Raymond B. Cattell

Originally published in 1950, the need for a small standard text on basic principles of personality structure and development had been very apparent to teachers of psychology for some time. There were many books illustrating specialized or applied aspects of the psychology of personality – such as abnormal psychology, educational psychology, child psychology, mental measurement, vocational guidance, etc. – but lacking was a treatment of personality study as pure psychology, concentrating on the fundamentals. The aim of this title was therefore to bring the general problems of personality description and development, normal and abnormal, into a single perspective and to integrate the principle fields of observation in clear cut generalizations.

Originally published in 1950, the need for a small standard text on basic principles of personality structure and development had been very apparent to teachers of psychology for some time. There were many books illustrating specialized or applied aspects of the psychology of personality – such as abnormal psychology, educational psychology, child psychology, mental measurement, vocational guidance, etc. – but lacking was a treatment of personality study as pure psychology, concentrating on the fundamentals. The aim of this title was therefore to bring the general problems of personality description and development, normal and abnormal, into a single perspective and to integrate the principle fields of observation in clear cut generalizations.

Expanding on his earlier work, Cattell applies the Beyondist viewpoint to major ethical questions. Starting from the premise that evolution is the fundamental process present in the universe, he explains that human evolution is governed by natural selection among groups, which in turn, is based upon genetic and cultural selection among individuals. Since natural selection of individuals is directed toward forming a viable group, the genetic and cultural shaping of individuals must fit the survival conditions of the group. The goal of Beyondism is to find these ethical and cultural conditions that are necessary for successful evolutionary adaptation and advancement.