Individual Differences and Personality

Individual Differences and Personality, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive overview of research, including what personality is and how and why it differs between people. The book begins with a description of the study of personality and then presents basic principles of personality measurement, the concept of personality traits, and the major dimensions of personality variation. Further chapters review personality change and stability, biological causal mechanisms, genetic and environmental influences, and evolutionary adaptive function. Personality disorders are examined as well as "life outcomes" (e.g., relationships, work, health, etc.) which are predicted by personality characteristics.

In addition, the book examines important individual differences, such as mental abilities, religious beliefs, political attitudes and sexuality. Updates in this new edition include new content on measurement, understanding correlations and reliability, results from large sample size studies on developmental change, stability of personality, and much more.

• Contains both theory and research
• Examines the impact of personality on life outcomes
• Includes new content from meta-analyses and large sample size studies
• Retains chapters and organization with fully updated material
• Explores environmental, genetic and evolutionary perspectives
• Presents an accessible style that is suitable for courses on individual differences