Psychology of Personality
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
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
PSY70015 Developmental Psychology
STA70007 Analysis of Variance and Regression
Rules
Admission into GD-PSYS Graduate Diploma of Psychology
AND any two of:
PSY70013 Social Psychology
OR
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
OR
PSY70015 Developmental Psychology
OR
STA70007 Analysis of Variance and Regression
08-June-2025
08-February-2026
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
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online | Class | 4 | 12 weeks | 0.33 |
| Online | Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 146 | 12 weeks | 12.17 |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment | Individual | 40% | 3,5 |
| Examination | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3 |
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.