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.

Requisites

Prerequisites
STA20006 Analysis of Variance and Regression

Rules

Pre-requisite
25 Credit Points of Level 2 PSY Units
AND
STA20006 Analysis of Variance and Regression

Equivalent
HAY308 - Psychology of Personality; HAYG430 - Psychology of Personality; LSY300 - Psychology of Personality; LSY600 - Psychology of Personality; PSS310B(C) - Psychology of Personality; SLSY300 - Psychology of Personality

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Study Period 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-August-2024
24-November-2024
Last self-enrolment date
08-September-2024
Census date
16-September-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
11-October-2024
Results released date
17-December-2024
Study Period 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-August-2024
24-November-2024
Last self-enrolment date
08-September-2024
Census date
16-September-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
11-October-2024
Results released date
17-December-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the main features of major perspectives on the psychology of personality (e.g., psychoanalytic/neoanalytic, biological/evolutionary, trait, motive, learning and social-cognitive approaches, and narrative identity)
  • Apply personality theory for practical outcomes using an appropriate technology
  • 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
  • Integrate theories of personality to better understand individual differences
  • Investigate a personality-related research question and present the findings in an appropriate manner

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class
1.00 13 week 13
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
10.54 13 week 137
TOTAL150

Hawthorn and Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture
2.00 10 weeks 20
On-campus
Lecture
2.00 2 weeks 4
On-campus
Class
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
6.50 12 weeks 78
Live Online
Class
1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various
3.00 12 weeks 36
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
11.50 12 weeks 138
TOTAL300

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 40% 3,5 
AssignmentGroup 20% 2,3 
ExaminationIndividual 40% 1,3,4 
Minor EssayIndividual 40% 1,3,4 

Content

  • Major theories of personality
  • Assessment of personality
  • Applications of personality theory
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.