This course presents both in-depth and broad coverage of personality psychology. The main aims of the course are to critically review and discuss key theoretical and empirical approaches to personality. A special emphasis is placed on developing scholarly appraisals of significant trends in the field. This course will cover the main theoretical approaches to personality: the trait approach (examining why people have traits and whether traits cause behaviour), the biological approach (exploring how biological factors shape personality), the psychodynamic approach (investigating the dynamic unconscious processes within personality), the phenomenological approach (assessing how humanistic, existential, and cultural factors influence personality), and the social-cognitive approach (studying how learning, cognitions, and affect shape personality).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain personality assessment and relevant research methods in personality psychology.
- Discuss the main aspects, advantages, and disadvantages of major theories within personality psychology.
- Critically evaluate theoretical and empirical issues within personality psychology, with an emphasis on understanding how biological, social, and cultural factors shape personality.
- Competently communicate critical analyses and applications of personality psychology theories and methods in written and oral formats.
- Contribute effectively to group discussions through active participation, and with insightful, culturally sensitive, and respectful engagement.
Other Information
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) required competencies:
As part of the mandatory requirements from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), students must demonstrate the specific competencies listed in the learning outcomes for this course. For example, participation and presentations assess the required demonstration of teamwork and oral communication skills. Some students may be eligible to have recommended reasonable adjustments applied to materials, activities or assessment tasks provided the integrity of the course, and the competencies being assessed, are maintained.
For more information, please contact the Course Convenor.
Indicative Assessment
- Course Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Student Conference Presentation (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Mid-Semester Quiz (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Mid-Semester Case Study Report (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
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 7 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
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 4B
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7898 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
