PSYCH 207 : Theories of Personality and Development
Science
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course will give students insights into how a variety of theories of psychology are used to understand why people differ in the ways they think, feel and behave (their personality), and how this affects how they grow and develop. The course also places these theories within a wider socio-cultural context, including an important historical overview of how key ideas about why humans behave in particular ways have changed over time. The course is likely to be of interest to students interested in individual differences in behavior and those looking at careers that will involve working closely with others (e.g., clinically, in human resources, education, or business).
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe how the major theories of personality seek to explain human development from early childhood through to adulthood. (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
- Identify and describe the different types of evidence supporting or refuting each of the personality theories. (Capability 3, 4 and 7)
- Compare and contrast the major personality theories and their approach to personality structure, process, growth and development, psychopathology and change. (Capability 3, 4 and 7)
- Develop and demonstrate the ability to critically assess the personality theories using a range of criteria. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
- Describe the applications of the theories in clinical, educational, work and other settings, including limitations. (Capability 5, 6 and 8)
- Describe some of the different cultural perspectives of personality. (Capability 1 and 3)
- Explain how key historical shifts in the approach to studying psychology have shaped the development of personality research. (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
- Consider and describe current applications of personality theory, and the relevance of major theoretical perspectives. (Capability 4 and 5)
- Explain key ethical responsibilities associated with working and doing research using different tools in the personality-theory toolbox. (Capability 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | 20% | Individual Test |
| Assignments | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| Tutorial task | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Quiz | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Tutorial task | ||||||||||
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
- Increased support and encouragement
- Increased communication and access to resources
- Increased networks – get to know more students
- Increased enjoyment and opportunity to succeed
Key Topics
- Psychodynamic Theory
- Phenomenological Theory
- Attachment Theory
- Personal Construct Theory
- Trait Theory
- Indigenous Perspectives on Personality
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Behaviourism
- Social Cognitive Theory
- Positive Psychology
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, your week includes approximately 3 hours of lectures, a 1-hour tutorial, 2-3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4-5 hours of work on assignments and/or exam preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
- Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including tutorials.
- Lectures will also be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials, and office hours will not be available as recordings.
- The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
- A digital e-copy can be purchased from UBIQ and there are several copies of the text available in the library.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
The contact details of the class representatives will be made available on Canvas but please note you are also welcome to give feedback directly to the lecturers or pop in for a chat during a drop in session.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
We really want all students to succeed in this course, so please do let us know if there are additional ways we can support you to do well.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.