You will be required to write two papers in this class. A list of potential topics for the term paper is provided below under "Possible Term Paper Topics." This list contains several assignments and provides some suggestions as to useful sources from which to draw information to prepare your work. Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to those sources alone. You are welcome to choose any of the assignments described as long as you hand your paper in on the appropriate date.

Much of the work conducted by personality psychologists uses personality scales to assess the degree to which an individual or group of individuals possess a particular personality trait or series of traits. A good way to gain an appreciation of the problems and issues inherent to creating a personality test is to participate in the process of developing one. One of the assignments of the semester will require that you work in discussion in the development and subsequent administration and data-analysis of a personality scale. More information on the steps to be taken in developing this scale is available through the Course Home Page.

Although the majority of the work on the development of the personality scale will be a group effort, each student will be responsible for preparing an individual report on the results of the project. This should be a typed, double-spaced, 5 to 8 page paper (not including the scale).

Remember, although the development of the scale is a group project, the writing of the paper is not.

Analysis of Errors (4-6 typed, double-spaced pages): Starting as soon as possible, carry a pad or notebook around with you. Note any errors you make, such as slips of the tongue (wrong words, mispronunciations), slips of the pen (errors in writing), forgetting things, forgetting proper names, losing things, accidents, etc. Then, from a Freudian psychoanalytical perspective explain the possible reasons for these errors. The following book by Freud contains many examples of such errors along with his explanation of their possible sources. Chapter one, "The forgetting of proper names", I find particularly interesting, given the current state of affairs in Eastern Europe.

Freud: The Psychopathology of Everyday Life (in The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud OR The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Vol. VI). Comments: There is quite a bit of information in this volume but the first few chapters are most important. There are few copies of this book in the library so if you are interested make sure to get one early.

Freud: Lecture III: Parapraxes. From: Pieces of the personality puzzle: readings in theory and research, by D. C. Funder & D. J. Ozer, New York: W. W. Norton & Company. Photocopy on reserve at the Science Library. Comments: One of Freud's famous lectures delivered in Vienna around 1918. Presents a succinct description of Freud's on the topic.

Dream interpretation (4-6 typed, double-spaced pages): Keep a pad or notebook by your bed. Write down your dreams in as much detail as possible, as soon as you wake up (whether it's in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning). Try to get at least three or four, even if they are very brief fragments. Choose one, and write a short paper analyzing the latent content, with attention to such mechanisms as symbolism, displacement, and condensation.

Freud: The Interpretation of Dreams (in The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud OR The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Vol. VI). Comments: Although you are welcome to read this book, it in the library, you should know that it is quite long. There are few copies of this book in the library so if you are interested make sure to get one early. Most of the information you will need to write this paper is also available in the excerpt from the book by Porter cited just bellow.

Porter: Excerpt from The Interpretation of Dreams: Freud's Theories Revisited. Photocopy of relevant chapters--6, 7, & 8--on reserve at the Science Library. Comments: Much of the most relevant aspects of Freud's thinking on dreams are summarized here. The information on the chapter on "Dreams' Disguises" is especially helpful.

Analysis of Early Memories (4-6 typed, double-spaced pages): Sit for a few minutes, in a quiet place, with your eyes closed. Identify two of your earliest memories, preferably of events that happened before the age of six. At least one should include one or more family members. Write out the memories in concrete detail. Then, from an Adlerian perspective and keeping the Mosak article on early recollections in mind, write a brief analysis relating the memories to your current personality or attitudinal set toward life. Try to relate the specific details of the memory to specific aspects of yourself, with examples illustrating your present-day behavior. Click here to get additional help and instructions.

Mosak: Early recollections as a projective technique (on reserve at the Science Library).

Ansbacher & Ansbacher: The individual Psychology of Alfred Adler, pp. 350-357.