Individual Differences and Personality,
Edition 4Editors: By Michael C. Ashton
Conformance
-
PDF/UA-1
-
The publication was certified on 20250728
-
For queries regarding accessibility information, contact [email protected]
Ways Of Reading
-
This e-publication is accessible to the full extent that the file format and types of content allow, on a specific reading device, by default, without necessarily including any additions such as textual descriptions of images or enhanced navigation.
Navigation
-
The contents of the PDF have been tagged to permit access by assistive technologies as per PDF-UA-1 standard.
-
Page breaks included from the original print source
Additional Accessibility Information
-
The language of the text has been specified (e.g., via the HTML or XML lang attribute) to optimise text-to-speech (and other alternative renderings), both at the whole document level and, where appropriate, for individual words, phrases or passages in a different language.
Note
-
This product relies on 3rd party tooling which may impact the accessibility features visible in inspection copies. All accessibility features mentioned would be present in the purchased version of the title.
Individual Differences and Personality, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive overview of research regarding what personality is and how and why it differs between people. This book begins with a description of the study of personality and then presents 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 are life outcomes (such as relationships, work, and health) that are predicted by personality characteristics. In addition, the book examines important individual differences beyond personality, such as mental abilities, religious beliefs, political attitudes, and sexuality.
Revisions to the fourth edition include updates to all chapters and substantial new content. For example, the developmental change chapter includes new studies of long-term stability, and the biological bases chapter includes new research about the effects of dopamine-like substances on impulse control. The genetics chapter has been heavily revised to cover recent meta-analyses and large-scale studies of the heritability of personality traits. In the chapter on the evolutionary function of personality, the discussion of sex differences is expanded to include cross-cultural variation. The chapter on personality and life outcomes includes new coverage of rating the personality of one's hypothetical ideal partner. The chapter on mental ability has updates on brain volume and IQ and on motivation and IQ.
Key Features
- Contains both theory and research
- Examines the impact of personality on life outcomes
- Includes new content from meta-analyses
- Retains chapters and organization with fully updated material
- Explores environmental, genetic and evolutionary perspectives
- Presents an accessible style that is suitable for courses on individual differences
About the author
By Michael C. Ashton, Professor of Psychology, Brock University, Ontario, Canada
1. Basic Concepts in Psychological Measurement
2. Personality Traits and the Inventories that Measure Them
3. Personality Structure Classifying Traits
4. Developmental Change and Stability of Personality
5. Biological Bases of Personality
6. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Personality
7. The Evolutionary Function of Personality
8. Personality Disorders
9. Personality and Life Outcomes
10. Mental Ability
11. Vocational Interests
12. Religion and Politics
13. Sexuality