Individual Differences and Personality 3rd edition

Individual Differences and Personality, 3e provides a comprehensive overview of research regarding what personality is and how and why it differs between people. The book begins with a description of the study of personality, 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.) that are predicted by personality characteristics. The book additionally examines important individual differences such as mental abilities, religious beliefs, political attitudes, and sexuality. The largest changes to the 3e include a new chapter on personality as it relates to vocational interests, and a completely revamped chapter on personality disorders in keeping with DSM-V. The whole of the book has otherwise been updated with new sections on biases in self and observer reports of personality, personality "types", why personality traits change with age and why change tends to be small, new studies on the relations of hormone levels with personality, research on personality in identical and fraternal twins, personality similarity between friends, coverage of animal personality variation, and more.Contains both theory and researchExamines the impact of personality on life outcomesDescribes new information on personality disorders per DSM-VUpdates references and research reviewed since the second editionIncludes new chapter on vocational interestsExplores environmental, genetic, & evolutionary perspectives