Biography Evaluation

For this assignment, you will select a famous person to learn about during the semester (can be living or dead, but must be approved by the instructor). Ideally, this would be a person that you already know something about and/or a person that you are personally interested in. The only real limitation is that you must be able to find background information (from credible sources) on the person you select. Your ultimate goal is to learn as much as you can about this person and their general character and disposition. Specifically, you will be examining how each of the various theories that we discuss in class may have contributed to the individual’s personality development.

A brief overview of the person selected – who they are, what they do, why you chose them – and your initial interpretation / impression of the target’s general personality (this should be completed before you go into any specific theories).

What your sources explicitly say (and/or what you can infer) about the individual’s personality and character based on your exploration of their background

An overview of the various aspects and influences that may have shaped the person’s personality. Choose at least two (2) theories from class to examine your person. You should note influences related to each of your two theories and explain each theories’ contributions to your understanding of the person.

Present and explain influences / explanations from each chosen theory

Discuss influential people, major childhood and life experiences, environments, self-views, goals, genetic influences…

Your conclusion of which theory better describes the person and provides the most insight into who they are and why? Which theory provides the least insight?

How has your perception of the person changed from the beginning of the semester? Do you think you have developed an accurate portrayal of this person’s personality? Why or why not?

Also hand in: A list of all the sources you used to gather information for your project (can be

books, internet sites, movies, documentaries, etc.). Wikipedia can be used as a source, but cannot be the only source used.