“The Handbook of Personality Development is a must-read for personality psychologists and those hoping to teach an advanced course on personality….The work balances theory and research with practical applications, including an informative section on life stories and the search for meaning….This volume would work wonderfully for an advanced course or a graduate seminar.”

—Choice Reviews


“This extraordinary volume is likely to become the seminal resource on personality development. The diversity represented is truly amazing—an international group of junior and senior scholars present the best science the field has to offer, from a host of different perspectives. The content is both deep and broad, including in-depth treatments of personality traits and motivation, personological inquiries, neuroscientific and genetic approaches, and longitudinal research. The extremely well-written chapters consistently feature vivid and accessible examples. I cannot imagine a scholar of personality science who would not view this handbook as required reading.”

—Laura A. King, PhD, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri–Columbia


“What a useful, ambitious, and virtually unique volume, arriving at a perfect time! The editors have recruited leading researchers across a wide array of areas to provide focused, integrative chapters on topics including genetic influences on personality development; relational, familial, and cultural contexts; the role of religion and spirituality; and the construction of life narratives. Researchers, as well as instructors at all levels, will find this volume extremely helpful in bringing them up to speed on areas they do not know well, and updating them in areas where they already have expertise. Constructing syllabi for units in courses—or for entire seminars—will be much easier with the arrival of this resource. Contributors resist the urge to tell tidy stories as they confront ongoing controversies, theoretical conundrums, and gaps in our knowledge. This makes the chapters especially useful for stimulating critical thinking and discussion in upper-level undergraduate and graduate seminars.”

—Julie K. Norem, PhD, Margaret Hamm Professor of Psychology, Wellesley College


“This handbook, judiciously edited by three of the leading scholars on personality development, marks a significant advance in our understanding of personality psychology. It makes clear that personality cannot be fully understood without simultaneously considering developmental trajectories. As someone passionate about crystal-clear and concept-based communication of psychology research, I am thrilled to see the thoughtful, well-structured expositions and the extensive use of potent examples and case studies. The book well captures the nuances of modern personality concepts and could be profitably read by anyone—student or scholar—seriously interested in personality.”

—Howard S. Friedman, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside


“It was not long ago that 'personality development' sounded like an oxymoron—but how things have changed! Personality development is an exciting, rapidly developing area, and this handbook presents the latest theories and findings from a 'who's who' of researchers. The Handbook moves beyond simplistic dichotomies to present a contemporary perspective on how biology and social experience work together, how there can be both stability and change in personality, and much more. This is an excellent text for a graduate seminar or an advanced undergraduate class, as well as a reference for researchers.”

—Sanjay Srivastava, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Oregon


“This handbook arrives at an exciting time of synthesis and growth in the study of personality development. Advances in developmental systems theory, evolutionary biology, epigenetics, neuroscience, and methodologies for assessing and analyzing data at multiple levels of analysis are driving new efforts to address age-old questions about continuities and change in human lives through time. The distinguished editors have assembled a remarkable array of authors to provide a comprehensive, authoritative overview of contemporary theory and evidence on personality development. The chapters synthesize key data with clarity and insight, while interweaving stories of real individuals that bring the data to life. This engaging handbook is an excellent resource for scholars at all levels.”

—Ann S. Masten, PhD, Regents Professor of Child Development, University of Minnesota Twin Cities


“Personality development is a diverse and active field, encompassing a bewildering range of content. Fortunately for students and scholars, McAdams, Shiner, and Tackett have done a masterful job at assembling truly comprehensive summaries of the literature. All the important topics and levels of inquiry—from basic neuroscience all the way through culture and society—are covered in contributions from key figures in the field. This handbook is a 'must have' for anyone interested in personality and how it develops.”

—Robert F. Krueger, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota


“It is very rare that a single edited volume has the potential to shape an entire scientific field—but the Handbook of Personality Development has achieved that extraordinary feat. In a readable and brilliantly integrated manner, it illustrates how personality development can be understood through a three-part conceptual framework. From a biological foundation of traits and temperament, we derive motives, goals, and defenses in response to social interaction. Slowly, we become the authors of our evolving narrative identity. Each chapter illustrates original research that provides nuance and depth to this framework. This book is for everyone—scholars, graduate students, and undergraduates. It will be the go-to reference on personality development for years to come.”

—Jefferson A. Singer, PhD, Dean of the College and Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College