788
o
872
o
873
o
875
|
Competition and feeling superior to others
876
o
876
878
Early developmental differences between boys and girls 879
879
881
882
o
883
884
887
889
890
o
894
894
895
897
897
|
Selected references for understanding relationships
899
Introduction
The chapter starts with several general descriptions of human
personality and its development. Then relationships are discussed, including
"games" we play, family relationships, and the long-term effects of childhood
experiences. The chapter ends with a review of common interpersonal
problems, the difficulties we have keeping relationships together, and the
continuing conflicts between men and women (love and sex are in the next
chapter).
Understanding ourselves probably aids self-acceptance, self-
control, and good relationships. But self-understanding only comes
from interacting with others; we know ourselves in comparison to
others. So, the two--self-awareness and insight into relationships--
develop together. Indeed, we have a relationship with ourselves as
well as with others. Jo Courdet in Advice from a Failure observes: "Of
all the people you will know in a life time, you are the only one you will
never lose." This relationship with the "me" inside is crucial; the better
we know ourselves, the better we know others, since our perception of
