Psychology (PSYC) 356
Introduction to Personality Theories and Issues (Revision 5)

Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSYC 289 and PSYC 290 are strongly recommended.
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
PSYC 356 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
This course surveys the field of personality from a scientific perspective. The key theorists and concepts associated with each perspective are highlighted, along with the strengths and limitations of that approach.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Personality Theory
Unit 2: Freud: Psychoanalysis
Unit 3: Adler: Individual Psychology
Unit 4: Jung: Analytical Psychology
Unit 5: Klein: Object Relations Theory
Unit 6: Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory
Unit 7: Fromm: Humanistic Psychoanalysis
Unit 8: Sullivan: Interpersonal Theory
Unit 9: Erikson: Post-Freudian Theory
Unit 10: Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory
Unit 11: Rogers: Person-Centered Theory
Unit 12: May: Existential Psychology
Unit 13: Allport: Psychology of the Individual
Unit 14: Eysenck, McCrae, and Costa's Factor and Trait Theories
Unit 15: Skinner: Behavioral Analysis
Unit 16: Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory
Unit 17: Rotter and Mischel: Cognitive Social Learning Theory
Unit 18: Kelly: Psychology of Personal Constructs
Evaluation
To receive credit for the course, you must complete all assignments, receive a grade of 50 percent or better on the final exam and a composite course grade of at least “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| 5 Quizzes (5% each) | Term Paper | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Other Materials
Other course materials include a student manual and workbook available online.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 356 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 5, November 28, 2008.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS 02/13/2013 11:18:08