PSYCH/645 - Personality Theories

Course Description

This course enables students to differentiate among the primary theoretical approaches to the study of personality, including psychodynamic, affective, cognitive-behavioral, and systems theories. Students examine the underlying assumptions inherent in various personality models and learn how the tenets of these models are investigated through empirical research.

This graduate course is 6 weeks.

This course provides a foundation of knowledge in the field of psychology. This course does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or licensure.

This course has a prerequisite. Please see details in the Prerequisite section below.

PLEASE NOTE:
Attendance and participation are mandatory in all university courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

Course Objectives

Week 1

• Define personality as it relates to the field of psychology.
• Explain how personality theories are developed and modified through ongoing research.
• Explain the process of critically evaluating research studies on personality.

Week 2

• Describe Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality and its major concepts.
• Evaluate current research studies that address psychoanalytic concepts.
• Evaluate the influence of Freud’s theories on contemporary personality theory.

Week 3

• Evaluate humanistic theories of personality.
• Explain how researchers have investigated humanistic concepts.
• Differentiate self-esteem, self-concept, and self-actualization.

Week 4

• Describe behavioral and cognitive theories of personality.
• Explain social cognitive learning theories of personality.
• Evaluate contemporary research studies that address the application of behavioral and cognitive learning principles.

Week 5

• Describe trait theories of personality.
• Analyze the five-factor model.
• Analyze the effect of biology on personality.
• Evaluate the influence of biological theories on contemporary personality research.

Week 6

• Apply personality theories to social and occupational roles.
• Explain how biological, social, and cultural experiences interact to shape individual personality development.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of personality theories from a social and multicultural perspective.

Notes

A prerequisite is required for this course. The purpose of a prerequisite is to ensure students have the knowledge and/or skills needed to be successful in the course. Students are required to provide proof of prerequisite during the enrollment/registration process. To meet to a course prerequisite requirement, a student must have successfully completed the prerequisite course at University of Phoenix, provide proof via transcript of completing a comparable course (at least 75% match) or higher level course with at least a grade of C at another institution or have a University of Phoenix approved Student Appeal on file with the University.

During the checkout process you will be prompted to provide proof of the requirement(s). If you completed the prerequisite at another institution be prepared to upload an official/unofficial transcript. If you have questions about meeting the prerequisite requirements for this course please contact an enrollment representative.

This course requires the prerequisite below. Click on the prerequisite course to review the course topics and objectives.

Disclaimers

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with an Enrollment Representative.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.