A central theme of this course has been the balance between theory (abstract concepts) and data (concrete examples) in advancing scholarly knowledge. For the final paper, each student will demonstrate his or her ability to integrate personality theory and data. Specifically, personality perspectives will be applied to one of two areas:
1) the student’s adult life, or
2) a well-known historical or fictional character (i.e., Martin Luther King, Darth Vader)
Use the following structure for the paper:
* First, analyze yourself or your character using the frameworks of two of the five personality approaches (i.e., trait, biological, psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral/cognitive). For each of the two perspectives, the paper will include:
- Theoretical concepts (10.5 pts each; 21 pts total) related to the approach. Incorporate additional references beyond lecture, research discussions, and the text in this section.
- Relevant examples (5.5 pts each; 11 pts total) from your/the character’s life that illustrate the concepts. These examples should include enough information from your/the character’s life that I am able to clearly see the example’s relevance to the concept.
For example, as part of a trait approach analysis, you could include a description of the five-factor model (FFM) trait of conscientiousness (illustrating your knowledge of the concept), give examples from your life that illustrate your high conscientiousness (lending data to your argument), and review research on how high conscientiousness is likely to impact relevant future behaviors.
An in-depth analysis of one or two theories for each approach is preferable to a broad, superficial treatment. For example, if you analyze your personality from the biological approach, you could focus on anatomical and neurochemical theories and skip genetic & evolutionary approaches. Each of your two perspectives should receive roughly equal analysis.
Students have wide discretion in the concepts they choose to review for their approaches. There is one exception. If the trait approach is chosen, I expect more than just a list of FFM ratings and examples for you or your character. Provide background and context for the trait approach or the specific model chosen, and include potential future behaviors suggested by research. Knowledge of an individual’s traits is useful for predicting both current and future behaviors; make sure that comes out in your discussion.
* Second, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of the two approaches (3 pts each; 6 pts total). What parts of your personality are emphasized within each perspective, and what parts are inaccurate or not addressed? You may discuss strengths and weaknesses from both an academic perspective (how scholars critique the approach) as well as your personal reaction, but support your personal views with logical reasoning.
References. The paper should include at least five professional references (i.e., professional books, peer-reviewed journal articles) published within the last 10 years. Use at least two references for each of the two approaches you analyze. References should provide information beyond textbook content; points will be deducted for overly simple citations. Textbooks, Internet sites, and articles used in class discussion do not count towards these references. Include one page of references at the end of your paper.
The application paper should be between 2700 and 3300 words, typed and double-spaced. Papers less than 1000 words will receive 0 points. Papers greater than 3750 words will receive 12 points. Please include page numbers and the final word count (handwritten is fine). In-text citations and the reference page should use American Psychological Association (APA) style, but the rest of the paper need not follow APA style.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC CLICK HERE
1) the student’s adult life, or
2) a well-known historical or fictional character (i.e., Martin Luther King, Darth Vader)
Use the following structure for the paper:
* First, analyze yourself or your character using the frameworks of two of the five personality approaches (i.e., trait, biological, psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral/cognitive). For each of the two perspectives, the paper will include:
- Theoretical concepts (10.5 pts each; 21 pts total) related to the approach. Incorporate additional references beyond lecture, research discussions, and the text in this section.
- Relevant examples (5.5 pts each; 11 pts total) from your/the character’s life that illustrate the concepts. These examples should include enough information from your/the character’s life that I am able to clearly see the example’s relevance to the concept.
For example, as part of a trait approach analysis, you could include a description of the five-factor model (FFM) trait of conscientiousness (illustrating your knowledge of the concept), give examples from your life that illustrate your high conscientiousness (lending data to your argument), and review research on how high conscientiousness is likely to impact relevant future behaviors.
An in-depth analysis of one or two theories for each approach is preferable to a broad, superficial treatment. For example, if you analyze your personality from the biological approach, you could focus on anatomical and neurochemical theories and skip genetic & evolutionary approaches. Each of your two perspectives should receive roughly equal analysis.
Students have wide discretion in the concepts they choose to review for their approaches. There is one exception. If the trait approach is chosen, I expect more than just a list of FFM ratings and examples for you or your character. Provide background and context for the trait approach or the specific model chosen, and include potential future behaviors suggested by research. Knowledge of an individual’s traits is useful for predicting both current and future behaviors; make sure that comes out in your discussion.
* Second, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of the two approaches (3 pts each; 6 pts total). What parts of your personality are emphasized within each perspective, and what parts are inaccurate or not addressed? You may discuss strengths and weaknesses from both an academic perspective (how scholars critique the approach) as well as your personal reaction, but support your personal views with logical reasoning.
References. The paper should include at least five professional references (i.e., professional books, peer-reviewed journal articles) published within the last 10 years. Use at least two references for each of the two approaches you analyze. References should provide information beyond textbook content; points will be deducted for overly simple citations. Textbooks, Internet sites, and articles used in class discussion do not count towards these references. Include one page of references at the end of your paper.
The application paper should be between 2700 and 3300 words, typed and double-spaced. Papers less than 1000 words will receive 0 points. Papers greater than 3750 words will receive 12 points. Please include page numbers and the final word count (handwritten is fine). In-text citations and the reference page should use American Psychological Association (APA) style, but the rest of the paper need not follow APA style.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC CLICK HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment