Neurodynamics of Personality

This text seeks to synthesize material from neuroscience and several other scientific disciplines into a comprehensive, empirically based, and clinically useful conceptual model for understanding human personality. The framework presented here serves as a context in which more purely psychological theories may be understood and evaluated, and provides a rationale for psychological and psychiatric interventions. It offers a clear way of thinking about apparent stability of personality across time, why change does or does not occur, and what conditions are likely to facilitate or retard change.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. Overview. Natural Selection and Adaptation. Learning and Synaptic Plasticity. Modularity of Brain and Psychological Functioning. Modularity of Memory. Dynamics. Neurodynamics: Neurons and Neural Networks. Normal and Pathological Dynamics. The Physiological State and the Biology of Emotion and Motivation. The Dynamics of Temperament. Monkey Business: On the Nature of Cognition in Nonhuman Primates. Conscious and Nonconscious Functioning. Modularity, Dynamics, and Functional Systems. Regulation of Behavior. Development, Stability, and Change of Character. Biology of the Self. General Principles of Change.

About the Author :
Jim Grigsby, PhD, is a research scientist at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where he is Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, and Senior Researcher at the Center for Health Sciences and Policy Research. He attended the University of Kansas and the University of Regina (formerly University of Saskatchewan), and obtained his doctorate at the University of Colorado. The primary focus of his research has been on the neuropsychological capacity to regulate purposeful behavior. David Stevens, PhD, a practicing clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, is Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He is on the faculties of the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis and the Minnesota Psychoanalytic Institute, where he teaches classes in comparative psychoanalytic theory. He is also an adjunct faculty member of the University of Denver doctoral program in child clinical psychology. He lives in Denver with his wife, Jan, and their children, Alex and Abbey.

Review :
'An engaging, highly readable introduction to some of the fundamental issues involved in applying research and thinking in the cognitive neurosciences to the clinical understanding of personality.' - Drew Westen 'The inclusion of ... complex topics should not deter the general mental health professional from reading this fascinating book. Readers who are interested in personality development or neuroscience will find that - Neurodynamics of Personality provides an informative overview as well as a thought-provoking synthesis.' 'This book portrays a coherent view of personality that makes impressive use of contemporary knowledge from the cognitive neurosciences as well as the authors' clinical experiences in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Clinicians will have an adventurous read and are likely to find useful connections with their work.' - Robert N. Emde 'A valuable contribution, especially for those psychiatrists who wish to gain a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the neurobiological functioning of the mind and are interested in the development of a scientific foundation for psychiatry.' - American Journal of Psychiatry 'Faculty who teach courses in the psychology of personality are sure to find meaningful ways to integrate this amazing study into their courses. Highly recommended for researchers/faculty and for clinicians.' - Choice