This course presents both an in-depth and broad coverage of personality psychology. The main aims of the course are to critically review and discuss major theoretical and empirical approaches to personality. A specific emphasis will be on the development of scholarly appraisal of significant trends in the field. This course will review the main theoretical approaches to personality: trait approach (why people have traits and whether traits cause behaviour), biological approach (how biological factors shape personality), psychodynamic approach (what dynamic unconscious processes operate within personality), phenomenological approach (how humanistic, existential, and cultural factors influence personality), and social-cognitive approach (how learning, cognitions, and affect shape personality). Students are expected to read and be familiar with the material in the lectures, textbook, labs, and Wattle.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Broadly understand major theoretical approaches of personality psychology.
- Understand personality assessment and relevant research methods in personality psychology.
- Successfully and proficiently discuss the main aspects, advantages, and disadvantages of theories within personality psychology.
- Think critically about theoretical and empirical issues within the field of personality psychology.
- Effectively verbally communicate a critical analysis of a personality topic.
Indicative Assessment
- Quiz (5) [LO 2,3,4]
- Individual Oral Presentation (A Critical Analysis of a Topic in Personality Psychology) (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Mid-Semester Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2 hour lecture per week and 6 x 2 hours of laboratories spread across the semester.
- Approximately 94 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Funder, D. C. The personality puzzle: International student edition (latest ed.). New York: W. W. Norton. ISBN: 978-0-393-92079-6
Majors
Minors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8922 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | View |