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Psychology
of Personality
What makes people who they are. Explore the major theories of personality through science, case studies, and real-world application.
What You'll Learn
A full semester of psychology of personality — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of foundational concepts, theories, and research methods in personality psychology
- Analyze and evaluate various perspectives on personality development, including psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic approaches
- Apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, such as case studies and personality assessments, to assess personality traits and dynamics
- Critically evaluate the impact of cultural, environmental, and biological factors on personality formation and expression
Major Course Topics
Course chapters and lessons
Psychology of Personality has 13 chapters across 61 instructional hours, as listed in the course syllabus. Expand any chapter to see the lessons inside it.
- Chapters
- 13
- Lessons
- 83
- Instructional hours
- 61 hrs
- Semester hours
- 3
Chapter 1
Foundations of Personality Psychology
- 1.1 Core Concepts and Significance of Personality Psychology
- 1.2 Theoretical Frameworks and Historical Development of Personality Psychology
- 1.3 Psychoanalysis, Unconscious Processes, and Personality Assessment
- 1.4 Cultural Dimensions of Personality Theory and Research
- 1.5 Comparative Analysis of Major Personality Theories
Chapter 2
Methods and Ethics in Personality Research
- 2.1 Designing Personality Research: Basic, Applied, and Ethical Considerations
- 2.2 Bias, Practical Application, and Research Integrity in Personality Studies
- 2.3 Historical and Contemporary Approaches to Personality Assessment
- 2.4 Trait Assessment, OCEAN Model, and Fundamental Attribution Error
- 2.5 Projective Tests: Thematic Apperception Test and Related Methods
- 2.6 Nomothetic and Idiographic Analyses of Personality Traits
- 2.7 Genetics, Environment, and Type A/B Personality Interactions
- 2.8 Ethical Frameworks Governing Personality Testing and Assessment
- 2.9 Affective Communication and Charisma in Personality Evaluation
- 2.10 Selecting and Applying Personality Assessment Techniques
- 2.11 Personality Research Design: Validity, Reliability, and Practical Outcomes
- 2.12 "APA Code of Ethics: Standards and Applications in Personality Research
Chapter 3
Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality
- 3.1 Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory: Instincts, Motivation, and Psychosexual Development
- 3.2 The Phallic Stage, Defense Mechanisms, and Layers of the Self
- 3.3 Freud's Reality Principle, Contributions, and Limitations
- 3.4 Comparative Analysis of Freud and Erikson's Psychoanalytic Approaches
- 3.5 Erikson's Psychosocial Development: Stages and Growth
- 3.6 Melanie Klein's Object Relations Theory and Its Implications
- 3.7 Evaluating the Legacy and Critique of Psychoanalytic Theory
- 3.8 Applications of Psychoanalytic Concepts in Contemporary Psychology
Chapter 4
Adlerian and Jungian Theories of Personality
- 4.1 The Psychodynamic Approach: Definitions, Scope, and Key Principles
- 4.2 Alfred Adler's Theory of Personality: Development and Birth Order
- 4.3 Inferiority Complex and Its Role in Adlerian Psychology
- 4.4 Carl Jung's Theory: Personality, Psyche, and Dreams
- 4.5 Introversion, Extraversion, and Personality Typology
- 4.6 Career Assessment and Personality Evaluation in Practice
Chapter 5
Neo-Analytic and Ego Perspectives on Identity
- 5.1 Analytical Psychology: Theory, Definitions, and Applications
- 5.2 Karen Horney's Framework: Basic Anxiety, Neurosis, and Personality
- 5.3 Anna Freud, Heinz Hartmann, and Contemporary Identity Perspectives
Chapter 6
Biological and Evolutionary Foundations of Personality
- 6.1 Darwin's Natural Selection and Origins of Evolutionary Personality Theory
- 6.2 Genetic Influence, Temperament, and Twin Study Insights
- 6.3 Biological Determinants and Animal Behavior Applications
- 6.4 Environmental Factors, Illness, and Toxic Influences on Personality
- 6.5 Sexual Identity, Person-Environment Interaction, and Personality Formation
- 6.6 Integrating Biological and Environmental Perspectives on Personality
- 6.7 Evolutionary Psychology and Adaptive Behavioral Patterns
Chapter 7
Psychodynamic Theories and Their Key Figures
- 7.1 Psychodynamic Psychology: Core Definitions and Key Principles
- 7.2 Psychoanalytic Approaches to Psychopathology and Ego Theory
- 7.3 Contributions of Influential Female Psychologists to Psychodynamic Thought
- 7.4 Erikson's Psychosocial Stages and Erich Fromm's Social Development Theory
Chapter 8
Behavioral and Learning Theories of Personality
- 8.1 Behavior in Psychology: Definitions, Manifestations, and Learning Theories
- 8.2 Classical Conditioning and Skinner's Operant Conditioning Principles
- 8.3 Skinner's Influence on Education and Behavioral Applications
- 8.4 Social Learning Theory: Bandura's Bobo Doll Study and Vicarious Learning
- 8.5 Watson, Hull, and the Methodological Foundations of Behaviorism
- 8.6 Behavioral Perspectives on Personality Differences and Change
- 8.7 Critiques and Contemporary Relevance of Behavioral Personality Theory
Chapter 9
Cognitive Theories of Personality
- 9.1 Cognitive Psychology: Definitions, Theories, and Personality Development
- 9.2 George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory and Perceptual Mechanisms
- 9.3 Social Intelligence, Explanatory Styles, and Locus of Control
- 9.4 Bandura's Social-Cognitive Theory and Vicarious Learning
- 9.5 Neisser's Contributions and the Cognitive Revolution in Psychology
- 9.6 Human Personality and Computer Information Processing: A Comparative View
- 9.7 Cognitive Approaches to Personality Assessment and Behavior Prediction
Chapter 10
Existential Theories of Personality
- 10.1 Introduction to Existentialist Psychology and Rollo May's Theories
- 10.2 Existential vs. Humanistic Psychotherapy: Definitions and Distinctions
- 10.3 Core Themes of Existentialism: Freedom, Meaning, and Authenticity
- 10.4 Existential Perspectives on Abnormal Functioning and Psychopathology
- 10.5 Applying Existential Theory to Personality Development and Counseling
- 10.6 Evaluating the Strengths and Limitations of Existentialist Approaches
- 10.7 Existentialism and Its Relevance to Contemporary Psychological Practice
Chapter 11
Humanistic Theories and Their Key Figures
- 11.1 The Humanistic Approach: Historical Background and Core Principles
- 11.2 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Structure, Implications, and Contributions
- 11.3 Carl Rogers' Humanistic Theory and Its Application to Psychotherapy
- 11.4 Development of Self: Definitions, Phases, and Psychological Significance
- 11.5 Evaluating the Humanistic-Existential Model: Strengths and Weaknesses
Chapter 12
Humanistic Psychology: Applications and Critiques
- 12.1 Humanistic-Existential Model and Abnormal Psychological Functioning
- 12.2 The Five-Factor Model of Dispositional Traits: Overview and Relevance
- 12.3 Critiques of Humanistic Psychology: Limitations and Counterarguments
- 12.4 Humanistic Psychology in Contemporary Therapeutic Practice
- 12.5 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Humanistic Theory and Application
Chapter 13
Trait Theory, Personality Disorders, and Cultural Influences
- 13.1 Trait Perspective: Definitions, Foundations, and Gordon Allport's Theory
- 13.2 Traits, Motives, Behavior, and Historical Development of Trait Approaches
- 13.3 Trait Assessment and Cultural, Religious, Ethnic Influences on Personality
- 13.4 Personality's Impact on Culture and Implications for Prejudice and Discrimination
- 13.5 Personality Disorders: Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Schizoid, and Antisocial
- 13.6 Trait Theory in Clinical and Applied Psychological Settings
- 13.7 Contemporary Developments and Critiques of Trait-Based Personality Models
These chapters come straight from the official course syllabus, which also sets out the graded assignment and the proctored final exam.
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