Scenario

Merriam-Webster defines personality as "the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual ..." Why do we act in a particular manner? Whom do we seek as friends? How do we get along with others? How do we handle relatiomships, jobs, and challenges? These and many other aspects contribute to the development of personality. The study of personality is just as complex with many theories and ideas on its development in individuals.

Task and Product

Working in a group, you will research personality theories to discover their components and ideas.
After studying the various theories, your group will create a video interview or construct a 5 minute personality test incorporating the ideas of the theorists which you determine to be the most significant. You may use ideas from more than one theorist.
As part of your test, you must develop a scoring tool with which your subjects can analyze their answers.
For the test construction, each group will administer its test to the class and provide an oral analysis of the test's measures and the theory behind the questions. A written version of this analysis should be provided to your teacher.

Assessments

Your work in the group will be assessed with this group work rubric:

Question

Essential Question:

Subsidiary questions

• Who are the major theorists in the study of personality development?
• How are the traits of the different theories measured?
• Which factors are the most important in personality development?
• Why is the study of personality important?

Gather and Sort

Gather information about from a variety of sources.

Sort your research findings using a graphic organizer or note cards. Be sure to avoid plagiarism and keep track of your resources for a bibliography.

Organize

Analyze your completed research. Have you adequately covered each of the theorists? Have you studied existing tests and determined how these test measure personality traits. Which theories seem most significant to you?

Synthesize your findings by

• What new insights have emerged?
• How will you incorporate the most important aspects of your research into your product?
• Which theorist(s) have the most significant ideas?
• Create your questions and scoring tool based on your conclusions.
• Prepare the analysis of your test and its components.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.

• Have you gathered sufficient details about each theory to determine significance?
• Is your research in your personality test, scoring tool, and analysis?
• Have you supported your analysis with facts from your study of personality theory?

Conclusion

Each group will administer their 5 minute personality test. Students will analyze the results with the scoring tool provided. Each group will present a 5 minute analysis of the theory behind their questions.

Reflection and/or Extension Activities:

As a culminating activity each student will prepare a Constructed Response answering the following questions:

• After taking the other groups' tests, what have I discovered about my own personality?
• How might this help me to be successful in my personal life and my relationships with others?

Remember to support your responses with the information you have gained from your research and that of the other groups.

Your reflection will be scored using this tool:

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