Overview

This unit explores key themes in the development of personality theory. The psychodynamic, psychosocial, biological, trait, humanistic, and social cognitive approaches to understanding personality are compared and critically evaluated according to the available evidence. Assessment of individuals according to each theory is also critically evaluated. Applications of the personality theories to real-world problems are emphasised in the unit so that students begin to appreciate the importance of understanding differences between people and how these differences drive behaviour. This unit will help students develop their understanding of key theories and research methods in the psychology of personality, and adapt skills learned in previous studies to the analysis and communication of contemporary problems in the area.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY70013 Social Psychology
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
PSY70015 Developmental Psychology
STA70007 Analysis of Variance and Regression

Rules

Pre-requisite
Any two of
PSY70013 Social Psychology
OR
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
OR
PSY70015 Developmental Psychology
AND
STA70007 Analysis of Variance and Regression

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the main features of some of the major perspectives on the psychology of personality (e.g., psychoanalytic/neoanalytic, biological/evolutionary, trait, motive, learning and social-cognitive approaches, and the narrative approach)
  • Critically review the major elements of historically important and contemporary theories within each perspective
  • Critically evaluate how various approaches to personality explain specific issues such as the unconscious, the self, personality change, the effect of early childhood experiences, and the role of motivation
  • Explain how an integration of many of these theories leads to a better understanding of individual differences in personality
  • Investigate a personality-related research question and present the findings in an appropriate manner

Teaching methods

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class
0.33 12 weeks 4
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.17 12 weeks 146
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ExaminationIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 
Mid-Semester TestIndividual 20% 1,2,3 
Written AssignmentIndividual 40% 3,5 

Content

  • Theories of personality
  • Assessment of personality
  • Applications of personality theory

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.