1How would you describe your personality, or can you? Whatever your answer, this text will help you understand personality -- the qualities and traits that form every individual's distinctive character. You'll learn about theoretical explanations of personality, and about the research that illuminates how those theories are relevant in the world around you. Biographical sketches of theorists and accounts of the stories behind influential research programs help you see how classic and contemporary findings relate to each other, and illustrate the connection between theory and research. As you read, personality tests encourage you to interact with the material -- and learn more about your own personality.