Describe four characters from a work of fiction in terms of a structural model of human personality variation. Furthermore, for one or two of these characters, you will formulate an argument about the evolutionary costs and benefits to this character of having an extreme value on one or more personality dimensions.
What works of fiction are acceptable sources of characters? Pretty much any novel, movie, graphic novel, or TV series. A fictional short story might be acceptable, if the characters are developed fully enough. Reality TV shows are not acceptable.
What personality structure should you use?
You may use either (1) the Five Factor Model, which is thoroughly described in the assigned book, Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are by Daniel Nettle, or (2) the six-factor HEXACO model, which is described in the readings for Week 5 (note that that is the week after your term paper outline is due, so youd need to read a little ahead to be able to do this).
How should you structure your paper?
1. Start with a paragraph summarizing the plot (if a novel or movie) or the premise (if a TV series). Dont worry about spoiling it.
2. Following the opening paragraph, you have two choices.
A. You could devote 1-2 paragraphs to each of the four characters that youre describing.
B. Alternatively, you could summarize relevant plot elements in greater detail with frequent references to the four characters personality traits. Heres an example of the latter technique, from a book about the HEXACO personality structure (dimensions: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience). The work being analyzed is Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice:
When Elizabeth first meets the aristocratic Mr. Darcy at a ball, he is aloof and unfriendly, seemingly disdainful of nearly everyone around him, including Elizabeth and her relatives. But after a few more meetings, Mr. Darcy becomes captivated by Elizabeths spirited and free-thinking personality (in terms of the HEXACO model, she is rather high in both Extraversion and Openness). He proposes marriage to her, and is shocked when she rejects him and bluntly explains her reasons for disliking him basically, Elizabeth perceives Mr. Darcy to be a low-Extraversion, low-Agreeableness, low-Honesty-Humility kind of guy. (On the first two counts, Elizabeth is probably right; he is clearly not very outgoing or cheerful, and by his own admission he is resentful, critical, and unforgiving.) Mr. Darcy then embarks on some soul searching, as he realizes how he is perceived by others… Meanwhile, Elizabeth also learns that Mr. Darcys personality is, in some respects, very different from what she had believed. For all of his apparent arrogance, Mr. Darcy is actually known for his generosity to the poor and his fairness toward his servants, who can see that he doesnt really have an excess of pride. Mr. Darcy is high in Honesty-Humility after all Lee, Kibeom; Ashton, Michael C. The H Factor of Personality: Why Some People Are Manipulative, Self-Entitled, Materialistic, and ExploitiveAnd Why It Matters for Everyone. Wilfrid Laurier University Press (pp. 49-50).
