The 7th edition of this trusted introduction to personality centers on the premise that personality theories are a reflection of the unique cultural background, family experiences, personalities, and professional training of their originators. The book begins by acquainting students with the meaning of personality and providing them with a solid foundation for understanding the nature of theory, as well as its crucial contributions to science. The chapters that follow present twenty-three major theories: coverage of each theory also encompasses a biographical sketch of each theorist, related research, and applications to real life. The primary focus of this revision was updating the theory chapters to reflect the most recent research. Gregory J. Feist has taught at San Jose State University in California. He received his Ph.D. in Personality Psychology from the University of California - Berkeley and is Undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He is widely published in personality and creativity, scientific eminence, and the psychology of science. His research in creativitiy has been recognized by receipt of an Erly Career Award from Division for Psychology and the Arts (Division 10) of the American Psychological Association. He is also on the Editorial Board of Review of General Psychology.