Assignment
Overall Structure of the Paper (Total 100 Points): The paper should include introductory paragraphs and supporting paragraphs. Please see the sections below for more details on what to include for each section. A title page is not necessary, however please be sure to include a reference page and cite the text or any other sources you use in your paper. The entire paper (excluding reference page) must be 9 pages in length.
1) Introductory Paragraphs: For the introductory/opening paragraphs, you will address the following
1) Name and briefly describe the main points of your personality theory. That is, what are the main philosophical assumptions of your theory?
*** Overall, this section is meant to summarize the main points in the rest of your paper, so include the highlights, and emphasize what is most important to you in understanding personality.
2) Name your theory and state a specific definition of "personality" in your theory. Tell me what you will be calling your theory and give an actual definition. It will be easy for me to know you are defining it if you say: "My definition of personality is ..." or something similar to that. This can consist of anything that you have created, a mix of theories that we've read, or you can use an existing definition from the text that fits best with your beliefs - just don't forget to indicate who originally said it.
3) Finally, tell me how the main points of your views can be integrated and/or organized to fully describe human personality. How do all of these bits and pieces fit together with each other? How did you decide to use what you did (i.e., which theorists/theories are you using as a theoretical foundation/guide)? Did you combine some ideas? Did you leave others out? Why?
2) Supporting Paragraphs: For the supporting paragraphs, you should answer the seven questions below. It might be helpful to organize these questions as separate paragraphs with headings for each question. As you answer the questions below, keep in mind that you will do the following for each question:
a. Give a developed opinion (i.e., what you think and how your theory addresses the questions). For example, you will address why you personally prefer YOUR theory (or aspect of this theory) and not some other perspective? Your responses should include your own opinion AND your personal reasons for having that opinion.
***To illustrate what I mean, you won't get points if you say that you like it because it's neat. "Liking" something isn't really an opinion; instead, tell me how you feel or tell me what you really think about it: choose a side to stand for. Also, "it's neat" is not a reason, it is more of a cop-out; instead, discuss what about yourself, your values and philosophical beliefs, or your life experiences, that has led you to believe that this is really the case.
b. Provide factual support (i.e., taken from the theorists/theories discussed this semester) for each question. That is, your responses should explain the facts behind your opinion. To demonstrate these facts PLEASE choose to provide at least one of the following:
c. EITHER a brief review of the theories of others and also of the relevant research findings from the text or the presentations that support your opinion
d. OR a discussion of what is wrong and/or missing from the fact(s) in the text or presentations that led you to take the alternative position that you did.
Questions to answer in supporting paragraphs (opinion and factual support for each question needed):
1. What types of research methods are preferred by those who study your theory? Why?
2. In what way(s) does your theory address "traits" as units of personality? Why this method?
3. In what way(s) does your theory address the role of cognition in personality?
4. In what way(s) does your theory address the notion of the "unconscious"?
5. How does your theory examine behaviors/social learning?
6. Does your theory emphasize nature, nurture, or an interaction between them?
7. Evaluate your theory of personality. That is, is your theory a GOOD theory? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your theory?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.