Personality Theories

"Personal Experiences" features relate psychology concepts to everyday life experience.

"Thinking Critically" boxes throughout the text present compelling activities that encourage students to analyze or apply key issues to the theories discussed.

"To Learn More" features direct students to the Companion Website, where they will find a discussion of each topic as well as links for further research. The web modules posted at the website cover topics such as the status of psychoanalysis today, recent existential theories, and the use of medication to treat depression.

"Philosophical Assumption" boxes guide students in analyzing theorists' philosophical views, and enable them to place each theory along several philosophical continuums.

"Philosophy, Science, and Art" sections at the end of each chapter help students examine how a theory is represented in these disciplines.

A unique final chapter on Zen Buddhism adds significant cross-cultural understanding of personality theory.

A "Timeline of Theorists" on the inside front cover provides a contextual reference for theorists' lives in relation to historical events.

Updated! All content is updated to reflect the status of current research on each theorist. Coverage includes new research on the Big Five, siblings' birth order and IQ, as well as terrorism and terror management theory.

This edition pays considerable attention to the neurobiological basis of personality (a major emerging interest in personality theorizing) and the effects of computer and social media.

The popular "Thinking Critically" boxes present such new topics as "Identifying Defense Mechanisms," "Neurotic Needs, Modes, and Orientations," "Serial Testimony," and others.