How to write a psychobiography

PSYCHOBIOGRAPHY PROJECT

PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY, PSY 317

1. General Instructions: Each student will choose a well-known/famous figure, either from today’s cultural environment or from history, to address in a paper format. This is NOT an opinion paper, but a review of a person’s life, goals, purpose, achievements, etc. which contains concepts/characteristics that reflect this person’s personality development and life pathway. Students should include at least two references consulted: one, of course, will be the biography chosen to read and one could be your textbook. Other sources may also be included. THIS IS NOT A BOOK REPORT.

2. General Paper Format: (2) Minimum of 4-6 pages. (Longer papers are acceptable. Shorter papers will not be penalized for length, but be sure that you are discussing theories adequately, which is difficult to do in a paper less than 4 pages.) Paper will be typed, double-spaced throughout, 1” margins on all sides. Work Cited page in APA format. A minimum of two (2) in-text citations (one from each source referenced) is required, again in APA format. For samples demonstrating APA format, see http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide/apa/ (The cover page and works cited page do not count as part of your page limit.) Paper should be well-organized; address intelligently the information found; demonstrate appropriate grammar and spelling; be in the student’s own words; and reflect thought on the topic. Please see the attached explanation of format for the paper. Worth 100 points. Due: 11/29/20.

3. Due Date: 11/29/20. NO EXCEPTIONS.

4. Turn In: Cover Page (with Title of Paper, Student’s Name, Name of class, My name, Due date)

Psychobiography Paper (4-6 pages, plus cover and works cited pages)

Work Cited Page

Format of Paper

1. Your Introduction:

A psychobiography should start with a description of the individual under study. Be as objective as you can in describing strengths and weaknesses. It should answer the questions: If someone met this individual today, who would they be meeting? Your introduction should also state and briefly describe the psychological theories or personality that you will apply, such as psychoanalytical, behavioral or humanistic.

2. Organization:

Describe briefly how you intend to organize your discussion of the individual’s life. For instance, a thematic approach is organized around an aspect of the person’s life, such as importance of childhood experiences, key figures in the individual’s life, accomplishments. Or you might choose to use a chronological structure, a timeline of events in the individual’s life. Or you could frame the report around a certain personality theory.

3. Basic Narrative:

A psychobiography includes an overview of life circumstances that are often considered important factors in creating personality. This section will describe the individual’s family, background, education, social life, employments, relevant love interests, etc. Think of this section as the backdrop or context.

4. Key Experiences:

Consider which events are most responsible/most influential for the traits of the individual you are studying. For example, the individual might be a defender of the underdog because his/her parent was or because he/she experienced being bullied, etc. Describe three key experiences in detail, making connections between the experiences and the person the individual became.

5. Theoretical Framework:

Explain how the experiences and the traits that resulted from them fit into a relevant theory of personality. Perhaps childhood experiences set the tone for the individual’s personality; perhaps repeated exposure to certain events conditioned the individual in a particular way. Demonstrate your understanding of the theory you are applying and use specific examples to illustrate how what happened to the individual and who he/she became intersected in ways that support your theory.

6. Conclusion:

Summarize briefly the ways in which the experiences/thoughts/behaviors you have chosen to include created the personality you have described.