Product Description

Answers the eternal question, what is normal? A treasure chest of insights for those who seek a greater self-understanding.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #417527 in Books
• Published on: 1997-05-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From Library Journal
Building on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality Inventory (MBTI), Pearman and Albritton, executives at Leadership Innovations, an international consulting and training firm, present an in-depth study of the dynamics of type. Through charts and explanatory text, the authors present a wide array of information, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each personality type, and explore type-dynamic behaviors and interactions, all to help us better understand our motivation and those of others. Individuals and managers who have taken the MBTI or use it for staff training will find this book a useful source for putting their knowledge of differing types to work toward communication with colleagues. For public libraries serving business professionals.?Marguerite Mroz, Baltimore Cty. P.L., Md.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Typing method flawed
I can't say this to people enough; that MBTI method typing is flawed, because of the following reasons. First, the test you take on typelogic dot com determines you internal self. Myself for example-internally I am ESTJ but in reality I am INFJ (ESTJ is my dual-the person who is the best match for my personality type). Second, as you can see from my example of testing ESTJ my internal dual-seeking self is menefesting outwardly flawing the resaults of the test thereby putting you in a pool of people you wouldn't get along with. For correct resaults-type yourself using How to Find Yourself and Your Best Match Socionics by Rod Novichkov then take the MBTI test and you'll know exactly what I'm taling about.

In-depth Analysis
If you want to understand type just a little bit more in depth then this book is for you. I use it as a reference and, as such, I wish there was an index and easier to read. But still a great reference tool.

Paradoxically fluffy and profound
I think this, aside from Keirsey's, "Please Understand Me II," is probably the most useful book I've found in understanding the overarching theory and subtheories of Jungian-Briggsian personality theory. This slim volume manages to convey a number of different sub-theories of how preferences interact, from the conflicts between the Perceiving and Judging functions, to temperament. Sometimes these models can seem to conflict with each other, however, this seems to flesh out the theory more than a simple one-perspective guide ever could.

It does all of this in an oddly sketchy, yet very iNtuitive way: for each type, the profile is just a series of phrases that describe the dominant and auxiliary functions. And yet, these same sparse phrases manage to trigger lines of thought and association, that can lead to a larger understanding of just what each preference means, and how to understand their interaction in each of the sixteen types. I think, in fact, it is this exact lack of detail, that assists one in understanding personality typing in a more profound way, one that almost defies expression in words.

There is some wonderful advice (quick, and to the point) on dealing with inferior function eruptions for each type, as well as symptoms of these grip experiences (if you're interested in this aspect, supplement with Naomi Quenk's wonderful book, "Was That Really Me?" for a more in-depth look at inferior functions), so that you can diagnose yourself quickly, and find ways to correct your imbalance. There are also some wonderful suggestions on how to communicate with other types, and show them the sort of respect they most appreciate receiving. And the authors find some wonderful real-life examples in illustrating the preferences, and how they express themselves in people (I'm particularly fond of the illustration of Sensing and iNtuition).

What is unfortunate about this book is that the tone can become a bit heavy-handed, and a little too intellectually fluffy at the same time. Admonitions litter the 200 or so pages quite frequently, warning people that "personality type can be used to gain power unethically, so don't do it!" I think, in some ways, this diminishes some of the power of this book in assisting you to understand Jung's theory.

However, I think this book serves as a wonderful iNtuitive guide to understanding the whole of personality typing, in ways that most other books can't. Sometimes paradox and conflicting information can help you to understand theory far better than the a completely coherent presentation can. I don't recommend this book for Sensing types looking to learn more, but for an iNtuitive, especially an NTP or NFP, this is probably one of the best out there!

~~INTP author~~