The Intimacy Factor by David Stoop

by David Stoop

Shows how family history, birth order, early behavior, and home environment contribute to shaping personality and explains how this knowledge can be used to achieve greater intimacy in marriage

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

David Stoop, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. He received a master's in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and a doctorate from the University of Southern California.
He is frequently heard as a cohost on the nationally syndicated New Life Live! radio and TV program.
David is the founder and director of the Center for Family Therapy in Newport Beach, California. He is also an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and serves on the executive board of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
David is a Gold Medallion-winning author who has written more than thirty books, including Forgiving the Unforgivable, and Rethink How You Think.
He resides with his wife Jan in Newport Beach, California, and has three sons and six grandchildren.

Connect with David on:
DrStoop.com
Facebook
Twitter

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

In section one, Dr. Stoop uses the Myers-Briggs indicators to illustrate some differences couples may have in their decision-making and communication styles. Subsequent sections explore the effects of family roles and the part forgiveness can play in relationships.

While reading parts of this book, I found myself laughing aloud when the examples of communication problems mirrored a few between my husband and me. I also found some passages useful in prompting thoughtful conversations with my spouse. However, as I re-read parts of the book for discussion, we found a lot of problems. The examples related to the Meyers-Briggs indicators (extravert/introvert, judging/perceiving, etc.) occasionally seemed contradictory or irrelevant to their indicator. There were also times when the author introduced unrelated judgment statements into the description with no follow-up details.

The book seemed overloaded with examples of women (versus men) associated with negative character traits. The book's tone also seemed to skew negative toward those traits typically deemed more feminine.

I was disappointed with several references to "our faith" wherein the author appeared to assume all his readers were Christian. I found myself wishing he could find some contemporary examples for his family roles discussion, rather than using antiquated Biblical references. A mention in the title or an early note in the introduction would be useful if the book is truly intended only for Christian families.

[Jerri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for a Masters in Counseling class. Myers-Briggs based. Just OK.