PSYC 1001 Week 5: Personality and Social Behavior

You may have heard the expression that “yawning is contagious,” indicating that when someone in a group yawns, others tend to yawn as well. This demonstrates the power of social influence and social psychology. However, social influence is more complex than a simple chain reaction of yawns. In fact, throughout history, significant events and outcomes, both positive and negative, have been shaped by social influences on behavior and thinking.

Consider your own individual differences and what makes you unique. Are personality traits innate or acquired through interactions with the environment? As you’re likely discovering, it’s a combination of both. Your personality is influenced by biological predispositions, social and cultural backgrounds, and life experiences.

PSYC 1001 Week 5: Personality and Social Behavior

By understanding personality, individual differences, and social influence, we can gain insights into why people think and behave the way they do. This week, take some time to reflect on the people and experiences that have contributed to shaping who you are today. This week’s focus is on personality and social psychology.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare Freudian and Neo-Freudian psychoanalysis.
• Apply theories of personality.
• Define attitudes and social cognition.
• Differentiate between conformity, compliance, and obedience.
• Categorize positive and negative social behaviors.
• Recognize the relationship between social influence and prejudice and discrimination.
• Identify common sources of stress and coping mechanisms.
• Apply concepts related to human development, personality, and social behavior.

Required Readings:

• Feldman, R. (2012). Psychology and your life (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Chapter 9: “Personality and Individual Differences”
• Module 29: “Psychodynamic Approaches to Personality”
• Module 30: “Trait, Learning, Biological and Evolutionary, and Humanistic Approaches to Personality”
• Chapter 12: “Social Psychology”
• Case Study Project Resources:
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2015a). Introduction to psychology interactive case study. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Document: Final Project Example (PDF)
• Document: Final Project Template (Word Document)

PSYC 1001 Week 5: Personality and Social Behavior Optional Resources:

You may find the following modules from your course text helpful for your case study:

Feldman, R. (2012). Psychology and your life (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

• Chapter 9: “Personality and Individual Differences”
• Module 31: “Assessing Personality: Determining What Makes Us Distinctive” (pp. 373–380)
• Module 32: “Intelligence” (pp. 381–401

Test for Understanding:

This 20-question test assesses your understanding and application of the information covered in this week’s learning resources. The test has a 40-minute time limit. If you exceed the time limit, your final test score will be reduced by 1 point for every minute you go over. If you encounter technical difficulties or have questions about the online test, please contact Student Support.

Complete the Test for Understanding

• Submission and Grading Information:
• Submit your Test for Understanding by Day 7.
• To access and submit the test, click on the “Test – Week 5”

Assignment: Case Study Project—Final:

Introduction and summary of your chosen individual (submitted in Week 2).

Application of relevant concepts from all major course topics to your chosen individual, including:

• Brain and Behavior
• Sensation and Perception
• Learning and Memory
• Development
• Motivation and Emotion
• Personality

PSYC 1001 Week 5: Personality and Social Behavior Social Behavior

Use the journal article you found and summarized in Week 2 to support your analysis when relevant. Include this journal article in your reference page, along with any other resources (e.g., the textbook, learning resources, videos) you used. Incorporate any feedback provided by your instructor in previous weeks.

Refer to the Interactive Case Study media, Final Project Example document, and Final Project Template for guidance. Note that the Final Project Example document is for reference only, and you must create original work. Your writing must be your own.

Paragraph summarizing individual

• Application of information about Brain and Behavior
• Application of information about Sensation and Perception
• Application of information about Learning and Memory
• Application of information about Development
• Application of information about Motivation and Emotion
• Application of information about Personality
• Application of information about Social Behavior
• Incorporation of information from the journal article

Concluding paragraph

• Quality of writing
• Submission and Grading Information:
• To submit your completed assignment for review and grading, follow these steps:
• Save your assignment using the naming convention “WK5Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension).”
• Click the Week 5 Assignment Rubric to review the grading criteria.
• Click the Week 5 Assignment link to submit your assignment.
• In the Attach File area, click the “Browse My Computer” button to locate and attach your saved document.
• If applicable, select the checkbox for submitting your paper to the Global Reference Database.
• Click the “Submit” button to complete your submission.
• Grading Criteria:
• Refer to the Week 5 Assignment Rubric for the grading criteria.

PSYC 1001 Week 5: Personality and Social Behavior Week in Review:

This week, you explored theories of personality and positive and negative social behaviors. You also examined common sources of stress and coping mechanisms, as well as concepts related to human development, personality, and social behavior. In the final week, you will delve into various psychological disorders and different perspectives on their causes and treatments.