Personality Traits

This second edition of the bestselling textbook Personality Traits is an essential text for students doing courses in personality psychology and individual differences. The authors have updated the volume throughout, incorporating the latest research in the field, and added three new chapters on personality across the lifespan, health and applications of personality assessment. Personality research has been transformed by recent advances in our understanding of personality traits. This book reviews the origins of traits in biological and social processes, and their consequences for cognition, stress, and physical and mental health. Contrary to the traditional view of personality research as a collection of disconnected theories, Personality Traits provides an integrated account, linking theory-driven research with applications in clinical and occupational psychology. The new format of the book, including many additional features, makes it even more accessible and reader friendly.

• Substantially revised new edition, with new, user-friendly format, provides comprehensive and up-to-date survey of research on traits • Proposes a coherent, integrated account of personality, balancing biological and social-cognitive aspects • Emphasises the scientific basis of contemporary personality research

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. Alternatives to trait theory; Part II. Causes of Personality Traits: 6. Genes, environments and personality traits; 7. The psychopathology 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.