PSY6004 Personality Psychology

What is your personality? Where did your personality come from? Does personality even exist? This course will introduce students to the study of individual differences. Covering both historical theories and modern research, students will learn how to understand and study personality from different perspectives. Major topics will include the modern “trait” approach, especially the Big Five; recent insights about the intersection of biology and personality; psychoanalysis, especially Freudian, and its insights and curiosities; the learning approach and how environment can shape personality; the humanistic approach and the importance of meaning-making; and other recent development of personality theories. At the conclusion of this course, students will have acquired new knowledge about how to better understand and analyze themselves and others as individuals, through rigorous scientific research, analysis, and introspection.