Personality: Theories, Assessment, Research, and Applications

This outstanding book is concerned with the description, causation, and consequences of individual uniqueness in behavior and thought processes. The theme is that human personality is a unique combination of cognitive and affective characteristics describable in terms of a typical, fairly consistent pattern of organized physical and mental activity. The text is organized into five sections: Background and Methodology; Personality Theories; Biology, Society, and Culture; Health and Disorders; and Developments and Prospects. The topics of personality assessment, theories, research methods and findings, and practical applications of results of personality studies are all presented in detail. The relationships of personality variables to differences in heredity, gender, culture, ethnicity, social class, child rearing, education, occupation, and health are all discussed. Continuing issues concerned with heredity and environment, traits and situations, conscious and unconscious processes, and stability and change in personality are also considered. In addition to the central concepts of dispositional, psychodynamic, phenomenological, behavioristic, and cognitive theories of personality, research with many other aspects of individual differences in psychological functioning are reviewed. Continuing issues in personality study and criticisms of practices stemming from personality theory, research, and measurement also receive attention. Each of the fourteen chapters is enhanced by concluding key concepts, questions and activities, and suggested readings. A very useful glossary and an extensive bibliography complete the text. Throughout the book, figures, tables, forms, and other study aids make the text attractive to students and instructors in courses on personality. This comprehensive volume is presented with sufficient clarity to be read with enjoyment and benefit by not only students majoring is psychology but also by others interested in the topic.