Personality Theory in a Cultural Context

Reviewed by Manyu Li, Assistant Professor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette on 11/2/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Like traditional personality textbook, this textbook divides topics mostly by personality theorists. However, the authors also added some non-traditional personality topics, such as yoga, Buddhism, religious and African perspective on personality. The author’s efforts to add these overlooked areas should be commended.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

For the chapters that are often mentioned in other personality textbook (e.g., Chapter 3-13, 17-20), I found that the contents to be very similar to other textbooks and that they are highly accurate and unbiased. However, for some novel sections, probably because of the lack of current literature on those topics, more citations and scientific foundations are needed. For example, the section of yoga, the author argued that schools of yoga is a potential pathway to personal growth and personality development. However, the lack of scientific research makes the section appears to be personal opinion, such as “Many Americans still view Yoga as an odd curiosity and, primarily, as a form of exercise. Before I first began going to a Yoga retreat center I wondered if it would be too strange for me (even though I knew someone who had been going there for years). I had a wonderful time, and have returned there many times. But, like so many others, it is a retreat center all by itself. As Yoga centers based on the model of chain stores, with some consistency in terms of the services and environment they offer, spread across America, I think more people will take a chance on beginning to examine this curious path toward relaxation and peace of mind.” Again, I applaud the authors for attempting to write such an important section, but I think the section may be benefited from some recent research on yoga and mindfulness on mental health.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

I like how the author has a section on “connections across cultures” for each chapter. In those sections, the author brought traditional theories (e.g., Bandura/modeling theories) to current issues (e.g., global marketing and advertising, consumer behaviors). However, I find that the section on yoga may need more works to relate yoga to personality development. I can see from the text what yoga is (history, definition, etc.). However, more details and research findings are needed to clarify how yoga may contribute to one's personality development.

Clarity rating: 5

The writing of the author is very clear. The use of English in the text is also appropriate for community colleges, undergraduate students and international audience.

Consistency rating: 4

The structure of the textbook is very consistent. The only question I have is that the author started the textbook with a theorist approach (i.e. dividing the chapters by theorists) but then later the author changed to a theory approach (i.e. dividing the chapters by theories, such as social learning theory).

Modularity rating: 4

I also like how the author breaks down the sections within a chapter so that readers can easily follow the logic of the chapter. The authors used subheadings to help readers to focus.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text is easy for readers to follow the logic of the authors.

Interface rating: 3

The content table (online version) allows easy navigation. However, the PDF version of the textbook can be benefited from some professional formatting. The current formatting (line spacing, paragraph break, etc.) and font make the textbook less appealing and more difficult to read.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The writing is free or grammatical error.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I like how this textbook discuss the role of culture in personality right from the beginning (Chapter 1, “Sociocultural influences”). The section starts by defining cultures. I find it very helpful for students as students often think of cultures as “countries” when there are many variabilities of cultures in a country. The table on cross-cultural research in personality is also a great resource for students and instructors to look up cross-cultural research. It may need some updates of current research that is conducted after 2008.

Reviewed by Ben Smith, Psychology Adjunct, East Tennessee State University on 10/7/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This text covers all the essential theories/theorists on personality. It also includes unique content that I've not seen in most personality texts (e.g., Yoga and Buddhism as Personality Developmental Paths, Religious Perspectives on Personality, African Perspective on Personality), much of which provides a helpful contrast to the Western perspectives that predominate the core theories. There is, unfortunately, no index and/or glossary included, which is the only knock I have against the text's comprehensiveness.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

After reading the introduction and first chapter, my impression is that this text is sufficiently accurate and unbiased. The author writes in a manner that allows the reader to make his/her own decision regarding how to understand personality. For example, the introduction presents a variety of competing perspectives with very little subjective interpretation, which I think should be the primary agenda for a textbook author.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

As I mentioned in the section on comprehensiveness, a strength of this text is its inclusion of additional information other than the traditional "Western" personality theories. While the author includes content about the early work on personality, he also discusses other perspectives (e.g., those that compete with the Western theorists), providing the reader with an opportunity to make an educated, objective decision about how to understand personality (i.e., rather than simply taking the traditional American perspectives at face value).

Clarity rating: 5

The writing is clear and explains concepts in an easily understandable but sophisticated manner. The layperson without prior knowledge in the field psychology (e.g., undergraduate students) will likely not have difficulty grasping the content.

Consistency rating: 4

The author follows a (mostly) chronological and intuitive framework, starting with an introduction to personality and using the first handful of chapters to discuss/analyze the foundational contributions to the subject area. He utilizes the remaining chapters primarily to discuss additional factors (e.g., religion, culture, etc.) that can influence the way in which personality is understood.

Modularity rating: 5

There are several subsections that can be utilized to break up the text for use within a traditional college semester. That being said, a substantial (i.e., roughly 50%) of the text dedicated to discussing the work of specific theorists. While this, in my experience, is typical protocol for a personality text, it may be more useful (e.g., for facilitating discussion about the current utility of the subject within the larger field of psychology) to focus more of the text on an additional sub-topic, such as practical usage of personality theories (e.g., within clinical settings, the workplace, etc.).

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The author follows a (mostly) chronological and intuitive framework, starting with an introduction to personality and using the first handful of chapters to discuss/analyze the foundational contributions to the subject area. He utilizes the remaining chapters primarily to discuss additional factors (e.g., religion, culture, etc.) that can influence the way in which personality is understood.

Interface rating: 4

There are no apparent problems related to navigating the text, viewing images/charts, or any other display features. However, more images/charts, and/or pictures would enhance the aesthetic value of the text and also break up the monotony of the plain text.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are no apparent grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The author includes a chapter on Culture and Personality. He also dedicates an entire chapter to African Perspectives on Personality. I found it a bit odd that he chose to discuss African perspectives without including other dominant subcultures that exist within the United States (e.g., Latino/Latina community). Perhaps adding a chapter or two related to other race-based cultural perspectives could improve the text.

Reviewed by Autumn Redcross, Visiting Assistant Professor, Point Park University on 9/15/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

I enjoy the fact that this text goes beyond exploring personality according to particular theorists. Instead, it takes the micro and macro aspect of one's environment to consider how personality emerges.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

With my limited knowledge (this is the first time that I am teaching the subject), the text seems to me to be quite accurate.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Many references from this book are from the year 2000 forward. The currency will contribute to the longevity of this work

Clarity rating: 5

I enjoy that this book is written in a clean, clear language that is easy to understand. At the same time, the writing style is sophisticated.

Consistency rating: 5

All the way through, I felt as though the material is equally vetted .

Modularity rating: 5

Well organized. The table of contents is laid out plainly and easy to navagate.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Good organization.

Interface rating: 4

I would have liked to see more visuals to support the written content.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Good use of grammar.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I find the cultural references most significant in this work.

Reviewed by Shante Bassett, Adjunct Assistant Professor, LAGCC on 5/15/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The content included in the text is likely the most comprehensive I've seen, which could be due to the focus on culture. The index of keywords is a bit confusing (refer to disclaimer atop page) and does not seem to be comprehensive (i.e. all terms that are highlighted in the text do not appear in the index).

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content of the text is consistent with other texts I've used and information obtained during profession training in the field.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

Most recent articles cited are from the early 2000s. Internal citations are used effectively throughout the text, therefore making any future updates simple to navigate.

Clarity rating: 2

Writing is mostly straightforward, with occasional stylistic word use that might miss a few students. Keywords/terms are appropriately defined within the text.

Consistency rating: 5

The structure of headings is consistent within and between chapters. However, there is no spacing between sections within each chapter, which might make continuous reading a challenge for some.

Modularity rating: 4

There are some large blocks of text throughout the text, but overall the text is easily divisible.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The text begins with an overall history of personality psychology, like most. The chapters on personality theory and cultural aspects of personality and combined, but separating the chapters into subunits might have been helpful.

Interface rating: 4

The spacing is very tight and sections are only separated by bold or italicized text.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Text is well-proofread.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

There is only one chapter about specific culture (African) and I would have liked to see other cultures discussed.

Comments

This is overall a great text. There are not instructors resources that I am aware of, so any instructor would have to create their own PowerPoint slides, exam questions, etc.

Reviewed by Stacey Guidry, Instructor, Fletcher on 4/29/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Each chapter provides a brief and comprehensive biography of the theorists along with explaining their impact in the field. He then explained the theory in terms understandable to students of all levels and provides discussion questions for thorough understanding. He then applies it to cultural aspects and ends with key points.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Each theory is precise, unbiased with few, if any, errors.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This textbook is up to date and incorporates theories that many other personality textbooks do not include such as the Psychology of Women, Yoga and Buddhism as well as religion. I like introducing my students to Attachment Theory which he does not cover; however, I was able to incorporate it in other chapters.

Clarity rating: 5

The author utilized language which was concrete and easy to understand and professional so students can easily understand but feel empowered with the knowledge gained.

Consistency rating: 5

The layout is consistent throughout all chapters so you know what to anticipate in each with important terminology in bold and appropriate headings.

Modularity rating: 5

The text utilizes subheadings for quick reference which could easily be reorganized at the instructor's discretion.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The layout of the chapter's made it easy in creating ancillary materials needed for instruction.

Interface rating: 5

No interface issues were experienced and images/ charts were minimally utilized; however, those present were clear, appropriate and assisted to gain the readers attention and focus.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Grammatical errors were extremely few and not disruptive in the comprehension of information.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Chapter 2 was Culture and Personality; however, the author also incorporated cultural aspects and relevance in every chapter.

Comments

I have reviewed and utilized many textbooks for my personality class and to find a book this thorough and free was comparable to finding a treasure. I really enjoyed this book and actually learned myself.

Reviewed by Christopher Allen, Senior Lecturer, Open Oregon Educational Resources on 3/5/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is in a comprehensive and useful format. It covers the essential historical personality theorists as well as the essential current research on personality theory, and addresses some of the hot topics in personality. Inclusion of Buddhism, religious perspectives, African perspectives, and a specific chapter on the psychology of women are a rare find in personality books, and I think students will find these chapters very interesting. The book in full may be a bit too extensive for instructors on 10 week quarter system, but the textbook as an open textbook is ideal, as only key chapters can be assigned or not assigned as needed.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

An excellent and accurate review of personality, written from a scientific and historically accurate perspective. Clearly well-researched and well-referenced. Recently updated information such as DSM-V changes to personality disorders and alternative viewpoints are especially useful on a potentially confusing topic.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Personality theories don't change rapidly and the textbook includes the most up to date research.

Clarity rating: 5

The author writes in a friendly tone, with some humor. Concepts are explained clearly yet concise. The chapters on Religion, Buddhism, and African psychological world views were quite interesting and clearly researched.

Consistency rating: 5

The review of Key Points at the end of each chapter is consistent with the material in the chapter, and terminology used throughout the textbook is clear and internally consistent within the text.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is twenty chapters plus a references chapter. The text is divided in categories that are easy to follow, including historically important theorists, contemporary theorists and contemporary research such as trait research, and some unique chapters addressing important topics. Chapters could be assigned to students, and some could be left out or divided if necessary. Subheadings are clear and consistent.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is presented as are most personality texts, starting chronologically with early theorists and then moving to contemporary theorists and contemporary research. This is a logical chronological progression for student readers.

Interface rating: 5

The interface works well, navigation or images display clearly and quickly. The text works as well or better than texts on most publisher interactive or adaptive learning websites.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Well-edited and clear grammar, accessible to undergraduate college reading level.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The book is most extraordinary in the area of cultural relevance. I've reviewed and utilized many personality texts, and this text is the most inclusive text I've seen for addressing cultural issues in personality. Truly a unique text and written with depth, sensitivity, and some very unique topics and research on culturally relevant issues.

Comments

Excellent open textbook, thank you to the author for this book. Truly unique book in presenting personality theory from multiple worldviews.