Personality Theory

Book excerpt: 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.