Personality: Theory
and Disorder—Psych 5163
Spring Semester, 2006; TR
Instructor: Nate Williams Office: 220 Memorial Hall
Phone: 575 - 5802 or 236-5052 Office
Hrs: T
Email: nlwilli@uark.edu and
by appointment
Required Texts: Beck, A. T., Freeman, A.,
Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of
borderline personality disorder.
Pervin, L. A.
& John, O. P. (1999). Handbook of personality: Theory and
research (2nd ed.).
Sperry,
L. (2003). Handbook of diagnosis and
treatment of DSM-IV-TR Personality Disorders (2nd Edition).
Supplemental Texts: American
Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision.
Linehan, M. M. (1993). Skills training manual for treating
borderline personality disorders.
Livesley, J. W. (2001). Handbook of Personality Disorders: Theory, research,
and treatment.
Millon, T. (2004). Personality Disorders in Modern Life (2nd
ed.). Wiley.
Course
Objectives:
This course is
intended to provide students with a survey of major contemporary theories of
personality and personality disorders. In addition, the course will provide an
overview of several current treatment strategies for personality
disorders, as well as several methods of personality disorder assessment.
Traditionally, clinical students are trained in theories of “normal”
personality but receive a paucity of training in the treatment, assessment, or
theories underlying personality disorders. Given that empirical evidence
suggests that a majority of patients seeking psychological services present
with co-occurring personality disorders, it seems critical to equip clinical
psychology trainees with expertise in the class of disorders. Thus, the primary
goal of this course is to bridge the gap between theories of personality and
personality disorders. In consequence a major portion of this course will be
devoted to extending contemporary personality theory to an understanding of
personality disorders and case conceptualization. In addition, we will explore
how several contemporary theories of personality disorders have been developed
into treatment strategies and methods of assessment.
Class meetings will
include informal lectures designed to provide a broad overview of the topic for
that class, but will largely consist of discussions of the readings. It is
therefore essential that you do the readings before the class for which they
are assigned. At amount of reading varies per class so be active in
planning time for class preparation.
inclement
weather policy:
In the event of inclement weather class may be cancelled or delayed. I will follow the Fayetteville Public Schools in determining whether to hold class (i.e., if it snows or ices check to see if the FPS are cancelled). Students may also contact the main psychology office to determine if class is being held (575-4256).
Course
Requirements:
There are 4 course requirements upon which your grade will be determined: 2 take-home examinations; 2 in-class presentations; and course participation.
Examinations: The two take home examinations will test your
conceptual knowledge of the required readings and class lecture. These exams
are intended to promote critical thinking around central issues in the
readings/lecture, integration of the course material, and application of the
course material to clinically relevant case material. Each take-home exam will
be distributed one week before it is due. I will be operating on the assumption
that you have kept up with the readings for the course to that point, as well
as the class discussions. You will be able to refer to your readings, notes, etc in completing the exam but you may not
discuss, confer, or in any way share your responses with other students in
the class! Late examinations will be deducted ˝ letter grade per day.
Class
Presentations: Each student will be responsible for
preparing 2 class presentations of approximately 45 minutes duration (each) on
two separate personality disorders. For each disorder students are expected to
cover phenomenology and diagnostic criteria; phenomenology,
epidemiology/formulations, key assessment criteria, and a summary of treatment.
The Sperry text may be used as a primary source but you are also expected to include
supplemental materials. Students are expected to prepare a power point
presentation to accompany your lecture, which will be turned in on the day of
the presentation in electronic form (i.e., on disk).
Class Participation: Students will be evaluated on their contributions
to class discussion (i.e., keeping up with the readings and actively
participating in class). Keep in mind that simply asking questions does not
constitute effective class participation. In addition, I reserve the right to
employ either unannounced evaluations of your knowledge of the readings or to
require brief position papers in which you summarize and react to the readings.
Grading:
Course grades will be
determined according to the following weighted percentages:
Exam
Exam
Course
Structure:
Overview & History of
Personality Theory and Research
Evolutionary Perspective
Psychoanalytic/dynamic Perspective
Trait Theories: The Five-Factor
Model
Social Cognitive Perspective
Cognitive-Affective Perspective
Interactionist
Perspective
Personality and Psychopathology
Theoretical and Nosological Issues
Overview of Diagnostic Criteria
Development of Personality Disorders
Overview of Assessment
Cluster B: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, & Narcissistic
Cluster C: Dependent, Avoidant, & Obsessive-Compulsive
Cognitive Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Application to Specific Personality
Disorders
Note
that this is a tentative syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class
|
January 19 |
Introduction and History of Personality Theory & Research |
PJ |
|
January 26 |
Evolutionary & Psychoanalytic perspectives |
PJ Chs. 2 & 3 |
|
February 2 |
Psychodynamic & Trait perspectives |
PJ Chs. 4 & 5 |
|
February 9 |
Social Cognitive Perspective & Self-efficacy |
PJ |
|
February 16 |
Cognitive Affective & Interactionist Perspective |
PJ Chs. 7 & 8 |
|
February 23 |
Catch up Take Home #1 Distributed |
|
|
March 2 |
Personality & Psychopathology Take Home #1 Due |
PJ |
|
March 9 |
Overview of Personality Disorders; Epidemiology & Diagnostic Issues |
Sp |
|
March 16 |
Assessment & Development of Personality Disorders |
Millon Ch 3 & 4 |
|
March 23 |
No Class- Spring Break |
|
|
March 30 |
Cluster A: Paranoid*, Schizoid*, & Schizotypal* |
Sp Chs. 9 - 11 |
|
April 6 |
Cluster B: Antisocial*, Borderline*, Histrionic*, Narcissistic* |
Sp Chs. 2, 4, 6, 7 |
|
April 13 |
Cluster C: Dependent*, Avoidant*, Obsessive-Compulsive* |
Sp Chs. 3, 5, 8 |
|
April 20 |
Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders |
Beck Chs. 1, 2, & 4 |
|
April 27 |
Dialectical Behavior Therapy |
Linehan Chs. 3, 4, & 5. |
|
May 4 |
Catch up and synthesis Take Home #1 Distributed |
|
|
May 11 |
Take Home #2 Due by |
|