Be Who You Want

Christian Jarrett

• 01 september 2022
• 9781472141026

Samenvatting:

Be Who You Want tells the story of how our personalities are formed but shows that they are not fixed - they are malleable and voluntary. Christian Jarrett gives us the tools to shape our traits in the ways that will benefit us most.

'It's not an exaggeration to say this book will change your life' Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable

What if you could exploit the plasticity of personality to change yourself in specific ways?

Would you choose to become less neurotic? More self-disciplined? Less shy? Be Who You Want dismantles the common belief that we're stuck with what we've been given and explains not only how to anticipate the ways that life events leave their mark, but also how to deliberately shape our personalities to influence the course of our lives.

Dr Christian Jarrett draws on the latest research to provide evidence-based ways to change each of the main five personality traits, including how to become more emotionally stable, extraverted and open-minded. He features compelling stories of people who have achieved profound personality change and delves into the so-called dark triad of personality traits and how we might exploit their advantages without ourselves going over to the dark side.

Filled with quizzes and interactive exercises to help you better understand the various aspects of your personality, your life story and your passions, Be Who You Want will appeal to anyone who has ever felt constrained by how they've been characterised and wants to pursue lasting change.

Dr Christian Jarrett is deputy editor of Psyche, the digital magazine that illuminates the human condition, from the founders of Aeon. He is an award-winning science writer, the author of several critically acclaimed books including The Rough Guide to Psychology and Great Myths of the Brain, and he was editor and lead contributor for the bestselling 30-Second Psychology.

Winner of the 2022 Book Prize from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Today, more than ever, we are aware of the power of personality. Are we introverts, extroverts, neurotic, open-minded? Psychology has always taught that there are personality types, some advantageous, some often seen as less so, and the common perception is that we're stuck with what we're given. The introvert will never break out of their shell, the narcissist will be forever trapped gazing into the mirror (or endlessly tweeting about perceived attacks on their brilliance).

Be Who You Want argues that contrary to the old adage, not only can the leopard change his spots, he can swap them for stripes, and that he can do so to his own advantage. In psychological terms, although our initial personality type is moulded by a combination of genetic influences and early experiences, it is not fixed. It's malleable, voluntary even. This book will tell the story of how our personalities are formed and gives us the tools to shape them in the ways which we desire and which will benefit us most. Drawing on the latest psychological theories and methods, interviews with leading experts, as well as personal anecdote, Christian Jarrett shows us that we can shape ourselves in ways that make our lives better.

The book provides evidence-based ways to change each of the main five personality traits, including how to become more emotionally stable, extrovert and open-minded. It also delves into the upsides of the so-called Dark Triad of personality traits - narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy - and how we might exploit their advantages without ourselves going over to the dark side.