assumptions and problems when measuring relevant personality variables.
I’ve retained the personality tests students can take and score themselves.
There are now 14 “Assessing Your Own Personality ”boxes scattered through-
out the book. I ’ve discovered in my own teaching that discussions about social
anxiety are more engaging after students discover how they score on a socialanxiety test. This hands-on experience not only gives students a better idea of
how personality assessment works, but often generates a little healthy skepti-
cism about relying too heavily on such measures. I ’ve retained the biographies
of the prominent personality theorists in this edition. Feedback from students
indicates that knowing something about the person behind the theory helps to
make the theory come alive. I ’ve also noticed how my students enjoy speculat-
ing about how the theorist ’s life affected the development of the theory.
Students and instructors also tell me they like the “In the News ”boxes I intro-
duced four editions ago. Consequently, these have been retained as well.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks are extended to all the people who helped with the production of this
book. This includes the many colleagues who reviewed various parts of the man-
uscript: Allison Anderson, University of Virginia; James Casebolt, OhioUniversity-Eastern Campus; Joseph Fitzgerald, Wayne State; Gary G. Ford,
Stephen F. Austin State University; William Goggin, University of Southern
Mississippi; Rolf Holtz, Troy University; Starr S. Hoover, Tennessee TempleUniversity; Cameron John, Utah Valley University; Dan Klaus, The Community
College of Baltimore County; Martha Low, Winston-Salem State University;
Dolores McCarthy, John Jay College; Diane Mello-Goldner, Pine ManorCollege; Janet Morahan-Martin, Bryant University; David Osmon, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Paul Rhoads, Williams College; Stephanie Sogg,
Harvard Extension School; Michael Spiegler, Providence College; SandraJ. Grossmann Tobin, Clackamas Community College; Margot Underwood,
Joliet Junior College; Shannon Welch, University of Idaho; and Tom Wilson,
Bellarmine University.
And, as always, I thank Marlene, whose understanding and support
through all eight editions have made this book possible.xviii PREFACE