Warning! This unit contains mature content and may not be suitable for some students. Any student under the age of 16 who would like to enrol in this unit must first complete a Parental Consent Form.

Undergraduate SWI-PSY30008-2021

Psychology of Personality

Take learning, narrative and psychoanalytic approaches to studying personality. Look deep into the unconscious. Learn how early childhood experiences can shape personality traits. Gain an understanding of how personality disorders are characterised.

From

$3,088 $3,338

Your upfront cost: $0

International student?

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Required

Study terms

01 Mar 2021
30 Aug 2021

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

QS RANKING 2021

Times Higher Education Ranking 2021

2021

Subject details

What you'll learn

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

Explain the main features of some of the major perspectives on the psychology of personality (e.g., psychoanalytic/neoanalytic; trait, motive, learning and social-cognitive approaches, and the narrative approach).
Describe elements of historically important theories within each perspective.
Discuss some major elements of 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, the effect of motivation on personality.
Explain how an integration of many of these theories leads to a better understanding of individual differences in personality.

Topics covered

- Theories of personality
- Assessment of personality
- Application of personality theory

Entry requirements

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

SWI-STA20006-Analysis of Variance and Regression, or SWI-STA20007-Multivariate Statistics ;

Others

You must also complete two of the following three subjects: SWI-PSY20006, SWI-PSY20007 and/or SWI-PSY20016

Special requirements

No special requirements

Description

This subject 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 subject so that students begin to appreciate the importance of understanding differences between people and how these differences drive behaviour.

Assessments

Please note: assessment values are indicative only, details will be advised at the start of the subject.

Assignment — Written Assignment (40%)
Final Assessment (TBC) (40%)
Mid-study period test — Online (20%)

Textbooks

Current study term: 28 Feb 21 to 30 May 21

Perspectives on Personality, 8th ed.

Charles S Carver and Michael F Scheier

ISBN 9780134415420

Required

Next study term: 29 Aug 21 to 28 Nov 21

Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.