Certain personality traits are associated with satisfaction in life, and despite the changes people may experience in social roles and responsibilities over the course of their adult lives, that association is stable regardless of age. Personality refers to individual differences in patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The study of personality focuses on individual differences in personality characteristics and how the parts of a person come together as a whole.

Understanding the Context

Personality: Where Does it Come From and How Does it Work? How do our personalities develop? What do we come with and what is built from our experiences? Once developed, how does personality work?

Key Insights

These questions have been steeped in controversy for almost as long as psychology has existed. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common but often misunderstood condition, even by seasoned mental health professionals. Fortunately, enhanced diagnostic criteria and training are helping to equip clinicians with the necessary tools to effectively assist patients. JPSP is APA's top ranked, peer reviewed journal on personality and social psychology. Learn how to access the latest research, submit your paper, and more.

Final Thoughts

This journal publishes a wide range of cutting edge research on personality disorders and related psychopathology from a categorical and/or dimensional perspective. What causes personality disorders? Research suggests that genetics, abuse and other factors contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic or other personality disorders. In the past, some believed that people with personality disorders were just lazy or even evil. Elements of Personality focuses on the four major theoretical approaches to understanding personality: psychodynamic, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral, trait/interpersonal, and humanistic/existential. The author provides detailed coverage of these four major viewpoints and ignores the extraneous “mini-theories” covered in other textbooks.