John M. OldhamThe New Personality Self-Portrait: Why You Think, Work, Love and Act the Way You Do

Although the introductory chapter of this book started out promisingly enough, I've read half of the book and given up because I was so disappointed with it.The book's introduction explains that it is based upon the DSV-IV - which is a manual which outlines 14 different types of personality disorders. This book sees each of those 14 personality disorders as extreme versions of 14 normal and healthy personalities.Unfortunately when you read the personality portraits of each of the 14 supposedly normal and healthy personalities, you'll come to the conclusion that none of these personalities are normal or healthy at all. The book describes personalities which demonstrate behaviours which clearly would impede a person's ability to either hold down a job or form HEALTHY human relationships. All of the personality portraits describe people with problems of self-importance, selfishness and a lack of integrity in terms of their character - i.e. they just act the way they do, even if the way they act is hypocritical because they expect others to obey rules that they themselves blatantly ignore.The advice and tips on dealing with each personality type amounts to walking on eggshells: i.e. "This is what makes this person react negatively, they cannot be anything different, therefore give them what they want or just avoid broaching that particular topic with them."When I completed the personality self-portrait questionnaire and read the descriptions of the personalities that I supposedly had within me, I was horrified and outraged to think that the authors of the book (a) thought that I was like that and (b) that this was a normal and healthy representation of a person's personality!If you are looking for books to read on self-improvement, I recommend books that emphasis self-awareness and understanding other people. Stephen Covey's book "The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People" is an excellent book that promotes self-awareness and how to develop leadership skills by developing a good character and leading by example.In terms of understanding how people think, I recommend David Keirsey's book "Please Understand Me II". It's a revised edition of original "Please Understand Me" and explains 16 different personality types which are very different, often conflict, but are all healthy. You'll laugh when you read the descriptions of each personality type, because it will remind you either of yourself or someone you know.As for this book, the "New Personality Self-Portrait", I would advise you avoid unless you're a psychology student who wants to learn more about people with personality disorders and how that extremeness manifests itself.

This is a VERY informative book, and the test was relatively easy, albeit a little lengthy. The only downfall is that if you're not cautious, you can almost take the assessments to read like a horoscope and take them to be what defines you fully rather than partially. While I can see that there are strong tendencies in the attributes described, they can make one overly suspicious of the negative characteristics if you are not careful. However, it is an accurate depiction according to the tests, the results are pretty accurate (my husband and I both did the tests). It doesn't take into account someone who is disciplined and moral who decides to make better choices beyond there human/animalistic tendancies...ie, those who choose to submit themselves to their belief systems, like Christianity with a renewed mind. Each chapter delves further in study than most other books like it in that it introduces research on the corresponding personality disorders.

This is my new handbook for all things self-discovery. This book gives you an opportunity to look at what you are now and what you would be if your personality broke, that is, the extreme of your personality. I work with a covering addicts and it helps them to understand the behaviors that they have from the perspective of their personalities. It gives them points for therapeutic intervention for deeper understanding of why the addiction is there. This is probably my 10 or 12 copy of this book comma because every time I share it with someone they keep it. Absolutely a keeper. PS I have put a book curse in this one in order to keep a copy for myself.

The 14 personality styles are very well described, more importantly, the difference between mild, moderate to severe versions of each style is very well explained.It is very easy to see how each style brings with it natural talents and gifts, however when the style is taken to an extreme a person may become dysfunctional and qualify for a personality disorder diagnosis.The book is written in a way that medical professionals and lay people can easily relate with. I strongly recommend it to all people since we all have a "personality". It is also very helpful for parents raising children, this book will help them understand their child's unique personality.

When I read the information about this book, I bought it immediately. I have not regretted the decision. Not only have I and my family learned new and interesting things about ourselves, I have used this book in my work as a writer. My novels are character driven and this book gives behaviors and reactions of different personality styles. Some styles were obvious but some were surprising in that traits I thought of as faults were actually ingrained personality styles which leads me to the conclusion that we are born with who we are. Environment only helps to refine the end product of our psyche. I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn why they act and react the way they do.

This is a great guide to understanding yourself and other people. There are 14 personality traits that Oldham says a person can have -- and a person can have several of them, not just one. Also, how, taken too far, each trait can become pathological. He goes into which personalities are compatible in marriage, and which ones are not, also, which jobs are right for each sort of personality trait. In all, a very helpful book. Real people are probably even more complex than this book hints at, but you want to understand what makes people tick, especially people who are very different from you, this book is a good beginning.

This book is old but it is great. It is probably one of the best personality books I've read. The authors do an amazing job of writing about real patient-doctor relationships and scenarios. There are so many details and situations that by the time you finish the book you feel like you have a pretty good grasp of clinical personality psychology. I recommend it to anyone in the field of psychology!

This is an old work by the specialist who developed the theory of personality disorders. In it, he breaks down the many qualities which, together, form a personality and explains how 'disordered' personalities lack the flexibility and balance of qualities we consider normal. Of course, nobody is "perfectly normal" and this book provide tools to evaluate the balance of your own personality, seeing where you might be a little over-the-top and which aspects you might choose to work on. He also provides, via anecdotes, information on the likely background of those who've ended up with dysfunctionally imbalanced personalities.It's an easy read. The questionnaires are interesting and thought-provoking. I think anyone with an interest in human nature - either their own, or generally - might enjoy it.

This book is a must. As a counselling student it's opened up aspects of human development which has opened my eyes and appears accurate to those I asked so far

Amazing book. So insightful. So glad I bought it. Read it all the time. Very interesting. Will be more than just a 'read once' book. Constant reference. If you wanna understand yourself... Get 'this' book

Easy in reading, understandable, really helpfully

Ich kenne dieses Buch in der deutschen Ausgabe schon eine Weile und habe es nun noch einmal in Englisch als Geschenk bestellt.Der Inhalt ist exzellent, meiner Meinung nach sollte man es zur Pflichtlektüre in den Schulen machen. Das könnte das Zusammenleben der Menschen deutlich verbessern und für manch eineN seine/ihre Lebensqualität erhöhen.Die Aufmachung dieser Ausgabe ist leider "unterirdisch". Graues, wabbeliges rauhes Papier mit schlechter Druckerschwärze, wie man es sonst nur von den billigsten Kreuzworträtsel-Heften kennt. Das Layout finde ich komplett misslungen, es ist unübersichtlich, wenig ansprechend und macht einen extrem billigen Eindruck. Man hat keine Lust, das Buch zu lesen, sondern möchte es gleich ins Altpapier geben. Und wird den Inhalt vermutlich deutlich weniger wertschätzen als bei der deutschen Ausgabe, die sich als wissenschaftliches Sachbuch präsentiert.Leider habe ich nur diese Ausgabe auf Englisch gefunden.5 Sterne für den Inhalt, 1 Stern für die Aufmachung, macht in Summe 3 Sterne.