OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
edX logo

Introduction to psychology of personality

4.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 7 ratings
see reviews
Claudio Barbaranelli

Personality Psychology aims to explain the way humans act and how individual behaviour remains consistent and coherent. The course explores the main theories and methods in the field of personality psychology, how it developed, and the role of cognitive processes i.e. the mechanisms involved in the acquisition and elaboration of information, in the construction of our individual personalities.

Space will also be given to the recent Positive Orientation theory, highlighting its importance and potential as an integral part of research perspectives in personality psychology.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Main theories regarding individual behaviour
  • Personality development and stability
  • Theories and methods in the study of personality

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces major theories and methods in personality psychology, providing a solid foundation for beginners
Covers the role of cognitive processes in shaping individual personalities, offering valuable insights into psychological mechanisms
Explores the Positive Orientation theory, highlighting its significance and potential in personality research

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Comprehensive foundations in personality psychology

According to students, this course offers a well-structured and comprehensive introduction to the field of personality psychology. Many found the coverage of main theories and historical development particularly strong, providing a solid theoretical grounding. Some learners noted that while the course is an excellent starting point, those seeking deep practical application may need additional resources. The inclusion of the Positive Orientation theory was appreciated for its modern perspective. Overall, reviews suggest it serves as a foundational course for understanding human behavior and individual differences, although a few pointed out that the pace could be challenging at times for beginners.
Primarily academic, with less emphasis on practical application.
"While highly informative, I felt the course was more theory-heavy and lacked sufficient practical examples or case studies."
"This course gives an excellent academic grounding, but I wished for more real-world applications of the theories discussed."
"If you're looking for deep dives into practical interventions, this course is a strong theoretical start but not the end."
Includes contemporary theories like Positive Orientation.
"The inclusion of Positive Orientation theory was a pleasant surprise and made the course feel more current and relevant."
"It's great to see a classic topic updated with recent research like the Positive Orientation perspective."
"I liked that the course covered traditional theories but also touched upon newer developments in the field."
Well-organized modules and clear explanations of concepts.
"The modules were logically structured, which made following the progression of ideas very straightforward and enjoyable."
"Concepts were explained with great clarity, breaking down difficult topics into digestible parts."
"I appreciated the logical flow from one topic to the next, which made learning consistent and effective."
Explores major personality theories and historical context.
"I found the course provided a really solid base in the main theories of personality psychology, covering everything from Freud to more modern views."
"The historical overview of how personality psychology developed was incredibly clear and helped me understand the field's evolution."
"This course excelled at explaining complex theoretical frameworks in an accessible way, making them easy to grasp."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to psychology of personality with these activities:
Build a reference collection
Keep a reference collection of your notes, handouts, and other materials so that you can easily access them when you need them to study for exams or to write papers.
Show steps
  • Create a dedicated folder or binder for your reference collection.
  • File your notes, handouts, and other materials in the folder or binder.
  • Review your reference collection regularly.
Read "Personality Psychology" by Pervin
Review foundational concepts and theories in personality psychology. This book provides an excellent overview of the field and will help you build a strong understanding of the key concepts.
View Personality: Theory and Research, 15th Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the Introduction and Chapters 1-3.
  • Summarize the main theories of personality psychology.
  • Identify the key concepts and terms used in personality psychology.
  • Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different theories.
Watch videos on personality psychology
Watching videos on personality psychology can help you visualize the concepts and theories that you are learning in class.
Show steps
  • Find videos on personality psychology that are relevant to your course.
  • Watch the videos and take notes.
  • Summarize the main points of the videos.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Complete personality assessments
Taking personality assessments will help you develop a deeper understanding of your own personality and the theories that are used to explain it.
Show steps
  • Take several different personality assessments.
  • Compare your results to the different theories of personality.
  • Discuss your results with a friend or family member.
Join a study group
Collaborating with peers in a study group allows you to discuss course material, quiz each other, and reinforce your understanding of personality psychology concepts.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create your own.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material.
  • Quiz each other on key concepts.
  • Work together on assignments.
Write a blog post on a personality theory or concept
Demonstrate your understanding of personality psychology concepts by writing a blog post. This will help you solidify your knowledge and develop your communication skills.
Show steps
  • Choose a personality theory or concept to write about.
  • Research the theory or concept thoroughly.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post that explains the theory or concept.
  • Share your blog post with others.
Attend a workshop on personality psychology
Attending a workshop on personality psychology can give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to network with other students.
Show steps
  • Find a workshop on personality psychology that is relevant to your course.
  • Attend the workshop and take notes.
  • Discuss the workshop with your classmates.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to psychology of personality will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Personality Psychologist
Personality Psychologists conduct research on the development, structure, and functioning of personality. This course would provide a strong foundation for understanding the field and carrying out research.
See salaries and explore the career path for Personality Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness. Understanding theories of individual behavior would be particularly relevant to this role, as would the understanding of stability throughout personality development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatrist
Academic Researcher
Academic Researchers conduct original research in a variety of disciplines. Understanding personality psychology would be particularly relevant for researchers in psychology, sociology, and other social sciences. The information in this course may be particularly relevant for research on personality development and stability.
See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Researcher
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists study, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Personality Psychology's examination of individual behavior and personality stability build a foundation for understanding abnormal psychology and providing effective treatment plans for patients. Understanding the Positive Orientation theory would also be particularly relevant for this role as it pertains to helping build resilience and well-being in clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Social Psychologists study how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. A strong understanding of personality psychology would be beneficial for understanding group dynamics, social cognition, and interpersonal relationships.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic Psychologists apply psychological principles to legal settings, evaluating individuals involved in crimes and providing expert testimony in court. Understanding theories of individual behavior would be particularly relevant to this role, as would the understanding of stability throughout personality development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Psychologist
School Psychologist
School Psychologists provide psychological services to students within schools. Understanding personality development and stability is particularly relevant to this role, as is the ability to study individual behaviors in children and adolescents.
See salaries and explore the career path for School Psychologist
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling Psychologists provide guidance and support to individuals and groups facing personal, social, or emotional challenges. The theories and methods introduced in Personality Psychology may help build a foundation for understanding counseling theories and intervention strategies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Counseling Psychologist
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization. Understanding theories of individual behavior would be particularly relevant to this role, as would the understanding of stability throughout personality development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. Understanding theories of individual behavior would be particularly relevant to this role, as understanding consumer behavior is a key element of marketing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve revenue targets. Understanding theories of individual behavior would be particularly relevant to this role, as understanding customer behavior is a key element of sales.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Talent Acquisition Manager
Talent Acquisition Managers are responsible for recruiting and hiring new employees. Understanding personality psychology would be relevant to developing effective recruitment strategies and assessing candidates for fit.
See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Acquisition Manager
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers are responsible for designing and delivering training programs to employees. Understanding personality psychology would be relevant to developing effective training programs that meet the needs of different learners.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights to businesses. Understanding personality psychology would be particularly relevant for data analysts who work with data on human behavior, such as customer behavior or employee engagement data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles to the workplace, consulting on issues such as employee selection, training, and motivation. Knowledge of personality theories would be relevant to helping assess and understand behaviors such as job performance and employee engagement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to psychology of personality.
Cover image
Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General...
Save
A massive two-volume work that provides an in-depth overview of the field, this handbook is an invaluable resource for researchers and advanced students.
Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Hans Eysenck
Save
A collection of essays by leading researchers in the field, this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of personality psychology.
Hans Eysenck (Mind Shapers)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Envy Up, Scorn Down
Save
A collection of essays by leading researchers in the field, this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of personality and social psychology.
Envy Up, Scorn Down: How Status Divides Us
Paperback
$$
Envy Up, Scorn Down: How Status Divides Us
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Self-Determination Theory
Save
A textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of personality psychology, this book is written in a clear and engaging style.
Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological...
Paperback
$$$
Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Myers' Psychology for the AP® Course
Save
A textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of personality psychology, this book is written in a clear and engaging style.
Myers' Psychology for the AP® Course
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Security and Risk Technologies in Criminal Justice:...
Save
A comprehensive overview of the field, written for researchers and clinicians.
Security and Risk Technologies in Criminal Justice:...
Paperback
$$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are four courses similar to Introduction to psychology of personality.
Foundations of Neuroscience
Most relevant
Neurosciences for Parents: a new look on ADHD
Most relevant
Introduction to UX Design MasterTrack Certificate Program
AP® Psychology - Course 4: How Behavior Works
Most relevant

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

World-Class University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

Free Audit Track Available

Free audit track available for most courses, giving open access to video lectures, course readings, and assignments at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Full Refund Window

14-day full refund available up to 14 days after course start or 14 days after payment (whichever comes second, up to 6 months max), provided verified certificate has not yet been earned.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

University-backed credentials authored by elite institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, with tamper-proof certificate verification.

Key Purchase Protections
Free audit track for open learning access
14-day money-back guarantee on verified certificates
Prestigious university credentials (Harvard, MIT)
Automatic unenrollment refund process via dashboard
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Rating
4.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
6 to 8 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Instructor
Claudio Barbaranelli
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces major theories and methods in personality psychology, providing a solid foundation for beginners
Covers the role of cognitive processes in shaping individual personalities, offering valuable insights into psychological mechanisms
Explores the Positive Orientation theory, highlighting its significance and potential in personality research
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Introduction to psychology of personality.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser