A new area of research I enjoy is the correlation between types and disorders. This would enable the practical psychologist to properly diagnose a type based on observing a person’s apparent disorder whether it be natural or not is another debate entirely.
In 1921 a German Psychiatrist by the name of Ernst Kretschmer matched those ancient four temperaments to related disorders. This in turn provides us with yet another valuable small group which can identify or confirm a type based on a set of diagnostic criteria.
He exposed a division in society between schizothymics (sensitive-cold) and cyclothymics (manic-depressive).
The schizothymic person is defined as having “an acute psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness”.
The picture opposite represents a schizothymic subdivision between cold & insensitve thought and warm & sensitive emotion in relation to dealing with the environment.
The following quote describes the potential “schizophrenic” aspect of schizothymia where a person may occasionally “zone out” getting detached from reality either through transcendental thought or emotion:
“The urge to escape our real self is also an urge to escape the rational and the obvious. The refusal to see ourselves as we are develops a distaste for facts and cold logic.” –Eric Hoffer (1902-1983)
The cyclothymic person on the other hand is defined as having “a mild bipolar disorder characterized by instability of mood and a tendency to swing between mild euphorias and depressions”.
The picture opposite represents a cyclothymic subdivision between mild depression and mania in relation to expectations within the environment.
For example, I have a particular friend who literally sets himself up for bouts of mild depression after getting grandiose (excitably unrealistic) towards his expectations for a social event.
The following quote however describes this apparent problem with cyclothymia in a positive light that this process of shifting states is all part of a grand scheme of learning that adds to a person’s wisdom:
“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” –Carl Jung (1875 – 1961)
Naturally occurring psychological phenomena or beyond the norm psychiatric disorders:
- Schizothymia is a synergy of what Kretschmer then called Hyperesthetic and Anesthetic Personalities/Disorders.
- Cyclothymia is another synergy containing Depressive and Hypomanic Personalities/Disorders.
So without further ado… Kretschmer’s Special Dispositions:
- Depressive – “I need to belong or I will get depressed”
The Enthusiast (Ethical-Sensory Extratim) (ESFj)- The Guardian (Ethical-Sensory Intratim) (ISFj)
- The Director (Logical-Sensory Extratim) (ESTj)
- The Inspector (Logical-Sensory Intratim) (ISTj)
- Hypomanic – “I need to indulge in pleasure and avoid pain”
The Marshal (Sensory-Logical Extratim) (ESTp)- The Craftsman (Sensory-Logical Intratim) (ISTp)
- The Ambassador (Sensory-Ethical Extratim) (ESFp)
- The Mediator (Sensory-Ethical Intratim) (ISFp)
- Hyperesthetic – “I need to feel superior or I will feel imperfect”
The Psychologist (Intuitive-Ethical Extratim) (ENFp)- The Romantic (Intuitive-Ethical Intratim) (INFp)
- The Actor (Ethical-Intuitive Extratim) (ENFj)
- The Humanist (Ethical-Intuitive Intratim) (INFj)
- Anesthetic – “I need to feel powerful or I will feel pathetic”
The Searcher (Intuitive-Logical Extratim) (ENTp)- The Critic (Intuitive-Logical Intratim) (INTp)
- The Pioneer (Logical-Intuitive Extratim) (ENTj)
- The Analyst (Logical-Intuitive Intratim) (INTj)
Kretschmer’s Special Dispositions – at a glance:
Depressive types are susceptible to getting the blues if they lose a sense of belonging. This group is most likely to feel the effects of unemployment which can quite easily trigger depression. The ‘cure’ for this group is of course to get moving and get back to belonging with a group or company using business models that work.
They have a guardian role in society where they expect to have their innate need of belonging and taking part met or they will inevitably blame someone as a stage towards depression and start to misuse substances like alcohol and tobacco despite the health risks.
Hypomanic types are susceptible to excitement as a way of steering themselves towards pleasure and away from potential pain. The ‘cure’ for this group is of course to calm down and organise themselves into future productive action with tactics and strategy.
They have an artisan role in society where they expect to express their creative freedom within normal limits otherwise they will inevitably get irritated and move towards hypomania through the use of alcohol and drugs.
Hyperesthetic types are susceptible to being too sensitive to the environment and can be quite thin-skinned who may make them feel inferior. To resolve this they should learn to detach from emotional involvement more and take things with ‘a pinch of salt’.
They have a philosophical ethical style that never usually gives people an “inferiority complex” per se although does give them a sense that they are listening to a spiritual leader who is wiser than them which demands respect.
Anesthetic types are susceptible to being too insensitive towards the environment and can be quite thick-skinned who may make others feel inferior. To resolve this they should learn to get more emotionally involved more and takes things more to heart.
They have a scientific logical style that sometimes give others an “inferiority complex” due to the fact that Science, especially Physics is extremely unpopular as studies have shown i.e. people today generally haven’t got the patience to hear long answers and opinions on how something works, they just want to skip to the overall conclusions.
On the Russian roulette of personality I got the unfortunate/fortunate luck of receiving an anesthetic personality which has got me into the odd spot of bother.
From showing a lack of emotion resembling Edward Scissorhands (opposite) to challenging others intellectually fostering a sense of power in myself and giving others an “inferiority complex” where I try to prove my worth.
Of course a dual of mine can naturally protect my impersonal style of communication by restoring warmth to the situation. Though with increased awareness comes further ability to change and grow away from old faulty paradigms and behaviours — the essence of personal and social development.
And there we have it, another level of worldly understanding for you.
Now its time to warm up those mental hot irons and melt my ice-cold thinking caps for the next 48 hours…
Peace out and enjoy the weekend! 🙂
Exploring How Society Works 