In specialized literature, a closed person is called a schizoid, less often an introvert. How does he differ from open people, what are the features of his character? Read about all this below.
Main features
Just note that you can not connect the words "schizoid" and "schizophrenia". The last term is the name of a very specific disease. As for the schizoid, these are normal people, just having their own characteristics. The use of the definition of “closed” is quite justified for the reason that the basic qualities of this type of people are fenced off from the outside world, closed. In this aspect, they are the exact opposite of hyperthyms, whose soul is always wide open.
Appearance Features
An enclosed person in most cases is characterized by leanness rather than fullness, density. His face is elongated, his head is often ovoid, his nose is straight, the profile is “angular” (observed due to some shortening of the chin). The relationship between an elongated face, a lean figure, and isolation is quite high. However, such a combination does not always indicate closure. Fat people also belong to the category of schizoid, but much less often.
Movements
As for the motor characteristics of closed individuals, they are notable for their low dexterity when making large movements. To do this, they simply do not have enough plasticity. But there is the ability to delicate and most accurate manual operations, which are important, for example, in the profession of surgeon and watchmaker, jeweler and dentist.
An enclosed person, as a rule, has a distinct, shallow, slightly jerky handwriting.
Core Values, Interests
The inner world is the main wealth of introverts. The character traits of schizoids are such that they are constantly immersed in themselves. The opposite is hyperthymus, open to everything that happens around them. Closed people really value their inner world, and often they don’t care about the external, because it seems more rude and primitive than their own fantasies, dreams, thoughts.
An outstanding German psychologist and doctor Kretschmer compared introverts to Roman villas, whose facades are very simple, the windows are closed and rich feasts are held inside. Thanks to this colorful metaphor, he emphasized that the difference between the dim appearance of representatives of this character and their inner world is extremely large. In contrast to hyperthym, an uncommunicative person is characterized by restraint and secrecy. It cannot be said for what “feasts” are taking place in his soul.
Communication
An enclosed person in a group basically keeps himself aloof and prefers to be silent. His contacts are usually limited to a small circle of friends and relatives. Such people are reluctant to talk about themselves, and you can often hear that information from them has to be literally "pulled out by ticks."
Unsurprisingly, schizoids have difficulty communicating. Secrecy in this case is explained by the unwillingness to share their own experiences. Introverts do not feel the need for contact with the outside world, because they are quite comfortable alone with themselves. As one poet put it, they seek to "wrap themselves in the silk of their soul." On the other hand, communication really presents a particular difficulty for them, since the schizoids in the process of communication feel awkward and inept.
Kretschmer cited yet another vivid metaphor, where he compared a closed individual with an infusorium, cautiously approaching an unfamiliar object and observing it from behind half-empty cilia, indecisively pushing out the tentacles, and then immediately pulling them back.
Despite the natural desire for fencing, a shy person sometimes suffers from a lack of communication. This is especially often observed in childhood and adolescence.
Emotional background
The experiences of closed people are peculiar and sometimes seem paradoxical to others. On the one hand, introverts are characterized by restraint and coldness, on the other hand, they are vulnerable and emotional. Schizoids show a keen reaction to everything that offends their own values. Often this is a spiritual response to injustice, rudeness, disorder.
The so-called emotional intelligence is being actively discussed . One of its signs is an understanding of the feelings and moods of others. Many introverts cannot boast of this feature. Closed people, of course, suspect that some feelings are raging in you, but they must be informed about this. They rely on what has been said, while not paying attention to intonation and facial expression.
Features of lifestyle, installation, activities
The inner world of introverts is orderly, and they expect the same from the external world. Their way of thinking and internal organization are reflected in all actions. For example, it’s easy for them to accept the rules and follow them. They succeed in that professional field where they are instructed to act in a certain way. Any deviation from the norm causes introverts irritation.
At the same time, serious contradictions often arise at work. A schizoid’s desire to always follow prescriptions can result in accusations of formalism. At the same time, the above qualities of introverts are simply irreplaceable, for example, in military affairs or in financial management.
The psychology of the behavior of a person who is closed in himself turns the argument with him into an unbearable process. And all because the introvert is held captive by plans, schemes, forms, words. This is reflected in the fact that mental constructions and theories are more convincing and valuable to him than concrete facts of life. For this reason, schizoids often find themselves in opposition, preferring not to mix with fashion, the opinions of others, and mass movements. Keeping distance is not difficult for them. Introverts are often surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery, they are known as originals with notes of aristocracy.
Weak spots
Considering the features of communication with a schizoid, we note that he suffers from an unceremonious invasion of personal space. Such a person never opens to the end even to the closest people. An introvert often surprises others at first glance with sudden decisions or unexpected actions. In fact, such behavior is the result of complex experiences and long deliberation.
Psychology of schizoid type children
These inhospitable and gloomy representatives of the younger generation are very weak or do not respond to criticism of adults. They prefer to avoid big companies and noisy games. Due to a lack of interest, performance problems may occur. At the same time, a closed child behaves in such a way as if he is constantly waiting for some kind of dirty trick from those around him. As a rule, children of the schizoid type are distinguished by a strong affection for the mother and can hardly endure parting with her, even for a short time. This is due to the manifestation of fear of being forgotten, abandoned.
Some mistakenly draw an analogy between closed and shy children. Moreover, the former do not want to communicate with others, and the latter, on the contrary, need communication, but they do not know how to make contact.
Where does it all begin
The psychology of children of the schizoid type is formed under the influence of many factors. Let's consider them in more detail:
- The subtlety of mental organization and other psychological characteristics of the child. Closure is especially characteristic of melancholic and phlegmatic people. When communicating with their child, parents should consider that a positive result can be achieved with a sensitive and careful attitude. Do not rudely invade his inner world in the hope of re-education. Otherwise, the child will finally go inside, close.
- Closure may be due to conflicts with friends, malaise, and misunderstanding of peers. In this case, it is important for adults to find out the true cause of closure and gently help the child out of the situation.
- Introverts often grow up in families where one child is brought up. In the absence of experience in communication with a sister or brother, forced to play on their own, they receive incorrect communication settings, therefore, the ability to communicate does not develop well. In this case, parents are encouraged to facilitate the contact of the child with friends.
- Lack of attention. When adults try to free themselves from a child, he begins to turn less and less to them with their "trifling" problems and questions. As a result, over time, children and parents simply have nothing to talk about, they have no common ground. It is important to consider that the psychology of the behavior of a person who is closed in himself is not formed in one day. Therefore, it is only natural that parents, for example, devote time to their work after work. Concern about the situation should be shown when it is repeated systematically. It is important to be interested in the problems of the child, to listen to him.
- Containment of desires, emotions. Even an adult needs to “let off steam” and share their own experiences. And for a child, this desire is even stronger, because every day for him is filled with discoveries. If the children understand that their parents do not seek to listen to them, then the process of restraining emotions begins to gain momentum. Such a restriction affects not only the overall development of the child, but also on his physical health.
- Dissatisfaction with the behavior of the child. The problem of communication in psychology is considered in the aspect of constant censure. At the same time, emotional contact between parents and the child disappears. Adults strive to ensure that the child is properly dressed and shod, and much less attention is paid to his inner world. The causes of the problem can be very different, and at first glance, not quite serious. For example, the child is not of the same sex as one would like, or the child interferes with promotion on the career ladder. As a result, an inattentive attitude results in aggression, timidity, isolation, resentment.
Conclusion
Topics on the psychology of communication are becoming increasingly discussed. The reason is that modern people have begun to realize that behavioral errors cause insurmountable obstacles in contact with children, friends, lovers, parents. Understanding the mechanisms of communication allows you to simplify communication, and therefore life itself.