ABSTRACT

Individual Differences and Personality provides a student-friendly introduction to both classic and cutting-edge research into personality, mood, motivation and intelligence, and their applications in psychology and in fields such as health, education and sporting achievement.

Including a new chapter on 'toxic' personality traits, and an additional chapter on applications in real-life settings, this fourth edition has been thoroughly updated and uniquely covers the necessary psychometric methodology needed to understand modern theories. It also develops deep processing and effective learning by encouraging a critical evaluation of both older and modern theories and methodologies, including the Dark Triad, emotional intelligence and psychopathy. Gardner’s and hierarchical theories of intelligence, and modern theories of mood and motivation are discussed and evaluated, and the processes which cause people to differ in personality and intelligence are explored in detail. Six chapters provide a non-mathematical grounding in psychometric principles, such as factor analysis, reliability, validity, bias, test-construction and test-use.

With self-assessment questions, further reading and a companion website including student and instructor resources, this is the ideal resource for anyone taking modules on personality and individual differences.

chapter Chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction to individual differences

chapter Chapter 2|23 pages

Personality by introspection

chapter Chapter 3|20 pages

Measuring individual differences

chapter Chapter 4|21 pages

Depth psychology

chapter Chapter 5|23 pages

Factor analysis

chapter Chapter 6|26 pages

Broad trait theories of personality

chapter Chapter 7|22 pages

Emotional intelligence

chapter Chapter 8|23 pages

Reliability and validity of psychological tests

chapter Chapter 9|20 pages

Narrow personality traits

chapter Chapter 10|31 pages

Sub-clinical and antisocial personality traits

chapter Chapter 11|30 pages

Biological, cognitive and social bases of personality

chapter Chapter 12|24 pages

Structure and measurement of abilities

chapter Chapter 13|23 pages

Ability processes

chapter Chapter 14|24 pages

Personality and ability over time

chapter Chapter 16|29 pages

Psychology of mood and motivation

chapter Chapter 18|27 pages

Applications to education, work and sport

chapter Chapter 19|25 pages

Performing and interpreting factor analyses

chapter Chapter 20|13 pages

Constructing a test

chapter Chapter 21|19 pages

Problems with tests

chapter Chapter 22|8 pages

Integration and conclusions