Assignment: Theory of Personality Midterm
Tip: To show an historical thread, list sources authored by the theorists, NOT someone who wrote about the theorist. For example, cite a book authored by Sigmund Freud with his date of publication, not a book written about him or an author writing to explain psychoanalysis. Citing an original book gives not only a good historical sense of when theory was developed but also the amount of work written by more than one theorist in each main theory. See if you can locate the original titles/ publishers/ year and any peer reviewed articles on the theory from the last five years. An academic argument I like to put forward is this: since we are studying theory, and theory was not developed in the last few years, we should go to the historical timeline and see what was written first, then look at how theory evolved in current literature. When we examine research, the purpose is to see what we have learned in the last 3 to 5 years. A good rule of thumb is to always do both - find the earliest written on a topic and the most recent.
Question I:
LIST FOUR THEORISTS who made original contributions to defining personality theory -- not secondary sources, such as the people who wrote about the original theorist. Careful with publishing/ writing dates. For example, don't make the mistake of using a date after the theorist has died. For example, Sigmund Freud did not publish in the 1990s - he had long since passed. Carefully place theorists in the appropriate historical era.
YOUR VOICE: State what you discovered about this theory/ theorist. For each of the four theorists, what specific aspect of human experience/personality did they focus on regarding personality theory?
Question II:
LIST THREE personality tests Use bold to name the personality test.
Tip: When stating the limits and benefits, fully cite sources - where did you get your information? Use credible academic and peer reviewed sources. Be resourceful, veer away from invented online fun personality tests
For each test you locate
i. Name of test (date of origin if available), source, web site link.
ii. State the test's specific purpose - why is it used, what does it measure?
iii. State a specific limitation. You will find this on web sites that explain the personality test.
iv. State a benefit for using the test.
v. Attach TWO sources, such as one peer reviewed article directly related to research or clinical application of personality tests and one video or credible web site. No links to articles. Use a link to a video and web sites.
Question III:
Think about this: Theories and personality tests have a limited scope, specific to the questions the psychologist wants to understand regarding a client. Hence, as a psychologist you would select specific personality tests for each unique client situation. Theory is the lens to view a particular aspect of a clinical situation or research project (psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, cognitive, postmodern and their sub theories). Theory can also inform the psychologist what type of personality test to use, that is, how to conceptualize a client's behavior-emotions-ways of relating through a particular theory lens. In reality psychologists integrate several theories, although individual psychologists, depending on his/her/their training will often gravitate to a favored theory.
When you consider each client below, what theory and what psychological test makes the most sense to help you understand the client's experience? While several tests may be interesting or useful, what test is going to give you the best information you need? Often there is no perfect test to give, but there are better tests for the client situation. Aim for what you think might be the best test to help the client from the list you created.
TIP: Create a list of personality tests that are used by psychologists and psychiatrists. You can locate these in the literature, on web sites, and in text books. Look up the purpose of the test and then decide which tests would be best for each client below. Do not use the same test/ theory with more than three clients. For some of these "clients" the psychologist could use several different theories and tests to understand the client, however other tests/ theories would be inappropriate. One of the clients below should not be tested - state why you would not test that one client.
TASK: What personality theory and test might a psychologist use for each of the clients below and state why? The test and the "why" must be a relevant match to the client. Reflect on what you have been reading since week one - theory is a lens to view the client, a lens to grasp a particular understanding of the client.
i. A ten-year-old child with a learning disability
ii. A twenty-year-old who is depressed or has PTSD with multiple symptoms
iii. A couple with hope to resolve conflicts in their relationship
iv. A professional athlete or artist searching for higher achievement/ success
v. A small group of elders between 75 and 95 years old who seek meaning from their lives
vi. A psychiatric patient in a prison system
vii. Two deployed military personnel; one who will retire in a few weeks, and one with a discipline-discharge
viii. A five-year-old child whose parents are concerned - state why the parents are concerned (you make this up) and what test the psychologist should use and why the selected test
ix. An executive who seeks to understand his/her limitations for higher level executive work
x. A client who is in crisis
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes 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.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.