Macquarie University

Personality - PSY336

This unit considers theories and contemporary research addressing both shared features of personality and unique constellations and attributes. We evaluate the adequacy of self-report measures (and their alternatives) in capturing personality. We look at what underpins personality from the start and shapes its development, as well as the joys and costs of the dynamic system of adaption it represents. Special emphasis is given to the way that early deficits in the experience of emotion and attachment to others can have knock-on consequences for the development of empathy and morality (illustrated by exploring personality styles like narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy). The ways in which people deceive themselves and deceive others are addressed, as well as why they might do this. Forms of personality change are explored with a view to promoting change as well as assessing it. Towards the end of the unit we pan out to consider more social and cultural influences on personality addressing the role of memory, narrative and audience uptake on personality. Separate seminar strands permit specialisation in research issues according to student interests.