Psychology 2550A 001 FW24
Introduction to Personality Theory & Research
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
Western University
London Canada
Department of Psychology
Fall 2024
Psychology 2550A, Section 001
INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY THEORY & RESEARCH
1 Calendar Description
A survey of the history, methodology and content of the study of individual differences. Topics to be covered include: evaluation of typical personality assessment methods and a consideration of modern empirical research in personality theory and assessment.
Antirequisite(s): Psychology 2050 if taken before 2016. Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. If you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
Prerequisite: A mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level.
Lecture hours: 3
Course Weight: 0.5
https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/academics/timetables.html
Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
2 Course Information
Instructor: Julie Aitken Schermer
Phone: 519 661 2111 ext. 84699
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: jharris@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: [TA information]
Office: [TA information]
Office Hours: [TA information]
Email: [TA information]
Time and Location of Classes: see Student Centre Timetable
For courses that include an online component, students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.
3 Course Materials
Textbook (either print or electronic):
Shiraev, E. (2024). Personality: Theories and applications (2nd ed.). Sage Publishing.
(available at the UWO Bookstore)
4 Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge.
|
Lectures and course readings. |
Multiple choice exams. |
|
Knowledge of Methodologies.
|
Lectures and course readings. |
Multiple choice exams. |
|
Application of Knowledge.
|
Lectures and course readings. |
Multiple choice exams. |
|
Communication Skills.
|
Lectures |
In-class discussions and forum posts on-line will be helpful for understanding the concepts in the exams. |
|
Awareness of Limits of Knowledge.
|
Lectures and course readings. |
Multiple choice exams. |
|
Autonomy and Professional Capacity.
|
Lectures and course readings. |
Multiple choice exams. |
5 Evaluation
The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in section 4.0 and are considered necessary for meeting these learning objectives.
Exams are multiple choice in format. Each exam, in total, will be scheduled for two hours, consist of 60 questions, and are closed book examinations. Dictionaries, calculators, cellular telephones, electronic devices, etc. are NOT allowed into the examinations. Exams 1 and 2 (each worth 30%) will be in the class during class time. The Final exam (worth 40%) is cumulative and will be during the final exam period (December 9-22, 2024).
The multiple-choice format allows for assessment of students’ detailed knowledge of a broad range of concepts, theories, principles, and research that other formats do not permit. There are different types of multiple-choice questions used in this course, including application-based multiple-choice questions. Although application-based questions can be challenging for students, they are necessary to meet the learning outcomes of this course and to allow students to develop an appreciation for and understanding of the course material. As DiBattisa (2008) notes, “well-chosen multiple-choice questions can provide a broader coverage of course content than [short-answer or essay-type] questions, and moreover, their scoring is generally more statistically reliable” (p. 123).
According to Burton et al. (1991), multiple choice questions have the following advantages: (1) items can be designed to assess different levels of learning outcomes, from recalling knowledge to applying principles to new situations. (2) Item difficulty can be managed by changing the alternatives/distractors. (3) Items can be subjected to item analysis, thus allowing an instructor to identify student misconceptions or poorly written questions. (4) The items allow for a broader sampling of course topics, “consequently the test scores will likely be more representative of the students’ overall achievement in the course” (p. 5). (5) The items are less prone to guessing than true-false items. (6) The items are objectively scored and, thus, are not prone to the rater inconsistencies found with essay questions or the issues with scoring partial answers often found with short answer questions.
References
Burton, S.J., Sudweeks, R.R., Merrill, P.F., & Wood, B. (1991). How to prepare better multiple-choice test items: Guidelines for university faculty. Brigham Young University Testing Services and The Department of Instructional Science. https://testing.byu.edu/handbooks/betteritems.pdf.
DiBattista, D. (2008). Making the most of multiple-choice questions: Getting beyond remembering. Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, 1, 123-126.
Policy on Missing Coursework
There are NO make-up exams.
Students with approved academic considerations for a missed midterm will have the final exam reweighted to be worth 70%.
The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
In the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.
Policy on Grade Rounding
Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered.
6 Assessment/Evaluation Schedule
October 7 – EXAM 1 IN CLASS (60 multiple-choice questions, covers chapters 1, 3, 4, and 5, 15 questions per chapter, worth 30%).
November 11 – EXAM 2 IN CLASS (60 multiple-choice questions, covers chapters 6 to 10, 12 questions per chapter, worth 30%).
CUMULATIVE EXAM 3 DECEMBER EXAM PERIOD (DEC. 9-22) (60 multiple-choice questions, covers the course, worth 40%).
Students are responsible for material covered in the lectures as well as the assigned chapters/sections in the text. Exams 1 and 2 will be in class time. The third exam will be scheduled during the exam period. Exams will not be returned to students but may be reviewed in the TA’s office.
Students are required to COMPLETE ALL COMPONENTS of this course. There are no exceptions to this. “Extra assignments” to improve grades will NOT be allowed.
Exams will be scored using the program “Scan Exam” which examines the answer sheets for “unusual” coincidences in the pattern of answers given which may be indicative and used as supporting evidence of cheating.
Grades will not be adjusted based on need. It is important to monitor your performance in the course. Remember: You are responsible for your grades in this course.
7 Class Schedule
September 9 – Chapter 1 Introduction to the course
September 16 – Ch. 3 Research Methods
September 23 – Ch. 4 Psychoanalytic Tradition and Ch. 5 Behavioural-Learning Tradition
September 30 – National Truth and Reconciliation Day (No Class)
October 7 – EXAM 1 IN CLASS
October 21 – Ch. 6 Traits
October 28 – Ch. 7 Cognition and Ch. 8 Humanism
November 4 – Ch. 9 Developmental and Ch. 10 Clinical
November 11 – EXAM 2 IN CLASS
November 18 – Ch. 11 Clinical
November 25 – Ch. 12 Adjustment and Ch. 13 Digital
December 2 – Ch. 2 Scientific Foundations and Ch. 14 Personality in the 2030’s
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM 3 DECEMBER EXAM PERIOD (DEC. 9-22)
8 Academic Integrity
Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
Electronic devices will not be allowed during examinations.
Multiple Choice Exams
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
9 Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education
View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link.
Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.
If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information. Email: aew@uwo.ca Phone: 519 661-2147
10 Absence & Academic Consideration
View Western’s policy on academic consideration for medical illnesses this link
Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.
Medical Absences
Submit a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for Academic Consideration.
Nonmedical Absences
Submit appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Religious Consideration
Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.
11 Other Information
- Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.uwo.ca
- Student Development Services: sdc.uwo.ca
- Psychology Undergraduate Program: https://www.psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/index.html
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you.
If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf. Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).
Copyright Statement
Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
12 Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.
