PSY370 Theories of Personality

Dr. Timmermann

Below is the "Update" Assignment for Dr. Timmerman's Psych 370 course. Essentially, students are asked to write a base paper in which they describe one person's personality. Each week they are to write a paper which "updates" that profile using the concepts from the readings.

After meeting with her, Neva Sanders and I composed this list of features she would like you to watch for:

1) As students apply the concepts from the reading, they should not assume the reader understands the concept. For example, they can not just use the term S1 date without briefly explaining what it is. So students must background terms for the reader.

2) The essay should have an Intro., Body, and Conclusion, not cannot be just a list.

3) There should be an introduction that sets up a list of concepts that they plan to apply.

4) They should provide reader-friendly cues to transition from paragraph to paragraph. (Ex. First, Also, In additon)

5) The essay should be well-edited, so tutors should point out error patterns.

6) She does not expect the tutors to mark every problem. Rather, choose 2-3 for Global Comments and 2-3 for Local Comments.

7) Tutors cannot be expected to tutor students on content. (ie. whether they have used a term correctly).

The Assignment:

As we continue through the quarter, you will write "updates" on your
riginal paper, incorporating your expanded understanding of personality.
These updates will reflect the chapters we have covered since the last
update. They should reflect information or concepts from each of the
chapters covered in the unit.

The updates may be shorter, 2 or more pages in length.

More Information on the Updates:

I want you to use the updates as an opportunity in an untimed setting to
apply what you may have learned in the unit readings to your original
description of an individual's personality. I am assuming that the
students taking this course have not had much experience with personality
theories, and your initial description would reflect your "lay judgments."

The updates should apply concepts from each of the chapters in the current
Unit. For example, Unit 3 update should include
biological/genetic/evolutionary concepts AND concepts from the
phenomenological/cultural perspectives. At least five concepts should be
presented in each update. I am looking for thoughtful writings that
reflect an understanding, consideration, and application of the text
materials.