Personality Psychology
A Student-Centered Approach

Second Edition

Jim McMartin - California State University, Northridge, USA

Other Titles in:
Personality

March 2016 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Personality Psychology: A Student-Centered Approach organizes the field of personality psychology around basic questions relevant to the reader’s past, present, and future selves. Answers to the questions are based on findings from up-to-date research and shed light on the validity of personality theories to help students deepen their understanding of their own personalities. Concise, conversational, and easy-to-understand, the Second Edition is enhanced with new chapters, new research that reflects the latest scholarship, and new photos and illustrations throughout.

Part I: Basic Issues in Personaility Psychology

Chapter 1: Using Theory and Research to Understand Personality

Basic Questions about Theories

Five Personality Theories

Chapter 2: Research Methods and Personality Assessment

Research Methods

Personality Assessment

Ethical Issues In Research And Assessment

Summing Up: How Should I Interpret My Score On A Personality Test?

Part II: My Past Self

Chapter 3: Genetic and Temperamental Influences

Behavioral Genetics: The Seeds of Personality

Temperament

Chapter 4: Cultivating Personality

Ingredient #1: Parenting Styles

Ingredient #2: Attachment

Ingredient #3: Identification

Part III: My Present Self

Chapter 5: Identity and Self- Esteem

Introduction

Psychosocial Theory Of Identity

Humanistic/Narrative Approaches To Identity And Self-Esteem

Single-Variable Research Programs

Chapter 6: Needs, Motives, and Goals

Alfred Adler’s Fundamental Human Motive

Three Humanistic Approaches to Motivation

Evolutionary Psychology’s View Of Motivation

Dispositional Approaches To Motivation

Cognitive Approaches To Motivation

Chapter 7: Stress And Coping

Interpretational Approaches

Dispositional Approaches

Psychodynamic Approaches

Positive Psychology And Coping

Chapter 8: Disorders Of Personality

What Is A Personality Disorder?

Thinking About Personality Disorders: Syndromes or Dimensions?

Ten Personality Disorders

Syndromes Vs. Dimensions: Strengths And Weaknesses

Sources For Diagnosis

Personality Disorders Over The Life Span

Part IV: My Future Self

Chapter 9: Expectations, Plans, And Self- Regulation

The Psychology Of Personal Constructs

Expectancies And Internal Working Models

Self-Regulation: Threats And Theories

Chapter 10: Continuity And Change Over The Life Course

Personality Stability And Change

Levels Of Personality

Humanistic And Existential Approaches

Psychodynamic Approaches to Continuity and Change

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site
The instructor resource site features a test bank created by the author.

Provides in-depth insight into the history and concept of personality. In particular, I like the dividing of sections by self.

Dr Mary Kinahan

Faculty of Business, Technological University Dublin

March 3, 2023

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A great book explaining pshycology and personality, a discovery for learners on how theory denotes personality and can be applied to a variety of issues. Recommended as part of thier study programme for reference and research.

Miss Sam Ford

Psychology, Southend Adult Community College

July 18, 2019

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Well-written book which grasps the essentials of personality psychology. I chose selected chapters of this book to adopt in my class.

Dr Stephanie Hanke

Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum

September 27, 2019

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