In this grealty expanded version of his earlier book "Personality Development in Adulthood", Larry Wrightsman helps us understand and organise three broad theoretical approaches to explaining psychological changes during the period from adolescence to the onset of adulthood. Each of these approaches - early formation theories, stage theories, and the dialectical approach - are described and contrasted, to explain why as adults we have the personality characteristics we do. This volume is written in a compelling, non-technical style, and presents case histories relevant to recent events. Boxed inserts are used throughout the book to illustrate important concepts in a thought-provoking lively manner.