Capturing a scientific change in thinking about personality and individual differences, this volume provides theories and empirical evidence which suggest that personality and individual differences are central to evolved psychological mechanisms and behavioural functioning.

If writing a multidisciplinary treatise is difficult (and this endeavor wasn't exactly a walk in the park) then I had to imagine how difficult it might be for the reader to assimilate the cross references to evolution, information dynamics and clinical psychology that characterize this book. Moreover, I had to consider that reading a book written in language derived from quantum physics, psychology and anthropology might prove to be a bit dreary, even for seasoned clinicians. So to preclude possible confusion this book was written with Information Theory in mind. That's why, for the sake of clarity, certain themes are repeated in successive chapters to serve as an anchor point for the diverse ideas that revolve around them. As to the book itself, it is offered as an integrative theory. For those who favor linear determinism and the narrow treatment of variables one at a time, this might seem speculative. Others, with an interest not just in understanding who we are, but how we fit into a vast cosmos might find it intriguing. My only hope is that it fosters debate. Praise for Evolution, Information, & Personality"Not since Julian Jaynes' The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind has there been such a thought provoking account of human personality. Robert DePaolo's description how the mind evolved and its implications for psychiatry are ahead of our time - a must read for any student or professional in the fields of philosophy and psychology." David Kamen, PhD. Clinical Psychologist, Nashua Counseling Center -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A revolutionary treatise that includes an invigorating and thought provoking new therapeutic approach." Deborah Whitaker-Duncklee, Transpersonal Therapist, Author of Looking Glass Sky, The Widow's Walk and Screenplays: Coconut Grove and We are Stardust.

Ask anyone who has owned a pet and they’ll assure you that, yes, animals have personalities. And science is beginning to agree. Researchers have demonstrated that both domesticated and nondomesticated animals—from invertebrates to monkeys and apes—behave in consistently different ways, meeting the criteria for what many define as personality. But why the differences, and how are personalities shaped by genes and environment? How did they evolve? The essays in Animal Personalities reveal that there is much to learn from our furred and feathered friends. The study of animal personality is one of the fastest-growing areas of research in behavioral and evolutionary biology. Here Claudio Carere and Dario Maestripieri, along with a host of scholars from fields as diverse as ecology, genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, and psychology, provide a comprehensive overview of the current research on animal personality. Grouped into thematic sections, chapters approach the topic with empirical and theoretical material and show that to fully understand why personality exists, we must consider the evolutionary processes that give rise to personality, the ecological correlates of personality differences, and the physiological mechanisms underlying personality variation.

The General Factor of Personality improves our understanding of the personality structure and the relations between major personality dimensions, as well as major dimensions of the entire non-cognitive sphere of psychological variables. The results of the empirical testing and theoretical evaluations in this book contribute to the more comprehensive and precise theoretical framework of the General Factor of Personality (GFP) and that of the entire personality structure. Additionally, the book answers some unresolved questions concerning the nature of the GFP, including whether it is based more on correlations in real behavior or on other less substantial factors between lower-order dimensions of personality. This book is crucially important not only for theoretical reasons, but also for the tremendous practical and applied value of the assumed general dimension of personality. As a common denominator of all the most important fields of personality beyond cognition (Big Five, well-being, coping, emotionality, motivation, self-concept, self-esteem, control, wisdom and others), the GFP represents an extremely strong single predictor of the quality of life, mental health and well-being, career, academic success, and the quality of family and interpersonal relations. Reviews the theoretical and methodological work on the General Factor of Personality (GFP) Presents major research results in the field of GFP and the dimensional structure of personality Provides a balanced and objective approach to the topic of GFP, addressing criticisms and controversies Considers the practical and applied aspects of this research Draws conclusions on the bioevolutionary model of GFP to give a more thorough understanding of biological bases of human personality

"Evolution and Genetics for Psychology explains how to think in evolutionary terms, and shows how to apply this thinking to any subject. With the principles in place, it goes on to show how they are applied to issues of human behaviour, from sex to social relationships, to learning." --Book Jacket.

How do we come to be who we are? Why do we differ in our personalities? How do these differences matter in life? Individual Differences and Personality aims to describe how and why personality varies among people. Unlike books that focus on individual theorists, this book focuses on current research and theory on the nature of personality and related individual differences. The book begins by discussing how personality is measured, the concept of a personality trait, and the basic dimensions of personality. This leads to a discussion of the origins of personality, with descriptions of its developmental course, its biological causes, its genetic and environmental influences, and its evolutionary function. The concept of a personality disorder is then described, followed by a discussion of the influence of personality on life outcomes in relationships, work, and health. Finally, the book examines the important differences between individuals in the realms of mental abilities, of beliefs and attitudes, and of behavior. Presents a scientific approach to personality and related individual differences, as well as theory and research on the fundamental questions about human psychological variation New edition presents findings from dozens of new research studies of the past six years Includes new chapter on vocational interests and a revised chapter on personality disorders reflecting DSM-5 formulation Contains streamlined descriptions of measurement concepts and heritability research Includes various boxes containing interesting asides that help to maintain the student’s attention.