Theory of Pesonality

Personality Project – PSY 300 Distance Learning

Using APA style, type a 750-1200 word essay that incorporates the questions and parameters listed below. In addition to the textbook, summarize at least 2 other Wilmington online library sources (from peer reviewed journals).

Throughout the course you will be exposed to many theories of personality. There is no doubt that you will find that you identify with particular aspects of each theory. This is your opportunity to write down the characteristics of each theory encountered that you relate to based on your own personality. Do you see yourself described in some of these theories? How would each theory ultimately describe your personality?

In your paper be sure to discuss the major theories from the first 5 weeks. These theories include: Chapter 2: Classical Psychoanalysis (Freud)
Chapter 3: Analytical Psychology (Jung)
Chapter 4: Individual Psychology (Adler)
Chapter 5: Psychosocial Development (Erikson)
Chapter 6: Interpersonal Psychoanalytic Theory (Horney)
Chapter 7: Personological Trait Theory (Allport)
Chapter 8: Factor Analytic Trait Theories (Cattell)
Chapter 10: Behaviorism (Skinner and Staats)
Chapter 11: Psychoanalytic Learning Theory (Dollard and Miller)

Plan to incorporate at least 4 of the following critical thinking questions into your paper. These questions are taken from the textbook “Thinking about…” sections in the back of each chapter.

Chapter 2: 1 – Have you observed behavior that fits Freud’s description of unconscious motivation? Describe it. Could the behavior be explained in any other way, without referring to unconscious motivation?

Chapter 3: 6 – Does the concept of psychological types help you understand yourself or anyone you know? Does it have implications for your career plans?

Chapter 4: 5 – Do you have a first memory or an early memory that can be interpreted from the perspective of Adler’s theory?

Chapter 5: 2 – Do you think your culture fails to provide adequate supports at any particular stage? What should it do better?

Chapter 6: 2 – Horney describes perfectionism critically, saying it can be a defense mechanism. Do you agree, or is it desirable to set very high standards?

Chapter 7: 7 – Reflect on Allport’s description of a normal mature adult. Do you think these criteria are adequate, or would you suggest any change? Chapter 8: 2 – What is your opinion about the causes of intelligence, especially the extent to which heredity and experience influence intelligence?

Chapter 10: 1 – Of three kinds of basic behavioral repertoires proposed by Staats, which do you think is most important for personality? Why?

Chapter 11: 5 – Based on the concept of frustration, discuss why people might become more annoyed to receive telephone solicitations at dinnertime than at other times. What might be the effect on their behavior?

Outline of the paper: (APA style version 6 should be used)
It might be best to organize your paper in the following way:

~Title page
~Abstract – 120 words or less summary of the paper
~Body of the paper
~Introduction with a description of what is to come
~Brief definition of each theory, followed by a personal reflection based on what you feel matches your personality (or consider discussing how it does not match your personality)
OR
~Brief definition of theory, followed by an answer to one of the critical
thinking questions that pertains to that chapter.
~Brief summary of 2 articles relating to any of the theories presented. ~Conclusion
~References (Use the textbook as a reference, and any other references you gather from Wilmington’s online library of peer reviewed articles).