Author talks love and personality
By: Leslie Katz
Examiner Staff Writer
March 2, 2009
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| Helen Fisher may be considered a leader in “romance research.” (Courtesy photo) |
Helen Fisher, an author and anthropology professor, was recently in The City to talk about her latest book, “Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type.”
Can you describe the basis of your research? It’s about the role that body chemistry plays in feelings of attraction, and looking at how chemicals in the brain are associated with personality traits.
How did you go about making the associations? I came to see that we’ve evolved four biological types associated with brain systems. I designed a questionnaire — given to participants on Chemistry.com — that measure the expression of these traits in the systems. I found nature’s path.
What types did you find? “Explorers” represent the expression of dopamine; they’re free, optimistic, energetic and curious. “Builders” express serotonin; they’re pillars of society, loyal and patient. “Directors,” who express testosterone, are analytical, direct, tough-minded and decisive. “Negotiators,” expressive of estrogen, are imaginative, agreeable and compassionate.
What did you learn about how the types attract? What’s remarkable is that there’s a pattern. “Explorers” are attracted to their own types, and so are “Builders.” “Directors” and “Negotiators” go for the opposite types.
What would you say about people who pick the wrong partners? If they have children, from a Darwinian perspective, it worked out just fine.
