The study of individual differences, in particular character accentuations, belongs to a separate discipline - the field of differential psychology. This industry is devoted to the works of many scientists - Western and domestic.
Justification of studies of character features
Why study personality accentuation types ? The analysis of differences between individuals has two objectives. Firstly, this is a research goal - to identify as many groups as possible, to develop specific advice for representatives of each of them. The more classes will be allocated, the more effective psychological recommendations will be for their representatives.
Secondly, it is necessary to know the types of character accentuation in order for a person to understand the features and causes of his behavior, to be able to correct it in accordance with this.
Often, in this respect, there is not enough everyday psychology. For example, there is a widespread opinion about the kindness of fat people. Conversely, a thin person is sometimes perceived as anxious, alert. Of course, such a categorization may be partly true. Such a mistake in the classification was not avoided, even in the medical field, even by Hippocrates: once the ancient physician directly linked his disposition to apoplexy shock with completeness.
The Soviet psychologist AE Lichko, like the German psychiatrist K. Leonhard, used the concept of “accentuation” in their studies. As applied to a particular property, this term means that it is highlighted brighter than others, as if emphasized. In other words, accentuation is the expression of a certain character trait. For a person with one or another quality, certain social situations will be very painful, while others will be easily tolerated. This article will consider types of accentuation by Lichko and by Leonhard.
The psychology of differences is not a strict discipline. Types of accentuation are always descriptive, and in their pure form are almost never found. Each person can find himself in two or more types.
It should also be noted that assigning oneself to a certain category should not be aimless. Having fun with psychological tests, you need to ask yourself the question: "Why am I doing this?" If a person understands that he belongs to a particular group, he needs to develop for himself an appropriate compensation strategy, self-help. To do this, you need to study the tips that are given by psychologists for representatives of different classes, and apply them to life.
Classification A. E. Lichko
Soviet psychologist investigated types of accentuation of adolescents. In total, he identified eleven groups. The features of character accentuation types in his theory have much in common with the classification of Karl Leonhard. Let's consider them in order.
Hypertensive type
A high level of energy, the ability to quickly find contact with people, the desire for leadership - all this is distinguished by a hyper-type of accentuation. Lichko considered hypertimacy a common characteristic characteristic of adolescence. High emotional tone makes representatives of this category leaders in any company. They are not aggressive. They can come into conflict, but only if they come across a sharp opposition to their activity. Therefore, it is better not to stand in their way, but rather to encourage activity.
Superficiality of interests is a negative trait that a hyperthymic type of accentuation has. Its representatives may have many abilities, but their interests are unstable.
Cycloid type
The main characteristic of this category is mood variability. An elevated state is replaced by despondency, irritability. Moreover, this occurs with a frequency of two to three weeks.
Labile type
The emotional tone of these adolescents, noted Lichko, cannot be defined as consistently low or high. Their mood is unstable, its change can occur very quickly. Within this category, two subtypes can also be distinguished: reactive-labile and emotionally labile. The former are prone to mood swings due to external factors. The condition of others is more due to inner experiences.
Representatives labile type sometimes seem indifferent to others. But this is far from the case - for some of them, the ability to correctly express their feelings may become a real problem. Having deep affection for loved ones, they do not know how to report them.
Astheno-neurotic type
Those who belong to this category are the main visitors to medical institutions. Their main difference is the concentration on the state of their body. As soon as they feel unwell, they can suspect a fatal disease in themselves - such suspiciousness reaches such proportions.
Sensitive type
The main characteristic of adolescents in this category, Lichko noted, is increased sensitivity, which is reflected in their behavior. Sensitive people are also characterized by painful irritability. Their weak point is large companies. In them, they always feel uncomfortable, try to carefully monitor what is happening, and sometimes copy the behavior of others. Representatives of the sensitive type can attract the attention of the whole company, for example, go for some kind of trick. But they succeed weakly, and they again return to their previous state with only more aggravated timidity.
The advantage of representatives of the sensitive type is diligence, responsibility, the ability to make and maintain deep friendships.
Psychasthenic type
Differs in indecision. Any domestic situation can become a source of excruciating uncertainty for the psycho-stenic. They are distinguished by high intelligence and confidence in their conclusions. But the latter is rarely confirmed by deeds. Psychasthenics are prone to gusty actions just at those moments when it is worth weighing the pros and cons.
Schizoid type
Despite the fact that they are very vulnerable internally, schizoid practically lacks the ability to empathy - they are not sensitive to someone else's pain. The schizoid type of accentuation has a positive side - good inventors come out of them. Most of the people who moved forward the progress of humanity were schizoid. Their main feature, which immediately catches your eye, is eccentricity. “Not from this world” - this can be safely said about the schizoid.
Epileptoid type
The most meticulous and picky type. It would seem that good in these qualities of character? But representatives of other types are difficult to imagine in some professions. For example, the best teachers of mathematics or physics are epileptoids. Their accuracy and attention to detail are indisputable advantages in teaching the exact sciences.
Hysteroid type
For this category, all life is one huge scene. For some people, it may be frustrating at first to be in a company with a hysteroid. After all, their main quality is a constant desire to be in the spotlight. But for certain professions, belonging to this class (its counterpart at Leonhard is a demonstrative type of accentuation) is an advantage. For example, excellent sellers, actors, singers come out of hysteroids.
Unstable type
Representatives of this category in Lichko were the most irresponsible adolescents. These were those who did not have stable interests, practically did not think about their future. Unstable can not concentrate on work for a long time, they are distinguished by a constant craving for idleness and entertainment.
Conformal type
A distinctive feature of conformists is the desire not to differ from their surroundings. Their motto is “to be like everyone else”. A negative feature of this category is the tendency to betray in a difficult situation. A conformal person will not suffer from remorse - he will always find an excuse for his actions.
Types of character accentuation according to Leonhard
Karl Leonhard identified twelve personality types. In many ways, his classification intersects with Lichko's theory, and some types in them are identical. Leonhard created three categories: the first was connected with accentuations of character, the second - with accentuations of temperament. The criterion for distinguishing the third group is personal characteristics (focus on oneself or on the outside world).
First you need to clarify the difference between temperament and character. People unfamiliar with psychology often confuse these concepts. But even some psychologists tend to believe that temperament and character are one and the same.
Temperament is the speed of a person’s reaction to events. This quality is, rather, a physiological property of the nervous system. Temperament includes emotionality, degree of response, poise. Character is a public education. Since birth, those around them seem to leave their mark on the baby. Such social interactions “sculpt” his personality.
So, Karl Leonhard carried out the classification in accordance with the character, temperament and personality traits, and the criteria for distinguishing the categories were the styles of human social interaction.
Accentuations related to temperament
- Hypertensive type. The main characteristics are mobility, sociability. In childhood, hyperthyms have a good memory, are easily trained. In the teenage period, conflicts are possible, since the group does not always allow hyperthym to take a leading position. As adults, representatives of this category remain sociable and energetic. It is easy to find a common language with them, if you do not enter into opposition.
- Dysthymic type. Moody, phlegmatic, retarded reactions are the main features of dystimics. They are silent and seem incorrigible pessimists. The positive side of the dysthymic type is responsibility, a developed sense of justice.
- Labile type. He, as in the classification of Lichko, is distinguished by the ability to quickly change his mood. Even a crudely spoken word can affect a representative of the labile type. A good mood can go bad even because it has begun to rain.
- Exalted type. Representatives of this type are non-conflict, love society, attentive to others. An exalted type of accentuation is distinguished by amorousness, a tendency to elevated feelings, and sociability. Such people are very quickly influenced by the events of the outside world - from the positive they are easily delighted, from the negative - they panic. Many designers, musicians and artists have an exalted type of accentuation.
- Disturbing type. The main feature is a feeling of anxiety for no apparent reason. Anxious children are quickly recognized by peers, and because of their indecision, they can become an object of ridicule. As adults, they remain no less suspicious than they were children. It’s hard for such people to insist on their own. However, the alarming type of accentuation has its advantages - its representatives have a rich inner world, and are also always able to adequately assess their capabilities. Among other types, they perceive reality most clearly.
- Emotive type. It is believed that representatives of this category "think" with feelings. Their main characteristics are kindness, responsibility, ability to empathy, low conflict. People of the emotive type can feel relaxed only in the company of close people. They are kind-hearted, compassionate, and also appreciate the beauty of nature more than others. In communicating with them, their feelings are always recognized. The main value for them is good relations in the family and in the workplace. Representatives of the emotive type are very vulnerable to callousness and rude behavior.
Accentuation according to character
- Stuck type. A person belonging to this category can carry these or those feelings for years. If these are negative emotions that were not correctly expressed, then they torment the person who is stuck for a long period of time. Striving for a goal is the main characteristic of this accentuation. The stuck type will achieve its goal at all costs. Often for this he seeks to pick up good fellow travelers. Good leaders in any activity come out of stuck ones. However, if their fate is not so rosy, they can become leaders of gangs. In addition, as well as a demonstrative, stuck type of accentuation needs recognition from society. However, this should be a truly deserved respect, glory, which is justified.
- Pedantic type. As with epileptoids in the Lichko classification, the main features of the representatives of this group are scrupulousness and attention to details. Pedantic ones are very much appreciated in the office environment for their responsibility and efficiency. Also, this accentuation is manifested in the care of one's own health, the absence of bad habits. The flip side of the coin for such people is a constant fear of making a mistake, perfectionism.
- Excitable type. Impulsivity, irritability, the desire to satisfy surging gusts immediately - this is what characterizes the excitable type of accentuation. People belonging to this group are usually endowed with a high level of conflict, which often prevents them from building meaningful relationships. The advantage is that they live entirely in the present.
- Demonstration type. It is easy to identify, starting from the age of two. Such kids, once in the spotlight, then try to conquer it at all costs. If this trend is supported by parents, then they almost always have an overestimated, in fact nothing reinforced, self-esteem. Students of this type can be set as an example to others. Therefore, it is not always easy to recognize that their abilities in a certain sphere are hardly superior to average. On the other hand, the demonstrative type of accentuation is distinguished by artistry, good taste in clothing.
Types of accentuations in accordance with personality traits
- Introverted Type. It is characterized by a focus on their experiences, avoiding social contacts. Reality for them is secondary to the inner world. Introverts are responsible, unobtrusive, love solitude.
- Extraverted type. Its representatives are self-confident people who love among people and receive energy from communication. They are not inclined to fixate on aspects of their inner life; they always act in accordance with what reality shows them.
Currently, the Lichko theory has more application among psychologists, since the scientist conducted his research on healthy people (adolescents). Leonhard's classification is more often used by psychiatrists. Despite the names presented in both classifications, these groups have nothing to do with mental disorders. The schizoid type of accentuation, for example, in no way means the presence of schizophrenia - all terms are conditional. Various types of accentuation mean the severity of the sign within normal limits.