Entry requirements

The student should be accepted to the Psychologist programme. Students who, in order to obtain a Swedish psychologist certificate, have been granted supplementary studies by the director of undergraduate studies, also gain admission to the course.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should - be able to account for central personality theories and place these in a context regarding psychological theorising - be able to account for relevant arguments in the discussion regarding if and how personality can be measured - be able to account for methodological methods in the study of personality, for example within biological personality research and by means of personality tests. - be able to account for the principle about operationalisation of personality psychological concepts by means of a scale with covarying items and in a short report comment on the outcome upon collecting data with a self-constructed scale and an established instrument.

Content

The course first gives a general theoretical introduction to the bases of personality psychology. The theories and methods of measurement within trait psychology are considered, as is psychodynamic personality theory. A cognitive/social-cognitive perspective on personality is presented. Personality in relation to biology and health as well as personality and mental disorders are presented and discussed. Time is devoted to the concept of personality and its measurement in practice. The course also contains a laboratory session in personality psychology, amounting to 3 credit points.

Instruction

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and supervision in connection with laboratory sessions.

Assessment

The student's knowledge is assessed via written and oral examinations, including a laboratory report. For examination, the grades used are passed and failed.

Other directives

Other requirements, prerequisites and conditions for participation in and the fulfilment of the course, e.g. compulsory attendance, design of own work, etc. are evident from information given at the course introduction. A student who does not meet the mandatory requirements for a passing grade is usually given the opportunity to complete remaining parts the following term and/or is given complementary assignments by the course director.