Just Your Type: Create the Relationship You've Always Wanted Using the Secrets of Personality Type (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "Susan and Jeff thought they were perfect for each other..." (more)
Key Phrases: four type preferences, watch your tendency, compliment your partner, Relationship Satisfiers Trust, Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With a nod to Jung and Myers-Briggs, the Tiegers (Do What You Are, etc.) once again plumb the depths of personality type theory. This time, they apply it to the realm of committed romantic relationships, including (but not limited to) marriage. According to the authors, everyone can be characterized by one of 16 personality types; using them, we can attain a clear understanding of our partners and ourselves and achieve better communication and smoother relationships. They begin with a thorough yet succinct self-analysis to identify the "unconscious preferences" that make up one's type: introversion or extroversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling and judging or perceiving. The rest of the text is a sourcebook for referencing specific combinations of types, typical communication difficulties and suggestions for how each partner can better "reach" the other. The Tiegers are adamantly opposed to popular theories of innate gender differences, as well as to the notion that relationships between people of disparate types are doomed. Ending with a concise summary of their research and a supplementary guide to professional counselors, organizations and books, the authors offer a uniquely constructive handbook for couples. Agent, Kit Ward. (Feb.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The Tiegers, renowned experts on personality type and authors of Do What You Are, have put together an exhaustive summary of how people with different Myers-Briggs Personality Indicators respond to each other in intimate relationships. They give an overview of types and temperaments and a solid rundown of the 16 different personality types. Readers who don't know their Myers-Briggs type will benefit from the section on figuring it out without actually taking a written test. The meat of the book consists of chapters that, using 136 profiles, spell out the issues faced by people in different combinations of types. They outline the joys and the frustrations found in each combination and give tips on how to reach partners whether their type is exactly the same as yours or diametrically opposed. Given the popularity of Myers-Briggs typing and of the authors' previous book, most public libraries should probably order a copy of this well-balanced and informative work.
-Pamela A. Matthews, Gettysburg Coll. Lib., PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (January 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316845698
• ISBN-13: 978-0316845694
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,190 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best dating guide, divorce prevention, self-help book!, October 30, 2002

By A Customer

First, it's important to know I have been a believer in the validity of the personality test upon which this book is based ... from my own experience in the 15 years since I first took the test as required for one of my science major classes in college, and because the test has a good reputation among professionals. The more people I persuade to take this test, the more impressed I am with the accuracy and validity of the test and the accuracy of several other books based upon the test. That's important information because this book can be no more accurate than the personality test upon which it is based. Secondly, the authors are internationally recognized experts in the application of the test results.

Having established that, in my opinion this particular book is more valuable than any of the other books I own based on that personality test because it presents the various personaly types in a more practical manner: exactly how each of the other types is compatible or incompatible with you, and specifically how to interact with each of the other types in order to minimize conflicts. I'm well into my second marriage now and am astounded by how accurately the good aspects and areas of conflict for both marriages were pinpointed in this book ...same goes for every other intimate relationship in my life where I knew the others' type .... it's like the book was written about me, for me! This book is priceless for those of you in the dating scene screening for Mr or Ms "Right for you" and not wanting to waste any time getting to the altar. Or if you think you're in love but are afraid it won't last, wondering what marriage to them would be like since 50% of marriages these days end in divorce. Or for those already married who want to strengthen their relationship and reduce conflicts .... it couldn't be spelled out more clearly and concisely exactly how to go about it for your individual relationship. This book helped me to get the clearest perspective on how others see me...to see the truth of how each relationship is more than just the sum of it's parts or partners, but that two individuals each effect how the other is in the relationship,... and taught me specifically how I can adapt for each of the various individuals in my life that I'd like to get along with better. More than any other book I've read about relationships, (and that's LOTS of books)this book gives pertinent advice tailored specifically for you and each one of your individual relationships. Other books speak generically to the masses based on "the majority" of people researched. My personality type is less than 1% of the population, yet this book still has a lot of accurate information and specific advice relevant to my individual needs. I think this book is the best money I ever spent and my praise doesn't get any better than that! I can see why the authors are internationally recognized experts in the application of this personality test.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not all men are from Mars, February 25, 2000

By	Joachim Schneider "joachimsoasis" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

Are you from Mars or from Venus? Thanks to "Just Your Type" we finally know that personality type may be more predictive than gender as to whether someone is a withdrawn "Martian" or an emotionally expressive "Venutian".

Filled with amazingly accurate details, certainly about my type ENFP, this book is the most comprehensive document to date on the effect of Myers-Briggs type on relationship satisfaction. It contains specific descriptions and suggestions on all the 136 possible type match-ups. Way to go! I love this book and commend the Tiegers for their excellent research.

This book is full of useful, practical advise about how to make your relationship better. I especially appreciate that the Tiegers did not suggest that people with different type preferences should separate, as one other reviewer argued.

While fewer common preferences may mean more difficulty and subsequently more adjustment, great relationships can happen between people regardless of how many congruent preferences they have. Spelling out what adjustments to make is one of the great values of this book.

"Just Your Type" makes it clear that having all the type preferences in common is no panacea for a wonderful "ever after". The Tiegers' research shows that couples with the same personality type also share the same blindspots. Same-type couples may start disliking each other because they see their own faults in the other person or they may perceive a loss in uniqueness (especially NF's). In the case of the ENFP (my type), the Tiegers got it right when they point out that ENFP couples tend to procrastinate with chores, paper work and practical necessities. If neither one of the partners is interested in these "minor details" much friction can result because of all the work left undone.

A vivid illustration of the potential mishaps associated with an ENFP relationship is the Tiegers' account of ENFP couples spontaneously going on vacation together and all of a sudden finding themselves without money or gas in the car. Exactly that happened to me in Switzerland this winter. Thus, the Tiegers' book contains examples, that I could personally relate to which show not just the joys but also the problems same-type couples face.

In general, I commend the Tiegers for pointing out the pros and cons of all the different matchups. By doing so, they show a respect for people's different needs for similarity, complementarity or balance in a relationship. I also appreciate that the book reflects a belief in working on relationships to make them better. Personality type affects what comes easy to a person but it doesn't mean that people can't make an effort to be on time, do the dishes or occasionally chat with a partner, if that's what makes him or her happy. The key is to understand the personality differences between people in a relationship and adjust one's expectations and behaviors accordingly. The Tiegers' book provides well-researched, hands-on advise to do just that.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Matches Every Type w/Every Other Type - Unique & Well Done!, February 7, 2003

By	mountainspring "mountainspring" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a huge MBTI nut, and I've read about MBTI book out there, including those from Britain, etc! This book is truly unique b/c it matches every type w/every other type, to show you the joys, pitfalls, and helpful suggestions. What should an ENTJ know about his/her INFP spouse? This book has very specific and personalized answers.

The best thing is, this isn't just a gimmick. It's VERY well done. The insights are superb and will tell you something new about not only your romantic relationships, but other important relationships as well.

My spouse & I have a wonderful relationship - over 10 years of wedded bliss - and we've also done a ton of Myers-Briggs analysis together. So I was shocked and delighted when my spouse read the piece comparing our types - and said, Hey, there are several things in here I want you to read! There were indeed "hints" that I needed to take to heart, things I never would have guessed but that did truly come from our type interaction.