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

Naomi L. Quenk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2002

Outlining the stress patterns of 16 personality types using the framework of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, this book includes startling information on work-related stress and long-term stress.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In WAS THAT REALLY ME?, Naomi Quenk has provided the next giant step in applying Jung's model of development in healthy personalities. That step is to understand, accept, and learn to handle our hidden personality responsibly. Updating the classic BESIDE OURSELVES, Quenk has given us a way to understand this part of ourselves as well as a practical guide for turning what appears to be negative into a positive awareness that enhances our growth and effectiveness. People typically find this to be a surprisingly freeing experience.

From the Forword by Katharine D. Myers

About the Author

Naomi L. Quenk, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has written numerous research and theoretical articles on psychological type, and is author or coauthor of several books and technical guides on the understanding and use of Jungian type concepts for healthy human development. Formerly president of the Association for Psychological Type (APT) and director of training for the APT MBTI(r) training program, she has conducted type training workshops around the world for many years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 1 edition (August 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891061703
• ISBN-13: 978-0891061700
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So, was it really me?, March 5, 2003

By 

girlboxer5 (Hayward, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Was That Really Me?: How Everyday Stress Brings Out Our Hidden Personality (Paperback)

This has to be one of the most interesting books I've yet read on Jungian/Briggsian personality type dynamics, and probably one of the most accurate as well, when it comes to predicting how a certain personality will react when under stress. Actually, that is the central topic to this fascinating book: how different, normal personalities react in different ways to external stressors, which vary, as well, by the 16 different types.

What's fascinating is to see, for example, that as an INTP, my stressors are radically different than they would be for an ESFJ (my polar opposite). What I find to be stressful, someone of another personality type would find to be the ideal situation in which to find him/herself. My stressors include: routine work, having my space intruded on at work, situations that involve lots of forced small talk, deadlines, inefficient paperwork and excessively (to me) emotional situations. And yet, someone else might find precisely these kinds of things heavenly.

I found typical INTP (related, ISTP) reactions to highly stressed situations to be very true for me as well. From the bitter cynicism, to blowing up emotionally and completely losing control, to losing complete touch with logic, I've seen every one of these behaviors in me when I'm pushed to the max, and am forced into the depths of emotion. Sometimes I don't stay there very long, in fact, I honestly hate being there, exactly as Quenk mentions.

What's even more interesting about this book, is that the behaviors are culled from Quenk's experiences and interviews with hundreds of different individuals from all personality types. While each person's reaction is very slightly different within the explorations of the sixteen types, it's very easy to see some very common patterns. Quenk does this in a very well thought out and a thouroughly researched manner.

My one (VERY) small gripe with the book is that there appears to have been a template used for each of the personality type chapters, because the introductory paragraphs to each subsection of each chapter are identical. But, with the sheer wealth of information in this book, it's really almost irrelevant. I've learned a lot about how to handle my "grip" and stressed behaviors a bit better, and to understand others' stressors as well.

A wonderful book, and a must-read reference for everyone!

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was so accurate, it scared me., April 3, 2003

By 

"pixidust_03" (Pottsville, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Was That Really Me?: How Everyday Stress Brings Out Our Hidden Personality (Paperback)

This book was incredibly accurate in describing me when I'm under stress. I never knew why, when under stress, I can't seem to keep track of ANY details and I become completely disorganized. Upon reading the book, I found out that people of my personality types (I'm an ISXJ, which means that I fit most of the description for both ISFJ, and ISTJ) tend to lose control of facts and details in their lives, which these 2 personality types are normally pros at dealing with. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the MBTI types by learning how the types act when under stress (and "in the grip" of their inferior function).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly True Descriptions!, February 29, 2008

By 

Tang Li Chow (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Was That Really Me?: How Everyday Stress Brings Out Our Hidden Personality (Paperback)

I am learning to practise MBTI. After reading the rave reviews on Amazon, I decided to buy this book.

I have to say the descriptions in the book of my wife's and my Type is hauntingly true.

One of my classmates at the MBTI accreditation program who read her own Type description was also fascinated. She was hooked and could not put it down immediately when the training resumed.