The book reflects the author's beliefs that clearly presented concepts and solid research are the foundations of the study of personality. The various perspectives are the organizing framework of the book: each perspective on personality is presented in two chapters and is introduced by a prologue that describes the assumptions and themes of the perspective. Clearly written and highly successful, Carver/Scheier build a solid foundation in the three introductory chapters, introduce the seven perspectives (in seven parts) before neatly and creatively wrapping things up with Chapter 18: Personality in Perspective.