An Introduction to Theories of Personality

by B.R. Hergenhahn, Matthew H. Olson

Custom seventh edition prepared for Rio Salado College

{Taken from Preface}
The seventh edition of this text continues to reflect our contention that it is in an Introduction to Theories of Personality course that the student experiences the full richness of psychology. In such a course, the student experiences everything from psychology's most rigorous scientists to its most mystical nonscientific thinkers. It is in such a course that the student reviews answers to such questions as: What, if anything, do all human beings have in common? What accounts for individual differences among people? How are the mind and body related? How much of what we call personality is inherited and how much of it results from experience? and, How much of human behavior is determined and how much of it is a function of free will?
Although this text covers topics already mentioned, its main purpose is to summarize the major theories of personality. The text is built around the belief that it is misleading to search for the correct theory of personality. Rather, it is assumed that the best understanding of personality is derived from a variety of viewpoints. Thus, theories representing the psychoanalytic, socio-cultural, trait, learning, socio-biological, and existential-humantistic paradigms are offered as different - yet equally valid - ways of approaching the study of personality.

+Chapters+
Ch 1: What is Personality?
Ch 2: Sigmund Freud
Ch 3: Carl Jung
Ch 4: Alfred Adler
Ch 5: Karen Horney
Ch 6: Erik H. Erikson
Ch 7: Gordon Allport
Ch 8: Raymond B. Cattell & Hans J. Eysenck
Ch 9: B.F. Skinner
Ch 10: John Dollard & Neal Miller
Ch 11: Albert Bandura & Walter Mischel
Ch 12: David M. Buss
Ch 13: Carl Rogers
Ch 14: Abraham Maslow
Ch 15: Rollo Reese May
Ch 16: A Final Word

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, School

572 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1980

Reviews

[Hossein Bayat]

کتاب حاضر با عنوان «‌درآمدی بر نظریه های شخصیت» نشر ارسباران و ترجمه سید یحیی محمدی چاپ شده.
می‌تونم بگم تجربه من از خواندن نظریه های شخصیت شیرین ترین تجربه ایه که از زمانی که وارد فضای مشاوره داشتم تجربه کردم.
یک ایراد جدی که به چاپ هست نذاشتن منابع آخر هر فصل یا آخر کتاب هست. توی کتاب درآمد به افرادی که توی کتاب های شخصیت مثل فیست یا شولتز نبودند مثل رولو می هم اشاره شده.
در کل تجربه خیلی خیلی خوبی بود و یک تصویر کلی از نظریه ها برام شکل گرفت.

[Olivia Krieger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best psychology textbook I've encountered. Layout is clear and straightforward. No excessive marginal diagrams or key words. Thorough and fascinating. Gives exceptional consideration to each theorist mentioned, introduces them as a person, in terms of their contributions, and mentions follow up research/criticisms. I love this book.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

dry. dry. dry.

If you've been having a hard time sleeping, this is the book to help you out with those insomniac nights.

I did learn a lot from the class and the book (that's why it received a 2nd star). Otherwise, this book was boring!

[Kate Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in college for my psyc minor. Absolutely loved it. So fascinating.

[Debmach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, clear exploration of the theorists and their theories of personality. Provided plenty of food for thought regarding the questions: "What is personality?" "What is self?"

[Tyler Basran · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the best psychology text I've ever read.

[Katherine Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Omama. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Construction of a coherent picture of the individual and their major psychological processes, investigation of individual psychological differences and investigation of human nature and psychological similarities between individuals are the main themes procured in this book. It wasn't an easy read; dry for starters, but once you'd get into it, it would be fun to learn.

[Courtney Chappell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was for my personality theories class at PLU. It was so incredibly boring. I actually stopped reading it towards the end because of that and also because my teacher said the exact same things in the exact same order as in the book.

[Samra · Rating 5 out of 5]

great explanations of all the major personality theorists and their ideas.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

best psych textbook yet...

[Jayziel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is long overdue but yeah, I PASSED THE SUBJECT