Recoge: 1. Science and personality -- 2. The dimensional approach -- 3. The neurotic dimension: operational definition -- 4. The neurotic dimension: objective measurement -- 5. Heredity and environment -- 6. The psychotic dimension -- 7. Applications of dimensional analysis -- 8. The organization of personality.

How do we come to be who we are? Why do we differ in our personalities? How do these differences matter in life? Individual Differences and Personality aims to describe how and why personality varies among people. Unlike books that focus on individual theorists, this book focuses on current research and theory on the nature of personality and related individual differences. The book begins by discussing how personality is measured, the concept of a personality trait, and the basic dimensions of personality. This leads to a discussion of the origins of personality, with descriptions of its developmental course, its biological causes, its genetic and environmental influences, and its evolutionary function. The concept of a personality disorder is then described, followed by a discussion of the influence of personality on life outcomes in relationships, work, and health. Finally, the book examines the important differences between individuals in the realms of mental abilities, of beliefs and attitudes, and of behavior. - Presents a scientific approach to personality and related individual differences, as well as theory and research on the fundamental questions about human psychological variation - New edition presents findings from dozens of new research studies of the past six years - Includes new chapter on vocational interests and a revised chapter on personality disorders reflecting DSM-5 formulation - Contains streamlined descriptions of measurement concepts and heritability research - Includes various boxes containing interesting asides that help to maintain the student's attention

From cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Christian Jarrett, a fascinating book exploring the science of personality and how we can change ourselves for the better. What if you could exploit the plasticity of personality to change yourself in specific ways? Would you choose to become less neurotic? More self-disciplined? Less shy? Until now, we’ve been told that we’re stuck with the personality we were born with: The introvert will never break out of their shell, the narcissist will be forever trapped gazing into the mirror. In Be Who You Want, Dr. Christian Jarrett takes us on a thrilling journey, as he not only explores the ways that life changes us, but shows how we can deliberately shape our personalities to influence the course of our lives. Dr. Jarrett draws on the latest research to provide evidence-based ways to change each of the main five personality traits, including how to become more emotionally stable, extraverted, and open-minded. Dr. Jarrett features compelling stories of people who have achieved profound personality change such as a gang-leader turned youth role model, a drug addict turned ultra-runner, and a cripplingly shy teenager turned Hollywood mega-star. He also delves into the upsides of the so-called Dark Triad of personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—and how we might exploit their advantages without ourselves going over to the dark side. Filled with quizzes and interactive exercises to help us better understand the various aspects of our personalities, life stories, and passions, Be Who You Want will appeal to anyone who has ever felt constrained by how they've been characterized and wants to pursue lasting change.

Drawing on state-of-the-art personality and developmental research, this book presents a new and broadly integrative theory of how people come to be who they are over the life course. Preeminent researcher Dan P. McAdams traces the development of three distinct layers of personality--the social actor who expresses emotional and behavioral traits, the motivated agent who pursues goals and values, and the autobiographical author who constructs a personal story. Highly readable and accessible to scholars and students at all levels, the book uses rich portraits of the lives of famous people to illustrate theoretical concepts and empirical findings.

This book presents personality from the perspective of existing research. It provides an overview of personality research and demonstrates the relationship between research and real individuals. Readers are encouraged to explore the relationship between the research and their own personalities. It also introduces primary source literature in personality psychology by covering the content, methods, and issues in the journals with minimal jargon. Personality Psychology: The Science of Individuality presents content on its own merits rather than forcing it to fit existing theories. Readers avoid the sometimes inaccurate connections to historical theories found in other books on personality. The book also includes discussions often neglected in other books, such as entire separate chapters on intelligence and cognitive style, the unconscious, and evolutionary personality psychology. Readers will learn important areas in enough depth to appreciate the issues and complexities. The book always attempts to make clear why a particular study is important. This may facilitate the readers' ability to study the subject further. Chapter Two includes a short personality questionnaire designed to measure the Big 5 factors. Since discussions of methodology refer back to the Big 5 factors throughout the book, readers benefit by having a personal involvement through their scores on the questionnaire. It may also help to make some of the material personally relevant. A valuable book for any reader interested in understanding the existing research into personality, or who wishes to understand more about his or her own personality.

This definitive volume lays the foundations for an interdisciplinary science of personality. Leading investigators present novel insights and findings from molecular genetics, child and life-span developmental psychology, neuroscience, dynamical systems theory, evolutionary psychology, and social cognition, as well as personality psychology itself, illuminating--and often reformulating--fundamental questions about the nature of personhood. The book sheds new light on the nature and origins of personality and individual differences, and challenges many traditional assumptions. It also points toward compelling new directions for future work in the field.

The Science of Personality, 2/e is an undergraduate text that presents the field of personality as it exists today, rather than the grand theories of personality that have dominated personality texts since the 1960s. Major theories current in the field are discussed in relation to relevantresearch. Focusing on current research, each chapter begins with an overview followed by a list of questions devised to stimulate interest and to aid in relating research to broader issues. Boxed inserts feature a researcher whose work is covered in the chapter along with a personal statementregarding the development, contemporary significance and future direction of his or her work.