Please remember this needs to be written at a master level:
Purpose. The study of personality can seem extremely abstract. Each theorist proposes different ways of measuring or documenting
individual differences and intrapersonal processes. The purpose of these short papers is to give you hands-on experience with the
concrete elements of various perspectives, so you can see and feel what each theorist is talking about.
Task. You will be introduced to measures of personality for each perspective we study, both in the text and online. Each time you do an
assessment, you should note for yourself what the results mean regarding your personality (or the personality of some anonymous other).
The summaries will be useful in describing your personality from the perspective of psychodynamic theorists and trait theorists..
Topics. In 5 to 7 pages, or 12 to 18 PowerPoint slides, you can only treat selective elements of what you have learned about
personality to cover. Topics you may choose to address in the papers are found throughout the syllabus and in each chapter of the text.
In the end, you should describe your subject (yourself) through the eyes of at least three psychodynamic theories for the first paper,
and three or more non-psychodynamic theories for the second paper. Use whichever theories seem applicable, pertinent, or appropriate
within the broad school of thought.
Due in Week Four by Sunday night Psychodynamic Views of YOU
Explain (as completely as you can) how the concepts from 3 specific psychodynamic theories would fit your own personality. Give real-
life examples of your behavior and say how the in-class optional assessments described you. For example, you could write about:
1. Freud – defense mechanisms, free association, catharsis, psychosexual stages, parapraxis, and dream analysis, Oedipal or Electra
complex, kinds of anxiety
2. Jung – favored personality functions and development of individuation, archetypes, maturation of personality in adulthood
3. Adler – birth order, social interest, evidence of striving for superiority, Style of life
4. Horney – psychological safety, basic anxiety driving perfectionism, parental relations, neurotic trends
5. Erikson – psycho historical analysis – what would yours say? Identity development and identity status, resolution of earlier crises,
generativity… Evaluate what stage of life you are in, and give evidence
A conclusion may draw together the theories, or say how they are different, and whether they give a complete picture of your
personality.
Process. Keep running notes each week about how your personality fits into each theory. The online journal, found in the drop box
above, is a good place to keep your notes. Begin the paper with a general introduction to the individual (you), then move smoothly into
the first perspective you wish to take. Use transition sentences to move from one theory to the next, making contrasts and comparisons
between the various interpretations of your personality when possible. The paper should read smoothly from beginning to end, not as a
series of disconnected one-paragraph essays. Type the paper with 1” margins, double spaced in a 12-point font. SAVE the paper,
including your last name in the file name, as a WORD document or PDF file. When it is done, upload it as an attachment in the week 4 or
8 assignment area.
Power Point slide show alternative. Some of you are more visual and may enjoy creating a visual presentation with illustrations. You
may create a PowerPoint slide show of 12 to 18 slides using these same directions. Include a BRIEF background and description, then
launch into applications of three different psychodynamic theories to explain your character. Use several concepts from each of 3
theories. Tie them together with a conclusion at the end. You can include personal photos, web links, and other illustrations, but
please do not use animations or slide transitions, because they make the files too big and I find them distracting. Keep each slide
focused and concise, using bullets instead of long sentences.
Evaluation. Papers and presentations will be graded on clear presentation and analysis, accurate reference to each theory used, correct
use of terms and constructs, creative presentation and good college-level writing, including grammar, punctuation, spelling,
organization, and neatness.
The paper or power point assessment is well done when it:
Gives a strong sense of the individual personality
Uses at least 3 different theories, several concepts in each
Appropriate use of terminology for each theory
Correct spelling, grammar, formatting- good flow
Effective summary and analysis.
Used objective personality assessments.
Interesting, entertaining to read.
Required Text: Schultz, D.P. & Schultz, S.E. (10th edition). Theories of Personality 10th ed. Belmont, CA.
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