2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog
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PSYC 230 Intro to Personality (5 credits)



Distribution Area Fulfilled Social Sciences; General Transfer Elective
Formerly PSYCH 230

Prerequisite PSYC& 100  or PSYC 201 , with a 1.5 grade or better.

Course Description
A survey of contemporary personality theory, assessment and change.

Course Content
A. Role of theory in personality research
B. Main theories of personality, including backgrounds of theorists
C. Broad historical trends in personality theory and research
D. Components of theories
a. Constructs
b. Personality dynamics (e.g. use of defense mechanisms)
c. Development of personality
E. Personality assessment – observation, testing and interviewing
F. Research methods and data in personality psychology

Student Outcomes
1. Describe the difference between research-focused and theory-focused emphases in personality psychology.

2. Describe the basic theoretical concepts of major theorists/theoretical approaches, including the background of theorist and its impact on theory.

3. Describe the components of major theoretical approaches, which include the dynamics, constructs, and developmental issues.

4. Describe the theoretical approach’s major mode of inquiry and clinical methodology.

5. Describe the major criticisms leveled against each theoretical approach.

6. Explain and interrelate the theoretical approach with its components.

7. Apply a theoretical approach and its components to contemporary issues in personality (e.g. parental and child- rearing style, sexual identification, self-concept, achievement, interpersonal relationships, work and mental illness).

8. Analyze critical psychosocial issues (e.g. obedience, aggression, and anxieties) from a personality perspective.

9. Distinguish among a variety of personality assessment strategies by identifying the following for major test batteries: format, mode of delivery, rationale for test’s use, limitations of test.

10. Compare and contrast the personality assessment strategies with principles of research methods in psychology.

Degree Outcomes
Social Sciences: Graduates analyze and interpret social phenomenon using social science theories and methods.

Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.

Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50

Potential Methods
A. Writing assignments.
B. Objective exams.
C. Presentations.
D. Journaling
E. Research project/papers
F. Biographical analysis
G. Case Study
H. Class Discussion



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