Charles S. Carver and Michael F. Scheier met in graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin, where they both earned doctoral degrees in personality psychology. After graduation, they took positions at the University of Miami and Carnegie-Mellon University, respectively, where they have remained throughout their careers.


 

1. What Is Personality Psychology?


2. Methods in the Study of Personality


3. Issues in Personality Assessment


4. The Trait Perspective


5. The Motive Perspective


6. Genetics, Evolution, and Personality


7. Biological Processes and Personality


8. The Psychoanalytic Perspective


9. Psychosocial Theories


10. The Learning Perspective


11. Self-Actualization and Self-Determination


12. The Cognitive Perspective


13. The Self-Regulation Perspective


14. Personality in Perspective: Overlap and Integration


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Authors Charles Carver and Michael Scheier's informal, conversational style is reader-friendly without sacrificing clarity or accuracy.


The authors provide a balanced approach to different perspectives and emphasize diversity among viewpoints, helping students achieve a thorough understanding of personality.


The text reflects the rapid advances in work on behavioral genetics, molecular genetics, temperament, neurotransmitters, and other biological processes and how they relate to personality.


The text covers the "new" behavioral genetics (genes correlating with and interacting with environments) and epigenetic influences on gene expression as well as discussion of future issues ("Problems and Prospects") faced by differing viewpoints.


The text offers integrated coverage of adult attachment patterns and their implications for personality and social behavior, a hot topic in the field