A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2008 Nature or nurture? Are
individuals born as an empty slate and shaped by their environment or
are we already programmed to react in certain ways? Strelau (emeritus,
psychology, Warsaw University; since 1998 professor at the Warsaw School
of Social Psychology) has spent more than fifty years studying this
age-old question. He bases some of his conclusions on the pioneering
work of the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov but carries them into the
twenty-first century by including genetic studies. Strelau intends this
book to provide a framework for others studying the field. He spends
several chapters on methodology. He also gives the results of his
studies, primarily on how different people react in stressful
situations. From Reference and Research Book News . . . "Nature or
nurture? Are individuals born as an empty slate and shaped by their
environment or are we already programmed to react in certain ways? Jan
Strelau has spent more than fifty years studying this age-old question.
He bases some of his conclusions on the pioneering work of the Russian
physiologist Ivan Pavlov but carries them into the twenty-first century
by including genetic studies. Strelau intends this book to provide a
framework for others studying the field. He spends several chapters on
methodology. He also gives the results of his studies, primarily on how
different people react in stressful situations." From the Foreword . . .
"Psychology can be a faddish field, not really solving problems but
tiring of them and then running after a new fad. What I admire most is
the systematic nature of Strelau's fifty-year program of research. This
book demonstrates the value of such long-term dedication to a systematic
program of research." Robert Plomin, King's College London From the
reviews . . . "Jan Strelau chronicles his courageous 50-year-long
investigation of temperament . . . culminating in . . . the regulative
theory of temperament. . . . Strelau's focus on the regulative aspect of
temperament offers important insights for further research to advance
our understanding of how temperament affects our actions, especially in
stressful circumstances." Patricia T. Ashton in PsycCRITIQUES "The
importance of Strelau's research . . . makes this book indispensable. .
. . Strelau has managed the rare achievement of bequeathing a theory of
which not only he and his students, collaborators, and disciples can be
proud, but indeed the entire field of differential psychology." K. V.
Petrides in Personality and Individual Differences "[A]n impressive
and powerful book . . . . Strelau . . . has avoided the temptation to
temper and alter his theory as psychology has waxed and waned with
theories of personality . . . . This is a must read for anyone
interested in the history of the discipline and/or working in the arena
of personality psychology." Prepublication praise . . . "In this
exciting new book, Jan Strelau continues to carry on the tradition begun
by Ivan Pavlov on temperament. Strelau's writing and the important
research described in the book illuminate our understanding of
temperament and show us how to apply this understanding to our work and
life. Highly recommended to all in the areas of temperament,
personality, and individual differences." Mary K. Rothbart, University
of Oregon "Jan Strelau's book is of considerable importance to all
scientists who study the biological and behavioral bases of individual
differences in temperament. His Regulative Theory of Temperament and the
resulting FCB-TI for assessing temperament provide a rich and dynamic
framework for the study of temperament." Donald H. Saklofske, University
of Calgary
