Customer Reviews

I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You: The Real Meaning of the Sixteen Personality Types

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a layman fascinated with all things MBTI, I picked up this book with eagerness, hoping it might give deeper insights into what other books and Websites discussed, or tread new ground. I was somewhat disappointed.

The authors DO start with some fairly clear, insightful examples and definitions of the MBTI categories, including a wonderful story about an E father and an I son. However, they soon veer from clarity and insight into what I can only call high-level "mush" -- paragraph upon paragraph of needless exposition and feel-good truisms. As noted in another review, Pearman and Albritton's prose is an inconsistent mix of clear, focused text and fluffy, platitude-filled philosophy on having appreciation and understanding for those different from you. While I do appreciate their emphasis -- not stereotyping others and working hard not to just understand them in an academic way, the writing is simply too "lite" and jarring with the text that is specifically MBTI-centered. When they remain on-topic about MBTI and how types interact, the book is good (though not anything drastically different/deeper than other books in the marketplace).

They do offer some very good insights into what the different types value, especially in regards to communications. This is where the book is most valuable -- as a beginning point for understanding HOW and WHY you communicate the way do, and ways to bridge differences with others. However, their many charts tend to get a bit numbing after a while, and some don't do a very good job of show clearer delineation between the 16 types. And for whatever reason, the authors completely ignore Keirsey's distinction between character and temperament; using it could have helped them carry their thesis farther and with more punch.

Worth reading -- or at least skimming -- if you really enjoy MBTI-related material, but for those new to MBTI or looking for more practical, user-friendly texts, I recommend looking into Keirsey's or Kroeger's works.

I've known my MBTI for many years, so what? It wasn't until I read this book that I understood all the implications. The book goes beyond just explaining your personality type, but actually provides useful information regarding how to deal with each. Information is displayed in great succinct charts covering such aspects as: expression of attitudes, motivators, inner tensions, development recommendations, how the type gathers/absorbs information, valued relationship qualities, as well as hot buttons, prejudices, and other issues. I purchased two copies, one to keep and one to distribute among my team.

Instead of just telling you that the MBTI exists and providing unsubstantiated examples, this book explains the theories behind type classification, giving you the background necessary to make justifications about the role it should play in your life. Rather than encouraging the use of type theory to put people in categories, "I'm Not Crazy..." provides the opporunity for you to broaden your understanding of the motivations behind the thoughts and actions of those that are close to you.

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~~

Pearman and Albritton are both type experts who offer many personal anecdotes in the use of type. However, their explanations of type concepts at times are very confusing and convoluted. This book can be very difficult to read as a result. It tries to cover too much without giving a solid basis; it is more of an advanced text. The style of writing gets ponderous at points, while at other times is very clear. More consistency would be helpful. The title is very clever and the best part about it.

First - the kindle edition is horrible. It cuts off many of the charts/tables/graphs included in the book.

Second - Although the book contains good information. It's really written as a textbook. If you are trying to formally study the subject, then great; but if you are simply trying to get a little insight on different personality types etc... you should reconsider purchasing this book. Other authors have done a much better job of making this topic relatable. (See books by Marti Olsen Laney).

This is a complete update of the 1996 edition, with new chapters on topics such as the the effect of MBTI Type on emotional intelligence, generational differences, and cultural differences (to name a few). The introduction to Type theory in the first section goes into more depth than most popular trade publications on MBTI topics and is easy to understand, with many tables comparing the 16 types. The treatment of Type development is helpful, with brief suggestions how develop less preferred functions across the lifespan. There are anecdotes at the beginning of each chapter, but the focus is on comparing the 16 types on factors (using tables). For a short book, there is a lot of information packed in. I enjoyed the book; it gave me a lot of things to think about. I can see it being useful for practitioners as well as the interested layman. Those who have read the first edition will enjoy the update.

One of the things that caught my attention with this book is the name. Although the book was most informative I was disappointed. I am not sure what I expected but I did not expect to have a headache midway through the book. The book included indepth charts of all differrent types of personalities. Many examples were supplied.

The headache was from trying to understand everything. To me the authors should have shared their expertise. The confusion would always come when an explain was followed or precluded with Jung and Brigg's views. I felt overwhelmed with the information. The authors gave their thoughts and had to throw Jung & Brigg's in there too much.

I read this on my Sony Reader. Had I had the book in actual print it would have been easier to reference back to charts and parts of the book. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more. Not to sure though.

If you are looking in a simplistic, wham bam thank you ma'am, academic view of personality, this book is not for you. If you are interested in a carefully crafted description of psychological type, with abundant examples derived from a deep understanding of Carl Jung' theory and decades of practical experience teaching type to individuals and to groups, this book has more to offer than you can possibly absorb. Although this book is very readable, you are not going to simply read through it. More likely you are going to read in it, then later come back for more. Even seasoned type practitioners can review basic, sometimes forgotten principles, and pick up some valuable insights into type theory and in the art of helping people understand themselves and others, with additional applications based on, but going beyond, type theory.

The span of human development doesn't stop at age 20 but goes all the way to death. This book covers much of that span and explains type's continuous contributions to human behavior and development. Pearman and Albritton give attention to normal differences in human mental functioning, ways to enhance communication between different types, understanding some sources of stress and ways to manage them, typological relationships underlying emotional intelligence, diversity, generational differences, and cultural differences--all with considerable detail for each of the 16 types. Type-tailored applications are practical.

Evidence supporting these descriptions comes from 50 years of empirical research numbering nearly 12,000 items (see: [...]) and Pearman's and Albritton's decades of practical applications involving thousands of people in various countries and cultures of the world and in a variety short-term and long-term of training programs including individual leadership coaching endeavors.

For anyone interested in learning about type and its many applications, this is a very good book.

Raymond Moody, Type Researcher

What's wrong with everyone else? I'm normal--they're the weirdos, right? Yes and no. This is a new edition of an invaluable resource for those wishing to learn more about themselves or the people with whom they interact. I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You covers everything from relationships with your colleagues to your relationship to yourself. It's the sort of book one keeps to hand for those dire circumstances where your normality butts heads with someone else's normality. Imminently useful.