Lawrence S. Wrightsman 
Adult Personality Development 
Volume 1: Theories and Concepts

Why do we, as adults, have the personality characteristics we do? No one explanation is accepted by all; however, in this greatly expanded version of his earlier book, Personality Development in Adulthood, Wrightsman helps us understand and organize the three broad theoretical approaches to explain psychological changes during the period from adolescence to the onset of late adulthood. Each of these approaches–early formation theories, stage theories, and the dialectical approach–are described and contrasted in order to help us more easily compare our experiences with those of others. Case histories, relevant current events, and boxed inserts are used throughout the book to illustrate important concepts in a thought-provoking, lively manner. Written in a compelling, non-technical style, the book is accessible to students and interested readers from all disciplines, especially psychology, clinical and developmental psychology, aging, family studies, sociology, gender studies and nursing.

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Conceptions of Personality Development in Adulthood

Psychoanalysis as an Early-Formation Theory

Theorists′ Lives

Do They Determine Their Theories?

Erikson′s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Psychobiography and Personality Development in Adulthood

Contemporary Stage Theories

Havighurst and Gould

Contemporary Stage Theories

Daniel Levinson

The Dialectical Approach

Change Versus Consistency in Personality Development

An Attempt at Integration