Basic types of psychology. Classification of psychology methods

Psychological personality types arose as a result of systematization of the personal qualities of people and their abilities to interact with the outside world. They allow us to distinguish some people from others and explain the differences between them.

Personality types

In psychology, it is customary to identify people’s psychotypes, which characterize them from different angles and explain their behavior. They explore temperament, character, abilities and strong-willed qualities.

What is personality

A personality is a person who enters into relationships with the environment and manifests himself in the process of activity. It is also a set of properties, qualities, mental abilities, physical and emotional characteristics. They make a person individual and are revealed in the process of interaction with society.

Personality is manifested through habits and preferences, the use of accumulated knowledge. Different situations lead to changes in behavior; a person determines tactics based on experience, relying on emotions. Depending on this, there are different types of people. For example, they are divided by their ability to perceive information. Visual learners trust their eyes more, auditory learners trust hearing, and kinesthetic learners trust tactile sensations.

What is a psychotype

Temperament is usually understood as the totality of innate psychological development in combination with the processes of excitation and deceleration in the brain. A melancholic person corresponds to a weak type with high activity of the nervous system, while a choleric person corresponds to a strong, explosive temperament. A phlegmatic person can be stably balanced, but inert, while a sanguine person can be balanced and stable.

Character is a manifestation of temperament in society. It can change throughout life and manifest itself differently in different circumstances. However, character properties can only be considered stable manifestations, those that are inherent to a given personality. An important role in the formation of character is played by the environment, the social group in which the individual is located and develops a person’s personal qualities. According to scientific data, it is believed that a psychotype is a set of pronounced character traits.

Despite the variety of definitions and terms identified by specialists and scientists, only one psychotype of personality with pronounced character traits is considered suitable. However, there are practically no people who fit only one description.

Each person has character traits from various classifications. Some always appear clearly, while others appear only in rare situations or are weakly expressed. To understand others, it is important to know what a person’s psychotype is and how it is determined.

Self-knowledge helps to identify traits in yourself that interfere with communication with loved ones or in life situations and need adjustment. The ability to identify different aspects of character will help you develop in the right direction and be more successful in life, and showing attentiveness towards other people will help you build the right relationships and predict your interlocutor’s reaction to a particular topic. Knowledge of psychology also identifies the right type of people with whom it will be easy to communicate.

Personality structure

Socionics - personality types of people

Personality structure is the properties of a person, his reactions to situations, characteristics of behavior, manners, actions that determine his position and influence his activities.

According to the theory of the Russian doctor and psychologist Lazursky, who has been engaged in scientific research for many years, the personality structure is determined by:

• Mental functions (perception, memory, speech, thinking, imagination);
• External mechanisms (attitude to the surrounding reality and the team).

The Soviet teacher and psychologist Kovalev considered personality as the interconnection of the following elements:

• Temperament, which is the properties determined by human nature. This is a mental and mental state that affects behavior and relationships with the environment;
• Sets of needs and ideals;
• Abilities, which include both intellectual capabilities and physical and emotional development.

Based on scientific approaches, to characterize a personality, it is necessary to evaluate its components:

• temperament;
• will;
• emotional development;
• physical and mental abilities;
• motivation;
• character traits;
• social attitudes.

Different people

The reason for dividing people into types

Intrapersonal conflict in psychology - types, causes and consequences

In psychology, it is customary to distinguish types of people, dividing them into groups, depending on behavioral reactions, emotional manifestations, tendency to excitability and intellectual abilities. There are many online tests that allow you to assess temperament or character, helping to determine how a person will behave in a non-standard critical situation.

Note! Survey data is used when hiring to understand whether the applicant is suitable for the chosen position. It is useful to notice a person who is called a “narcissist.” It’s hard to work with him, because he doesn’t see anyone around him and doesn’t respect other people’s opinions.

Some rely on test data to find their soulmate. Theories have been developed about the compatibility of people with similar or different character traits and social attitudes.

To select employees, it is important to evaluate the relationship between initiative and responsibility and to evaluate people’s activity. Based on this feature, Ksenia Aleksandrovna Slavskaya, a psychologist and philosopher, created a classification of personality types, where, for example, the harmonious type included people who proposed an action plan and were responsible for its implementation. Contemplative - they put forward an idea, but could not cope with it on their own. Personality typology is used by pedagogy in order to eliminate conflicts and normalize the atmosphere in the team.

Children's group

Additional Information. There is a direction in psychology that studies corrupt behavior, this is important when interrogating suspects. A brief description of such personality types is the use of psychological defense methods, speed in decision-making, and a sense of impunity.

Socionic personality types

Hyperthymic personality type - what is it in psychology

Socionics is a science designed to study personality types and the relationships between them. She pays a lot of attention to the perception and use of information that a person encounters every day.

There are the following types of personality:

• Dostoevsky. He is distinguished by highly developed intuition and the ability to empathize. At the same time, he will never put his interlocutor in an uncomfortable position. Innate politeness and sense of tact will not allow him to offend a person;
• Yesenin is able to calculate the outcome of an event in advance; he acts several steps ahead of the others;
• Don Quixote lives outside of boundaries and time. He finds several ways to solve problems and can evaluate the benefits of each action;
• Jack London. A person of this type is cold and acts based on logic. To achieve the goal, he notices everything that surrounds him, using information and people as resources;
• Stirlitz wonderfully organizes the work of the group, acting as its leader. Everyone will feel comfortable. Stirlitz himself is also capable of completing the tasks facing him;
• Hamlet lives by emotions, skillfully managing them to create the atmosphere he needs;
• Robespierre is conscientious, responsible and efficient. Power and glory are in last place for him;
• Balzac is able to notice details and will not forget to make a caustic remark, which is why he is often considered a cynic;
• Gaben loves comfort and regularity in everything. He will choose comfort and tranquility, protect himself from noise and bustle;
• Huxley is curious and attentive. He can read between the lines and see what others see as fantasy. He tends to dream, which helps him reach unprecedented heights;
• Gorky thinks rationally, putting cause-and-effect relationships at the forefront;
• Dreiser lives based on moral principles. If something goes against them, he falls into indignation and will never give up his opinion;
• Dumas is a true introvert who creates his own cozy world;
• Napoleon is a leader, a fighter, striving to show his superiority at every opportunity. He is stubborn and always gets his way;
• Zhukov is also confidently moving towards the goal. Guided by cunning, showing selfishness, regardless of people and their desires;
• Hugo is charismatic and positive. He charges everyone around with a positive attitude.

Napoleon as an image of a sociotype

Each of the personality types in psychology belongs to one of four groups:

• parents;
• infantile personalities;
• aggressors or victims;
• victims.

Note! According to psychologists, opposites form strong pairs; they attract and complement each other. For example, Jack London and Dreiser, as a victim and an aggressor, or Don Quixote and Dumas, an infantile personality and a parent.

Personality types in conflict situations

Conflicts are an integral part of life. It is often impossible to do without them, and avoidance will only aggravate the tension and push the goal away. What are the types of personality, depending on behavior in conflict:

• Demonstrative. He strives to be the center of attention, so he creates conflicts to make others remember him. It is better not to leave such people aside, but to give them compliments and praise. This will calm them down, the desire to conflict will decrease;
• Rigid. Conflicts arise due to a person’s touchiness. He constantly feels like he is underestimated or offended. He tends to take everything personally and does not tolerate defeat. It is important for him that his truth be recognized; he himself will never refuse it. It’s better not to provoke such a person; it’s easier to smooth out the unpleasant situation and apologize. A constructive dialogue with him is unlikely to happen;
• The uncontrollable type relies on emotions. It flares up easily and cools quickly when it releases steam. Then he becomes accommodating and is ready to make concessions. He shouts loudly, explaining his position, and can show aggression;
• The ultra-precise type constantly worries about his own safety. He is too suspicious and anxious. Demands performance at a high level from those around him. Treats himself with even greater pickiness. He's easy to hit. He experiences resentment in private, avoiding public conflicts;
• The conflict-free type is the most unpleasant type. He dislikes arguments so much that he avoids them in every possible way. Agrees and follows the lead, a person changes his point of view and tactics of behavior. He depends on the personality forcing him to accept a different opinion. This is an unreliable, unprincipled person for whom it is important to avoid quarrels;
• The conflict type will resolve any controversial situation, turning it in their favor. He even creates it on purpose, because he is confident in himself and has sufficient arguments to win, no matter how many opponents he has.

Conflict situation

Holland personality types

According to Holland, the following personality types are distinguished:

• Realistic. He is reality-oriented, has developed motor skills and spatial thinking;
• The intelligent species prefers to develop mental abilities. He is active, does not get distracted while working, and is immersed in the process;
• Social. He is sociable and tries to take a leadership position. Empathizes with the team, but will not miss the opportunity to teach a lesson;
• The conventional type is conservative and old-fashioned. Acts based on algorithms and standard schemes;
• The enterprising type is inventive and tends to burst into flames with ideas, even to the point of displaying aggression. Cannot sit still and concentrate on details;
• The artistic type trusts its intuition and loves to fantasize. Ignores rules, prefers creative activities.

What qualities are important for a future psychologist?

The main thing for a psychologist is interest and love for people. A psychologist works with people, so there is nothing to do in the profession for those who are tired of communication.

The psychologist must be:

• tolerant and patient;
• able to listen;
• able to analyze information;
• possessing emotional intelligence;
• capable and loving to learn.

A psychologist constantly learns in the process of his work, since psychology is a living, developing field. Relying only on a diploma received years ago is a sure path to professional ruin.

How do you know if being a psychologist is right for you? Go through career orientation and everything will immediately become clear.

Personality types in psychology

In psychology, there is a classification of people according to personality types:

• Explosive. A person reacts violently to events or words and is characterized by increased excitability. He is sullen, usually cruel and overly impulsive;
• The hysterical type wants to be recognized and noticed. For him, the main thing is the presentation of himself and his own emotions. He is extravagant, his behavior is theatrical. Such a person is fickle and cannot be called sincere. He overacts, trying to increase his importance;
• The asthenic type is fearful, too vulnerable people. They have little stamina and get tired quickly. A person is always preoccupied with something, tends to invent illnesses and create problems. The sad mood hides behind a mask of indifference, sometimes it seems too cheeky;
• The psychasthenic type is overly anxious and indecisive. He always doubts his actions and regrets what he has done. Such people double-check everything, are prone to pedantry, and follow instructions exactly;
• The schizoid type avoids contacts, finds it difficult to establish communication, and is unable to empathize. A person finds himself in creativity, escaping from reality. He is cold, angular, awkward, afraid of new things.

What knowledge and skills do future psychologists acquire?

Psychologists do not treat mental illness. They help people understand their feelings, solve problems, and optimally organize their lives.

Interesting!

New interdisciplinary directions are emerging in psychology. One of them is behavioral economics.

Future psychologists study:

• anatomy,
• physiology,
• sociology,
• logic,
• philosophy,
• anthropology,
• mathematical methods in psychology.

Students will have to read a lot during their studies. The training includes a practical block.

Psychological personality types according to Jung

Carl Gustav Jung is a famous Swiss psychiatrist and teacher. Personal information about him says that he worked together with Freud. He divided people into extroverts and introverts. The type depends on the characteristics of perception. Extroverts strive to understand the world around them, interacting with it in every possible way. Introverts try to isolate themselves from their surroundings. Their energy is directed “inward”.

Extroverts are friendly, open, and active. They need company and the energy of the crowd. Introverts are reserved and seek solitude. They are not averse to joining the team, but they do not need to be the center of attention.

Extrovert and introvert

Note! Each type corresponds to a specific temperament. Thus, extroverts include choleric and sanguine people, and introverts include melancholic and phlegmatic people.

This distribution is easy to understand once you know the characteristics of temperament types. The following typology of people is widely used:

• The choleric person is unbalanced, his actions are subject to impulses. It quickly lights up, but its energy instantly runs out. The mood fluctuates;
• A sanguine person is also characterized by constant mood swings. He reacts quickly to everything that happens and eagerly gets down to business. He can work for a long time, his energy has no end. Does not tend to get upset over failures, quickly forgets about mistakes, turning them into invaluable experience to move on;
• A phlegmatic person acts slowly, shows almost no emotions, and his facial expressions are inexpressive. He is slow to catch fire, but works hard and always strives for a high result. He is distinguished by perseverance and perseverance;
• A melancholic person is always worried; he is easily hurt and unsettled. Experiences spill out. It’s hard to inspire him; his work moves very late.

There are many classifications of types of people in psychology that allow us to characterize their qualities, relationships with society and ways of achieving goals. It is interaction with people and the outside world that helps assess personality.

Diplomat

Representatives of this group are characterized by an easy-going character, calmness, balance, and a desire for harmony. It includes a mediator, a lawyer, a servant and a protagonist. All subtypes are easy to communicate, receptive, flexible, with restrained emotions. It is difficult to anger such people.

Advocate

Subtype characteristics:

• A rare intuition, it understands what is going on in the head of another, absorbs other people's emotions, and easily looks into people's future.
• Knows where to put pressure on the disputant in order to obtain agreement, sees the problem as a whole, takes into account other people's points of view.
• Suitable for personnel management because he strives to make others happy. At the same time, he forgets about himself and imitates ease.

Mediator

Type Features:

• He is creative, knows how to clearly convey ideas, motivates people to self-development and move forward.
• Instantly calculates prospects, having a minimum of information, predicts the outcome of the situation.
• Easily moves from one topic to another, understands, knows how to convey a thought to a person.
• He is talented from birth, has many hobbies, is energetic, and is devoted to his work without reserve.

Campaigner

This is an intermediary who is interested in the process, not the final result. The type adheres to moral principles, speaks competently, and is inclined to study languages. The servant concentrates on one task, does not waste effort, does not overestimate his function, otherwise he is left with nothing.

Main character

A frequent guest at parties, the leader of companies, the center of attention is a feature of this type of people. They are not attracted to routine work; self-esteem depends on independently made original decisions. They easily switch attention, know how to relax, rest, and do it with pleasure.