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3
HOW TO TALK ABOUT PERSONALITY TYPES
( Sessions 1–3 )

TEASER PREVIEW

What word best describes your personality if you:

  • are interested solely in your own welfare?
  • constantly talk about yourself?
  • dedicate your life to helping others?
  • turn your mind inward?
  • turn your mind outward?
  • hate humanity?
  • hate women?
  • hate marriage?
  • lead a lonely, austere existence?

SESSION 1

Every human being is, in one way or another, unique.

Everyone's personality is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Let us examine ten personality types (one of which might by chance be your very own) that result from the way culture, growth, family background, and environment interact with heredity.

And, of course, we begin not with the words, but with the ideas.

IDEAS

1. me first

Your attitude to life is simple, direct, and aboveboard—every decision you make is based on the answer to one question: “What's in it for me?” If your selfishness, greed, and ruthless desire for self-advancement hurt other people, that's too bad. “This is a tough world, pal, dog eat dog and all that, and I, for one, am not going to be left behind!”

An egoist

2. the height of conceit

“Now, let's see. Have you heard about all the money I'm making? Did I tell you about my latest amorous conquest? Let me give you my opinion—I know, because I'm an expert at practically everything!” You are boastful to the point of being obnoxious—you have only one string to your conversational violin, namely, yourself; and on it you play a number of monotonous variations: what you think, what you have done, how good you are, how you would solve the problems of the world, etc. ad nauseam.

An egotist

3. let me help you

You have discovered the secret of true happiness—concerning yourself with the welfare of others. Never mind your own interests, how's the next fellow getting along?

An altruist

4. leave me alone

Like a biochemist studying a colony of bacteria under the microscope, you minutely examine your every thought, feeling, and action. Probing, futile questions like “What do other people think of me?”, “How do I look?”, and “Maybe I shouldn't have said that?” are your constant nagging companions, for you are unable to realize that other people do not spend as much time and energy analyzing you as you think.

You may seem unsocial, yet your greatest desire is to be liked and accepted. You may be shy and quiet, you are often moody and unhappy, and you prefer solitude or at most the company of one person to a crowd. You have an aptitude for creative work and are uncomfortable engaging in activities that require cooperation with other people. You may even be a genius, or eventually turn into one.

An introvert

5. let's do it together

You would be great as a teacher, counselor, administrator, insurance agent. You can always become interested—sincerely, vitally interested—in other people's problems. You're the life of the party, because you never worry about the effect of your actions, never inhibit yourself with doubts about dignity or propriety. You are usually happy, generally full of high spirits; you love to be with people—lots of people. Your thoughts, your interests, your whole personality are turned outward.

An extrovert

6. neither extreme

You have both introverted and extroverted tendencies—at different times and on different occasions. Your interests are turned, in about equal proportions, both inward and outward. Indeed, you're quite normal—in the sense that your personality is like that of most people.

An ambivert

7. people are no damn good

Cynical, embittered, suspicious, you hate everyone. (Especially, but never to be admitted, yourself? ) The perfectibility of the human race? “Nonsense! No way!” The stupidity, the meanness, and the crookedness of most mortals (“Most? Probably all!”)—that is your favorite theme.

A misanthrope

8. women are no damn good

Sometime in your dim past, you were crossed, scorned, or deeply wounded by a woman (a mother, or mother figure, perhaps?). So now you have a carefully constructed defense against further hurt—you hate all women.

A misogynist

9. “marriage is an institution—and who wants to live in an institution?”

You will not make the ultimate legal commitment. Members of the opposite sex are great as lovers, roommates, apartment- or house-sharers, but not as lawfully wedded spouses. The ties that bind are too binding for you. You may possibly believe, and possibly, for yourself, be right, that a commitment is deeper and more meaningful if freedom is available without judicial proceedings.

A misogamist

10. “… that the flesh is heir to …”

Self-denial, austerity, lonely contemplation—these are the characteristics of the good life, so you claim. The simplest food and the least amount of it that will keep body and soul together, combined with abstinence from fleshly, earthly pleasures, will eventually lead to spiritual perfection—that is your philosophy.

An ascetic

USING THE WORDS

You have been introduced to ten valuable words—but in each case, as you have noticed, you have first considered the ideas that these words represent. Now say the words—each one is respelled phonetically so that you will be sure to pronounce it correctly. 1

Say each word aloud. This is the first important step to complete mastery. As you hear a word in your own voice, think of its meaning. Are you quite clear about it? If not, reinforce your learning by rereading the explanatory paragraph or paragraphs.

Can you pronounce the words?
1. egoist EE′-gō-ist
2. egotist EE′-gō-tist
3. altruist AL′-tr -ist
4. introvert IN′-tr Ə -vurt′
5. extrovert EKS′-tr Ə -vurt′
6. ambivert AM′-b Ə -vurt′
7. misanthrope MIS′- Ə n-thrōp′
8. misogynist m Ə -SOJ′- Ə -nist
9. misogamist m Ə -SOG′- Ə -mist
10. ascetic Ə -SET′-ik
Can you work with the words?

You have taken two long steps toward mastery of the expressive words in this chapter—you have thought about the ideas behind them, and you have said them aloud.

For your third step, match each personality with the appropriate characteristic, action, or attitude.

1. egoist a. turns thoughts inward
2. egotist b. hates marriage
3. altruist c. talks about accomplishments
4. introvert d. hates people
5. extrovert e. does not pursue pleasures of the flesh
6. ambivert f. is interested in the welfare of others
7. misanthrope g. believes in self-advancement
8. misogynist h. turns thoughts both inward and outward
9. misogamist i. hates women
10. ascetic j. turns thoughts outward

KEY: 1–g, 2–c, 3–f, 4–a, 5–j, 6–h, 7–d, 8–i, 9–b, 10–e

Do you understand the words?

Now that you are becoming more and more involved in these ten words, find out if they can make an immediate appeal to your understanding. Here are ten questions—can you indicate, quickly, and without reference to any previous definitions, whether the correct answer to each of these questions is yes or no?

1. Is an egoist selfish?

YES NO

2. Is modesty one of the characteristics of the egotist?

YES NO

3. Is an altruist selfish?

YES NO

4. Does an introvert pay much attention to himself?

YES NO

5. Does an extrovert prefer solitude to companionship?

YES NO

6. Are most normal people ambiverts?

YES NO

7. Does a misanthrope like people?

YES NO

8. Does a misogynist enjoy the company of women?

YES NO

9. Does an ascetic lead a life of luxury?

YES NO

10. Does a misogamist try to avoid marriage?

YES NO

KEY: 1–yes, 2–no, 3–no, 4–yes, 5–no, 6–yes, 7– no, 8–no, 9–no, 10–yes

Can you recall the words?

You have thus far reinforced your learning by saying the words aloud, by matching them to their definitions, and by responding to meaning when they were used in context.

Can you recall each word, now, without further reference to previous material? And can you spell it correctly?

1. Who lives a lonely, austere life?

1. A_________________

2. Whose interests are turned outward?

2. E_________________

3. Who is supremely selfish?

3. E_________________

4. Who hates people?

4. M_________________

5. Whose interests are turned both inward and outward?

5. A_________________

6. Who is incredibly conceited?

6. E_________________

7. Who is more interested in the welfare of others than in his own?

7. A_________________

8. Who hates women?

8. M_________________

9. Whose interests are turned inward?

9. I_________________

10. Who hates marriage?

10. M_________________

KEY: 1–ascetic, 2–extrovert, 3–egoist, 4–misanthrope, 5–ambivert, 6–egotist, 7–altruist, 8–misogynist, 9–introvert, 10–misogamist

( End of Session 1 )

SESSION 2

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

Every word in the English language has a history—and these ten are no exception. In this section you will learn a good deal more about the words you have been working with; in addition, you will make excursions into many other words allied either in meaning, form, or history to our basic ten.

1. the ego

Egoist and egotist are built on the same Latin root—the pronoun ego , meaning I. I is the greatest concern in the egoist's mind, the most overused word in the egotist's vocabulary. (Keep the words differentiated in your own mind by thinking of the t in talk , and the additional t in egotist. ) Ego itself has been taken over from Latin as an important English word and is commonly used to denote one's concept of oneself, as in, “What do you think your constant criticisms do to my ego? Ego has also a special meaning in psychology—but for the moment you have enough problems without going into that.

If you are an egocentric (ee′-gō-SEN′-trik), you consider yourself the center of the universe—you are an extreme form of the egoist. And if you are an egomaniac (ee′-gō-MAY′-nee-ak), you carry egoism to such an extreme that your needs, desires, and interests have become a morbid obsession, a mania. The egoist or egotist is obnoxious, the egocentric is intolerable, and the egomaniac is dangerous and slightly mad.

Egocentric is both a noun (“What an egocentric her new roommate is!”) and an adjective (“He is the most egocentric person I have ever met!”).

To derive the adjective form of egomaniac , add - al , a common adjective suffix. Say the adjective aloud:

egomaniacal ee′-gō-m Ə -NĪ′- Ə -k Ə l

2. others

In Latin, the word for other is alter , and a number of valuable English words are built on this root.

Altruism (AL′-tr -iz- Ə m), the philosophy practiced by altruists , comes from one of the variant spellings of Latin alter , other. Altruistic (al-tr -IS′-tik) actions look toward the benefit of others. If you alternate (AWL′-t Ə r-nayt′), you skip one and take the other , so to speak, as when you play golf on alternate (AWL′-t Ə r-n Ə t) Saturdays.

An alternate (AWL′-t Ə r-n Ə t) in a debate, contest, or convention is the other person who will take over if the original choice is unable to attend. And if you have no alternative (awl-TUR′-n Ə -tiv), you have no other choice.

You see how easy it is to understand the meanings of these words once you realize that they all come from the same source. And keeping in mind that alter means other , you can quickly understand words like alter ego, altercation , and alteration.

An alteration (awl′-t Ə -RAY′-sh Ə n) is of course a change—a making into something other. When you alter (AWL′-t Ə r) your plans, you make other plans.

An altercation (awl′-t Ə r-KAY′-sh Ə n) is a verbal dispute. When you have an altercation with someone, you have a violent disagreement, a “fight” with words. And why? Because you have other ideas, plans, or opinions than those of the person on the other side of the argument. Altercation , by the way, is stronger than quarrel or dispute —the sentiment is more heated, the disagreement is likely to be angry or even hot-tempered, there may be recourse, if the disputants are human, to profanity or obscenity. You have altercations , in short, over pretty important issues, and the word implies that you get quite excited.

Alter ego (AWL′-t Ə r EE′-gō), which combines alter , other, with ego , I, self, generally refers to someone with whom you are so close that you both do the same things, think alike, react similarly, and are, in temperament, almost mirror images of each other. Any such friend is your other I , your other self , your alter ego.

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words?

Digging a little into the derivation of three of our basic words, egoist, egotist , and altruist , has put us in touch with two important Latin roots, ego , I, self, and alter , other, and has made it possible for us to explore, with little difficulty, many other words derived from these roots. Pause now, for a moment, to digest these new acquisitions, and to say them aloud.

1. ego EE′-gō
2. egocentric ee-gō-SEN′-trik
3. egomaniac ee-gō-MAY′-nee-ak
4. egomaniacal ee′-gō-m Ə -NĪ′- Ə -k Ə l
5. altruism AL′-tr -iz- Ə m
6. altruistic al-tr -IS′-tik
7. to alternate ( v. ) AWL′-t Ə r-nayt′
8. alternate ( adj. or noun ) AWL′-t Ə r-n Ə t
9. alternative awl-TUR′-n Ə -tiv
10. alteration awl′-t Ə r-AY′-sh Ə n
11. to alter AWL′-t Ə r
12. altercation awl′-t Ə r-KAY′-sh Ə n
13. alter ego AWL′-t Ə r EE′-gō
Can you work with the words? (I)

You have seen how these thirteen words derive from the two Latin roots ego , I, self, and alter , other, and you have pronounced them aloud and thereby begun to make them part of your active vocabulary.

Are you ready to match definitions to words?

1. ego a. one who is excessively fixated on his own desires, needs, etc.
2. egocentric b. to change
3. altruism c. argument
4. to alternate d. one's concept of oneself
5. to alter e. to take one, skip one, etc.
6. altercation f. philosophy of putting another's welfare above one's own

KEY: 1–d, 2–a, 3–f, 4–e, 5–b, 6–c

Can you work with the words? (II)
1. egomaniacal a. a change
2. altruistic b. other possible
3. alternative c. interested in the welfare of others
4. alteration d. one's other self
5. alter ego e. a choice
6. alternate ( adj. ) f. morbidly, obsessively wrapped up in oneself

KEY: 1–f, 2–c, 3–e, 4–a, 5–d, 6–b

Do you understand the words?

If you have begun to understand these thirteen words, you will be able to respond to the following questions.

1. Is rejection usually a blow to one's ego?

YES NO

2. Are egocentric people easy to get along with?

YES NO

3. Does an egomaniac have a normal personality?

YES NO

4. Are egomaniacal tendencies a sign of maturity?

YES NO

5. Is altruism a characteristic of selfish people?

YES NO

6. Are altruistic tendencies common to egoists?

YES NO

7. Is an alternate plan necessarily inferior?

YES NO

8. Does an alternative allow you some freedom of choice?

YES NO

9. Does alteration imply keeping things the same?

YES NO

10. Do excitable people often engage in altercations?

YES NO

11. Is your alter ego usually quite similar to yourself?

YES NO

KEY: 1–yes, 2–no, 3–no, 4–no, 5–no, 6–no, 7–no, 8–yes, 9–no, 10–yes, 11–yes

Can you recall the words?

Have you learned these words so well that you can summon each one from your mind when a brief definition is offered? Review first if necessary; then, without further reference to previous pages, write the correct word in each blank. Make sure to check your spelling when you refer to the Key.

1. one's other self

1. A_________________

2. to change

2. A_________________

3. a heated dispute

3. A_________________

4. excessively, morbidly obsessed with one's own needs, desires, or ambitions

4. E_________________

5. unselfish; more interested in the welfare of others than in one's own

5. A_________________

6. utterly involved with oneself; self-centered

6. E_________________

7. a choice

7. A_________________

8. one who substitutes for another

8. A_________________

KEY: 1–alter ego, 2–alter, 3–altercation, 4–egomaniacal, 5–altruistic, 6–egocentric, 7–alternative, 8–alternate

( End of Session 2 )

SESSION 3

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. depends how you turn

Introvert, extrovert , and ambivert are built on the Latin verb verto , to turn. If your thoughts are constantly turned inward ( intro -), you are an introvert; outward ( extro -), an extrovert; and in both directions ( ambi -), an ambivert. The prefix ambi -, both, is also found in ambidextrous (am′-b Ə -DEKS′-tr Ə s), able to use both hands with equal skill. The noun is ambidexterity (am′-b Ə -deks-TAIR′- Ə -tee).

Dexterous (DEKS′-trƏs) means skillful , the noun dexterity (deks-TAIR′- Ə -tee) is skill. The ending - ous is a common adjective suffix ( famous, dangerous, perilous , etc.); - ity is a common noun suffix ( vanity, quality, simplicity , etc.).

(Spelling caution: Note that the letter following the t - in ambidextrous is - r , but that in dexterous the next letter is - e. )

Dexter is actually the Latin word for right hand —in the ambidextrous person, both hands are right hands , so to speak.

The right hand is traditionally the more skillful one; it is only within recent decades that we have come to accept that “lefties” or “southpaws” are just as normal as anyone else—and the term left-handed is still used as a synonym of awkward.

The Latin word for the left hand is sinister. This same word, in English, means threatening, evil , or dangerous , a further commentary on our early suspiciousness of left-handed persons. There may still be some parents who insist on forcing left-handed children to change (though left-handedness is inherited, and as much an integral part of its possessor as eye color or nose shape), with various unfortunate results to the child—sometimes stuttering or an inability to read with normal skill.

The French word for the left hand is gauche , and, as you would suspect, when we took this word over into English we invested it with an uncomplimentary meaning. Call someone gauche (GŌSH) and you imply clumsiness, generally social rather than physical. (We're right back to our age-old misconception that left-handed people are less skillful than right-handed ones.) A gauche remark is tactless; a gauche offer of sympathy is so bumbling as to be embarrassing; gaucherie (GŌ′-sh Ə -ree) is an awkward, clumsy, tactless, embarrassing way of saying things or of handling situations. The gauche person is totally without finesse.

And the French word for the right hand is droit , which we have used in building our English word adroit ( Ə -DROYT′). Needless to say, adroit , like dexterous , means skillful , but especially in the exercise of the mental facilities. Like gauche, adroit , or its noun adroitness , usually is used figuratively. The adroit person is quickwitted, can get out of difficult spots cleverly, can handle situations ingeniously. Adroitness is, then, quite the opposite of gaucherie.

2. love, hate, and marriage

Misanthrope, misogynist , and misogamist are built on the Greek root misein , to hate. The misanthrope hates mankind (Greek anthropos , mankind); the misogynist hates women (Greek gyne , woman); the misogamist hates marriage (Greek gamos , marriage).

Anthropos , mankind, is also found in anthropology (an-thr Ə -POL′- Ə -jee), the study of the development of the human race; and in philanthropist (f Ə -LAN′-thr Ə -pist), one who loves mankind and shows such love by making substantial financial contributions to charitable organizations or by donating time and energy to helping those in need.

The root gyne , woman, is also found in gynecologist (gīn- Ə -KOL′- Ə -jist or jīn-KOL′- Ə -jist), the medical specialist who treats female disorders. And the root gamos , marriage, occurs also in monogamy (m Ə -NOG′- Ə -mee), bigamy (BIG′- Ə -mee), and polygamy (p Ə -LIG′- Ə -mee).

(As we will discover later, monos means one, bi - means two, polys means many. )

So monogamy is the custom of only one marriage (at a time).

Bigamy , by etymology, is two marriages—in actuality, the unlawful act of contracting another marriage without divorcing one's current legal spouse.

And polygamy , by derivation many marriages, and therefore etymologically denoting plural marriage for either males or females, in current usage generally refers to the custom practiced in earlier times by the Mormons, and before them by King Solomon, in which the man has as many wives as he can afford financially and/or emotionally. The correct, but rarely used, term for this custom is polygyny (p Ə -LIJ′- Ə -nee)— polys , many, plus gyne , woman.

What if a woman has two or more husbands, a form of marriage practiced in the Himalaya Mountains of Tibet? That custom is called polyandry (pol-ee-AN′-dree), from polys plus Greek andros , male.

3. making friends with suffixes

English words have various forms, using certain suffixes for nouns referring to persons, other suffixes for practices, attitudes, philosophies, etc, and still others for adjectives.

Consider:

Person Practice, etc. Adjective
1. misanthrope or misanthropist misanthropy misanthropic
2. misogynist misogyny misogynous or misogynistic
3. gynecologist gynecology gynecological
4. monogamist monogamy monogamous
5. bigamist bigamy bigamous
6. polygamist polygamy polygamous
7. polygynist polygyny polygynous
8. polyandrist polyandry polyandrous
9. philanthropist philanthropy philanthropic
10. anthropologist anthropology anthropological

You will note, then, that - ist is a common suffix for a person; - y for a practice, attitude, etc.; and - ic or - ous for an adjective.

4. living alone and liking it

Ascetic is from the Greek word asketes , monk or hermit.

A monk lives a lonely life—not for him the pleasures of the fleshpots, the laughter and merriment of convivial gatherings, the dissipation of high living. Rather, days of contemplation, study, and rough toil, nights on a hard bed in a simple cell, and the kind of self-denial that leads to a purification of the soul.

That person is an ascetic who leads an existence, voluntarily of course, that compares in austerity, simplicity, and rigorous hardship with the life of a monk.

The practice is asceticism ( Ə -SET′- Ə -siz- Ə m), the adjective ascetic.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

Notice how efficiently you can master words by understanding their etymological structure. Stop for a moment to review the roots, prefixes, and suffixes you have studied. Can you recall a word we have discussed in this chapter that is built on the indicated prefix, root, or suffix?

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX MEANING EXAMPLE
1. ego self, I _______________
2. alter other _______________
3. intro - inside _______________
4. extro - outside _______________
5. verto turn _______________
6. ambi - both _______________
7. misein hate _______________
8. anthropos mankind _______________
9. gyne woman _______________
10. gamos marriage _______________
11. asketes monk _______________
12. centrum center _______________
13. mania madness _______________
14. dexter right hand _______________
15. sinister left hand _______________
16. gauche left hand _______________
17. droit right hand _______________
18. monos one _______________
19. bi - two _______________
20. polys many _______________
21. andros male _______________
22. - ist person who ( noun suffix ) _______________
23. - y Practice, custom, etc. ( noun suffix ) _______________
24. - ous adjective suffix _______________
25. - ity quality, condition, etc. ( noun suffix ) _______________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

Say each word aloud! Hear it in your own voice! Say it often enough so that you feel comfortable with it, noting carefully from the phonetic respelling exactly how it should sound.

Remember that the first crucial step in mastering a word is to be able to say it with ease and assurance.

1. ambidextrous am-b Ə -DEKS′-tr Ə s
2. ambidexterity am′-b Ə -deks-TAIR′- Ə -tee
3. dexterous DEKS′-tr Ə s
4. dexterity deks-TAIR′- Ə -tee
5. sinister SIN′- Ə -st Ə r
6. gauche GŌSH (Say the English word go , then quickly add - sh. )
7. gaucherie GŌ′-sh Ə -ree
8. adroit Ə -DROYT′
9. adroitness Ə -DROYT′-n Ə ss
10. anthropology an-tbr Ə -POL′- Ə -jee
11. anthropologist an-thr Ə -POL′- Ə -jist
12. anthropological an′-thr Ə -p Ə -LOJ′- Ə -k Ə l
13. philanthropist f Ə -LAN′-thr Ə -pist
14. philanthropy f Ə -LAN′-thr Ə -pee
15. philanthropic fil- Ə n-THROP′-ik
16. gynecologist gīn ( or jin or jīn)- Ə -KOL′- Ə -jist
17. gynecology gīn (or jin or jīn)- Ə -KOL′- Ə -jee
18. gynecological gīn (or jin or jīn)- Ə -k Ə -LOJ′- Ə -k Ə l
19. monogamist m Ə -NOG′- Ə -mist
20. monogamy m Ə -NOG′- Ə -mee
21. monogamous m Ə -NOG′- Ə -m Ə s
Can you pronounce the words? (II)
1. bigamist BIG′- Ə -mist
2. bigamy BIG′- Ə -mee
3. bigamous BIG′- Ə -m Ə s
4. polygamist p Ə -LIG′- Ə -mist
5. polygamy p Ə -LIG′- Ə -mee
6. polygamous p Ə -LIG-′ Ə -m Ə s
7. polygynist p Ə -LIJ′- Ə -nist
8. polygyny p Ə -LIJ′- Ə -nee
9. polygynous p Ə -LIJ′- Ə -n Ə s
10. polyandrist pol-ee-AN′-drist
11. polyandry pol-ee-AN′-dree
12. polyandrous pol-ee-AN′-dr Ə s
13. misanthropist mis-AN′-thr Ə -pist
14. misanthropy mis-AN′-thr Ə -pee
15. misanthropic mis- Ə n-THROP′-ik
16. misogyny m Ə -SOJ′- Ə -nee
17. misogynous m Ə -SOJ′- Ə -n Ə s
18. misogynistic m Ə -soj′- Ə -NIS′-tik
19. misogamy m Ə -SOG′- Ə -mee
20. misogamous m Ə -SOG- Ə -m Ə s
21. asceticism Ə -SET- Ə -siz- Ə m
Can you work with the words? (I)

Check on your comprehension! See how successfully you can match words and meanings!

1. ambidextrous a. evil, threatening
2. dexterous b. hating mankind
3. sinister c. skillful
4. gauche d. awkward
5. misanthropic e. capable of using both hands with equal skill

KEY: 1–e, 2–c, 3–a, 4–d, 5–b

Can you work with the words? (II)
1. anthropology a. system of only one marriage
2. gynecology b. hatred of women
3. monogamy c. illegal plurality of marriages
4. bigamy d. study of human development
5. misogyny e. study of female ailments

KEY: 1–d, 2–e, 3–a, 4–c, 5–b

Can you work with the words? (III)
1. polygamy a. devotion to a lonely and austere life
2. misogamy b. skill, cleverness
3. asceticism c. custom in which one man has many wives
4. philanthropy d. love of mankind
5. adroitness e. hatred of marriage

KEY: 1–c, 2–e, 3–a, 4–d, 5–b

Can you work with the words? (IV)
1. polygynist a. student of the development of mankind
2. polyandrist b. one who engages in charitable works
3. anthropologist c. male with a plurality of wives
4. gynecologist d. women's doctor
5. philanthropist e. female with a plurality of husbands

KEY: 1–c, 2–e, 3–a, 4–d, 5–b

Do you understand the words?

1. Can ambidextrous people use either the left or right hand equally well?

YES NO

2. Should a surgeon be manually dexterous?

YES NO

3. Is a sinister -looking person frightening?

YES NO

4. Is gaucherie a social asset?

YES NO

5. Is an adroit speaker likely to be a successful lawyer?

YES NO

6. Is a student of anthropology interested in primitive tribes?

YES NO

7. Does a gynecologist have more male than female patients?

YES NO

8. Is monogamy the custom in Western countries?

YES NO

9. Is a misogamist likely to show tendencies toward polygamy?

YES NO

10. Is a bigamist breaking the law?

YES NO

11. Is a philanthropist generally altruistic?

YES NO

12. Does a misanthropist enjoy human relationships?

YES NO

13. Does a misogynist enjoy female companionship?

YES NO

14. Are unmarried people necessarily misogamous?

YES NO

15. Are bachelors necessarily misogynous?

YES NO

16. Is asceticism compatible with luxurious living and the pursuit of pleasure?

YES NO

17. Does a polyandrist have more than one husband?

YES NO

KEY: 1–yes, 2–yes, 3–yes, 4–no, 5–yes, 6–yes, 7–no, 8–yes, 9–no, 10–yes, 11–yes, 12–no, 13–no, 14–no, 15–no, 16–no, 17–yes

Can you recall the words?

1. philosophy of living austerely

1. A_________________

2. hatred of women

2. M_________________

3. hatred of marriage

3. M_________________

4. hatred of mankind

4. M_________________

5. skillful

5. D_________________

6. awkward

6. G_________________

7. evil, threatening

7. S_________________

8. describing hatred of women ( adj. )

8. M_________________
or M_________________

9. skill

9. A_________________

10. pertaining to hatred of marriage. ( adj. )

10. M_________________

11. pertaining to hatred of mankind ( adj. )

11. M_________________

12. social custom of plural marriage

12. P_________________
or P_________________
or P_________________

13. unlawful state of having more than one spouse

13. B_________________

14. doctor specializing in female disorders

14. G_________________

15. custom of one marriage at a time

15. M_________________

16. one who hates the human race

16. M_________________
or M_________________

17. able to use both hands with equal skill

17. A_________________

18. study of mankind

18. A_________________

19. one who loves mankind

19. P_________________

20. skill in the use of both hands

20. A_________________

KEY: 1–asceticism, 2–misogyny, 3–misogamy, 4–misanthropy, 5–dexterous, 6–gauche, 7–sinister, 8–misogynous or misogynistic, 9–adroitness, 10–misogamous, 11–misanthropic, 12–polygamy, polyandry, or polygyny, 13–bigamy, 14–gynecologist, 15–monogamy, 16–misanthropist or misanthrope, 17–ambidextrous, 18–anthropology, 19–philanthropist, 20–ambidexterity

CHAPTER REVIEW

A. Do you recognize the words?

1. Puts selfish desires first: (a) egoist, (b) egotist, (c) altruist

2. Is self-analytical: (a) extrovert, (b) introvert, (c) ambivert

3. Hates women: (a) misogamist, (b) misanthrope, (c) misogynist

4. One's other self: (a) altercation, (b) alter ego, (c) alteration

5. Awkward, clumsy: (a) adroit, (b) dexterous, (c) gauche

6. Plural marriage as a custom: (a) bigamy, (b) polygamy, (c) monogamy

7. Study of human development: (a) asceticism, (b) philanthropy, (c) anthropology

8. Plurality of husbands as a custom: (a) misogyny, (b) polygyny, (c) polyandry

KEY: 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–b, 5–c, 6–b, 7–c, 8–c

B. Can you recognize roots?
ROOT MEANING
1. ego ___________
EXAMPLE egoist
2. alter ___________
EXAMPLE alternative
3. verto ___________
EXAMPLE introvert
4. misein ___________
EXAMPLE misogynist
5. anthropos ___________
EXAMPLE anthropologist
6. gyne ___________
EXAMPLE gynecologist
7. gamos ___________
EXAMPLE bigamy
8. centrum ___________
EXAMPLE egocentric
9. dexter ___________
EXAMPLE dexterous
10. droit ___________
EXAMPLE adroit
11. monos ___________
EXAMPLE monogamy
12. andros ___________
EXAMPLE polyandry

KEY: 1–self, 2–other, 3–to turn, 4–to hate, 5–mankind, 6–woman, 7–marriage, 8–center, 9–right hand, 10–right hand, 11–one, 12–male

TEASER QUESTIONS FOR THE AMATEUR ETYMOLOGIST

Suppose you met the following words in your reading. Recognizing the roots on which they are constructed, could you figure out the meanings? Write your answers on the blank lines.

1. anthropocentric: _________________

2. andromania: _________________

3. gynandrous: _________________

4. monomania: _________________

5. misandrist: _________________

( Answers in Chapter 18 . )

STICK TO YOUR TIME SCHEDULE!

In three sessions, you have become acquainted with scores of new, vital, exciting words. You understand the ideas behind these words, their various forms and spellings, their pronunciation, their derivation, how they can be used, and exactly what they mean. I do not wish to press a point unduly, but it is possible that you have learned more new words in the short time it took you to cover this chapter than the average adult learns in an entire year. This realization should make you feel both gratified and excited.

Funny thing about time. Aside from the fact that we all, rich or poor, sick or well, have the same amount of time, exactly twenty-four hours every day (that is looking at time from a static point of view), it is also true that we can always find time for the things we enjoy doing, almost never for the things we find unpleasant (and that is looking at time from the dynamic point of view). I am not merely being philosophical—I am sure you will agree with this concept if you give it a little thought.

If you have enjoyed learning new words, accepting new challenges, gaining new understanding, and discovering the thrill of successful accomplishment, then make sure to stay with the time schedule you have set up for yourself.

A crucial factor in successful, ongoing learning is routine.

Develop a comfortable time routine, persevere against all distractions, and you will learn anything you sincerely want to learn.

So, to give yourself an edge, write here the day and hour you plan to return to your work:

DAY: ____________________
DATE: ____________________
TIME: ____________________

( End of Session 3 )

1 See Introduction, Section 2, Master the pronunciation system .

Brief Intermission One

TEST YOUR GRAMMAR

How good is your English? Have you ever said me and then wondered if it shouldn't have been I —or vice versa? Do you sometimes get a little confused about lay and lie or who and whom? Perhaps you are often a little less than certain about the distinction between effect and affect, principal and principle, childish and childlike?

Here is a series of quick tests that will show you how skillful you are in using the right word in the right place, that will give you a reliable indication of how your language ability compares with the average.

TEST I—EASY

If your English is every bit as good as average, you will have no difficulty making a proper choice in at least eight of the following ten sentences.

1. There is a beautiful moon out tonight and Estelle and I are going for a stroll—would you like to come along with (she and I, her and me?)

2. Your husband doesn't believe that you are older than (I, me).

3. Maybe we're not as rich as (they, them), but I bet we're a lot happier.

4. Does your child still (lay, lie) down for a nap after lunch?

5. When we saw Mary openly flirting with Nellie's husband, we (could, couldn't) hardly believe our eyes.

6. You should (of, have) put more vermouth into the martini.

7. Does your company (leave, let) you have as long a lunch break as you would like?

8. Harriet feels that her (brothers-in-law, brother-in-laws) are impossible to get along with.

9. “What (kind of, kind of a) car are you looking for?” asked the salesman.

10. Mrs. White was delighted that the Fennells had invited John and (she, her) to their party.

Is your English up to par? HERE ARE THE CORRECT ANSWERS

1–her and me, 2–I, 3-they, 4–lie, 5–could, 6–have, 7–let, 8–brothers-in-law, 9–kind of, 10–her

TEST II—HARDER

Choose correctly in at least seven of the following problems to consider that your skill is distinctly above average—get all ten right to conclude that you rarely, if ever, make an error in grammar.

1. What (effect, affect) has the new administration's policies had on investor confidence?

2. A feeling of one's worth is one of the (principle, principal) goals of psychological therapy.

3. There's no sense (in, of) carrying on that way.

4. I can't remember (who, whom) it was.

5. The infant (lay, laid) quietly sucking its thumb.

6. No one but (she, her) ever made a perfect score on the test.

7. In the early days of frontier history, horse thieves were (hanged, hung).

8. Neither of your responses (are, is) satisfactory.

9. Either of these two small cars, if properly maintained, (is, are) sure to give over thirty miles per gallon in highway driving.

10. Tell (whoever, whomever) is waiting to come in.

Is your English above average? HERE ARE THE CORRECT ANSWERS

1–effect, 2–principal, 3–in, 4–who, 5–lay, 6–her, 7–hanged, 8–is, 9–is, 10–whoever

TEST III—HARDEST

Now you can discover how close you are to being an expert in English. The next ten sentences are no cinch—you will be acquitting yourself creditably if you check the correct word five times out of ten. And you have every right to consider yourself an expert if you get nine or ten right.

1. We have just interviewed an applicant (who, whom) the committee believes is best qualified for the position.

2. She is one of those gifted writers who (turns, turn) out one best seller after another.

3. Don't sound so (incredulous, incredible); what I am saying is absolutely true.

4. We were totally (disinterested, uninterested) in the offer.

5. This recipe calls for two (cupsful, cupfuls) of sugar.

6. Are you trying to (infer, imply) by those words that he is not to be trusted?

7. We thought the actress to be (she, her), but we weren't sure.

8. Was it (she, her) you were talking about?

9. Your criteria (is, are) not valid.

10. “It is I who (is, am) the only friend you've got,” she told him pointedly.

Are you an expert? HERE ARE THE CORRECT ANSWERS

1–who, 2–turn, 3–incredulous, 4–uninterested, 5–cupfuls, 6–imply, 7–her, 8–she, 9–are, 10–am dJznTENjh2LC5xsfFHGiSHycG3aC3jGCwNeuAkyIU1UV4j6/s7p+fTv68Pen34iE

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