Description
Cambridge Personality Traits 1998 Edition by Gerald Matthews, Ian J. Deary
Personality research has been transformed by recent advances in our understanding of personality traits. This book offers a comprehensive and accessible survey of research on traits. It discusses how they are defined and measured, and shows that they are central to personality. The authors review the origins of traits in biological and social processes, and their consequences for cognition, performance and mental and physical health. Contrary to the traditional view of personality research as a collection of disconnected theories, Personality Traits presents an integrated account, linking theory-driven research with applications in clinical and occupational psychology. Personality Traits is an essential text for students of personality and differential psychology, and also provides researchers and practitioners with a coherent, up-to-date overview of this important area. Table of contents :- Part I. The Nature of Personality Traits: 1. The trait concept and personality theory; 2. Elaborations of trait research; 3. Stable traits and transient states; 4. Alternatives to trait theory; Part II. Causes of Personality Traits: 5. Genetic and environmental contributions to personality; 6. The psychophysiology of traits; 7. The Social Psychology of Traits; Part III. Consequences and Applications: 8. Stress, health and medical psychology; 9. Abnormal personality traits?; 10. Personality, performance and information-processing; 11. Conclusions.