Reviews


Aaron T. Beck, M.D. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
President Emeritus, The Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Developer of the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory

In their ground-breaking work, Oldham and Morris demonstrate the individual differences in personality according to which practically every personality type can be construed in positive terms such as the Devoted Style, Idiosyncratic Style, Mercurial Style, and Leisurely Style. They also show that the hypertrophy of these personality types can lead to handicaps in interpersonal relations and self-fulfillment. In other words, the types all have intrinsic value if not viewed as precursors of personality disorders.

Deborah Deas, M.D., M.P.H. University of California, Riverside

Dean, School of Medicine
CEO, Clinical Affairs

The New Personality Self-Portrait is a useful tool for identifying personality styles or traits. I took the self-assessment and I was amazed at the accuracy of identifying many of my personality traits. I have since suggested it to my leadership team and other colleagues.

Michelle B. Riba, M.D., M.S. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Professor of Psychiatry, University of Michigan
Secretary for Scientific Publications, World Psychiatric Association

The personality self-assessment system developed by Oldham, Morris and Madan provides an easy-to-use way to get a self-portrait which is informative and for some, transformative. It is based on years of ground-breaking scientific study and can help in figuring out personality styles and ways to improve interpersonal relations.

Herbert Pardes, M.D. New York, New York

Executive Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, and Former President and CEO,
New York-Presbyterian Hospital

You cannot read this book without attaining a deeper and clearer understanding of yourself and of the people you care about.

Robert Michels, M.D. New York, New York

Walsh McDermott University Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry
Former Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Dean and Provost for Medical Affairs
Weill Cornell Medical College

One of the leading figures in developing our modern understanding of personality disorders has turned his attention to the universal personality styles that shape our lives. The New Personality Self-Portrait makes the best thinking of modern psychiatry available to a wide audience.

Donna S. Bender, Ph.D. New Orleans, Louisiana

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director, Counseling and Psychological Services
Tulane University

The NPSP is a very accessible, easy to use instrument, which many who are interested in learning more about themselves will find very engaging. The resulting report is information-rich and thought-provoking. The examples of stressors and challenges for each type are very helpful, along with other observations on strengths and tendencies. A great tool for enhancing self-understanding!

Kenneth Z. Altshuler, M.D. Dallas, Texas

Stanton Sharp Distinguished Chair in Psychiatry
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Eminently readable, The New Personality Self-Portrait tracks the range from personality style to personality disorder and offers well-aimed tips on dealing with each personality type.

Stuart C. Yudofsky, M.D. Houston, Texas

Distinguished Emeritus Professor
Baylor College of Medicine

Brilliantly transforms a wealth of scientific information into an exciting and easy-to-follow format. The New Personality Self-Portrait is the best first step that I know to transform your personality style from a liability into an asset.

Stanley Turecki, M.D. New York, New York

Author of The Difficult Child and Normal Children Have Difficulties, Too

This book is a most welcome departure from the superficiality of much of modern pop-psychology literature. The descriptions are clear, and the advice is solid, practical, and nonpatronizing. Highly recommended.

Ethel S. Person, M.D. New York, New York

Author of Dreams of Love and Fateful Encounters
Former Director, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

As entertaining as it is well informed and useful. Anyone who reads this book and answers the questionnaire will be fascinated by the complexity of his or her personality.

Donna Johnson This is very useful. My therapist recommended it.


This is very useful. My therapist recommended it, and I have recommended it to both my children. A good way to understand more about yourself and your relationships . . .. why they work and why they need work.

Doug Erlandson Extremely helpful in understanding who we are


When I picked up a copy of this work a few years ago I had no idea about how much it would tell me about who I am and explain so much about my actions over the years. Pegged to the DSM list of personality disorders, the “Personality Self-Portrait” lists a number of personality styles that lead to one or another of the personality disorders when taken to an extreme. In addition to a chapter describing each of these styles as well as the corresponding personality disorder, a personality self-portrait questionnaire is included that aids in your discovery of your dominant personality style or styles.

In my estimation this book is far better than the Myers-Briggs in explaining our personality types and why we act the way we do. I have used its findings to help me understand my own tendencies as a high sensitive. I highly recommend this book for those who want a better understanding of who they are and why they act as they do

Sheila Lowe Five Stars


One of my favorite books on the topic. Nice to have it available for easy reference on my tablet.

K Cole We call it our second Bible


This was recommended by our counselor as a book that will be worn out from over use. You can open up any page and it’s relevant to you and people around you at any point in your life. Should be required reading for the human race!

Andrea C. VeryInteresting and Great for those in Leadership Positions


Highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about their personality! It also gives advice on how to work with people that have various different personalities from your own. Great for anyone who is in management or leadership positions because it will let you know how to best utilize your employees/coworkers to their fullest potential. It also shows the extreme versions of each of the various personalities using the DSM-IV criteria.

Lisa M. Anderson The self test is great!


I like the way it talks about personality traits as being neither good nor bad, just different. The explanations of the various personality disorders are valuable too.

Veteran Family Therapist


A more serious work than the title, this is one of my office’s top borrowed books for years. Each chapter on a clinical diagnosis of a mental disorder, is followed by chapter on the average guy’s lesser version of the same disorder. Patient story examples, helps, check lists/ self reports by this former DSM panel psychiatrist make this a good,layman friendly, go- to book.

Natural Horseman 20 years and a divorce bear witness to the accuracy of this book!


I got the first edition of this book in 1990. I was newly married and found out that I was a Sensitive and my partner was a Vigilant. I was a good match for her, she was a so-so match for me. Well, at the time, I saw our cup as mostly full. And so it was for a few years. But in the later half of my 20 year marriage, I saw clear signs that my partner was becoming paranoid. I had to plant screens of bushes and vines so that the neighbors couldn’t see into our yard. Then we had to move out to 5 acres in the country for more privacy. In addition, she began to suspect my extended family of “talking behind her back and saying bad things”. As far as I could tell, this was totally unfounded. For years she tried to systematically alienate me from my loving family. Sometimes forcing me to choose, them or her. Finally, she lost all trust in me, a most devoted, sensitive husband. When things really began to fall apart, she really cranked up the criticism and negativity… and we went for marriage counseling. After two years, she was unable to forgive or forget or resolve anything. After our separation and divorce, I happened to re-read Personality Self-Portrait. I even found our score sheets from 20 years earlier. Boy, did it ever hit home; reading the descriptions of myself and my ex (now in the Paranoid extreme). UNBELIEVABLE. Freaking UNBELIEVABLE. The words on the pages were so accurate. Summarized my 20 year marriage to a “T”. I do have 3 great kids since we were both so family oriented. At least I am thankful for that!

Two takeaways:

1) If you are single and dating, READ THIS NOW. Learn what personality type is a good match for you, and find the right person!!!

2) Professional marriage counselors should give the personality test in this book to all their clients. All parties would greatly benefit by the basic insights of this book. And if one of the parties is an extreme personality… cut your losses now.

Sherrice L. Thomas A True Self Portrait


I love this assessment and the information it reveals. I would like it even better if it was on line. 🙂

drs. Jan D. den Breejen Definitely the best popular book on personality


When you really want to know what makes you and other people tick, find out motivation factors and have a compass for personal development and handling other people, that is based on solid current psychological insights; look no further buy this book. Its the biggest bang for your bucks.

Because every character style can have many forms its necessary to get yourself familiar with it.



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