Read People Like a Book: How to Analyze, Understand, and Predict People’s Emotions, Thoughts, Intentions, and Behaviors

by Patrick King

According to Gosling, possessions and artifacts can be broken down into roughly three categories: Those objects that make identity claims—items that show our personality, value or sense of identity directly. Ornaments, posters, awards, photos, jewelry and adornment (think a gold cross around the neck or a Celtic knot tattoo). Look at the space and ask, who lives here? What kind of person owns this item? Objects that act as feeling regulators—the things that help people manage their own emotional state. An inspirational quote, a picture of a loved one, sentimental items. These all tell you what the person values and cherishes most. Finally, items that are behavioral residues—these are the things left behind in the ordinary course of life. These could be things like piles of old Vodka bottles in the corner, an unfinished book next to the sofa, a half-finished craft project on the dining room table. These give you a neat glimpse into people’s habits and behaviors.