of a scientific outlook. Criteria for evaluation of personality theories. Introducing the four major approaches:
The Psychoanalytic Approach: Freud's psychoanalytic perspective; psychoanalytic alternatives to Freud; Neo-Freudian psychoanalytic perspectives.
The Behaviourist Approach: Radical behaviourism; cognitive behaviourism.
The Humanistic/Existentialist/Phenomenological Approach.
The Dispositional Approach.
Personality assessment and research.
Comparisons and evaluations.