[The book] is designed both to explain the major personality theories and to stimulate critical thinking about them. [The author] has pursued four main objectives. To present a clear and concise picture of the major features of each important personality theory ... To focus on significant ideas and themes that structure the content of the different personality theories ... To provide criteria to guide the evaluation of each theory ... To present activities, informed by the tenets of each theory, that will provide growth in critical thinking skills. -Pref.

This revision of the Schultz's popular text surveys the field, presenting theory-by-theory coverage of the major theorists who represent the psychoanalytic, neopsychoanalytic, life-span, trait, humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, and social-learning approaches, as well as clinical and experimental work. Where warranted, the authors show how the development of certain theories was influenced by events in a theorist's personal and professional life. This thoroughly revised Seventh Edition now incorporates more examples, tables, and figures to help bring the material to life for students. The new content in this edition reflects the dynamism in the field. The text explores how race, gender, and culture issues figure in the study of personality and in personality assessment. In addition, a final integrative chapter looks at the study of personality theories and suggests conclusions that can be drawn from the many theorists' work.

'Personality Theories' by Albert Ellis - the founding father of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy - provides a comprehensive review of all major theories of personality including theories of personality pathology. Importantly, it critically reviews each of these theories in light of the competing theories as well as recent research.

This authoritative handbook is the reference of choice for researchers and students of personality. Leading authorities describe the most important theoretical approaches in personality and review the state of the science in five broad content areas: biological bases; development; self and social processes; cognitive and motivational processes; and emotion, adjustment, and health. Within each area, chapters present innovative ideas, findings, research designs, and measurement approaches. Areas of integration and consensus are discussed, as are key questions and controversies still facing the field.

Personality Theory is a lively and accessible introduction to the major theoretical perspectives that inform contemporary research on personality. Tracing the work of individual theorists within the context of the eight overarching paradigms used to explain the origins and organization of human behavior, author Douglas Crowne provides an even-handed overview of each theorist's contributions to the field. Students are encouraged to think critically by assessing the theorists' strengths and weaknesses, while pointing to what remains valuable and groundbreaking in their work. This second edition has been thoroughly updated and boasts new pedagogy, a new chapter on personality disorders, and new part divisions reflecting the basic paradigms. Engaging with a lucid narrative, Personality Theory is an exceptionally fascinating and readable text.

First published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Designed as a text for both graduate and undergraduate students, this book, originally published in 1995, presents an intrapsychic explanation of human behaviour – concepts based on psychological processes and ‘structures’ within the mind. In this context, a unique treatment of personality theory is introduced. It focuses on Freud, Kelly and Angyal: Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality based on desires, Kelly’s personal construct theory for thinking, and Angyal’s holistic concepts of personality. Each theory is given a detailed analysis in separate chapters. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is cast as a theory of motivation, Kelly’s personal construct theory as a theory of cognition, and then it is noted that there is no comprehensive theory of personality based on emotion. Although Angyal’s holistic theory is rarely described in modern textbooks, Lester includes this because none of the other holistic theorists rival Angyal in their range of hypothetical constructs or descriptive terms. Then, in sections dealing with alternative viewpoints, the author shows how other personality theorists actually endorse and expand upon the ideas expressed by the aforementioned three, albeit with different terminology. Recognizing the diversity of holistic views in theories of personality, several counterpoint chapters are devoted to the holistic ideas. Lester separates these into three major areas: theorists who have focused on the split in the mind between the real and ideal self; recent theorists who explore the possibility that the mind is a ‘multiplicity of selves’; and theorists who, though not having their viewpoints sufficiently articulated in the literature, are still well established in the history of psychology. Other features include a presentation of the material in modern viewpoints, instead of the precise and perhaps outdated style as written by the individual theorists, and boxed highlights in each section, providing students with practical capsule information for easy reading.

Accurate and authoritative, Theories of Personality by Jess and Gregory Feist presents 23 leading theories of personality in a thorough, interesting and logical manner. The book begins with an introductory chapter designed to acquaint students with the meaning of personality and provide them with a solid foundation for understanding the nature of theory and its crucial contributions to science. The next seventeen chapters present twenty-three major theories with a fresh approach and a more complete view encompassing, a biographical sketch of each theorist, related research and applications to real life. When appropriate, the authors point out ways in which the theorists' life experiences may have helped shape her or his theory.