Introduction to psychology of personality from edX

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.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Main theories regarding individual behaviour
Personality development and stability

Theories and methods in the study of personality

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

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Watching videos on personality psychology can help you visualize the concepts and theories that you are learning in class.

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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

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Complete personality assessments

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Taking personality assessments will help you develop a deeper understanding of your own personality and the theories that are used to explain it.

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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

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Collaborating with peers in a study group allows you to discuss course material, quiz each other, and reinforce your understanding of personality psychology concepts.

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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

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Demonstrate your understanding of personality psychology concepts by writing a blog post. This will help you solidify your knowledge and develop your communication skills.

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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

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Attending a workshop on personality psychology can give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to network with other students.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General...

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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

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