The Personality Puzzle

Synopsis

David Funder's masterful writing, his ability to explain important ideas and new research in a compelling way, and the new addition of InQuizitive, Norton's adaptive quizzing tool, make The Personality Puzzle the best learning tool for students—all at an affordable price. The Eighth Edition includes a new chapter on relationships and work, and new coverage of replication and open science issues.

Summary

Chapter 1: Foundations of Personality

* Definition of personality: A unique and complex pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterizes an individual.
* Real example: Sarah is outgoing, sociable, and talkative, while her brother John is introverted, reserved, and quiet.

Chapter 2: Trait Theories of Personality

* Trait theory: Personality is made up of a set of stable, measurable traits.
* Real example: The Big Five personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) can be used to describe a person's personality style.

Chapter 3: Psychodynamic Theories of Personality

* Psychodynamic theory: Personality is shaped by unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.
* Real example: Mary's fear of abandonment stems from her mother's rejection of her as a child.

Chapter 4: Humanistic Theories of Personality

* Humanistic theory: Personality is centered around self-actualization and the fulfillment of one's potential.
* Real example: David strives to live a meaningful life and pursue his passions, which is indicative of humanistic tendencies.

Chapter 5: Biological Bases of Personality

* Genetic influences: Genes play a role in shaping certain personality traits.
* Neurological influences: Brain chemistry, such as levels of dopamine and serotonin, can affect personality.
* Real example: Jane's anxiety disorder is partially influenced by her genetic predisposition to high levels of stress hormones.

Chapter 6: Sociocultural Influences on Personality

* Culture: Cultural norms, values, and expectations shape personality traits.
* Socialization: The process of learning and internalizing societal norms influences personality development.
* Real example: Todd's politeness and respect for authority reflect the values of his Asian American culture.

Chapter 7: Personality Assessment

* Objective personality tests: Use questionnaires or inventories to assess personality traits.
* Projective personality tests: Use ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.
* Real example: Susan's Rorschach inkblot test results suggest that she has a rich imagination and a tendency towards introversion.

Chapter 8: Personality Disorders

* Definition: Severe, inflexible patterns of behavior that cause significant distress or impairment.
* Types: Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, etc.
* Real example: John's manipulative behavior and lack of empathy meet the criteria for borderline personality disorder.

Chapter 9: Personality Change

* Possible: Personality can change over time, especially during major life events or therapy.
* Factors affecting change: Life experiences, social support, and therapeutic interventions.
* Real example: After experiencing a traumatic event, Emily's previously extroverted personality became more reserved and anxious.

Chapter 10: Personality and Health

* Relationship: Personality traits can influence both physical and mental health.
* Examples: Extroversion is associated with better immune function, while neuroticism is linked to higher risk of chronic illnesses.