Who am I?: 16 Basic Desires that Motivate Our Actions Define Our Personalities

by Steven Reiss

Overview

What do we want? What makes us tick? From acceptance to vengeance to curiosity, this book explains the 16 basic and universal desires that shape our behavior—and shows how the ways we prioritize them determines our personalities. Grounded in up-to-date psychological research, this book can help

parents comprehend their children’s needs and behavior

couples understand each other better

employers motivate their employees

employees become more effective in their work

YOU achieve greater satisfaction and happiness in life

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425183403
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/05/2002
Series:	16 Basic Desires That Motivate Our Actions and Define Our Pe
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,078,111
Product dimensions:	5.96(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.71(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Steven Reiss, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University, as well as the director of the Nisonger Center for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. His internationally acclaimed, influential research has been translated into more than a dozen languages and widely adopted by professionals and educators. Dr. Reiss lives in Columbus.

Table of Contents

Who Am I? Introduction
Part I: The Basic Desires That Make Our Lives Meaningful
1. What Is a Basic Desire?
2. Why My Dog Saves Socks
3. Why Kids and Elephants Will Make You Wet
4. Why a Secretary Feared Heights
5. One Size Does Not Fit All
6. I Don't Get It, and Neither Do You

Part II: How the Basic Desires Are Satisfied
7. Value-Based Happiness
8. How Relationships Grow
9. Turning Work Into Play
10. All in the Family
11. Why My Father Was a Mets Fan
12. The Scientific Study of the Human Spirit

Afterword
Appendix
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In [this] ground-breaking book, Steven Reiss opens a window into what drives our emotions, how they affect our behavior toward those around us, and most significant, how we might use this information to improve our self-image and our relations with others.”—Gerald Schroeder, Ph.D., author of Genesis and the Big Bang and The Science of God

“Rather than consult astrological charts or take quizzes in magazines, read Who Am I? for an authoritative, research-based understanding of why we do the things we do.”—Ellen Langer, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Living

“Readers…will [better understand] their motivational styles—and have a lot of fun doing so.”—Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, Yale University

“Using a wealth of everyday examples, Steven Reiss offers…insight into such matters as why some interpersonal relationships are enduringly satisfying, and others are not. His theory of motivation illuminates the important questions in our lives.”—Richard J. McNally, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

“Reiss shows us how to identify our own pattern of desires and how to compare and contrast the patterns in our relationships. The applications of this scientific extension of Maslow’s hierarchy extend beyond the personal: Reiss’ system can improve our working relationships and enhance our professional lives.”—Ruth Luckasson, J.D., Regents’ Professor and Professor of Special Education, University of New Mexico

“An ‘outside the box’ approach to understanding individual behavior. Reiss clearly explains the sixteen basic desires, and shows how to easily plot one’s own ‘desire profile.’ Readers of Who Am I? will gain valuable insight into their motivational styles—and have a lot of fun doing so.”—Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, Yale University

“Steven Reiss provides an exciting new way to think about ourselves.”—Ellen Langer, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Learning

“Well explained in lay readers’ terms.”—Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

In [this] ground-breaking book, Steven Reiss opens a window into what drives our emotions, how they affect our behavior toward those around us, and most significant, how we might use this information to improve our self-image and our relations with others.”—Gerald Schroeder, Ph.D., author of Genesis and the Big Bang and The Science of God

“Rather than consult astrological charts or take quizzes in magazines, read Who Am I? for an authoritative, research-based understanding of why we do the things we do.”—Ellen Langer, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Living

“Readers…will [better understand] their motivational styles—and have a lot of fun doing so.”—Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, Yale University

“Using a wealth of everyday examples, Steven Reiss offers…insight into such matters as why some interpersonal relationships are enduringly satisfying, and others are not. His theory of motivation illuminates the important questions in our lives.”—Richard J. McNally, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

“Reiss shows us how to identify our own pattern of desires and how to compare and contrast the patterns in our relationships. The applications of this scientific extension of Maslow’s hierarchy extend beyond the personal: Reiss’ system can improve our working relationships and enhance our professional lives.”—Ruth Luckasson, J.D., Regents’ Professor and Professor of Special Education, University of New Mexico

“An ‘outside the box’ approach to understanding individual behavior. Reiss clearly explains the sixteen basic desires, and shows how to easily plot one’s own ‘desire profile.’ Readers of Who Am I? will gain valuable insight into their motivational styles—and have a lot of fun doing so.”—Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, Yale University

“Steven Reiss provides an exciting new way to think about ourselves.”—Ellen Langer, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Learning

“Well explained in lay readers’ terms.”—Library Journal

From the Publisher