Book Review by Jack Falt
This booklet looks at Temperament as presented by David Keirsey and further developed by Dr. Berens herself. The booklet is intended as a supplement to a presentation by Temperament Research Institute (http://www.tri-network.com) trained facilitators, but it certainly can stand on its own, giving a fairly in-depth understanding of what Temperament is and how the four Temperaments are unique. This material was well covered in the previous edition.
The new pages fill in some of the gaps. Included is a description of the difference between the True Self, the Developed Self and the Contextual Self. These are concepts that are valuable to include in an Jung/Myers theory presentation as well.
Previously, the four Temperaments were described in terms of the main skills each one exhibits. The descriptions are now expanded.
One of Dr. Berens main concern is to help you find a “Best Fit” Temperament. The more ways you can look at what Temperament is, the more likelihood that you will find what your Temperament really is, or your True Self. Looking at the things in common among the four Temperaments helps in this process. This was included in the previous version, but in this edition instead of just lists of words, more explicit details are given. These compare the use of words: Abstract or Concrete; the way people interact: Affiliative or Pragmatic; and, what is of interest and focus: Structure or Motive. These give additional evidence to consider when making the final determination of your Temperament.
Another new feature of the booklet shows how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs relates to the four functions. It describes how Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization are different for each of the Temperaments.
When your core needs are not being met you end up being stressed. (This stress is beyond the normal life stress.) Knowing your Temperament helps to identify what your core needs really are. A chart is given listing: Core Needs, Stressors, When Stressed (how you behave), and Antidotes for Stress. I feel this section could be further expanded by giving short examples of each word. However, a complete examination of stress as related to Temperament would be the basis of a whole book.
An interesting exercise on perspective shifting is included. How would you present the same proposal to each of the four Temperaments? This moves the theory into the realm of the practical. Knowing what Temperament you are and what someone else’s Temperament is, is just the beginning. Knowing what to do with the information makes it very practical.
The Appendix helps you to move from the four Temperaments to the 16 Jung/Myers personality types . Each Temperament can be divided into four interaction styles: In Charge, Chart the Course, Get Things Done and Behind the Scenes. It explains how these interaction styles are arrived at, but it does not define the characterises of each style. This could be a whole new page for the next revision.
At the ’99 Conference, Linda was expecting to hear news of her daughter’s delivery of a grandchild. One of the dedications in this booklet is to her grandson, Benjamin Kiler, whose Temperament becomes clearer every day.