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An Introduction to Theories of Personality, 9th edition

Published by Pearson (August 6, 2019) © 2020

  • Matthew H. Olson Hamline University
  • Domenica Favero
  • BR H. Hergenhahn Hamline University

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For courses in Personality Psychology.

Explore personality with the theorists

An Introduction to Theories of Personality uses a theorist-by-theorist approach to introduce the basics of personality theory. With coverage ranging from Freud and other personality theory pioneers to modern theorists, the text provides an up-to-date overview of the full breadth of the discipline. The authors discuss both the theorists themselves and their theories in a way that prompts students to consider psychology's relevance to their own lives and relationships.

The 9th Edition offers new coverage of fraternal birth order effect and the fluctuating asymmetry attraction cue, among other updated material.

Hallmark features of this title

  • The authors discuss major theories using primary sources as well as the theorists' own words and writings. Sections for empirical research, contributions and criticisms provide balance.
  • Biographical sketches of the theorists provide important background into what may have influenced the development of their theories.
  • Student-tested experiential exercises in each chapter help students relate the theories and information to their personal lives.
  • In-chapter study and review aids provide students with prompts for further exploration and thought.

New and updated features of this title

  • UPDATED: Several chapters have been updated to include new information, viewpoints and understandings. Highlights include:
    • A new cautionary note concerning the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in Chapter 3
    • New coverage of fraternal birth order effect in Chapter 4
    • Fresh information about the fluctuating asymmetry attraction cue in Chapter 12
  • UPDATED: All chapters have been student-tested, then revised and reorganized to accommodate students' recommendations and comments.
  • UPDATED: Chapter introductions have been updated to better connect the content to other chapters, historical context and students' lives. And questions for discussion at the end of each chapter have been revised.

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY
1. What is Personality?

PART II: THE PSYCHOANALYTIC PARADIGM
2. Sigmund Freud
3. Carl Jung

PART III: THE SOCIOCULTURAL PARADIGM
4. Alfred Adler
5. Karen Horney
6. Erik H. Erikson

PART IV: THE TRAIT PARADIGM
7. Gordon Allport
8. Raymond B. Cattell and Hans J. Eysenck

PART V: THE LEARNING PARADIGM
9. B.F. Skinner
10. John Dollard and Neal Miller
11. Albert Bandura and Walter Mischel

PART VI: THE EVOLUTIONARY PARADIGM
12. David M. Buss

PART VII: THE EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC PARADIGM
13. George Kelly
14. Carl Rogers
15. Abraham Maslow
16. Rollo Reese May

PART VII: SUMMING UP AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
17. A Final Word

About our authors

Matt Olson was born in Cuba, New Mexico in 1951, graduated from University of California (Davis) in 1973, and completed his PhD at the University of Michigan in 1977. He joined the faculty of Hamline University in 1977, where he began a 30-year textbook collaboration with B.R. Hergenhahn, chaired the psychology department for 25 years, and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2018 after a 41-year, undergraduate teaching career. After paying his dues in the Midwest, he and artist Marcia Söderman, married for more than 43 years, retired to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Santa Fe.

Domenica “Nicki” Favero has a Doctorate of Psychology and is licensed as a clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia. She is currently the department chair and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Lynchburg. She teaches courses in abnormal behavior, personality theories and theories of psychotherapy. Dr. Favero spent several years conducting therapy and psychological assessments with children and adolescents before beginning her career in academia.

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