Traits have long been considered potential determinants of behavior and emotions. The authors of Personality Traits cite examples of references to characters or personality types as early as the fourth century BC, when Aristotle described dispositions. In the first edition of this book, published more than a decade ago, trait theory was described from an eclectic perspective, with emphasis on dimensions of personality and causes and consequences of traits. The new third edition has added emphasis on situational factors and how they influence trait expression and interactionism. Most notably, recent research on the neural bases of psychological states is presented. However, traditional psychological theory is not lost in the excitement over biological research, as social foundations underlying traits are also examined. Interestingly, there is added emphasis on "stress-buffering traits" such as spirituality, consistent with attention given to active coping styles that are commonly cited in clinical neuropsychology as correlating with better outcomes and quality of life.
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