​​​​Dr. Stephanie Smith

Throughout this course, you will surely see how the topics we are discussing relate to everyday life. Thus, in three papers you will use the information we discuss in class to describe an individual. The papers will involve critiquing the personality of a character (either fictional or real) in a movie, TV show, or book. You will use the information you observe in the film, TV show, or book to assess a character's personality from two different domains that we discuss in class. Each paper will utilize at least two different domains (Paper #1 will encompass the dispositional and biological domains, Paper #2 will encompass the intrapsychic and cognitive/experiential domains, Paper #3 will encompass the social/cultural and adjustment domains). You should use a different character for each paper. Feel free to run your chosen characters and sources by me before beginning your paper.

 

The three papers will constitute 20% of your final grade in this course.

 

You should (1) describe the character from the assigned theoretical perspectives. Be sure to summarize and present evidence from the theoretical perspectives using and citing resources, (2) be sure to include the benefits and drawbacks of the theoretical perspectives and (3) include reasons for why the character developed their personality (genetics, family, environment, etc.). 

 

The paper will be graded for content—that is, how effectively you analyzed the individual’s personality. For example, did you provide a sufficient and accurate review of the theories that you selected? Did you accurately interpret the theories in your analysis of the individual? Did you support your claims with appropriate and sufficient biographical evidence? Did you exhibit thoughtful, independent thinking in your analysis? Were you creative, demonstrating new ways to think about the theories? Did you note the strengths and weaknesses of the theories that you used? Did you compare and contrast the theories in your paper?

 

The paper will also be graded for style, mechanics, and formatting—that is, how well your paper was written. For example, did your paper contain a clear statement of its purpose or objectives (i.e., thesis statement)? Was your writing clear, concise, and easily understood, with appropriate word choice and university-level academic tone? Was your paper well organized, characterized by effective transitions between ideas and a logical flow? Were sources of information paraphrased appropriately and integrated effectively into your writing (if applicable)? Were there errors in punctuation, grammar, or spelling? Did your paper conform to the formatting requirements? Were all sources of information referenced according to APA guidelines?

 

Minimum of 4 typed double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins and 12 pt. Times New Roman font. To adequately answer the prompt you will most likely need to write more than 4 pages. All papers should follow APA formatting and include references. Must be professionally written, in paragraph form (no numbering, etc...). More specific instructions regarding how papers should be formatted can be found here. You should have NO QUOTES in your paper unless it is a quote from a character that is necessary as evidence.

 

Any sources of information that are referred to in your paper should be referenced according to the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association (i.e., APA). If you are not familiar with these guidelines, please refer to the APA Publication Manual or inquire at the Library for further information. A tutorial on APA style is available here. and a good online resource for APA formatting can be found here. 

 

Although it is not necessary that you use sources of information beyond the lecture material and textbook, the use of additional resources generally strengthens students’ papers. Accordingly, you are encouraged to cite additional resources. Note that Wikipedia is not an appropriate source of information to cite in your paper. If you are citing other sources, you should be citing professionally appropriate sites.

 

All papers must be submitted electronically. No hand-written or emailed papers will be accepted 

 

All due dates are provided on the course calendar. Papers turned in after the due date will automatically lose 20% until 24 hours after the due date. After that point, no late papers will be accepted. All late papers must still be printed and turned in to the professor.

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The rubric provided below is what will be used to grade each of the Psychobiography Papers. Students will receive a score for each of the items on the rubric using the scale at the top of the rubric. Then, the average score will be calculated. That average score will then be translated into a percentage out of 100% using the scale below the rubric.