Please Understand Me. Character and Temperament Types

Customer Reviews

Reductionist characterization - it works, b*tches!

2008-09-27
After you read this book, you may feel that the idea that there are only 16 types of people in the world is cynical and dehumanizing. The problem is, the idea is a pretty accurate one. I have yet to meet someone who could not be described using an MBTI.

Many conflicts, if not all of them, are due to people criticizing the personality of others, whether it is the ENFP complaining that the INTJ is "heartless and robotic", or the ISTJ telling the INFP that he "has his head stuck in the clouds".

If you, or someone close to you is an INxx, you will *need* a book like this to understand your situation. Only about 6% of people fall into this category, and as a result, INxx's often feel "different". These differences can lead to misunderstanding of not treated properly.

There are many websites that talk about the MBTI, but none of them go into as much detail as this book. If you are not sure you want to buy this, do a Google search on MBTI first. If you are interested in what you see, get this book.

- Kevin Song, INTP

Helps to understand yourself

2008-09-21
Please Understand Me is an old book on personality and a good book. It helps you to understand the stable personality traits that you cannot change in the Kiersey model of personality which is a lot like the Myers Briggs. All in all an informative read.

The Personality Code is another great personality book that's neat because it's more modern and includes a code that lets you go online and take a personality test. It also breaks people down into 14 types and shows you which of the 14 is your anti type.

Knowing there is a problem is half the battle...

2008-06-07
As a military leader, it is essential to motivate your organization. "Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types", by Keirsey and Bates, is an excellent primer in basic personality types.

With an understanding of the basic temperament types, leaders will be able to identify key attributes of each of the temperament types in their workers. Some people will fit the cookie-cutter descriptions quite nicely, others may vary their temperament types depending on the situation. The ability to recognize the key attributes to each of the temperaments will enable you to apply the right motivation technique at the time.

What's the right motivation technique to apply? This book doesn't answer that question, which is my main complaint with it.

This book is a fascinating look at the basic personality types. It was a great read, but I was looking for more.

My favourite book

2008-05-01
Well, it gave me a more powerful tool in oder to understand me as well as other people. Well explained, rich information and interesting stories about each type of 16s. However the author should work out more and deeper

Please Understand Me

2008-02-13
Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types
This is an excellent way to look at the temperament types without delving too deeply into areas that are not productive for your purposes.

Excellent support materials for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

2008-02-09
This book is excellent for understanding your own character and it is in new conditions. No marks or breaks on any of the pages.

Great Book

2007-12-26
I realize that many psychology students feel that it's impossible to really classify persons and their personalities. However, this book does a good job of explaining that there are personality types with similarities, and what those are. Please Understand Me II goes way more into depth, though. Still, the main focus of this book is the idea that although we naturally are inclined to change others into ourselves, it's impossible, and so we should appreciate each one's strengths and what each one can bring to a situation, as well as learn about each one's weaknesses, including our own. All in all, a good read for learning about how to understand our friends, family members, and workmates in the context of respecting them as different from ourselves.

Really helps with relationships

2007-11-24
In the 1980's I went to a workshop which I believe was lead by the authors. A friend of mine and I took the test inside this book and had blinding flashes of inspiration learning that 1) it was OK to be introverted as that tendency is a valid way of replenishing your energy 2) we were both in groups that represented less then 1% of the population although I was a feeler and she was a thinker. That explained why both of us just weren't attracted to very many men or they to us. I always wondered by some women have 4 husbands and some none and 3) that you can understand others so much better if you understand their essential nature. Their experience of life is unique and valid for them just as yours is for you.
Since then I have given this little test to many people when I worked as a counselor and recently gave it to my 17 year old son. Wow. First I hadn't changed in 20 years and second, when I first read my son's type I questioned the validity of the test but when I reflected on it further, it really freed me to understand him better. Our relationship has greatly improved since we took the test.
I highly recommend this book and have for many years. I just recommended it to a friend tonight and believe she will be liberated by the information it provides.

Interesting

2007-11-07
INFJ. I've always been interested in this type of thing. I like this book a lot and would highly recommend it to others.

Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types

2007-09-08
Not much to say. It was a required text. The book got the job done.