PY 470: Psychology of Personality

Supplemental Course Information

Academic Learning Activities Required Outside of Scheduled Class Time: (Instructor Add or Delete 5-week hybrid/F2f classes only)

Course Meeting Times/Place

Term: [instructor add]
Location: [Instructor add Online/Campus]
Start Date: [instructor add]
End Date: [instructor add]
Time: [instructor Add]
Type: [Online, Face to Face, Blended, Hybrid]

Instructor Information

Name of instructor: [instructor add]
Office Location: [instructor add]
Office Hours: [instructor add]
Office Phone: [instructor add]
Regis.edu email: [instructor add]

Course Description

Examines various psychological theories, perspectives, and research related to the understanding of personality. Discusses applications of personality on personal and societal issues. (3 Credits)

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify various aspects and influences of how personality can be described and how it relates to an overall sense of understanding of one’s self and others.
  2. Analyze the progression of theories associated with the study of personality, as well as differentiate key aspects of the theories from one another.
  3. Identify key contributions to the development of research and assessment in the field.
  4. Distinguish between different theories and perspectives on personality and how personality develops.
  5. Explain how elements such as environment, culture, health, as well as other factors influence and are influenced by personality.
  6. Apply varying perspectives on personality to personal, societal, and organizational issues.

Prerequisite Courses

PY 250

Required Course Text(s)/Materials

Required Texts

Friedman, H. S., & Schustack, M. W. (2016). Personality: Classic theories and modern research.(6th Ed) Boston, MA: Pearson 9780134104782 (Access card with print text option).

Required Resources

Students are required to access the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for information about composition strategies, grammar, and punctuation rules, and APA formatting and citation styles. The OWL can be accessed at the following online site:

While the OWL is free to access as a reference resource, please note the Fair Use Policy regarding restrictions for using the OWL.

APA Style website:

Technology Tools

Minimum Technology Requirements

Course Assignments & Activities

Week Reading Graded Assignments and Points
1. Introduction to Personality and Research Methodology Textbook: Chapters 1 and 2 Discussions 5%

Course Project: First Thoughts 5%
2. Exploring Theories –Pt. 1 Psycho-Analytic and Neo-Analytic Theories Textbook: Chapters 3 and 4 Discussions 5%
3. Exploring Theories –Pt. 2 Biological and Behaviorist/Learning Theories Textbook: Chapters 5 and 6 Discussions 5%

Case Study 10%
4. Exploring Theories –Pt. 3 Cognitive and Trait Aspects of Personality Textbook: Chapters 7 and 8 Discussions 5%
5. Exploring Theories –Pt. 4 Humanism, Existentialism, & Interactionism Textbook: Chapters 9 and 10 Discussions 5%

Course Project: Pick One 15%
6. What Influences Personality? Pt. 1 –Gender, Stres, & Health Textbook: Chapters 11 and 12 Discussions 5%
7. What Influences Personality? Pt. 2 –Culture, Religion, Ethnicity, & Love Textbook: Chapters 13 and 14

Ereserve article: http://ereserves.regis.edu/ares/
Meier, B. P., et al (2007). What’s up with God?		 Discussions 5%

Course Project: Hot Topics 10%
8. Bringing It All Together Textbook: Chapter 15 Discussions 5%

Final Course Project: Perspectives on a Famous Personality 15%
    Total points = 100 points

NOTE TO LEARNERS: On occasion, the course faculty may, at his or her discretion, alter the Learning Activities shown in this Syllabus. The alteration of Learning Activities may not, in any way, change the Learner Outcomes or the grading scale for this course as contained in this syllabus. Examples of circumstances that could justify alterations in Learning Activities could include number of learners in the course; compelling current events; special faculty experience or expertise; or unanticipated disruptions to class session schedule.

College of Contemporary Liberal Studies Grading Scale:

Letter Grade Percentage Grade Point
A 93 to 100 4.00
A- 90 to less than 92 3.67
B+ 90 to less than 89 3.33
B 83 to less than 87 3.00
B- 80 to less than 82 2.67
C+ 78 to less than 79 2.33
C 73 to less than 77 2.00
C- 70 to less than 72 1.67
D+ 68 to less thank 69 1.33
D 63 to less than 62 1.00
D- 60 to less than 62 0.67
F Less than 60 0

University and CCLS Policies

Review the CCLS Policies on the Regis University website. specifically note these items:

Additional Policies:

  1. Academic Support Resources Statement
  2. Disability Accommodations Statement
  3. Academic Integrity Statement