Although published in 1995 and based on the technically now-outdated DSM-IV, The New Personality Self-Portrait, by John Oldham and Lois Morris, is still a great resource to help all people learn more about themselves.
The book starts out describing the DSM-IV and the uniqueness of personality, especially distinguishing between personality disorders and personality styles. A thorough test follows, as well as a chart which allows the reader to see how high he ranks in each personality style. Styles are determined, interestingly, by personality disorders: the sensitive style corresponds to avoidant personality disorder, for instance—for a total of fourteen personality styles. This classification is interesting and actually very reasonable. A couple styles, such as the self-sacrificing style, correspond to now non-existent personality disorders, such as self-defeating. However, the styles themselves are still relevant to today—I can certainly see each of them in others and in myself.
Following the test are detailed descriptions of the personality styles, organized by one style per chapter. These descriptions include characteristics, functioning in certain domains of life, career advice, tips on dealing with someone with that predominant style, and tips on dealing with the style if the reader has a large or moderate amount of it.
Finally, the book discusses biological and environmental factors that influence personality, and gives advice on improving one’s personality if one thinks that is necessary. Also included are two sample personality charts and interpretations of those charts.
All personality tests and theories must be taken somewhat with a grain of salt, as there are many different ways to describe personality. However, the fact remains that The New Personality Self-Portrait has helped me, and many people, understand differences in personality and realize that people are unique. While reading this book I saw myself in many different ways, and discovered that I am unique—and that being unique is wonderful. Just because I am different from someone else—I respond differently to a certain stimuli or prefer certain interactions over others—does not mean I am inferior to him. I also saw many of my friends and family in the book, and thus learned more about them and how to approach them.
Yes, this book is technically old now, in psychological and literary terms. But it is still very useful, and in many ways still accurate. After all, the human personality remains just as varied, and yet identifiable, as it was twenty years ago. I highly encourage anyone interested in personality to check this book out.
