Was That Really Me?: How Everyday Stress Brings Out Our Hidden Personality

This is truly insightful analysis based on solid research. Quenk (Berkeley) fine-tunes the MBTI to show that it's not just a system of rigid dualistic pigeonholes (as it is dismissed by some cynics), that the 16 combinations are tendencies and people's types change over life as they expand their repertoire to respond more flexibly to various situations. I especially like the way she explains the inferior function and the difference between that and the Jungian idea of the shadow, as well as the way she describes each dominant type by way of contrast with its opposite, which often appears in caricature form when one is "in the grip" of one's inferior function. Quite honestly one of the most fascinating and enlightening things I've ever read. The author stresses multiple times that she is writing a purely informative study and not a self-help book -- and she adheres to this vision, providing readers with neither advice on "curing" their inferior personality functions nor excuses on which to blame their actions while in "the grip" of this state. Nevertheless, she opens a world of communication through introducing these terms. If you or a loved one, then, suffer from that inscrutable, two-faced abomination known as human personality, you ought to read this book. It has the potential to change lives.

A helpful and insightful book, especially if you have an ENTJ friend who's "In the Grip." Now if I could just get him to find the book after I loaned it to him everything would be roses. Seriously though, this is a great resource for folks interested in mbti and should help answer any questions as to why certain types act certain ways and what usually triggers stress for those individual types.

There are things I wish the author had covered that she didn't - but since this is virtually the only book ever published on this subject (that I know of), how much complaining can one do? This is a great resource that I would recommend to all but the most well-behaved in Jungian Typology. Nevertheless, I'd love to see a future edition cover the role of the third function in responding to stress. Like I said though, you just can't be too critical of a book that is the only of its kind.

If you are familiar with the MBTI and want to go a bit deeper, this is the book for you. This book highlights how you are when you are stressed, by type. Greatly insightful! My daughter and I spent time reading and discussing portions of the book which allowed us to better understand ourselves as well as each other. If you do not have a basic understanding of the MBTI suggest gaining that knowledge before tackling this book.

Great insights , however covers more on the inferior function.. not much on how to tackle it.

This was a great book. I can't recommend it enough. If you don't understand or have never heard of your "inferior function" then you must read this book. It was so helpful to understand where people are at when they come under stress. Also, it was helpful to learn how to break down Primary, Auxiliary, Tertiary and Inferior function for any type. Great read!!!

This book gives a perspective on the Myers-Briggs classification that is very worthwhile to be aware of. The heart of the classification scheme is the hierarchy of the four functions, Sensing, Intuition, Thinking and Feeling. The dominant function provides a conscious filter for experience for us, which can lead us to think that the inferior or last function in the hierarchy, which is at the doorway to the unconscious, is not very significant. It is Quenk’s contention that this is far from the truth, and that this function can intrude strongly in our lives in various ways, and be related to our growth or stagnation over time. The author provides numerous anecdotal examples, with very little or no solid scientific evidence of the various facets and ramifications of this more complex picture of the Myers-Briggs classification. Her discussion is based on a template that is rather subtle and complex. I feel that this book can definitely be recommended for people who want a deeper understanding of the typology. I would not recommend it as an introductory book. The author’s perspective comes from the template scheme she develops, and applies to each dominant-inferior type. I came away from this book with a better understanding, although I did not always see the logic behind her discussions or the reasons underlying the behavior she considers. My preference would have been for a discussion more oriented toward the biological significance of these behaviors, and their sources for support scientifically.

Very insightful read. Wonderful addition to the available MBTI literature. Definitely helpful personally, giving me a deeper understanding of myself, and also of the people I am in close relationships with. I'm more gentle on myself now, and more compassionate, because I understand myself better. Better able to understand, be with and help others, as well. Reading this book was definitely time well spent.

I loved this book. It was the missing link to how i changed from a fun loving, easy going, extrovert into obsessing about every little nuance. I thought i was mad or had lost the ability to think and reason. Sometimes my emotions jumped up out of no where and just took over, making it hard to trust myself. WTRM gave me an insight into what was happening, it has made it possible for me to trust my instincts and get back the feeling that i know myself. I have even lent it to friends going through a tough time at work (yes both men and women and the guys all really like it). With all the changes we face everyday its hard to know what is real and what isn't. Everyone i have lent it to has bought a copy for themselves because they know that having it there at the right time is just fantastic. This is easy to read, accessible information into why we behave as we do and what we can do about it!

I haved geeked-out on MBTI and despite not knowing which function I work with most I still did not know until I read this book. I had a better understanding of which function was weakest in my stack which helped me identify which one was my dominant one.

Une lecture passionnante et éclairante sur les profils MBTI soumis au stress. On apprend beaucoup sur sa personnalité et sa propre face "cachée".

Para entender en su totalidad los 16 tipos de personalidad, también se debe conocer cómo actúan en momentos de crisis. Este es el libro perfecto para hacerlo, tiene una explicación amplia y ejemplos puntuales de cómo aparece la función inferior en cada uno de los 16 tipos de MBTI. Super bueno.

Really good insights.. we mostly to focus on strengths and good behaviour...but it provides explanations for our not so good behaviour