Think Like a Shrink

Book excerpt: A Companion for the Uncouched Based on a highly regarded article in Psychology Today that has been reprinted worldwide, Think Like a Shrink is a personality primer that refines years of psychiatric training into 100 principles. Here you will quickly learn to understand what motivates your boss, your spouse, your parents -- and yourself. Incorporating the most basic fundamentals that drive the human personality, these principles are short, clear, and simple, but not simplistic. They include enlightening observations and real eye-openers, such as: Some people never forgive a favor. In any marriage, there can only be one number one. Too much love may mean hate; too much hate may mean love. Successful neuroses help people fail. Electra and Oedipus keep psychiatrists in business.