PSY 246: Personality Psychology
Optional Method
Paper
This paper is optional and is recommended for those students who tend to have a difficult time with multiple choice exams. If you do not write the method paper, the four exams will cumulatively be worth 96% of your grade (24% each). If you choose to write the method paper, the 4 exams will cumulatively be worth 76%, or 19% each, and the paper will be worth 20% of your final grade (the psychological assessments are worth the remaining 4% in both scenarios).
In this course we will be reviewing a large number of theories dealing with the development of personality. Because of the breadth of theories we review, there is relatively little time to give an in depth presentation of all the research that is used to generate these theories. The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to investigate for yourself the empirical support, or lack thereof, for any theory of personality (the topic is open to any theory we have discussed as well as any other personality theory that we have not covered, but they must be cleared by me). Outlines MUST be typed with a word processor.
The outline is just a brief overview of what you will cover in your paper, but it must include a full reference section citing your source(s) in APA style (the reference section of your textbook is in APA style - see below). The paper should focus on a study published in one of the major personality journals (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Research in Personality, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Personality and Individual Differences, and the Journal of Personality). The paper will be evaluated based on your ability to clearly describe how a study was conducted (i.e., the Method section describes how a research question is examined) and should include a discussion of the measures used, any experimental procedures, a description of the participants, etc. You also need to evaluate the research, which means identifying its strengths and weaknesses. This critique is the most important part, and you should link your coverage of the method to the critique (i.e., spend more time explaining the parts of the method that you think are particularly strong and/or weak). It is also expected that you will draw upon outside sources to strengthen your critique. For example, if you suggest that the study is faulty because the sample employed was limited to college students, then you should try to cite some research that suggests that college students respond differently than non-college students.
The paper must be 6 pages
in length (double spaced). Papers that deviate substantially from 6 pages will be penalized heavily.
Research
articles can be found using PsycInfo (see electronic resources at
the library). You need to start ASAP to give yourself enough time
to use all of the library resources, especially inter-library
loan.
APA Style Reference for an Empirical Journal Article:
All references should be prepared in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for style. If you do not have a copy (the library has one) here are some key points.
- If you have multiple references, they should be listed in alphabetical order at the end of the paper.
- Reference should include the author's last name followed by initials, year (in parentheses), paper title, journal title in italics, volume number in italics, and page numbers,
e.g.
Singh, N. N. (1980). The effects of facial screening on infant self-injury. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 11, 131-134.
Here is some information about the UNCW Writing Center that you might find useful:
· Writing tutors are available to work with your students starting the first day of classes. Visit our website to see the tutor schedule: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/writing-schedule.htm.
· Visit our website for our office hours (and note we will again be open on Sundays!): http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/hours.htm
· Students now set their own appointments online when they are on campus: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/writing_appointments.htm. No same day appointments or drops-ins! Student must set their appointments at least one day in advance!
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