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Your Personality Tree: Discover the Real You by Uncovering the Roots of....
Many people are playing roles they never auditioned for, on stages they didn't design, while wearing masks they don't know how to remove. They are trying so hard to be all things to all people that they do not know who they really are. What about you?
Have you tried so hard to be all things to all people that you are not sure who you really are?As an adult are you still struggling to become what your parents had in mind for you?Do you want to understand yourself and others better?Do you want to learn more about your family heritage?What Florence Littauer has to say in Your Personality Tree offers readers the opportunity to discover their true identity through a process of discovering how family relationships and circumstances can mask their natural temperament.
Your Personality Tree is now available in value-priced paperback as part of the "Nelson Values" program -- a one-time-only, one-order-only bargain price ($7.97) on some of our best-selling and most exciting titles!
Have you tried so hard to be all things to all people that you are not sure who you really are?As an adult are you still struggling to become what your parents had in mind for you?Do you want to understand yourself and others better?Do you want to learn more about your family heritage?What Florence Littauer has to say in Your Personality Tree offers readers the opportunity to discover their true identity through a process of discovering how family relationships and circumstances can mask their natural temperament.
Your Personality Tree is now available in value-priced paperback as part of the "Nelson Values" program -- a one-time-only, one-order-only bargain price ($7.97) on some of our best-selling and most exciting titles!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
57 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Florence Littauer
115 books60 followersFlorence Littauer is a Christian self-help author and public speaker. Littauer is best known for her series of books based upon the Personality Plus personality system. She was listed as one of Helen K. Hosier's "100 Christian Women Who Changed the Twentieth Century" and has received the National Speakers Association's Council of Peers Award for Excellence and has been designated by them as a Certified Speaking Professional.
--From Wikipedia
--From Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 6, 2012
If you can ignore the author's (1) Christian psychobabble and (2) shameless use of Scripture out of context, you'll find this book a lot of fun. I found that, in general, the personality blend the author describes as Melancholy/Choleric (i.e., mostly Melancholy but with a bit of Choleric) fits me pretty well. Not as snugly as INTJ, but still comfy.
BACKGROUND: THEORY OF TEMPERAMENT DERIVED FROM HIPPOCRATES' THEORY OF BODILY FLUIDS
Littauer accepts the theory of personality derived from the theory of bodily fluids developed by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates of Cos (460-370 BC).
Temperament is derived from a Latin word meaning "a mixing in due proportion." The connection between "temperament" and "mixing" goes back to the (scientifically unfounded) Greek idea of bodily fluids. Read below.
Sanguine:
Dominant Fluid: Blood
Traits:
--Cheerful
--Outgoing
--Optimistic
--Disorganized
Choleric:
Dominant Fluid: Bile
Traits:
--Ambitious
--Short-tempered
Melancholy:
Dominant Fluids: Melas (some black fluid the Greeks envisioned) and Bile
Traits:
--Deep
--Sad
--Depressive
--Thoughtful
--Analytical
Phlegmatic:
Dominant Fluid: Phlegm
Traits:
--Slow
--Sluggish
--Calm
--Cool
--Collected
Shakespeare, acknowledging the persistence of this theory into Roman times, had Mark Antony describe Julius Caesar as a man in whom the fluids were mixed perfectly: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'" (Julius Caesar, Act V, Scene 5).
PERSONALITY TREE
The author encourages the reader to make a "personality tree," i.e., a family tree based on personality. I would gander at this for my family:
Dad: Sanguine/Choleric
Mom: Melancholy
Me: Melancholy/Choleric
Sarah: Melancholy/Phlegmatic
Hannah: Phlegmatic/Sanguine
Timothy: Hard to say.
BACKGROUND: THEORY OF TEMPERAMENT DERIVED FROM HIPPOCRATES' THEORY OF BODILY FLUIDS
Littauer accepts the theory of personality derived from the theory of bodily fluids developed by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates of Cos (460-370 BC).
Temperament is derived from a Latin word meaning "a mixing in due proportion." The connection between "temperament" and "mixing" goes back to the (scientifically unfounded) Greek idea of bodily fluids. Read below.
Sanguine:
Dominant Fluid: Blood
Traits:
--Cheerful
--Outgoing
--Optimistic
--Disorganized
Choleric:
Dominant Fluid: Bile
Traits:
--Ambitious
--Short-tempered
Melancholy:
Dominant Fluids: Melas (some black fluid the Greeks envisioned) and Bile
Traits:
--Deep
--Sad
--Depressive
--Thoughtful
--Analytical
Phlegmatic:
Dominant Fluid: Phlegm
Traits:
--Slow
--Sluggish
--Calm
--Cool
--Collected
Shakespeare, acknowledging the persistence of this theory into Roman times, had Mark Antony describe Julius Caesar as a man in whom the fluids were mixed perfectly: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'" (Julius Caesar, Act V, Scene 5).
PERSONALITY TREE
The author encourages the reader to make a "personality tree," i.e., a family tree based on personality. I would gander at this for my family:
Dad: Sanguine/Choleric
Mom: Melancholy
Me: Melancholy/Choleric
Sarah: Melancholy/Phlegmatic
Hannah: Phlegmatic/Sanguine
Timothy: Hard to say.
February 23, 2020
Florence Littauer is the innovator behind a personality typing instrument that I teach at the college level. Her daughter, Marita Littauer, is the author of Wired That Way, the textbook I use. This book by her mother is best considered as a prequel to her daughter's.
There is good information here, and I will be using it to supplement my teaching modules on the personalities. It's particularly good at the detail behind "masking," the sublimation of one's natural personality type, and has good suggestions for healing from life experiences that have resulted in masking.
What challenged me is that this book is so clearly a product. There are continual references to her other books and the classes she has taught. Maybe that was how this type of book was done in the mid-1980s. It doesn't translate well to 2020. What's good here, though, is very useful.
There is good information here, and I will be using it to supplement my teaching modules on the personalities. It's particularly good at the detail behind "masking," the sublimation of one's natural personality type, and has good suggestions for healing from life experiences that have resulted in masking.
What challenged me is that this book is so clearly a product. There are continual references to her other books and the classes she has taught. Maybe that was how this type of book was done in the mid-1980s. It doesn't translate well to 2020. What's good here, though, is very useful.
August 21, 2024
A FOLLOW-UP TO HER BOOK, "PERSONALITY PLUS”
She wrote in the Introduction to this 1986 book, "In the past twenty years of study, speaking and writing, I have attempted to discover who I really am and to share these insights with others. In addition I have set out to uncover the roots of my personality tree, to find out where my traits originated, and to observe where my own feelings were suppressed, repressed, or depressed. In this book you will find out who you really are and begin to see why others function as they do. Those of you who have read 'Personality Plus: How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself'... will find new, additional, and deeper information..." (Pg. 12-13)
She continued, "Our aim in this book is to examine ourselves in a new way, not just on the surface, not just as we appear to be to others, not just as mother wanted us to be. By looking at our inborn desires, our underlying needs, and our repressed emotions, our eyes will be opened and we will obtain .. some insight into who we really are." (Pg. 12-13) Later, she adds, "After these twenty years of studying and teaching the temperaments, I am still amazed at how God uses this tool to open people's eyes to themselves and their relationships with others." (Pg. 34)
She states, "Now that we understand the four basic temperaments, we have a most practical tool for sensing inner hurts and needs. We are no longer grappling in the dark. We have just seen ... that each personality has its own needs. The Sanguine needs approval, the Choleric appreciation, the Melancholy sensitivity, and the Phlegmatic self-worth." (Pg. 63) Later, she says, "As I have taught 'Personality Plus' over the years, some of the most gratifying results have come when parents suddenly realize why they haven't been able to understand a certain child." (Pg. 153)
For Christians who like the "four temperaments" model, Littauer's presentation is one of the most popular; for those who find such models too constraining, they will probably be better off skipping this particular book of hers.
She wrote in the Introduction to this 1986 book, "In the past twenty years of study, speaking and writing, I have attempted to discover who I really am and to share these insights with others. In addition I have set out to uncover the roots of my personality tree, to find out where my traits originated, and to observe where my own feelings were suppressed, repressed, or depressed. In this book you will find out who you really are and begin to see why others function as they do. Those of you who have read 'Personality Plus: How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself'... will find new, additional, and deeper information..." (Pg. 12-13)
She continued, "Our aim in this book is to examine ourselves in a new way, not just on the surface, not just as we appear to be to others, not just as mother wanted us to be. By looking at our inborn desires, our underlying needs, and our repressed emotions, our eyes will be opened and we will obtain .. some insight into who we really are." (Pg. 12-13) Later, she adds, "After these twenty years of studying and teaching the temperaments, I am still amazed at how God uses this tool to open people's eyes to themselves and their relationships with others." (Pg. 34)
She states, "Now that we understand the four basic temperaments, we have a most practical tool for sensing inner hurts and needs. We are no longer grappling in the dark. We have just seen ... that each personality has its own needs. The Sanguine needs approval, the Choleric appreciation, the Melancholy sensitivity, and the Phlegmatic self-worth." (Pg. 63) Later, she says, "As I have taught 'Personality Plus' over the years, some of the most gratifying results have come when parents suddenly realize why they haven't been able to understand a certain child." (Pg. 153)
For Christians who like the "four temperaments" model, Littauer's presentation is one of the most popular; for those who find such models too constraining, they will probably be better off skipping this particular book of hers.
April 14, 2020
This book has some very interesting concepts on personalities and how they interact but some parts should be taken with salt as some of the ideas are a bit outdated. I've found it incredibly insightful in dealing with others and can recommend it to anyone that has an interest in basic psychology and human interaction.
August 10, 2020
Very nice book! Perfect explanation length and still tell some story to make the explanation more clearer.
This book tells about 4 temperaments. For me, this book really helpful to understand motive behind "why this people was act like this, act like that, think like this, &c".
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand him/her-self and others.
This book tells about 4 temperaments. For me, this book really helpful to understand motive behind "why this people was act like this, act like that, think like this, &c".
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand him/her-self and others.
March 16, 2018
Great insight into the workings of individual personalities. It has a lot of positive information which can help people understand themselves and others better. The breakdowns and responses of each person were enlightening. A few things I disagreed with, but overall, spot on.
July 19, 2018
Bottom line: don't take things personally, accept others as they are, and follow your heart.
Want to read
August 17, 2021Book recommended by Joyce Meyer.
March 2, 2023
Fantastic book! A crucial key to any relationships you form.
May 13, 2018
Your Personality Tree
PLOT: Broken down into only four personality types (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic) the author explains and examines each in order for us to make a diagnosis where we fit on the tree.
MY THOUGHTS
Right off the bat, going in it didn't take me long to figure out which of these I fit into. I was never the happy go lucky bubbly type (although surprisingly in a phone conversation recently to a woman that really didn't know me I came off that way). So I knew that didn't fit me. Also I've never been the controlling type. Living with a controlling person that was easily thrown out. (I'm more passive). Then I got to the Melancholy who what I got from this type can be overly emotional. Surprising because I've always thought of melancholy as a mood that's gray, bleak, and depressing. And either way I seemed to connect to on both sides of the mirror. I can be emotional on the best of days. Then on others I can easily become depressed when thinking about my circumstances. But what I also learned was that they're perfectionist, which I didn't consider myself, but as I read further it talks about how they have a great need to organize everything and that sealed it that I am indeed a Melancholy. The exact quote was "To know what that is we have to enter into his perfectly organized and categorized mind and see the situation with his eyes." And if that's not me I don't know what is. Though I wish she'd chosen a better word for us. She might as well have called us "Eeyore's" Not that I don't love that sad, little, glass is half empty, donkey. But then the other half of me is a Phlegmatic. I tend to just want peace. It sums it up perfectly we get depressed (or in my case stressed) when life is full of problems and there is no peace. Sums me up to a tee. All the time I want my environment free of what *I* consider chaos (to me this means noise). I shy from confrontations, letting it build sometimes to the damaging point that I'm holding in issues I need to be vocal on. And people who constantly feed me their drama frustrate me because it's seeping into my peace of mind and weighing heavily on me emotionally (from being a Melancholy). While this is not a bad book, I fought my nature through-out it to believe that out of all the people in this world they all can be neatly lumped into four perfect, personality, boxes. Once you find out what your type is and what to expect if you go in with a mate of the opposite personality and how to deal it becomes heavily saturated with examples constantly. On the upside, she does make it very clear if you can't figure out which side you fall. Though it really isn't that hard (if you do know yourself). If not there's a quiz to determine if you've been lying to yourself all these years. Another thing that was heavily sprinkled was its Christian perspective. How can I word this nicely without sounding like I'm against that? I think that if you separate (and leave out) all the scriptures and reminders of how we should be who God intended us to be this book will be what it's intended to be and fit nicely into the phycology genre. It didn't necessarily need the biblical aspect beating you over the head. It felt a little preachy. And that's coming from someone who considers themselves to have religion. Honestly again as a woman without kids the section about how to distinguish what kind of kids we have and how to help there type went right through me. It also tended to feel a little old-fashioned at times. Such as when she talked about women not being able to sew on a Sunday, women being seen and not heard, and then when she gives her kids 2.50 to go on a shopping spree for a pizza-making contest. I thought what year was this wrote in. Sometimes she went a touch to the extreme when describing the examples. Like Sanguine's tend to be dementia victims when it comes to cars. Melancholies are anal retentive and damn near lose their minds if everything isn't perfect (perfect example Death the Kid from Soul Eater) and I guess Phlegmatics are just passive pushovers who don't have a spine or a brain in their heads. Honestly it felt like to me even though she pointed out the positives in the types I just got this sense that the focus was on what was wrong with each type and what needed to be done so you could bring the best out of them despite what their nature was.
RATING: 6 This was an interesting read. I learned what my type was. I learned what causes my type to have depression. I also begin immediately to make a list of where I thought the people in my life fell. Although admittedly many of them didn't fit into either showing that it isn't also a nice neat fit of these personalities. It's always fun to learn a little bit more about who we are and how the world sees us.
PLOT: Broken down into only four personality types (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic) the author explains and examines each in order for us to make a diagnosis where we fit on the tree.
MY THOUGHTS
Right off the bat, going in it didn't take me long to figure out which of these I fit into. I was never the happy go lucky bubbly type (although surprisingly in a phone conversation recently to a woman that really didn't know me I came off that way). So I knew that didn't fit me. Also I've never been the controlling type. Living with a controlling person that was easily thrown out. (I'm more passive). Then I got to the Melancholy who what I got from this type can be overly emotional. Surprising because I've always thought of melancholy as a mood that's gray, bleak, and depressing. And either way I seemed to connect to on both sides of the mirror. I can be emotional on the best of days. Then on others I can easily become depressed when thinking about my circumstances. But what I also learned was that they're perfectionist, which I didn't consider myself, but as I read further it talks about how they have a great need to organize everything and that sealed it that I am indeed a Melancholy. The exact quote was "To know what that is we have to enter into his perfectly organized and categorized mind and see the situation with his eyes." And if that's not me I don't know what is. Though I wish she'd chosen a better word for us. She might as well have called us "Eeyore's" Not that I don't love that sad, little, glass is half empty, donkey. But then the other half of me is a Phlegmatic. I tend to just want peace. It sums it up perfectly we get depressed (or in my case stressed) when life is full of problems and there is no peace. Sums me up to a tee. All the time I want my environment free of what *I* consider chaos (to me this means noise). I shy from confrontations, letting it build sometimes to the damaging point that I'm holding in issues I need to be vocal on. And people who constantly feed me their drama frustrate me because it's seeping into my peace of mind and weighing heavily on me emotionally (from being a Melancholy). While this is not a bad book, I fought my nature through-out it to believe that out of all the people in this world they all can be neatly lumped into four perfect, personality, boxes. Once you find out what your type is and what to expect if you go in with a mate of the opposite personality and how to deal it becomes heavily saturated with examples constantly. On the upside, she does make it very clear if you can't figure out which side you fall. Though it really isn't that hard (if you do know yourself). If not there's a quiz to determine if you've been lying to yourself all these years. Another thing that was heavily sprinkled was its Christian perspective. How can I word this nicely without sounding like I'm against that? I think that if you separate (and leave out) all the scriptures and reminders of how we should be who God intended us to be this book will be what it's intended to be and fit nicely into the phycology genre. It didn't necessarily need the biblical aspect beating you over the head. It felt a little preachy. And that's coming from someone who considers themselves to have religion. Honestly again as a woman without kids the section about how to distinguish what kind of kids we have and how to help there type went right through me. It also tended to feel a little old-fashioned at times. Such as when she talked about women not being able to sew on a Sunday, women being seen and not heard, and then when she gives her kids 2.50 to go on a shopping spree for a pizza-making contest. I thought what year was this wrote in. Sometimes she went a touch to the extreme when describing the examples. Like Sanguine's tend to be dementia victims when it comes to cars. Melancholies are anal retentive and damn near lose their minds if everything isn't perfect (perfect example Death the Kid from Soul Eater) and I guess Phlegmatics are just passive pushovers who don't have a spine or a brain in their heads. Honestly it felt like to me even though she pointed out the positives in the types I just got this sense that the focus was on what was wrong with each type and what needed to be done so you could bring the best out of them despite what their nature was.
RATING: 6 This was an interesting read. I learned what my type was. I learned what causes my type to have depression. I also begin immediately to make a list of where I thought the people in my life fell. Although admittedly many of them didn't fit into either showing that it isn't also a nice neat fit of these personalities. It's always fun to learn a little bit more about who we are and how the world sees us.
August 18, 2015
Such an eye-opener! Great relationship tool for all types of relationships...even understanding yourself! Florence Littauer does a grand job of describing and categorizing personality types and traits. First introduced to this book back in 1998 and have referenced it's content for marriage counseling, team building and group discussions.
It is now out of publication, however, she has replaced it with a whole series of "Personality Plus..." to include how the information works with all types of relationships and one for parents to help them with understanding their children's differing personality traits! The books have a built in assessment tool to assist the reader with determining their personality tendency. The books go on to explain how these tendencies effect our decision making and relationship outlook. Once this is accomplished, the reader is given scenarios and possible positive ways to interact with others of differing personality types.
It is now out of publication, however, she has replaced it with a whole series of "Personality Plus..." to include how the information works with all types of relationships and one for parents to help them with understanding their children's differing personality traits! The books have a built in assessment tool to assist the reader with determining their personality tendency. The books go on to explain how these tendencies effect our decision making and relationship outlook. Once this is accomplished, the reader is given scenarios and possible positive ways to interact with others of differing personality types.
August 15, 2024
I had mixed feelings about this book. I love that it urges people to discover your own and others temperaments and judge them for who they are instead of who you want them to be. After reading this book iniitally I thought I was a Sanguine. (This update is a few years after initial reading), but after giving up sugar caffeine, and all alcohol have come to realize this is not true. Therefore, I still have no idea what my primary is. While I don’t agree with her theory on homosexuality, this book did help me to discover that the secondary I thought I had was actually a mask. (Unfortunately reading this review years later, I can't even remember what that secondary was). The details she gave on temperaments as a child helped me to pinpoint my true secondary. There was a bit too much religion and bible quotes for my taste and I wish there was a little bit more given on how to live successfully as each type. That info itself could have upped my score to 4 or 5 stars.
May 13, 2009
Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic. The four personality types put forth in the book. I got much enjoyment out of the book, laughing as I recognized a trait described in the book in myself or a member of my family. It has helped me in my understanding of my siblings especially; as the only true melancholy in the family it can be frustrating. It has helped me learn to value the positives the other personalities bring to the family circle and to recognize my own personality quirks that others do not necessarily find conducive to a happy/peaceful atmosphere.
The chapter on the different temperments in children was especially helpful.
The chapter on the different temperments in children was especially helpful.
July 27, 2009
Never quite sure how to take these "personality analysis" books; usually I do it with a grain of salt! (This may be because of my personality type, right?!) I found the information interesting at times and at times a little too self-oriented. Still processing. Perhaps I didn't get as much out of the book because of my general distrust of psychological studies and because I didn't find a clear-cut description of myself or my own family members to relate to in the mix. Would be interested in other's comments.
July 28, 2014
This is the same review I posted on Amazon.ca:
I loved this book. I've read almost all of her other books and they never cease to interest me. Not only am I interested in the psychology behind the personalities, and how they relate to myself and my own life, her anecdotes are just really funny and make the book that much more interesting! I guess that's because she's a Sanguine... anyhow, the only thing I didn't like was that a few statements in the book seemed vaguely against homosexuality.
I loved this book. I've read almost all of her other books and they never cease to interest me. Not only am I interested in the psychology behind the personalities, and how they relate to myself and my own life, her anecdotes are just really funny and make the book that much more interesting! I guess that's because she's a Sanguine... anyhow, the only thing I didn't like was that a few statements in the book seemed vaguely against homosexuality.
January 29, 2016
I'm highly recomended this book. Pembahasannya sangat detail dan mudah dipahami. dari sekian banyak buku mengenai kepribadian, buku ini adalah salah satu favorit saya. Di dalam buku ini, kita bisa mempelajari banyak hal mengenai karakteristik dari masing-masing tipe kepribadian, dan dilengkapi juga dengan tes sederhana untuk memudahkan kita mengklasifikasikan tipe kepribadian dominan yang kita miliki. I did enjoyed while read this book so much :)
August 4, 2012
This book not only gives you a better understanding of yourself, but a better understanding of those around you. Hard to accept, but it makes you realize that just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't always mean they are wrong. We all see and react to situations differently, and that is what makes some people love us and others hate us.
October 18, 2008
nur dah baca yang versi Indonesianya.... bagus, nur jadi makin mengenali 4 tipe kepribadian (sanguinis, melankolis, koleris, dan phlegmatis)
kenal kebutuhan2 pribadi dan dampak kekurangannya...
pokoke i love it... ;)
kenal kebutuhan2 pribadi dan dampak kekurangannya...
pokoke i love it... ;)
September 20, 2011
Very interesting book. It does provide some insight on personality that come across slightly different from other personality book.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy learning personality or enjoy reading about personality.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy learning personality or enjoy reading about personality.
October 5, 2015
This was one of the best books I ever read. It not only helped me understand myself but Florence Littaur writes with such concise flow, that her writing makes you want to keep reading. Imagine this book as a textbook you actually want to read. Just don't tell my college professors I said that. ;-)
October 12, 2016
It helped me understand myself better
And others too. Now I know why I and others behave the way we do and what my strengths and weaknesses are. I don't take things personally anymore. Only thing I don't like about this book are all the typos. It needs to be proofread.
And others too. Now I know why I and others behave the way we do and what my strengths and weaknesses are. I don't take things personally anymore. Only thing I don't like about this book are all the typos. It needs to be proofread.
September 15, 2007
my all time favorite personality book!
Want to read
January 10, 2008I'm still searching 4 this books, coz there is no more in bookstore.
February 11, 2008
Easy to understand presentation of personality types and how to work between them. Self assessment included.
July 30, 2008
my absolute, favorite book.
August 27, 2008
This book gave me some interesting insights to my personality and the personalities of my family. Very helpful
October 25, 2009
This is a great follow up to Littauer's Personality Plus. The practical examples in dealing with many relationship situations is valuable to know.
April 25, 2012
This book makes it easier to interact with people I generally find difficult.
May 31, 2012
Fascinating seeing how different people work as well as discovering self.
October 12, 2014
Recognising masks in those we love and meet along the way in life is essential in understanding and reaching out to others with compassion and encouragement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews