PSY303 Personality Psychology
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Apr 04, 2026
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Psychology
Pinar Unal Aydin
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of personality psychology, including major theoretical approaches, key constructs, and methods of assessment. The course will explore different domains of personality to help students understand individual differences and the factors that contribute to the uniqueness of each person. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life contexts to interpret behavior better and use personality insights to support effective functioning and personal development.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Larsen, R. J., & Buss, D. M. (2023). Personality Psychology: Domains of Knowledge About Human Nature (8th ed., ISE). McGraw-Hill.
Additional Literature
Funder, D. C. (2024). The personality puzzle (9th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company. Gaines, S. O., Jr. (2019). Personality psychology: The basics. Routledge.Teaching Methods
Weekly lectures include class discussions and active student engagement through in-class activities and assignments related to relevant topics
Evaluation is based on assignments, in-class activity, quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction: Review of Course Policies, Syllabus, and Organizational Structure | |
| 2 | Introduction to Personality Psychology: Definition, Assessment, Measurement, and Research Design | Chapters 1 & 2 |
| 3 | Traits and Trait Taxonomies; Theoretical and Measurement Issues; Personality Dispositions over Time | All relevant chapters |
| 4 | Genetics and Personality | Chapter 6 |
| 5 | Physiological Approaches to Personality | Chapter 7 |
| 6 | Evolutionary Perspectives on Personality + Quiz 1 | Chapter 8 |
| 7 | Preparation for the Midterm Exam | All relevant chapters |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | All relevant chapters |
| 9 | Psychoanalytic Approaches to Personality and Contemporary Issues | Chapter 9 & 10 |
| 10 | Motives and Personality | Chapter 11 |
| 11 | Cognitive Topics in Personality; Emotion and Personality; Approaches to the Self | All relevant chapters |
| 12 | Quiz 2 + In-class Activity | All relevant chapters |
| 13 | Personality and Social Interaction; Sex, Gender, and Personality; Culture and Personality | All relevant chapters |
| 14 | Stress, Coping, Adjustment, and Health; Disorders of Personality | All relevant chapters |
| 15 | Assignment Presentations + Preparation for the Final Exam | All relevant chapters |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY303.1 | Course | Thursday 12:00 - 14:50 | B F2.15 - Amphitheater II | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 - 12:00 | B F2.9 | |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 12:00 | B F2.9 | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 12:00 | B F2.9 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Quizzes
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
In-class Activity
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Home Study
12 hours ⏳ (12 week × 1 h)
Midterm Exam
35 hours ⏳ (7 week × 5 h)
Final Exam
35 hours ⏳ (7 week × 5 h)
Quizzes
26 hours ⏳ (13 week × 2 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [PSY303] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Apr 04, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| PSY303 | Personality Psychology | 2 | 1 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Pinar Unal Aydin | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 10:00-12:00 Tuesday: 10:00-12:00 Wednesday: 11:00-12:00 |
|||||||
| paydin@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of personality psychology, including major theoretical approaches, key constructs, and methods of assessment. The course will explore different domains of personality to help students understand individual differences and the factors that contribute to the uniqueness of each person. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life contexts to interpret behavior better and use personality insights to support effective functioning and personal development. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Larsen, R. J., & Buss, D. M. (2023). Personality Psychology: Domains of Knowledge About Human Nature (8th ed., ISE). McGraw-Hill. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
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| Teaching Methods | Weekly lectures include class discussions and active student engagement through in-class activities and assignments related to relevant topics. Evaluation is based on assignments, in-class activity, quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course Introduction: Review of Course Policies, Syllabus, and Organizational Structure | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Introduction to Personality Psychology: Definition, Assessment, Measurement, and Research Design | Chapters 1 & 2 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Traits and Trait Taxonomies; Theoretical and Measurement Issues; Personality Dispositions over Time | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Genetics and Personality | Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Physiological Approaches to Personality | Chapter 7 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Evolutionary Perspectives on Personality + Quiz 1 | Chapter 8 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Preparation for the Midterm Exam | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm Exam | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Psychoanalytic Approaches to Personality and Contemporary Issues | Chapter 9 & 10 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Motives and Personality | Chapter 11 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Cognitive Topics in Personality; Emotion and Personality; Approaches to the Self | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Quiz 2 + In-class Activity | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Personality and Social Interaction; Sex, Gender, and Personality; Culture and Personality | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Stress, Coping, Adjustment, and Health; Disorders of Personality | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Assignment Presentations + Preparation for the Final Exam | All relevant chapters | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm Exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Quizzes | 2 | 15 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Assignments | 2 | 20 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| In-class Activity | 1 | 5 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 14 | 42 | Home Study | 1 | 12 | 12 | |||
| Midterm Exam | 5 | 7 | 35 | Final Exam | 5 | 7 | 35 | |||
| Quizzes | 2 | 13 | 26 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 09/04/2026 | |||||||||