wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I am a Chaotic Good Cleric with a 17 Wisdom and a 13 Charisma. There are many different personality systems. I wonder what that would be in Why Him, Why Her terms?

#16 Has it right! Also: Boring!
Sorry, Dr. Helen Fisher, but tests like yours don't even need questions to determine type - they are so obvious that almost anyone w/an IQ knows immediately what designated slot they fit into.
I really hate such mindless simplicity. It's very reductive. Fisher's test isn't saying much more than the "True Colors" system of personality testing. Her "Engager" is a "Blue". Her "Explorer is an "Orange". The "Builder is a "Gold" and the "Director" is "Green", more or less. Big deal. Same story, just now w/some fancy, hormone-related window dressing.
Of course, Fisher sees herself as an "Explorer" (in other words: A Kooky, Colorful Genius!). Hint to Fisher: Your ego is showing...

Thank you so much for this interview. I'm a fan of David Keirsey's Temperament Sorter (I'm an INFP and probably Fisher's Negotiator) as well as psychology and health in general. Dr. Fisher's work is evidence that the mind and body are really one--not separate entities. I can't wait to read her new book. Fascinating stuff!

My parents stayed together for 50+ years and they were definitely NOT a match!

The Basic Failure of our approach to marriage is the confusion and forced sex=love mentality. They are separate feelings, needs and wants. Ignore this distinction at the peril of any long term relationship.

I saw your special on 20/20 and I am curious how, as a scientist, you account for the fact that your subjects (couples) are drinking alcohol ob their dates? This clearly effects their decision making, mood, etc. There is no real equivalent in the natural world, so how do you rationalize this in the "experiment"?

Wow - this author's argument is really simplistic and reductionist. Couldn't Leonard Lopate ask some more critical questions about the methods she used and the science underlying her claims?

Married and having a long time affair...please address

any correlation between relationships of older siblings versus younger one?? Is that a question for this guest?? Am curious - have heard that youger sibs don't "match" well with olders. Am just separated (FINALLY) from this type of relationship - I am the younger of the siblings and my hubby was the oldest in his family...
THANKS!

It is delightful to hear a cheery, self-assured popularizer who is a scientist instead of coming from the did-you-ever-notice anecdotal school of so many opportunistic journalists. More power to the intellecuals. I presume this all applies to Why Him–Why Him and Why Her–Why Her couples.

erich fromm is spinning in his grave

do or can people change?

Has the speaker studied the Eeneagram? It is another personality test that divides people into 9 personality type. There are corresponding theories that match these types into likely romantic pairs. The system tends to be based more on nurture than nature, but sounds a lot like the 4 types that Helen Fisher is describing.

Are the tests available online?

And are you still gathering data?

Years ago on eharmony's website, I came up as, I think, an independent adventurer. I was told that they could not match me. They did not know who my type would match with.

I have hard time accepting her science of "4 Standard" personalities. Zodiac has 12 types, but that is not even enough to determine a personality. I think peoples' personalities are infinite- they change, they accept, adapt, etc.

I am from Michigan and never thought I would aquire that "NYC atittude" with my Midwest heart, but I have it now.

Not to put a damper on this conversation, but....

I once mentioned at a Manhattan Cocktail party in the 1980's that between my parents and step-parents there were 19 marriages. Conversation stopped and people stared. A New York Lawyer came to my rescue.

"Are you from a Community Property State?" he asked.

"Yes, Texas." I answered.

"In a Community Property State," he explained to the masses "property is divided at divorce. Therefore, there is no alimony."

Gasps were audible.

"If you are going to marry up. There is nothing stopping you."

The rest of the evening people wanted to know about Texas.

Have these tests been applied to same sex couples?

What about homosexuals? Does this translate to people looking for same-sex relationships?

The tests to which the guest refers do not show reliability over time--even over rather short periods like 6 months. Psuedo-science again!

i am told that deodorants and antiperspirants inhibit our capability to home in to our true love. what is the truth in this?

Would it be more likely that persons of different races would be more likely to be a better match? Maybe due to more variation between their MHC genes?