Revised 08/2022

PSY 225 - Theories of Personality (3 CR.)

Course Description

Studies the major personality theories and their applications. Includes psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic perspectives. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course presents an overview of the major personality theories, their applications, and their implications for human behavior.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: PSY 200 or permission of instructor.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Critical Thinking

• Identify strengths and limitations of the major theories of personality
• Analyze and apply theories to situations and individuals What is personality?
• Define personality.
• Describe what personality psychologists do.

Evaluation of personality theory – How is personality studied and assessed?

• List the basic assumptions concerning human nature as they relate to the study of personality and research in the area.
• Recognize and evaluate how research methodology is used and helps us understand personality.

The Theories: Psychoanalytic, Neo-Psychoanalytic, More recent trends in Psychoanalytic Theory (the Ego and object relations), Behavior and Learning Theories, Trait Theories, Biological Basis of Personality, Humanistic, Existential, Cognitive and Cognitive Behavioral

• Identify the strengths and limitations of the major theories.
• Explain the basic concepts and processes of the various personality theories.
• Differentiate between the major personality theories.
• Identify and discuss and apply various personality concepts, terms and theories to different environments, situations, understanding of people and themselves.
• Apply theories and acquired insight to describe and explain personality theory in action in various situations and cases.

Major Topics to Be Included

• What is personality?
• Evaluation of personality theory – How is personality studied and assessed?
• The Theories