The study of individual differences, in particular character accentuations, belongs to a separate discipline - the field of differential psychology. This branch is devoted to the works of many scientists - Western and domestic.
Rationale for research on traits
Why is it necessary to study the types of personality accentuation? The analysis of differences between individuals pursues two tasks. 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 will be the psychological recommendations for their representatives.
Secondly, it is necessary to know the types of character accentuation so that the person himself understands the features and reasons for his behavior, and can, in accordance with this, correct it.
Often in this regard, worldly psychology is not enough. For example, there is a common belief about the kindness of fat people. Conversely, a thin person is sometimes perceived as anxious, wary. Of course, such a division into categories may be partly true. I did not avoid such an error in classification, although already in the medical field, evenHippocrates: once an ancient physician directly linked the predisposition to apoplexy with fullness.
The Soviet psychologist A. E. Lichko, like the German psychiatrist K. Leonhard, used the concept of "accentuation" in their studies. When applied to a certain property, this term means that it is highlighted brighter than others, as if underlined. In other words, accentuation is the expression of a certain character trait. For a person with this or that quality, certain social situations will be very painful, while others will be easily tolerated. This article will consider the types of accentuation according to Lichko and Leonhard.
The psychology of difference is not a strict discipline. Types of accentuation are always descriptive, and are almost never found in their pure form. Each person can find himself in two or more types.
It should also be noted that placing oneself in 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 one or another group, he needs to develop for himself an appropriate strategy of compensation, self-help. To do this, you need to study the advice that is given by psychologists for representatives of different classes, and apply them in life.
Classification by A. E. Lichko
Soviet psychologist studied the types of accentuation of teenagers. In total, he identified eleven groups. Type Featurescharacter accentuations in his theory have much in common with the classification of Karl Leonhard. Consider them in order.
Hypertymous type
A high level of energy, the ability to quickly find contact with people, the desire for leadership - all this distinguishes a hyperthymic type of accentuation. Lichko considered hyperthymia to be 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 encounter a sharp opposition to their activity. Therefore, it is better not to stand in their way, but, on the contrary, to encourage activity.
The superficiality of interests is a negative feature 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 the volatility of mood. The elevated state is replaced by despondency, irritability. Moreover, this happens with a frequency of two to three weeks.
Labile type
The emotional tone of these teenagers, Lichko noted, 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 state of others is more due to inner experiences.
Representatives of the labile type sometimes seem indifferent to others. But this is far from the case - the real problem for some of them can be the ability to correctly express their feelings. Having deep attachments to loved ones, they do not know how to communicate them.
Astheno-neurotic type
Those who belong to this category are the main visitors to medical institutions. Their main difference is the concentration of attention on the state of their body. As soon as they feel unwell, they may suspect a fatal illness - their 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. People of the sensitive type are also distinguished by painful irritability. Their weak point is big companies. They always feel uncomfortable in them, try to carefully observe 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 on some kind of trick. But they succeed poorly, and they return to the previous state again only with even more aggravated timidity.
The advantage of the sensitive type is diligence, responsibility, the ability to make and maintain deep friendships.
Psychasthenic type
He is indecisive. Any everyday situation can become a source for a psychasthenicpainful uncertainty. They are distinguished by high intelligence and confidence in their conclusions. But the latter is rarely confirmed by deeds. Psychasthenics are prone to impulsive 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, schizoids have practically no ability to empathize - 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 those people who moved forward the progress of mankind were schizoids. Their main feature, which immediately catches the eye, is eccentricity. "Not of this world," - this can be safely said about schizoids.
Epileptoid type
The most pedantic and meticulous type. It would seem that what is 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 of life is one huge stage. Some people may initially find it unpleasant to be in a society with a hysteroid. After all, their main quality is the constant desire to be in the spotlight. But for certain professions, belonging to this class (its counterpart in Leonhard's is a demonstrative type of accentuation) is an advantage. For example, great sellers, actors, singers come out of hysteroids.
Unstable type
Representatives of this category in Lichko turned out to be the most irresponsible teenagers. These were those who did not have stable interests, practically did not think about their future. The unstable cannot 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 be different from the environment. Their credo is "to be like everyone else." A negative feature of this category is the tendency to betray in a difficult situation. A conforming 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 associated with character accentuations, the second - with temperament accentuations. The criterion for selecting 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 who are not familiar 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 ongoing events. This quality is rather a physiological property of the nervous system. Temperament includes emotionality, degree of response, balance. Character is a public education. Starting from birthsurrounding as if leave their mark on the child. Such social interactions mold his personality.
So, Karl Leonhard carried out a classification in accordance with the character, temperament and personality traits, and the styles of human social interaction served as criteria for distinguishing categories.
Temperament-related accentuations
- Hyperthymic type. The main characteristics are mobility, sociability. In childhood, hyperthyms have a good memory and are easily trained. In adolescence, 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 oppose.
- Dysthymic type. Gloominess, phlegm, inhibition of reactions are the main features of dysthymics. They are silent and seem to be incorrigible pessimists. The positive side of the dysthymic type is responsibility, a developed sense of justice.
- Labile type. It, as in Lichko's classification, is distinguished by the ability to quickly change mood. Even a roughly spoken word can affect a representative of a labile type. A good mood can be ruined even by the rain.
- Ex alted type. Representatives of this type are non-conflict, love society, attentive to others. The ex alted type of accentuation is distinguished by amorousness, a tendency to elevated feelings, and sociability. Such people are very quickly influenced by external events.of the world - from the positive they easily come to delight, from the negative - they give in to panic. Many designers, musicians and artists have an ex alted type of accentuation.
- Alarm type. The main feature is a feeling of anxiety for no apparent reason. Anxious children are quickly recognized by their peers, and because of their indecision, they can become the object of ridicule. As adults, they remain no less suspicious than they were children. It is difficult for such people to insist on their own. However, the disturbing 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, empathy, low conflict. People of the emotive type can feel relaxed only in the company of close people. They are soft-hearted, compassionate, and also appreciate the beauty of nature more than others. In communication with them, their feelings are always recognized. The main value for them is good relationships in the family and in the workplace. Representatives of the emotive type are very vulnerable to callousness and rude behavior.
Accentuations according to character traits
Stuck type. A person belonging to this category can carry certain feelings in himself for years. If it's negative emotions that weren't rightexpressed, they torment the person who is stuck for a long period of time. The desire for a goal is the main characteristic of this accentuation. The stuck type will get his way no matter what. Often, for this, he seeks to pick up good fellow travelers. Those who get stuck make good leaders in any activity. However, if their fate is not so rosy, they can become leaders of gangs. In addition, like the demonstrative, stuck type of accentuation, it needs to be recognized by society. However, this should be a truly deserved respect, a glory that has a basis
Pedantic type. As with epileptoids in the Lichko classification, the main features of the representatives of this group are scrupulousness and attention to detail. Pedantic people are highly valued in the office environment for their responsibility and efficiency. Also, this accentuation is manifested in taking care of one's own he alth, the absence of bad habits. The other side of the coin for such people is the constant fear of making a mistake, perfectionism
- Excitable type. Impulsivity, irritability, the desire to satisfy the surging impulses 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 full-fledged relationships. The advantage is that they live completely in the present.
- Demonstrative type. It is easy to determine, already starting at the age of two. Such kidsonce having been in the spotlight, then they try to win it at all costs. If this trend is supported by parents, then they almost always have an overestimated self-esteem that is not really supported by anything. 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 area are hardly above average. On the other hand, a demonstrative type of accentuation distinguishes artistry, good taste in clothes.
Types of accentuations according to personality traits
- Introverted type. It is characterized by focusing on their experiences, avoiding social contacts. Reality for them is secondary in relation to the inner world. Introverts are responsible, unobtrusive, and love solitude.
- Extrovert type. Its representatives are self-confident people who love to be among people and receive energy from communication. They do not tend to dwell on aspects of their inner life, always acting in accordance with what reality presents them.
Currently, Lichko's theory has more application among psychologists, as the scientist conducted his research on he althy people (teenagers). Leonhard's classification is more commonly 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 areconditional. Different types of accentuation mean the severity of the trait is within the normal range.
