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  • Why You Are Who You Are

  • Investigations into Human Personality
  • By: Mark Leary, The Great Courses
  • Narrated by: Mark Leary
  • Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (320 ratings)

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Why You Are Who You Are

By: Mark Leary, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Mark Leary
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Summary

To understand the roots of personality is to understand motivations and influences that shape behavior, which in turn reflect how you deal with the opportunities and challenges of everyday life. That's the focus of these exciting 24 lectures, in which you examine the differences in people's personalities, where these differences come from, and how they shape our lives.

Drawing on information gleaned from psychology, neuroscience, and genetics, Professor Leary opens the door to understanding how personality works and why. Throughout his illuminating lectures, five important personality traits come into focus, traits that form the foundation of how psychologists approach the topic of personality: extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness.

Combining psychology with neuroscience and behavioral genetics, this exploration will open your eyes to the myriad ways our traits, motives, emotions, beliefs, and values are shaped by things like our genes, environment, experiences, and evolutionary history. Why is it so hard to change our behavior? Why do people develop different values and morals? Does personality change as we age? Is personality passed down through genes?

Designed as a fascinating, accessible scientific inquiry, these lectures will have you thinking about personality in a way that enriches your understanding of the complex psychological processes that make you who you are.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 The Teaching Company, LLC; 2018 The Great Courses
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What listeners say about Why You Are Who You Are

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Great insights into the mind

fantastic understanding of humans and how to improve yourself to be more happening and well adjusted.

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Interesting

Interesting series of lectures., I found it easy to listen to and a great introduction to all the psychology subjects discussed,

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really enjoyed it

very good book, lots of meta analysis to back it up. very enjoyable and easy to follow.

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Terrific

This is a wonderful series of lectures explaining personality and how it influences us and is influenced by our world. Well and clearly explained, very interesting and the 24 talks flew by

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1 person found this helpful

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Great book / course

If you are into the theory of personality, this book is for you. I am trained in various psychometric testing but have never had the breadth and nuances explained in such a clear and interesting way. Great book.

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Ok... need a new brain now, this one is full.

Packed full of easy to understand value.

I'll enjoy listening to these again and again.

and they will really help me in my career as a mindset coach.

Thank you!!!

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Good course. Some flaws.

Good overview of the scientific literature on personality traits, although some parts could have been much better:

- When explaining the big 5, it doesn't explain the tradeoffs involved, instead presents each characteristic a bit naively, especially agreeableness.

- I disagree with the claim that motivation is mainly extrinsic. Read The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand) if you doubt this.

- Disregarding intrinsic motivation gives way to the next error (at the end of the book): Author claims authenticity doesn't mean anything, because you are always being authentic with a part of your personality...

Authenticity happens when you act through your intrinsic motivations instead of going for what you think that other people should want you to do (groundless extrinsic motivation). That is what "being yourself" means!

A good read if you understand all of this already. Maybe go read The Fountainhead first.

xx

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Absolutely brilliant!

The voice acting is perfect and keeps the listener well engaged. Comprehensive coverage of the topic. A must read for everyone.

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4 people found this helpful

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One of the best book

Love Love Love it very very informative great tips and advice I personally recommend this to anyone

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Amazing book

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator (and author) was fascinating and he presented his arguments and explained the scientific consensus and key points in a very step by step way in which he was making total sense. I will certainly hear it again to dig more deeply and i may even get the physical book. I would definitely recommend it!

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