Dreiser is an ethical-sensory introvert (ESI). Description of the sociotype

Relationship

Each of us is concerned about the problem of mutual understanding with other people. I think that very often in life you have to deal with the fact that with some people you feel comfort, understanding and ease, but with others, on the contrary - irritation, misunderstanding and constant conflict situations. And the point is not that you are somehow “not like that” or “not like that.” Not at all! It is necessary to understand that we are simply all built differently. And socionics helped me understand many relationship issues at one time.

Of course, this is not a magic wand or a red pill that will tell you everything about relationships. For me, this is, first of all, an excellent tool for self-knowledge and understanding the nature of other people. At one time I was close to those people who said that opposites attract, then I thought that it was the other way around – people who are more similar. But in fact, everything turned out to be much deeper and more interesting. It turns out that each of us belongs to a certain psychotype with our own qualities, and there are as many as 16 of them. They are what we are talking about in socionics. But let's talk about everything in order!

What is socionics?

Socionics is the study of how a person perceives information about the world around him and interacts informationally with other people.

It was formulated back in the early 1970s by the Lithuanian sociologist and economist Ausra Augustinaviciute and described in his work “On the Dual Nature of Man” in 1980. The author tried to develop Carl Gustav Jung’s idea of ​​mental types and combine it with the concept of information metabolism by Anton Kempelsky. Hence, many say that socionics was created at the intersection of psychology, sociology and computer science.

The subject of study in socionics is the process of exchanging information from the human psyche with the outside world, and its method is modeling the information system of the psyche. The role and status of socionics are completely ambiguous. Some people regard socionics as a separate science, while others consider it simply a part of psychology. For some it is a truism, for others it is pseudoscience. All this only says that socionics is only at the beginning of its formation.

It shows that each of us belongs to one of 16 psychological (socionic) types. I will talk about them in more detail later in the article. These types are named after the most famous literary and historical characters, which contributed to its popularization in its time. By the way, it is very similar to my favorite astrology. In my life, I use a combination of psychological socionics and esoteric astrology, which gives me a broader understanding of myself and the people around me.

Next, I will describe 3 main reasons why you should start studying socionics.

Helps you understand yourself better

Each of us, for a more harmonious life with ourselves and the world around us, must understand our potential, our weaknesses and strengths, all kinds of behavior options, and so on. A person who does not know himself has a very difficult time going through life. Moreover, he blames everyone and everything on the outside instead of looking inside, analyzing and realizing many things. And socionics, in some ways, helps to do this.

I am an introvert and I often need to be alone with myself in order to immerse myself in my inner world. To do this, firstly, I need my own personal space. And secondly, the time I can spend alone. This is how I recharge with energy, analyze some actions and events, and also develop new ideas. And for me all this is clear as a “clear day”, but friends and acquaintances regard my “withdrawals into myself” differently. Why do not you write?! Where did you disappear to?! Nowhere, I just want to be alone. Sometimes I feel even more comfortable this way than with anyone else. That's just my nature. Accept me for who I am...

Helps you find a life partner

Some fans of socionics are looking for life partners thanks to this direction. Now communities on social networks and socionic dating clubs are becoming widely popular, where people can find their soulmate. It is believed that those who are “duals” have the best chances, i.e. representatives of types that optimally complement each other. I am definitely for the use of socionics, but I am against fanaticism in any of its manifestations.

It is necessary to understand that in addition to socionic indicators in life there are many others, thanks to which people converge and build harmonious relationships. I can say unequivocally that living together will be very difficult for the rational and the irrational! This confirms both my experience and the experience of my friends. Knowing our similarities and differences, we can simply be more flexible in building relationships as a couple. The main thing is that this knowledge only helps, and does not say that if you are not a “dual”, then a relationship with you will definitely not work out.

Helps build team relationships

Socionics has proven itself well in business, team building and motivation. For the team to work successfully, it is necessary to distribute functional roles and job responsibilities in accordance with the real abilities and preferences of each member. Therefore, an approximate list of activities has been developed for each socionic type. Yes, it is conditional, but it still reflects general preferences and the range of possible tasks without any imposition.

As for me, my main incentive is interest in work. Research and analytical are the preferred areas of activity. I like it when I can apply systems analysis, build a classification, or develop a new concept. I love programming, writing and teaching. That is why I am writing this blog about self-development and developing the project for the harmonious development of personality “7 spheres of life”. All my qualities work well here: introversion, intuition, logic and rationalism.

Personality types in socionics

Jung compiled a classification of psychotypes, identifying eight different options. When compiling descriptions, Jung took into account such interesting features as intuitive, sensory, extraversive, introversive, logical, ethical, rational and irrational. Based on this research, socionics has already established 16 personality types.

Let's briefly look at each type:

• Logical-sensory extrovert. An incredibly hardworking, social person, there is constant activity around him, he motivates everyone. Shows his feelings, loves parties, is a kind, welcoming, open person.
• Logical-sensory introvert. A pedant, with increased cleanliness and an extremely sober view of things. A logical-sensory introvert realistically assesses his strengths and inspires full trust and affection in other people after several contacts.
• Logical-intuitive extrovert. He clearly identifies and defines his own and others’ capabilities, loves dynamic sports and extreme sensations. Loves risk. Easily identified in the world of new technologies.
• Logical-intuitive introvert. Organized, quirky independent. Such socionic types are characterized by a love of deep, calm reflection, away from noisy companies. They prefer intimate conversations. They have clear, practical logic. A logical-intuitive introvert is a calm and balanced person.
• Ethical-sensory extrovert. A manipulator, he knows how to push through his opinions and judgments, an altruist, he will easily sacrifice his interests. Efficient, sociable, active.
• Ethical-sensory introvert. He is prone to self-examination and analysis of his own and others’ actions. He knows how to defend his views and beliefs gently but persistently. Believes that all people are equal.
• Ethical-intuitive extrovert. Too emotional, expressive, actively gesturing. They have unusual abilities, they easily sense the lies of other people, and when someone is being deceitful.
• Ethical-intuitive introvert. Trust in people plays a decisive role for this type. She has a keen sense of other people, loves to study and read. Such people often become teachers, trainers, educators.
• Sensory-logical extrovert. Victory at any cost is the main principle of such a person. This is your socionic type if you love to lead, win, and analyze any situation with benefit and gain for yourself. By drawing up a specific plan of action, you follow it without retreating from anything.
• Sensory-logical introvert. If the word sensory comes first, it means sensory, that is, through sensations, the path of cognition is the main one for understanding the world around us. Such people love to work with their hands; they are engineers, builders, masons, carpenters. The mindset is rational and technical.
• Sensory-ethical extrovert. Melancholic by nature, or rather likes to seem like one, but not to be. Prefers to lead rather than be led. He chooses weaker friends in order to appear more interesting and original compared to them. They say about such people that it is not clear what is on his mind. Even in the family, among close people, he prefers to maintain a respectful distance.
• Sensory-ethical introvert or so-called Dumas, named after the writer. A simple and easy-to-communicate person, he never conflicts, and at the same time knows how to joke and have fun to the fullest. He often becomes a member of volunteer organizations, feels the need to be needed, to help grandmothers cross the road.
• Intuitive-logical extrovert. You belong to this type if you are distinguished by your breadth of views and interests, and are able and easily adapt to changed conditions and a new place of work. If you are a walking generator of ideas, do not like routine, and know how to explain any complex tasks.
• Intuitive-logical introvert. The intuitive-logical introvert, or Balzac, a magnificent, well-read philosopher. If you like to analyze everything, measure seven times before cutting, then this is your psychotype. Such people are careful, neat, love homeliness and comfort in everyday life. Balzac cares about other people and values ​​family.
• Intuitive-ethical extrovert. Socionic types of such people are born with imagination and talents. They have a fine mental organization, such people become artists, writers, and adore any creative activity. This is your type if you hate routine and boredom, you easily interact with people, finding a common language with them instantly.
• Intuitive-ethical introvert. Sophisticated dreamers. This is your type if you write poetry, love poetry, indulge in long hours of daydreaming. In addition, the socionic type has an excellent understanding of people, meets people by their clothes, attaches great importance to appearance, is a spender and a spendthrift, but people like them, they are loved by people of the opposite sex, and they actively use their gift of liking for their own purposes.

Socionic type

Socionic type

— also known as the type of information metabolism — is a type of human psyche, which is determined by the relative arrangement of functions. The sociotype determines the ways of obtaining and processing information, a person’s capabilities when interacting with the surrounding reality and, in particular, in relationships with people, his strengths and weaknesses. In total, socionics considers 16 types of information metabolism (socionic types).

According to socionic theory, a person’s sociotype remains unchanged throughout life, although the information content of various functions and aspects may change.

Features of Model A Functions

All functions of model A have their own names and individual characteristics of manifestation:

I – basic (sometimes called software). A strong conscious function that underlies a person’s worldview, and the perception of the world through it seems so natural that it is often difficult to understand that the world can be perceived in any other way. The function is quite inflexible and changes the world view reluctantly; information that can cause such changes causes resistance or rejection.

II – creative . Also a strong conscious function, but more flexible than the basic one. There is no holistic picture for it, this function is ready for experiments, to consider and try different options in order to choose the most suitable solution for the situation or the one that suits the person most from a basic point of view.

III – role-playing . It’s also a fairly flexible function, but weak. It can be called a reserve, which is activated in situations where creative and basic capabilities are not enough, or in situations that are new to a person, when a comprehensive perception of information is required. However, unlike the creative function, the function does not look for new solutions, but selects the most suitable of the already developed templates. In addition, prolonged activity in this function leads to discomfort and fatigue. But at the same time, in role-playing, there is also a desire to prove oneself, to make sure “I am no worse than others in this area.”

IV – painful (sometimes called the “point of least resistance”). The most problematic of all socionic functions. Very weak, and this weakness is recognized and most often perceived by a person as his shortcoming. According to pain, a distorted perception of information often occurs (for example, pain intuition leads to exaggeration of the significance of any unlikely development of events and the adoption of excessive measures to prevent it, pain sensory leads to constant fears for one’s health). When faced with the need to act due to pain, a person feels extremely insecure, since he cannot assess the adequacy of the actions of the situation and their effectiveness. Activities on it take a lot of energy and lead to very rapid fatigue, but if you managed to achieve any positive result, it is perceived as a major achievement. The function is quite conservative and difficult to perceive new information, especially if it does not fit in with existing experience.

V – suggestive . The weakest of all functions of model A. Information on it is perceived uncritically, but unlike pain, it does not cause discomfort or rejection and does not tire; rather, on the contrary, a person experiences unconditional trust in the world and gratitude for help and information on it, and this information is perceived as something very valuable and important. By influencing this function, one can quickly change a person’s internal state, but he practically cannot influence it on his own.

VI – activation (sometimes called referential). It is also a weak, but valuable function for which help is readily accepted. However, unlike suggestive information, information on it is checked against some internal standard, which is used to assess “whether this is right for me or not.” In fact, the entire unconscious assessment of a partner in terms of whether he is suitable or not is based precisely on the activation function.

VII – restrictive . A strong function, capable of independently searching for new solutions, but most of the time is aimed at tracking what not to do, warning the partner about possible consequences, recommending possible courses of action and, if necessary, helping him get out of a negative situation. Long-term constructive activity on it seems to be something boring and not worthy of attention. Like all vital functions, it is focused on specific situations experienced by a person here and now, without tracking any generalizing points.

VIII – background . The most difficult function to recognize is aimed at preventing negative developments in the situation for oneself and for one’s partner. Unlike the restrictive one, the background one does not warn the partner about possible consequences, but without further ado takes the necessary measures to prevent them. Despite the fact that the function is strong, active discussion of information on it causes almost the same rejection as on painful ones and the desire to switch communication to value aspects.

The properties of the functions are shown in the following diagram:

Myers-Briggs typology and MBTI questionnaire

There is another psychological typology based on the types of Carl Gustav Jung. This is the Myers-Briggs typology, which appeared around the same time as socionics, on the other side of the world - in the USA, in the 1940s. The founders of this system are Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. It also contains 16 psychological types, for the determination of which the MBTI test - Myiers-Briggs Tybe Indicator - was created.

Academic psychology is wary of this typology, not recognizing it as scientific. However, the MBTI test is widely used in business, in particular for career guidance purposes.

The problems of this test are the same as those of socionic typing: its validity and reliability. The instructions for the test indicate that its data cannot be considered accurate without subsequent consultation with a career guidance specialist. There are no statistical data that reliably confirm the consistency of results across different elections, as well as clear criteria for what exactly is being examined as a basis for assigning one type or another.

“A commission of the National Academy of Sciences, having analyzed data from more than 20 studies of the MBTI test, found that only the Introversion-Extraversion scale has sufficient validity” [3]. The reliability of the test is also in great doubt - the researchers came to the conclusion that it can give different results each time.

The benefits and harms of using socionic typology

What are the benefits of socionics, according to its creator? And what are its limitations?

Socionics is a fairly clear system at first glance. All types have their own specific description, set of character traits and ways of behavior. Also, all types have so-called “duals” (additions, so to speak, second halves, ideally suited in character) and “conflicts” (those types that will inevitably conflict due to contradictions in values, character and behavior). What is it for? Of course, to establish relationships with people. Knowing a person’s personality type, you can predict his behavior, and therefore avoid mistakes in interaction. Knowing your type, you can look for a partner with a suitable personality type (dual) and avoid conflicters. In addition, you can be known as a perceptive person who understands people.

At first glance, everything is simple! But…

This approach - and this is visible to the naked eye - imposes some restrictions. Firstly, it prevents people from being perceived as unique individuals, in all their diversity. Each person is already typed in advance, and if some personality traits do not coincide with the type, then he is declared, for example, “atypical Hugo.” Secondly, it limits the possibilities of finding friends and partners: those who belong to the “inappropriate” types can be rejected only for this reason. And the third danger is that “typing” can be very subjective, based on the personal vision of the typist and his interpretation of what he has read about socionic types of material. The person typing can believe in the infallibility of socionics, while ignoring their own mental distortions based on misunderstandings, previous experience, etc. So it looks very sad in the end: starting to study personality types for good purposes, to improve their relationships with people , the socionics adept drives himself into a trap, narrowing his perception and imposing certain restrictions on his thinking and communication.

Criticism from the scientific community and independent researchers

Sergey Vladimirovich Kruchinin, candidate of political sciences, in his research article critically substantiates the inconsistency of using socionics for marketing research:

“In [the book by E.S. Kiseleva “The role and importance of the consumer in the marketing system and ways to manage his behavior based on socionics”] the authors make... bold statements... that a marketer must know the socionic type of market segments. This is an extremely ambitious statement, which is methodologically correct to present as reality only after confirmation by relevant statistics and a double-blind study that has proven itself in medical research. The lack of involvement of socionics in this case is due to one of its provisions about the innateness of the socionic type and its irreplaceability. Linking the types of preferences with socionics requires proof that these preferences will not change, since the types do not change, according to socionics. (...) But there is no evidence provided that human behavior... will not change. On the contrary, a person with age and life experience can change his preferences in choosing a product and change his behavior strategy.” He also expresses deep skepticism regarding the use of socionic types established using the MBTI test for personnel selection, and doubts about the realism of the results of some studies related to socionics that could give it a scientific appearance, for example, those given in the article by A. G. Shmelev “ No longer socionics, but not yet differential psychology”:

“...Perhaps, for the first time, attempts have been made to correlate socionics with the analysis of patients with affective pathologies. The attempt is interesting, but the result of 100% ethical rationality among people with affective disorders allows one to either doubt the representativeness of the statistical sample, or doubt the legitimacy of cause and effect.”

He makes the following conclusions: socionics, of course, is a well-promoted brand, is of interest to researchers as a mathematical puzzle, but has no serious scientific value [1].

An article on socionics published in the “Society of Skeptics” also questions the scientific nature of the methodology of socionics, compares it with astrology, and all similarities in behavior by type are explained by the Barnum Effect. This effect is that people highly rate the accuracy of personality descriptions that they believe are tailor-made for them. Not only popular, but also so-called “advanced” literature on socionics is critically analyzed - the problems in all these sources are similar and are also related to methodology.

Dimensions of functions

It is important to note that each function can have two characteristics: the amount of accumulated experience and the ability to process new information, i.e. strength of function. As a result, confusion may arise when determining the type if a weak function, which for one reason or another has accumulated much more experience than the average representative of TIM, may seem strong to the observer, and vice versa, a strong function that is a strong function with insufficient filling may the first moment to produce weak. This is the cause of many typing errors. To partially overcome this confusion, in 1989 socionicist A. Bukalov introduced the concept of “function dimension”. Since then, the definitions of dimensions have undergone a number of changes and currently, in the Unified Typological Project, dimensions are understood as follows:

One-dimensional functions (painful, suggestive) - can only use experience gained directly, i.e.
which a person either lived himself or was a direct observer. In other words, a person learns only from his mistakes, and attempts to explain something lead to the fact that “it goes in one ear and out the other.” Two-dimensional functions (role-playing, activation) - in addition to lived experience, they can also use indirect experience: from the explanations of other people, from books, to assimilate the norms accepted in a particular community, but in the future the gained experience is used in a stereotyped way, without processing it to the specifics of the new situations.
Three-dimensional functions (creative, restrictive) - it becomes possible to creatively use the experience gained, adapt it to the situation or apply knowledge from a completely different area.

Four-dimensional functions (basic, background) - it becomes possible to see “what will come of it” even if there is no experience of such situations at all, in other words, the possibility of expert forecasting.

Figuratively speaking, explaining to a one-dimensional function that you can’t step on a rake is pointless: until you step on it and get hit in the forehead, you won’t remember it, and having received it, you may not understand why this happened, and subsequently will bypass everything that remotely resembles a rake (the same distorted perception of one-dimensional information mentioned above). A two-dimensional function will understand and remember that you should never step on a rake, but it is difficult to teach it to see situations where you can break this rule and step on it without consequences (for example, on a rake standing vertically against a wall), until it again tries it through direct experience. Unlike a two-dimensional one, a three-dimensional function can be trained to see such situations quite easily. And finally, the four-dimensional function does not need to be taught anything: by looking at the rake, it itself will easily understand in which cases what consequences may arise as a result of stepping on them.

At present, there is no consensus on whether the dimensions are strictly fixed or whether the distribution of dimensions across functions described above is of an average statistical nature, and for each individual person the dimensions may change throughout life as they gain experience.