Official Workbook: Read People like a Book

Recognizing people's "inner child" is another way to understand their deepest motives.

According to Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, the shadow consists of everything in ourselves that we'd rather not look at. They are the parts of ourselves that we conceal from both others and ourselves. Humans have a hard time seeing their flaws because of emotions like fear, panic, rage, and arrogance.

In contrast, a person in "kid mode" may really be a child on some level, compelling you to act like a parent would—by calming, correcting, or shouldering responsibility for the individual

In contrast, a person in "kid mode" may really be a child on some level, compelling you to act like a parent would—by calming, correcting, or shouldering responsibility for the individual.

If you find yourself acting like a parent, it's likely that the other person is completely associated with their inner child.

We can tell when someone is acting from their shadow, but we can also tell when someone is being driven by their inner child. For instance, if your spouse is furious and defensive during an argument, it may help you if you understand the behavior as that of a terrified toddler having a tantrum

Recognizing people's "inner child" is another way to understand their deepest motives.

They give everyone else the same name that they give themselves.

If we take the time to notice and interpret these traits in other people, we may understand and interact with them better.

If you take offense instead of laughing it off when someone labels you "dumb," then there must be some secret part of you that doesn't want to feel inferior.