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Personality Theories

A Comparative Analysis, Sixth Edition

Salvatore R. Maddi

Highly regarded by both students and scholars through six editions! Now available from Waveland Press, this highly acclaimed, well-organized text gives direction to students of personality in their efforts to understand the whole person. Maddi’s conversational style encourages thinking instead of memorizing, thereby helping readers to master principles from which they can derive knowledge, rather than merely accepting the principles of one theory over another. He explains, compares, and contrasts a number of different personality theories to illuminate the overall models of human behavior they express and provides a frame of reference that coordinates important features of the theories with relevant personality research. Along with a thorough discussion of research methods, this approach shows how empirical efforts are used with theory to resolve the issues separating the different models, successfully merging theory and research.
 

$65.95 list, 586 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-178-8

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-178-8

© 1996

“Maddi has provided a critical, provocative and constructive analysis of the field of personality. He is an excellent teacher helping the reader to formulate important questions and shows that theoretical resolution can only be decided by creative research. His discussion of such research is clear and thorough and, most important, current.” —Marvin Frankel, Sarah Lawrence College

“The best graduate-level text in personality. I was pleased to see a less expensive softcover edition.” —William Goggin, University of Southern Mississippi

“Maddi continues his tradition of presenting a comprehensive survey of the field of personality psychology in a manner that students will find informative and engaging.” —Bernardo J. Carducci, Indiana University Southeast

“This is an excellent and affordable reissue of a classic text in personality. I highly recommend it.” —Paul T. Bartone, United States Military Academy

“Although it is likely that the author sees its comparative approach as its strong point, I was equally impressed with the depth, breadth, and scholarliness of the book. His thoughtfulness and intellectual integrity shine through.” —James E. Marcia, Simon Fraser University

“Very enjoyable. Maddi’s a real scholar.” —Robert Smither, Rollins College

“There are few books that present as logical analyses of theories and classification systems.” —Harold D. Beard, Central Missouri State University

Table of Contents

Part I. INTRODUCTION

1. Personality and Personology

2. The Nature and Models of Personality Theorizing

Part II. THEORIES AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION

3. The Conflict Model: Psychosocial Version

4. The Conflict Model: Intrapsychic Version

5. The Fulfillment Model: Actualization Version

6. The Fulfillment Model: Perfection Version

7. The Consistency Model: Cognitive Dissonance Version

8. The Consistency Model: Activation Version

Part III. ISSUES AND THEIR RESOLUTION

9. Methods in Personality Study

10. Rational and Empirical Analyses of Core Considerations

11. Rational Analysis of Peripheral Considerations

12. Empirical Analysis of Peripheral Considerations

Part IV. OTHER RELEVANT POSITIONS

13. The Behavioristic Alternative

14. The Rise of Social Learning Theory

Part V. APPLICATIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND THE FUTURE

15. Psychotherapy and Assessment

16. Formal and Substantive Characteristics of the Good Theory of Personality

Appendix: Theoretical Summaries

Glossary of Terms