School of Psychology and Psychotherapy
Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Research and teaching in the fields of personality psychology and psychological assessment
The Chair is dedicated to research and teaching in the fields of personality psychology and psychological assessment. Its research focuses on accuracy and illusions in self-perception, motivation and emotion, and personality and social perception. In teaching, the focus is on the critical examination of issues in personality psychology and psychological assessment.
Through interactive lectures, practical exercises and seminars, as well as case studies, students develop an understanding of the subject matter at a theoretical level. Under supervision, they then apply this knowledge to practical issues so that they can use it appropriately in their future professional lives.
Chair holder
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Michael Dufner
Chair holder
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44
58455 Witten
Room number: 1.124d
Research
Accuracy and illusions in self-perception
This area of research examines the consequences of realistic versus illusory positive self-perception for individuals and their social environment. Both aspects of well-being and interpersonal outcomes are taken into account. In this context, the study also examines the personality trait of narcissism, which is characterised by a strong tendency towards self-aggrandisement, as well as the self-insight motive, which represents a striving for an accurate view of oneself.
Motivation and emotion
This area of research investigates the role of affective processes in the functioning of motivational dispositions and motivated behaviour. New diagnostic approaches are being developed which are based on physiological and psychological measures of affect and which can be used to assess motivation-specific affective reactivity. Building on these measurement approaches, research is being conducted into how affective reactivity relates to attentional processes, self-perceptions, personality traits and social behaviour.
Personality and social perception
In this area of research, the focus is on interpersonal judgements relating to personality, popularity and social status. The research examines both inter-individual differences in the tendency to perceive other people and the impression that people with certain personality traits make on others. The process of getting to know one another is frequently studied in real-life dyadic or group interactions.
Research materials
Current research projects
Publications
Teaching
The Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics regularly offers the following compulsory courses as part of the Bachelor’s degree programme Psychology:
- Lecture on Personality Psychology (third semester)
- Lecture on the Fundamentals of Psychological Assessment (fourth semester)
- Seminar on Measurement and Psychometrics (fourth semester)
- Seminar on Diagnostic Procedures (sixth semester)
The team at the Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Agatha Dampc , M. A.
Secretariat
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44
58455 WittenRoom number: 1.115 (FEZ), 1.123 (FEZ)
Dr. rer. medic.
Maja Demisch
Researcher
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58448 WittenRoom number: FEZ
Christoph Heine , M. Sc.
Researcher
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 WittenRoom number: 1.124c
Anna Köhler , M. Sc.
External doctoral student
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 WittenRoom number: FEZ 1.124c
Dr. phil.
Melanie Schliebener , M. Sc.
Researcher
Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Personality Psychology and Diagnostics
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 WittenRoom number: 1.124c