|
|
| Chapter 19: Conclusion: Looking Back and Looking Ahead |
In the first paragraph of Chapter 19 Dr. Funder says you should ask, "What do I now know about people that I didn't know before?"
Remember back to the activity for Chapter 1? In that activity I suggested that you write an autobiography. I hope you did. If so, open up that autobiography and reread it. This time reread it from the perspective of a personality psychologist. Answer this question, "What do I now know about me that I didn't know before?"
I assign this task to my students. I ask them to rewrite their autobiography from the standpoint of a personality psychologist. In the humanist tradition I tell them they can write anything they want as long as: (1) it reflects how much they have learned from this class; and, (2) as long as they reconsider each and every chapter in the book before they write. I am never disappointed when I sit down to read these autobiographies. I believe they discover, through this assignment, how much their understanding of personality has grown over the course of the semester.
There is a second reason why I assign this task to my students. Recall from learning and memory that you will remember things that are elaborated on in a personally relevant way. I find this task to be the best way possible for them to study for a comprehensive final examination.
If you did not write an autobiography at the beginning of the class, it isn't too late to get in on the fun! Now is the best time to answer the question: "What do I now know about me that I didn't know before?"
|
|
|
W. W. Norton | Credits | Site Feedback | Sitemap | Technical Support | Print This Page