Personality Traits

This essential textbook examines what personality traits are, how they influence human behaviour and the applications of personality assessment.

Gerald Matthews (Author), Ian J. Deary (Author), Martha C. Whiteman (Author)

9780521887786, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 October 2009

602 pages, 3 b/w illus. 63 tables
25.3 x 18 x 3.1 cm, 1.32 kg

Now in its third edition, this dynamic textbook analyses the traits fundamental to human personality: what they are, why they matter, their biological and social foundations, how they play out in human life and their consequences for cognition, stress and physical and mental health. The text also considers the applications of personality assessment in clinical, educational and occupational settings, providing the reader with a detailed understanding of the whole field of personality traits. This edition, now with improved student features, includes the latest research from behavioural genetics, neuroscience, social psychology and cognitive science, assesses the impact of new research techniques like brain imagery, and provides additional content on positive aspects of traits and practical uses of personality assessment. This is an essential textbook for students taking courses in personality and individual differences and also provides researchers and practitioners with a coherent, up-to-date survey of this significant area.

Part I. The Nature of Personality Traits: 1. The trait concept and personality theory
2. Persons, situations and interactionism
3. Personality across the life span
4. Stable traits and transient states
5. Alternative views of personality: challenges to trait theory
Part II. Causes of Personality Traits: 6. Genes, environments and personality traits
7. The psychobiology of traits
8. The social psychology of traits
Part III. Consequences and Applications: 9. Stress
10. Traits and health
11. Abnormal personality traits?
12. Personality, performance and information-processing
13. Applications of personality assessment
14. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: The self, ego, identity, personality [JMS], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Psychology [JM]