Personality Theories

The books, in order

1. 1

   Psychology · 14 min

   Motivation and Personality

   Abraham Maslow

   When the basics are missing, like food and shelter, the mind tends to deal with that first before thinking about purpose.

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2. 2

   Psychology · 14 min

   Understanding Human Nature

   Alfred Adler

   Every child starts life feeling small, and that feeling can become an engine for growth or a roadblock, depending on what the child receives.

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3. 3

   Psychology · 16 min

   On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy

   Carl R. Rogers

   Separating a person's worth from the worth of one of their actions opens up room for change that pressure alone never opens.

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4. 4

   Psychology · 15 min

   The Neurotic Personality of Our Time

   Karen Horney

   Trying to please everyone usually hides a fear of being abandoned, and affection becomes a currency for survival.

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5. 5

   Psychology · 15 min

   Man's Search for Himself

   Rollo May

   For May, being well fitted into the world around you does not guarantee being at peace with yourself.

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6. 6

   Psychology · 15 min

   Walden Two

   B. F. Skinner

   Well-applied reinforcement usually teaches more than threats do, because it shows people what to do, not just what to avoid.

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7. 7

   Psychology · 15 min

   Games People Play

   Eric Berne

   Before responding in an argument, it is worth asking which state you are speaking from: the Parent who gives orders, the Child who gets hurt, or the Adult who analyzes.

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8. 8

   Psychology · 17 min

   Awakening the Heroes Within

   Carol S. Pearson

   For Pearson, no one is just one archetype: each person carries all twelve and grows by learning to draw on more than one.

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