Complete Bibliography & Further Reading
The research behind purpose discovery and personal design
UBInShape2 is built on Rick Warren's SHAPE framework and decades of research in spiritual gifts assessment, strengths psychology, personality theory, and purpose discovery. This page provides a comprehensive bibliography of the academic works, books, and research papers that inform the product's 5 dimensions and 20 modules. Each source is available through Amazon with direct purchase links.
The foundational work upon which UBInShape2's SHAPE model is built:
2002 • Zondervan
One of the best-selling non-fiction books of all time, with over 50 million copies sold. Warren introduces the SHAPE framework as a tool for discovering how God has uniquely designed each person for a specific purpose. The book's 40-day journey helps readers understand their Spiritual gifts, Heart's passion, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.
1995 • Zondervan
Warren's foundational work on building healthy churches, where the SHAPE concept first appeared. This book explains how understanding individual SHAPE helps people find their place in community and service. It established the framework that would later be expanded in The Purpose Driven Life.
Key texts on understanding and discovering spiritual gifts—the "S" in SHAPE:
2012 • Chosen Books
A practical guide to identifying spiritual gifts with assessment tools and clear explanations. Wagner categorizes gifts and provides biblical foundations for understanding how each gift functions in community.
2004 • Multnomah
The Blackabys explore how spiritual gifts operate within God's larger purposes. They emphasize that gifts are not about personal fulfillment alone but about participating in God's work in the world.
2001 • ChurchSmart Resources
Schwarz presents a systematic approach to spiritual gifts discovery, integrating them with natural church development principles. Includes assessment tools and practical application strategies.
Essential texts on identifying and developing natural abilities and talents—the "A" in SHAPE:
2007 • Gallup Press
Based on Gallup's 40-year study of human strengths, this book helps readers discover their top five talent themes from 34 possibilities. The assessment has been taken by over 25 million people worldwide. Rath shows that developing strengths produces far greater results than fixing weaknesses.
2001 • Free Press
The foundational book that launched the strengths movement. Clifton, the father of strengths psychology, and Buckingham present the revolutionary idea that the key to success is building on your natural talents rather than fixing weaknesses.
2008 • Gallup Press
Drawing on research with over one million work teams, this book shows how leaders can maximize their effectiveness by focusing on strengths—both their own and their team members'.
Key texts on understanding personality differences—the "P" in SHAPE:
1998 • Prometheus Nemesis Book Company
Keirsey's comprehensive guide to the four temperaments and sixteen personality types. Building on Myers-Briggs foundations, Keirsey provides deep insights into how different personalities approach work, relationships, and life purpose.
1995 • Davies-Black Publishing
The definitive guide to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, written by its creator. Myers explains how personality type affects learning, work, relationships, and personal development.
2012 • Crown Publishing
A groundbreaking exploration of introversion, challenging the extrovert ideal that dominates Western culture. Cain shows how introverts can leverage their unique strengths for success and fulfillment.
Essential reading on discovering life purpose and integrating all dimensions of personal design:
2000 • Jossey-Bass
Palmer explores vocation as "the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." He argues that vocation isn't something we choose but something we uncover by listening to our lives—our experiences, passions, and true nature.
2003 • Thomas Nelson
Guinness distinguishes between primary calling (to God) and secondary calling (to specific roles and work). He explores how calling encompasses all of life—not just career—and how to discover what you're meant to do.
1959 • Beacon Press
Frankl's profound memoir of surviving the Holocaust and the psychological insights he gained. His logotherapy—the belief that finding meaning is the primary human drive—provides the philosophical foundation for purpose-centered living.
2016 • Knopf
Stanford professors apply design thinking to life planning. Their methodology helps people prototype different life paths, reframe problems, and create lives aligned with their values and abilities.
Peer-reviewed research underlying UBInShape2's evidence-based approach to personal design:
Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). Psychological Review, 100(3), 363-406.
Landmark research on how abilities develop through deliberate practice—foundational for understanding how natural talents become developed strengths.
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). Personnel Psychology, 44(1), 1-26.
Demonstrates how personality traits predict job performance across occupations—supporting the importance of personality-vocation fit in the SHAPE model.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141-166.
Distinguishes between pleasure-based and purpose-based well-being, showing that meaning and self-actualization are essential for flourishing—core to understanding why SHAPE matters.
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). American Psychologist, 57(9), 705-717.
Foundational goal-setting research showing how specific, challenging goals aligned with one's values and abilities produce the highest performance and satisfaction.
Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(1), 15-25.
Research demonstrating that using signature strengths leads to greater well-being and goal attainment—directly supporting the "Abilities" dimension of SHAPE.
Google Scholar is a free academic search engine that indexes peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, and conference proceedings from universities and research institutions worldwide.
Unlike regular Google, Scholar focuses exclusively on academic and scholarly sources—the original research that books like those above are based on.
Use Google Scholar when you want to:
Note: Some papers require institutional access or purchase, but many are freely available as PDFs.
Transform research-backed self-discovery into daily inspiration with UBInShape2's 20 modules and 2,000+ curated quotes.