PSS2711 - Knowing Me, Knowing You: Perspectives on Personality

Leader: TBA

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will examine personality from a series of perspectives broadly represented by the psychoanalytic, phenomenological, dispositional and behavioural approaches. Significant theorists representing these approaches will be studied and their theories evaluated and compared. Particular attention will be paid to Adler, Fromm and Horney; May, Maslow and Rogers; Eysenck, Skinner and Bandura. The challenges raised by social, existential and humanistic approaches will be emphasised.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this unit students should be able to identify and compare personality theories; evaluate their validity and utility; argue their merits and limitations; exhibit analytic skills required for the evaluation of their philosophic foundations; develop explanations for the manifestation of normal and abnormal behaviour; identify the limits of personality theories; demonstrate an awareness of alternative paradigms derived from systemic models; engage in self-exploration and reflect on their own personality and beliefs; and identify and interpret current events using constructs derived from this unit.

Assessment

Essay (1500 words): 30%
Case analysis (1000 words): 20%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites

PSS1711 and PSS1712 or equivalents

Prohibitions

BHS2320, BHS2711, BHS3711, GSC2711, PSY3051