The University of Maryland, College Park

EDCP 614 Weekends

Personality Theories in Counseling and Personnel Services

Marion D. Grothus-Magee, Ph.D., CPC,NCC

**IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU READ THE SCHULTZ BOOK PRIOR TO THE FIRST WEEKEND CLASS, Chaps 1-16. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed by the reading and the learning during the first two weekends. It is expected that you will be prepared for discussion on the first weekend.

30 minutes prior to, and after class, or by appointment.

Tel: 06201-57487.

Email: mgrothus@faculty.ed.umuc.edu

German address: Fruhlingsst 18, 69469 Weinheim-Ritschweier, Deutschland.

This course will present an overview of the major personality theories, with specific attention to the three major schools of personality; the psychodynamic, behavioral, and humanistic. Through the study of the DSM IV, we will examine the symptomatology associated with the major psychiatric disorders, and look at the causes and nature of personality deviations. The relationship between personality theories and psychotherapeutic interventions will be explored, with a brief introduction to psychopharmacology.

Major Personality Theories. The student is expected to be able to:

1. offer a rational for the study of personality.

2. discuss ways of researching and studying personality.

3. understand and explain the basic principles of the three major schools of personality theory.

4. explain a rationale for personality deviations.

5. gain an understanding of the "normal" person.

6. classify mental disorders according to the DSM IV

7. demonstrate a basic knowledge of how psychopharmacological agents work

8. analyze case material and plan psychotherapy using Swensen's (1968) approach to case conceptualization.

Lectures, class discussions, group presentations, and group interaction. Students are expected to have read the required readings prior to class and to actively participate during each class session. Class will begin with questions on assigned readings.

American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (4th ed.), Washington , DC: American Psychiatric Association.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association

Schultz, D. & Schultz, S.E. (1998). Theories of personality (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Enos, M. (1998). Theories of personality in outline study guide for Schultz and Schultz¹s Theories of personality (6th ed.), Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

In addition, supplemental readings on assigned topics may be required. These readings will be handed out in class.

Grades will be based on the following, assuming 350 points as the total possible number of points to earn for the work in this course.

**Please note the Quizzes and Final exam account for more than 50% of your grade.

1-2 pages in length and done according to a format that will be handed out in class. It will include the name of the client, background information, precipitating event, symptoms, 5 Axis diagnosis, a

paragraph that discusses the severity of reality distortion and supportive reasons for choosing the diagnosis, client's supportive resources, prognosis, and tentative ideas of treatment, with justification. You will have ample examples to work on in class to prepare you for this assignment.

(50 points) Paper should be written in APA format with personal supporting evidence from your life experiences, not longer than 5 pages, and should include:

- Which theory do you identify with and Why?

- What do you consider adaptive behavior vs maladaptive behavior?

- What might your goals in a counseling relationship be?

- Where do you stand on the six major issues?

Often in counseling classes students feel freer to share information about themselves, therefore, students must be sensitive to the rights of privacy of others. It is important that all information shared in class remain confidential.

A warm welcome to all of you...some old faces and some new ones. I look forward to working with each of you in this very demanding course. There is a great deal of material to learn and digest. If we all work

together it will be easier. You will note that I recommend that you read the Schultz book prior to the beginning of the course so that, as the course progresses, you will be reading the material for a 2nd and

3rd time, thus increasing your exposure to the material. I don't do this to be mean and cruel but to help you have more then a passing of the information, and so that you may digest it all. It would also be to

your benefit to begin reading the assignments in the DSM-IV prior to the beginning of the class. You will find that the first 2 weeks go very quickly and they can easily be overwhelming because of the vast amount

of material you will have to learn. The books (Schultz and DSM-IV) are easy to read and interesting. GOOD READING!!!!! SEE YOU IN CLASS.

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About papers:

Good writing is an essential component of successful performance at the graduate level and in your profession. I will look for evidence of your capacity to do it. Papers should be typed, double spaced, and in APA (1994) format as outlined in the APA Publishers Manual (4th ed). Listed below are a few basics to consider when composing your essays for this course.

1. Clearly state, in the introduction, just what it is that you intend to accomplish. State your aims, and stick to them.

2. Illustrate the claims that you make with evidence. If you are speaking about yourself, use evidence from your experience to document your position. If you are making claims about other people, or about another author, cite the textual passage, research, theory, or behavioral observation(s) that support your argument.

3. Make use of headings to make clear where you are going with your thoughts, and to outline what it is that you are treating at the moment.

4. Summarize where it is you have been. I should be able to read the introduction, first line of every paragraph and the conclusion and know where you stand on a topic.

Students who wish to pass the course must give evidence of critical thinking, and demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully compose and carry out the writing assignments in addition to interacting with their fellow

students during the class. Diversity of opinion is good. It will serve our learning if we respect the persons to whom the thoughts are attached, and if we cultivate an atmosphere in which we can challenge ourselves and each other with care.

REMEMBER that your papers are graded on content as well as APA style, correct grammar, and precision of expression, so make them as impeccable as possible.

Dr. Marion Grothus-Magee earned her Ph. D. in professional counseling from Purdue University in 1992. She has teaching experience with Boston University's overseas program, Purdue University and Eastern Washington University. In addition she brings to the classroom considerable clinical experience--as a psychiatric technician, an intern therapist, a practicum supervisor and a private clinician. She has presented papers and lectures on a variety of subjects, including anger and stress management, adolescent behavior, suicide, vicarious traumatization, and EMDR. She joined the European Division faculty in 1993.