Personality pathology, which is characterized by a pervasive, maladaptive, and inflexible pattern of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, has long been considered a set of categories that are distinct from each other and from "normal" personality. Research over the past three decades, however, has challenged that assumed separation, and instead suggests that abnormal personality is merely a maladaptive extension of the same features that describe the personalities of all humans. Using Basic Personality Research to Inform the Personality Disorders will present the work of prominent thinkers at the intersections of social, personality, developmental, and clinical psychology to consider theoretical and empirical issues relevant to how basic personality research can inform the scientific understanding of personality pathology. Surveying cutting-edge research on the science of basic personality and demonstrating how these ideas and methods can be applied to the conceptualization of pathology, the book first provides a historical overview, followed by an account of the current state of the personality disorder literature. Ensuing chapters highlight critical issues in the assessment and conceptualization of personality, its development across the life course, and biological underpinnings. These chapters are valuable primers on the basic science of personality, from specific genes to complex social interactions. Furthermore, each chapter aims not only to elucidate current understandings of personality, but to demonstrate its direct application to clinical diagnosis and conceptualization. Using Basic Personality Research to Inform the Personality Disorders is the first edited volume to present such diverse perspectives across biological, developmental, clinical, and social psychology from leading researchers in basic and disordered personality, and will be of interest to a broad range of students, scientists, and practitioners.

About the Author
Douglas B. Samuel, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. His research focuses on investigating dimensional models, particularly the Five Factor Model of personality, with the aim of improving the conceptualization of psychopathology. He is particularly interested in investigating how multiple sources (clients, therapists, informants) and methods (EEG, ecological momentary assessment) can be integrated to better assess and diagnosis mental illness. Donald R. Lynam, Ph.D. is Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. His research examines the contribution of individual differences to psychopathology and deviance across the lifecourse. Much of his work uses general models of personality to re-conceptualize more complex constructs (psychopathy, narcissism, impulsivity, et cetera).

Reviews
As this impressive book demonstrates, reality is much more complex and empirically interesting than this simple dichotomy suggests. Personality researchers drawn to normative personality or personality pathology, including those with clinical orientations, should read this book. Graduate students in personality and related fields, as well as very advanced undergraduates, will also benefit from this work's insights. * Choice *
This dazzling volume brings together the finest scholars in both normal-range and pathological personality. Its scope is extraordinary, with contributions explicating the nature of underlying etiological mechanisms, developmental trajectories across the lifespan, social processes and interpersonal dysfunction, novel approaches to assessment, and the role of basic traits in personality disorder. It is essential reading for those interested in how recent developments in basic personality research have transformed our understanding of personality pathology. * David Watson, Notre Dame *



Book Information
ISBN 9780190227074
Author Douglas B. Samuel
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 155mm * 236mm * 28mm