Since its inception, psychology has tried to divide people into types: this was how the theory of temperaments, physiological, and social types was deduced. And for decades, psychologists have been trying to deduce types of characters. But it turned out to be more difficult.
The fact is that there are so many character traits , but it’s impossible to deduce the main ones: let’s forget something. Therefore, each theory that divides people into types of characters has its drawbacks. Some of the theories were disproved and did not survive to this day. For example, physiognomy. It was based on the structural features of the face and skull and explained the nature of a person according to his physiological type. There is a rational element in this: by facial wrinkles it is really possible to understand what kind of person we are in terms of emotionality (gloomy or cheerful). But only that.
Types of characters learned to determine and handwriting. At least, it seemed to scientists at first: graphology (the science of handwriting) helps to identify only a few features. Too sweeping, careless or neat, scrupulous - a good psychologist can always determine character traits from a person’s notes.
The classification of Leonhard and Lichko (famous psychology researchers) was recognized as the most rational theory. Their doctrine (and they derived their types independently of each other) has survived to this day, as well as psychological tests to determine the character.
The essence of the theory boils down to the fact that each person has dominant traits in character, they are the basis for referring to a certain type. Most types have a name by which it is completely clear what kind of person we are talking about:
- stuck (fixated on trifles);
- hyperthymic (very active, even violent in some way);
- labile (easily adjusting to changed circumstances);
- hysterical or artistic (each banal situation turns into a scene when such a person participates in it) and others.
There is one “but” in this classification: accentuations of character (the so-called prevailing and overdeveloped traits) are manifested only in adolescence. By maturity, all manifestations, facets of character are balanced, and a person becomes a unique mature personality with traits inherent only to him, manifesting themselves to varying degrees. If accentuations persist, you should be wary. Psychologists in this situation are already talking about the borderline between the norm and pathology. In other words, from accentuation, for example, schizoid close to schizophrenia, the cycloid type of character can develop into manic-depressive psychosis. And other pathologies in personality development are associated with each accentuation according to Lichko or Leonhard.
Yes, traits are balanced with age. But in adulthood, everyone has primary and secondary qualities (without excessive expression, as in the case of accentuation). In this case, a huge number of combinations are possible, and deriving the types of characters becomes an unrealistic task. But it should be noted that not everyone agreed with this point of view, psychologists continue to try to fit the variety of characters into types, but they are not as grandiose as the theory of accentuations or physiognomy.
A healthy person is characterized by development in several directions: attitude to the world, people, work, creativity and oneself. Through these directions and character is manifested. Sociability, initiative, modesty, creativity - hundreds of qualities determine who we are. Moreover, they can be opposite. And each of them can be measured by an appropriate test.
Interestingly, over time, some traits may fade into the background, others may appear and become fundamental in character. The human psyche is amazing and famous for its endless possibilities for adaptation.