Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior--Anytime, Anyplace

Now famous for her role in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, Dimitrius shares the people-reading techniques she developed over 15 years as a jury consultant. In so doing, she provides a wealth of tips and strategies for ferreting out people's real viewpoints, motives and character traits. Claiming that ""reading people is neither a science nor an innate gift,"" Dimitrius advocates sharpening and fine-tuning powers of observation and deduction. Gathering enough information to establish an overall pattern is the key to her method. Differentiating between ""elective and nonelective"" traits; setting aside assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes; recognizing body language; and identifying meanings behind personal choices of dress and behavior--all converge to reveal personality, attitude and life experience. Dimitrius rates people on scales of ""hardness"" or compassion, socioeconomic background and ""satisfaction with life""--the three most ""consistently reliable"" predictors of behavior, according to her. Whether interviewing a baby-sitter, meeting a new date or selecting a jury, this thorough, detailed guide of what to look for could probably improve anyone's ability at seeing and being seen. Author tour. (June)