They are hypertrophied and manifest themselves in the form of "weak points" in the individual's psyche - its selective vulnerability to certain influences with good and even increased resistance to other influences. Separate accentuated character traits are usually quite compensatory. However, in difficult situations, a person with an accentuated character may experience a violation of behavior. Accentuations of character, his "weak points" can be obvious and hidden, manifested in extreme situations. Persons with personal accentuations are more malleable to the influences of the environment, more prone to mental trauma. And if an unfavorable situation strikes at a “weak spot”, then the entire behavior of such persons changes dramatically - accentuation features begin to dominate (Fig. 95).
The types of accentuated personalities have not yet been definitively determined. They are described by K. Leonhard and A. E. Lichko. However, these authors give an overly fractional classification of accentuations. We distinguish only four types of accentuated personalities: excitable, affective, unstable, anxious (Table 12).
Rice. 95. Structure of character
Unlike accentuation of character, they do not cause a general social maladjustment of the individual.
Intensively manifesting itself in adolescence, character accentuations can be compensated over time, and under adverse conditions, develop and transform into "marginal" psychopathy.
Types of character accentuations
The main types of character accentuation include:
- excitable;
- affective;
- unstable;
- anxious;
Sometimes accentuation borders on various types of psychopathy, therefore, in its characterization, typology, psychopathological schemes and terms are used. Psychodiagnostics of the types and severity of accentuations is carried out using the “Pathocharacteristic Diagnostic Questionnaire” (developed by A. E. Lichko and N. Ya. Ivanov) and the MMPI personality questionnaire (the scales of which include zones of accentuated and pathological manifestations of character).
Accentuation of character according to A. Lichko
According to the level of manifestation of character traits, characters are divided into medium (normal), pronounced (accentuated) and beyond the norm (psychopathy).
The central, or pivotal, relations of the individual are the relation of the individual to those around him (the team) and the relation of the individual to work. The existence of central, core relationships and the properties conditioned by them in the structure of character is of great practical importance in the upbringing of a person.
It is impossible to overcome individual character flaws (for example, rudeness and deceit) and cultivate individual positive qualities (for example, politeness and truthfulness), ignoring the central, core relationships of the personality, namely, the attitude towards people. In other words, it is impossible to form only a certain property, it is possible to educate only a whole system of interrelated properties, while paying the main attention to the formation of the central, pivotal relations of the individual, namely, relations to others and work.
The integrity of character, however, is not absolute. It's related to that. that the central, core relationships do not always completely and completely determine the rest. In addition, the degree of integrity of character is individually peculiar. There are people with a more holistic and less holistic or contradictory character. At the same time, it should be noted that when the quantitative expression of one or another character trait reaches the limit values and turns out to be at the border of norms, the so-called accentuation of character arises.
character accentuation- these are extreme variants of the norm as a result of strengthening individual features. Accentuation of character under very unfavorable circumstances can lead to pathological disorders and changes in personality behavior, to psychopathy, but it is wrong to identify it with pathology. Character properties are determined not by biological laws (hereditary factors), but by social (social factors).
The physiological basis of character is an alloy of traits such as higher nervous activity and complex stable systems of temporary connections developed as a result of individual life experience. In this alloy, the systems of temporary connections play more important role, since the type of the nervous system can form all the socially foamy qualities of the individual. But, firstly, the systems of connections are formed differently in representatives of different types of the nervous system and, secondly, these systems of connections manifest themselves in a peculiar way depending on the types. For example, decisiveness of character can be brought up both in a representative of a strong, excitable type of nervous system, and in a representative of a weak type. But it will be brought up and manifested differently depending on the type.
Attempts to construct a typology of characters have been repeatedly made throughout the history of psychology.
All typologies of human characters have proceeded and proceed from a number of general ideas.
The main ones are the following:
- the character of a person is formed quite early in ontogenesis and manifests itself as more or less stable throughout the rest of his life;
- those combinations of personality traits that enter into a person's character are not accidental. They form clearly distinguishable types that make it possible to identify and build a typology of characters.
Most of the people in accordance with this typology can be divided into groups.
One of the curious character classifications belongs to the famous Russian scientist A.E. Lichko. This classification is based on observations of adolescents.
Accentuation of character, according to Lichko, is an excessive strengthening of individual character traits (Fig. 6), in which there are deviations that do not go beyond the norm in the psychology and behavior of a person, bordering on pathology. Such accentuations as temporary states of the psyche are most often observed in adolescence and early adolescence. The author of the classification explains this factor as follows: “... under the action of psychogenic factors addressing “the place of least resistance, temporary adaptation disorders, deviations in behavior may occur.” As the child grows up, the features of his character that manifest themselves in childhood remain quite pronounced, lose their sharpness, but with age they can again appear clearly (especially if a disease occurs).
In today's psychology, from 10 to 14 types (typologies) of character are distinguished.
They can be defined as harmonious and disharmonious.
Harmonious character types are characterized by a sufficient development of the main character traits without isolation, isolation, without exaggeration in the development of any one trait.
Disharmonious ones are manifested with the identification of different character traits and are called accentuated or accentuated.
In 20-50% of people, some character traits are so sharp that there is a “skew” of character - as a result, interaction with people worsens, difficulties and conflicts appear.
The severity of accentuation can be rachtic: from mild, noticeable only to the immediate environment, to extreme options, when you have to think about whether there is no illness - psychopathy. Psychopathy is a painful deformity of character (while maintaining the intellect of a person), as a result of which relationships with other people are sharply violated. But, unlike psychopathy, character accentuations appear inconsistently, over the years they can completely smooth out, approach the norm. Accentuations of character are most often found in adolescents and young men (50-80%), since it is these periods of life that are most critical for the formation of character, the manifestation of originality, and individuality. Then accentuations can be smoothed out or, on the contrary, intensified, developing into neuroses or psychopathy.
Rice. 6. Character accentuation scheme according to E. Filatova and A.E. Testicle
We can consider twelve disharmonious (accentuated) types of character (according to K. Leonhard's typology) and describe their positive and negative qualities that can affect a person's professional activity - we need this to confirm the foundations of personality differentiation in terms of a person's characterological properties.
Hyperthymic type
It is almost always distinguished by a good mood, high vitality, splashing energy, unstoppable activity. Strives for leadership, adventures. It is necessary to be reserved about his unreasonable optimism and overestimation of his capabilities. Features attractive to interlocutors: energy, thirst for activity, initiative, a sense of the new, optimism.
For the people around him, it is unacceptable: frivolity, a tendency to immoral acts, a frivolous attitude to the duties assigned to him, irritability in the circle of close people.
The conflict is possible with monotonous work, loneliness, in conditions of strict discipline, constant moralizing. This causes the person to become angry. Such a person shows himself well in work related to constant communication. These are organizational activities, household services, sports, theater. It is typical for him to often change professions and jobs.
Dysthymic type
The opposite of the first type: serious. pessimist. Constantly low mood, sadness, isolation, reticence. These people are burdened by noisy societies, they do not closely converge with colleagues. They rarely enter into conflicts, more often they are a passive side in them. They greatly appreciate those people who are friends with them and tend to obey them.
People around like their seriousness, high morality, conscientiousness and justice. But such traits as passivity, pessimism, sadness, slowness of thinking, "separation from the team" repel others from acquaintance and friendship with them.
Conflicts are observed in situations that require violent activity. For these people, a change in their usual way of life has a negative impact. They are good at jobs that do not require a wide range of communication. Under unfavorable conditions, they tend to neurotic depression. This accentuation occurs most often in persons of melancholic temperament.
Cycloid type
The accentuation of character is manifested in cyclically changing periods of ups and downs in mood. During the period of mood rise, they manifest themselves as people with hyperthymic accentuation, during the period of decline - with dysthymic. During the recession, they perceive troubles more acutely. These frequent changes in mental state tire a person, make his behavior unpredictable, contradictory, prone to changing profession, place of work, interests.
excitable type
This type of people have increased irritability, a tendency to aggression, intemperance, gloom, boredom, but flattery, helpfulness, a tendency to rudeness and obscene language or silence, slowness in conversation are possible. They actively and often conflict, do not avoid quarrels with superiors, are quarrelsome in a team, are despotic and cruel in a family. Outside of fits of anger, these people are conscientious, accurate and show love for children.
People around do not like their irritability, irascibility, inadequate outbursts of rage and anger with assault, cruelty, weakened control over attraction. These people are well affected by physical labor, athletic sports. They need to develop endurance, self-control. Because of their quarrelsomeness, they often change jobs.
stuck type
People with this type of accentuation "get stuck" on their feelings, thoughts. They cannot forget insults and "settle scores" with their offenders. They have official and domestic intractability, a tendency to protracted squabbles. In the conflict, they are most often the active side and clearly define the circle of friends and enemies for the day. They show dominance.
The interlocutors like their desire to achieve high performance in any business, the manifestation of high demands on themselves, the thirst for justice, adherence to principles, strong, stable views. But at the same time, these people have features that repel others: resentment, suspicion, vindictiveness, arrogance, jealousy, ambition.
A conflict is possible with hurt pride, unfair resentment, an obstacle to achieving ambitious goals.
Pedantic type
These people have a pronounced "tediousness" in the form of experiencing the details, in the service they are able to torture them with formal requirements, exhaust the household with excessive accuracy.
For others, they are attractive conscientiousness, accuracy. seriousness, reliability in deeds and feelings. But such people have a number of repulsive character traits: formalism, "chicanery", "boring", the desire to shift decision-making to others.
Conflicts are possible in a situation of personal responsibility for an important matter, with an underestimation of their merits. They are prone to obsession, psychasthenia.
For these people, professions that are not associated with great responsibility, “paperwork”, are preferred. They are not inclined to change jobs.
alarm type
People of this type of accentuation are characterized by low mood, timidity, timidity, self-doubt. They constantly fear for themselves, their loved ones, experience failure for a long time and doubt the correctness of their actions. They rarely enter into conflicts and play a passive role.
Conflicts are possible in situations of fear, threats, ridicule, unfair accusations.
People around like their friendliness, self-criticism and diligence. But timidity, suspiciousness sometimes serve as a target for jokes.
Such people cannot be leaders, make responsible decisions, as they are characterized by endless experience, weighing.
emotive type
A person of this type of character is overly sensitive, vulnerable and deeply worried about the slightest trouble. He is sensitive to comments, failures, so he most often has a sad mood. He prefers a narrow circle of friends and relatives who would understand him perfectly.
Rarely enters into conflicts and plays a passive role in them. Resentment does not splash out, but prefers to keep them in himself. Those around him like his compassion, pity, expression of joy about other people's successes. He is very executive and has a high sense of duty.
Such a person is usually a good family man. But extreme sensitivity, tearfulness repel others from him.
Conflicts with a loved one, death or illness, he perceives tragically. Injustice, rudeness, being surrounded by rude people are contraindicated for him. He achieves the most significant results in the field of art, medicine, raising children, caring for animals and plants.
Demonstrative type
This person strives to be in the spotlight and achieves his goals at any cost: tears, fainting, scandals, illnesses, boasting, outfits, unusual hobbies, lies. He easily forgets about his unseemly deeds. He has a high adaptability to people.
This person is attractive to others with courtesy, perseverance, focus, acting talent, the ability to captivate others, as well as his originality. He has features that repel people from him, these features contribute to conflict: selfishness, unbridled actions, deceit, boastfulness, a tendency to intrigue, shirking from work. A conflict by such a person occurs when his interests are infringed, his merits are underestimated, he is overthrown from the “pedestal”. These situations cause him hysterical reactions.
exalted type
People with this type of accentuation have a very changeable mood, talkativeness, increased distractibility to external events. Their emotions are pronounced and are reflected in amorousness.
Such traits as altruism, artistic taste, artistic talent, brightness of feelings and attachment to friends are liked by interlocutors. But excessive impressionability, pathos, alarmism, susceptibility to despair are not their best features. Failures and sad events are perceived tragically, such people are prone to neurotic depression.
Their environment of existence is the sphere of arts, artistic sports, professions associated with proximity to nature.
introverted type
People of this type of accentuation are characterized by low sociability, isolation. They are aloof from everyone and enter into communication with other people only if necessary, most often immersed in themselves and their thoughts. They are characterized by increased vulnerability, but they do not tell anything about themselves and do not share their experiences. Even to their loved ones, they are cold and reserved. Their behavior and logic are often not understood by others.
These people love solitude and prefer to be alone rather than in noisy company. They rarely enter into conflicts, only when trying to invade their inner world.
They are picky in choosing a spouse and are busy searching for their ideal.
They have a strong emotional coldness and weak attachment to loved ones.
The people around them like them for restraint, degree, deliberateness of actions, the presence of strong convictions and adherence to principles. But the stubborn upholding of one's unrealistic interests, views and the presence of one's own point of view, which differs sharply from the opinion of the majority, repel people from them.
Such people prefer work that does not require a large circle of communication. They are prone to theoretical sciences, philosophical reflections, collecting, chess, science fiction, music.
Conformal type
People of this type are highly sociable, talkative to the point of talkativeness. Usually they do not have their own opinions and do not strive to stand out from the crowd.
These people are not organized and tend to obey others. In communication with friends and family, they give way to leadership to others. Surrounding in these people like their willingness to listen to another, diligence. But at the same time, these are people "without a king in their heads", subject to someone else's influence. They do not think about their actions and have a great passion for entertainment. Conflicts are possible in a situation of forced loneliness, lack of control.
These people have easy adaptability to a new job and do an excellent job with their job responsibilities when tasks and rules of conduct are clearly defined.
The theory of personality accentuation was developed by a psychiatrist from Germany, Karl Leonhard (publications from 1968), and developed in 1977 by the Soviet psychiatrist Andrei Evgenievich Lichko, who formulated two degrees of severity of this character trait:
In modern psychiatry, there is no separation between conditionally normal, "ordinary" people and accentuated personalities. This feature can manifest itself or be excessively enhanced in conjunction with adverse life circumstances, and also provoke the occurrence of certain mental disorders, according to a certain type of accentuation.
Demonstrative (hysterical) type
The characteristic features of the hysteroid type include excessive pride, pronounced egocentrism, a high need for the attention of society, praise and approval of abilities and actions. In addition, hysteroid personalities have a pronounced ability to displace unpleasant facts or circumstances from consciousness, they can lie, changing the veracity of events without realizing it (repression mechanisms).
Hyperthymic type
This type of accentuation is manifested by increased sociability, talkativeness, a high degree of independence in decision-making and actions, enhanced by a thirst for activity. Such individuals are highly creative, innovators, but too often switch from one type of activity to another. The danger is that hyperthymic natures rarely finish what they started and are not inclined to pay attention to negative events and circumstances. They are more likely than others to violate the circumstances they have taken on, and under certain conditions, cheerfulness is replaced by irritability.
Cycloid type
Personalities with cycloid accentuation are characterized by the presence of alternating two phases - hyperthymic (high mood and increased activity) and depressive (low mood, the so-called blues period). These periods are usually short, lasting 1-2 weeks and alternating with long breaks. This type of accentuation is more characteristic of women than men.
Psychosthenic type
Such people can be called pedants. They are indecisive, prone to introspection, hesitation, reasoning. Psychosthenics are often unable to move from thinking about the situation to action, because they are not sure that there are no better solutions. They are suspicious, in their mental activity the mechanisms of repression are practically not expressed. A high danger for pedants is the responsibility for one's own life and, moreover, for the fate of other people. They are accurate, reliable and overly self-critical.
Schizoid type
For this type of personality, a certain "fencing off" is characteristic. They do not have intuition and empathy, they are not inclined to establish deep emotional contacts with other people. Personalities of the schizoid type are not inclined to communicate, are not talkative, closed. They do not share their experiences even with close people, they are dreamy, they have stable interests for a long time.
Asthenic type
The main features can be called irritability and too fast fatigue. In addition, accentuated individuals of the asthenic type are prone to excessive anxiety about their future and negative premonitions about their own fate and, especially, health. Such people are distinguished by accuracy and discipline, and in the event that the implementation of the intended is not possible, they react excessively emotionally. In addition, the asthenic personality type is characterized by sudden affective outbursts on minor occasions.
sensitive type
The main characteristic features of this type are shyness, resentment and self-doubt. Such individuals are usually overly sensitive, dependent on the opinions of others, often showing elements of humility and humiliation. People with a sensitive type of accentuation constantly feel their own inferiority, which can sometimes be compensated by episodes of self-confident behavior that turns into impudence. Being dependent on social recognition, they can be overly trusting or, conversely, shy. Prone to good deeds and often help others.
Epileptoid (excitable) type
People with epileptoid accentuation with certain difficulties are able to control their actions. They are driven by uncontrollable urges and instincts. A person of the epileptoid type is characterized by an angry or dreary mood, a high degree of irritability. They often accumulate negative emotions, breaking down at an opportunity on any person, regardless of his social status, they are not aware of the negative consequences of their outbreaks. They painfully react to material losses and, in the case of occupying a leadership position, to elements of disobedience. In love relationships, they often become too jealous, and alcohol intoxication can lead to aggressive actions.
Emotionally labile type
The main distinguishing feature is the constantly changing mood, the alternation of hyperthymic and dysthymic states, both depending on ongoing events or external circumstances, and without any reason. Pleasant events are accompanied by increased activity, the desire for new activities, high self-esteem, which can suddenly give way to depression, sadness, and slow reactions. Such people are very vulnerable, hard to experience separation from loved ones, emotional rejection. They are good-natured and responsive, sociable and prone to creativity.
Unstable type
Such people are characterized by a lack of motivation to work or study, a desire for idleness, entertainment, and a lack of control. With regard to work, they are too lazy, not inclined to fulfill their obligations, not disciplined and indifferent. At the same time, individuals with an unstable type of accentuation are sociable, open, easy to make contacts and quite friendly. They begin sexual activity early, considering it as one of the entertainments, but are incapable of deep emotional attachment.
Conformal type
Such individuals are characterized by a stable willingness to obey the decision of the majority, stereotyped actions, lack of independence, non-original judgments that are not due to a low level of intelligence. Conformal personalities have a negative attitude towards changes, the loss of a stable environment, and are overly conservative. Being highly dependent on public opinion, conforming individuals, once in a certain environment, receive a good education and a decent job - if this is valued in their social environment.
Determining the type of personality accentuation
To determine whether a person belongs to accentuated personalities, today the voluminous questionnaire of K. Leonhard, MMPI, Shmishek is most often used.
This helps to determine the type of accentuation and the nature of the personality, not only for medical purposes, to clarify possible decompensation and certain mental disorders characteristic of each accentuation, helping psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists to provide better medical care. Determining the type of accentuation can also help in social areas with:
- selection of teaching methods in secondary and higher schools,
- psychological counseling in solving interpersonal and family problems,
- the formation of the workforce, the selection of specialists, the establishment of interaction within the framework of the implementation of projects,
- solving career guidance issues, choosing a priority direction of development, a preferred profession or specialty, which is described in more detail in other articles on our website.
The typology of characters is usually built on the existence of certain characteristics. Typical are traits and manifestations of character that are common and indicative for a certain group of people.
Accordingly, the type of character should be understood as an expression in the individual character of traits common to a certain group of people.
It should also be noted that all typologies of human characters, as a rule, proceed from a number of general ideas.
1. The character of a person is formed relatively early in ontogenesis and manifests itself as a more or less stable personality formation throughout the rest of life.
2. Combinations of personality traits that are part of a person's character are not random.
3. Most people, in accordance with their main character traits, can be divided into typical groups.
The concept of "accentuation" was introduced into psychology by K. Leonhard. His concept of "accentuated personalities" was based on the assumption of the presence of basic and additional personality traits. There are much fewer main features, but they are the core of the personality, determine its development, adaptation and mental health. With a significant expression of the main features, they leave an imprint on the personality as a whole, and under adverse circumstances they can destroy the entire structure of the personality.
According to Leonhard, personality accentuations are primarily manifested in communication with other people. Therefore, evaluating communication styles, certain types of accentuations can be distinguished. The classification proposed by Leonhard includes the following types:
1. Hyperthymic type. He is characterized by extreme contact, talkativeness, expressiveness gestures, mimics, pantomimes. Such a person often spontaneously deviates from the original topic of conversation. He has episodic conflicts with people around him because of an insufficiently serious attitude to his official and family responsibilities. People of this type are often the initiators of conflicts themselves, but are upset if others make comments to them about this. Of the positive features that are attractive to communication partners, people of this type are characterized by vigor, a thirst for activity, optimism, and initiative. At the same time, they also have some repulsive features: frivolity, a tendency to immoral acts, increased irritability, projectionism, and an insufficiently serious attitude to their duties. They can hardly endure the conditions of strict discipline, monotonous activity, forced loneliness.
1. Distinctive type. He is characterized by low contact, reticence, and a dominant pessimistic mood. Such people are usually homebodies, burdened by a noisy society, rarely come into conflict with others, lead a secluded life. They highly value those who are friends with them, and are ready to obey them. They have the following personality traits that are attractive to communication partners: seriousness, conscientiousness, a heightened sense of justice. They also have repulsive features. This is passivity, slowness of thinking, slowness, individualism.
3. Cycloid type. He is characterized by fairly frequent periodic mood swings, as a result of which the manner of communicating with people around him also often changes. In a period of high mood, such people are sociable, and in a period of depression, they are closed. During a spiritual upsurge, they behave like people with a hyperthymic character accentuation, and during a recession, they behave like people with a dysthymic accentuation.
4. Excitable type. This type is characterized by low contact in communication, slowness of verbal and non-verbal reactions. Often such people are boring and gloomy, prone to rudeness and abuse, to conflicts in which they themselves are an active, provocative side. They are quarrelsome in the team, powerful in the family. In an emotionally calm state, people of this type are often conscientious, accurate, love animals and small children. However, in a state of emotional arousal, they are irritable, quick-tempered, and have poor control over their behavior.
5. Stuck type. He is characterized by moderate sociability, boringness, a tendency to moralize, and taciturnity. In conflicts, such a person usually acts as an initiator, an active party. He strives to achieve high performance in any business he undertakes, makes high demands on himself; especially sensitive to social justice, at the same time touchy, vulnerable, suspicious, vengeful; sometimes overly arrogant, ambitious, jealous, makes exorbitant demands on relatives and subordinates at work.
6. Pedantic type. A person with this type of accentuation rarely enters into conflicts, acting as a passive rather than an active side in them. In the service, he behaves like a bureaucrat, presenting many formal requirements to those around him. At the same time, he willingly concedes leadership to other people. Sometimes he harasses the household with excessive claims to accuracy. Its attractive features are: conscientiousness, accuracy, seriousness, reliability in business, and repulsive and conducive to the emergence of conflicts - formalism, tediousness, grumbling.
7. Alarm type. People with this type of accentuation are characterized by: low contact, timidity, self-doubt, minor mood. They rarely come into conflict with others, playing a mostly passive role in them, in conflict situations they seek support and support. Often they have the following attractive features: friendliness, self-criticism, diligence. Due to their defenselessness, they also often serve as "scapegoats", targets for jokes.8. Emotive type. These people prefer communication in a narrow circle of the elite, with whom good contacts are established, whom they understand "perfectly". Rarely do they themselves enter into conflicts, playing a passive role in them. Grievances are carried in themselves, not “spilling” out. Attractive traits: kindness, compassion, heightened sense of duty, diligence. Repulsive features: excessive sensitivity, tearfulness.
9. Demonstrative type. This type of accentuation is characterized by the ease of establishing contacts, the desire for leadership, the thirst for power and praise. Such a person demonstrates high adaptability to people and, at the same time, a tendency to intrigue (with an external softness of the manner of communication). People with this type of accentuation annoy those around them with self-confidence and high claims, systematically provoke conflicts themselves, but at the same time actively defend themselves. They have the following features that are attractive to communication partners: courtesy, artistry, the ability to captivate others, originality of thinking and actions. Their repulsive features: selfishness, hypocrisy, boasting, shirking work.
10. Exalted type. He is characterized by high contact, talkativeness, amorousness. Such people often argue, but do not bring matters to open conflicts. In conflict situations, they are both active and passive side. At the same time, the faces of this typological group are attached and attentive to friends and relatives. They are altruistic, have a sense of compassion, good taste, show brightness and sincerity of feelings. Repulsive features: alarmism, susceptibility to momentary moods.
11. Extroverted type. Such people are distinguished by high contact, they have a lot of friends, acquaintances, they are talkative to the point of talkativeness, open to any information, rarely come into conflict with others and usually play a passive role in them. In communication with friends, at work and in the family, they often give up leadership to others, prefer to obey and be in the shadows. They have such attractive features as a willingness to listen carefully to another, to do what is asked, diligence. repulsive peculiarities: susceptibility to influence, frivolity, thoughtlessness of actions, passion for entertainment, participation in the spread of gossip and rumors.
12. Introverted type. It, unlike the previous one, is characterized by very low contact, isolation, isolation from reality, and a tendency to philosophize. Such people love solitude; come into conflict with others only when trying to unceremoniously interfere in their personal lives. They are often emotionally cold idealists with relatively little attachment to people. They have such attractive features as restraint, strong convictions, adherence to principles. They also have repulsive features. This is stubbornness, rigidity of thinking, stubborn upholding of one's ideas. Such people have their own point of view on everything, which may turn out to be erroneous, differ sharply from the opinions of other people, and yet they continue to defend it, no matter what.
Later, the classification of characters based on the description of accentuations was proposed by A. E. Lichko. This classification is based on observations of adolescents. Accentuation of character, according to Lichko, is an excessive strengthening of individual character traits, in which deviations in human behavior that do not go beyond the norm, bordering on pathology, are observed. Such accentuations as temporary states of the psyche are most often observed in adolescence and early adolescence. Lichko explains this fact as follows: “Under the action of psychogenic factors that address the “place of least resistance,” temporary adaptation disorders and behavioral deviations may occur” (Lichko A.E., 1983). When a child grows up, the features of his character that manifested themselves in childhood, while remaining quite pronounced, lose their sharpness, but over time they can again appear clearly (especially if a disease occurs).
The classification of character accentuations in adolescents, which was proposed by Lichko, is as follows:
1. Hyperthymic type. Adolescents of this type are distinguished by mobility, sociability, and a tendency to mischief. They always make a lot of noise in the events taking place around them, they love the restless companies of their peers. With good general abilities, they show restlessness, lack of discipline, and study unevenly. Their mood is always good and upbeat. With adults - parents and teachers - they often have conflicts. Such teenagers have many different hobbies, but these hobbies, as a rule, are superficial and pass quickly. Adolescents of the hyperthymp type often overestimate their abilities, are too self-confident, strive to show themselves, show off, and impress others.
2. Cycloid type. It is characterized by increased irritability and a tendency to apathy. Adolescents with an accentuation of this type of character prefer to be at home alone, instead of going somewhere with their peers. They are hard going through even minor troubles, they react extremely irritably to comments.
Their mood periodically changes from elated to depressed (hence the name of this type). Periods of mood swings are approximately two to three weeks.
3. Labile type. This type is characterized by extreme variability of mood, and often it is unpredictable. The reasons for an unexpected change in mood can be the most insignificant, for example, someone accidentally dropped a word, someone's unfriendly look. All of them are able to plunge into despondency and a gloomy mood in the absence of any serious troubles and failures. The behavior of these teenagers largely depends on the momentary mood. The present and the future, according to the mood, can be perceived either in bright or in gloomy colors. Such teenagers, being in a depressed mood, are in dire need of help and support from those who can improve their mood, who can distract, cheer up. They well understand and feel the attitude towards them of the people around them.
4. Asthenoneurotic type. This type is characterized by increased suspiciousness and capriciousness, fatigue and irritability. Especially often fatigue is manifested during intellectual activity.
5. Sensitive type. He is characterized by increased sensitivity to everything: to what pleases, and to what upsets or frightens. These teenagers do not like big companies, outdoor games. They are usually shy and timid in front of strangers and therefore are often perceived by others as closed. They are open and sociable only with those who are familiar to them, they prefer communication with peers to communicate with kids and adults. They are distinguished by obedience and show great affection for their parents. In adolescence, such adolescents may have difficulty adapting to the circle of peers, as well as an "inferiority complex". At the same time, a sense of duty is formed quite early in these same adolescents, and high moral demands are made on themselves and on those around them. What they lack in ability, they often make up for in challenging activities and increased diligence. These teenagers are choosy in finding friends and buddies for themselves, find great affection in friendship, adore friends who are older than them.
6. Psychasthenic type. Such adolescents are characterized by accelerated and early intellectual development, a tendency to reflection and reasoning, to introspection and evaluation of the behavior of other people. However, they are often stronger in words than in deeds. Their self-confidence is combined with indecision, and peremptory judgments with haste of actions taken just at those moments when caution and prudence are required.
7. Schizoid type. The most essential feature of this type is isolation. These teenagers are not very attracted to their peers, they prefer to be alone, to be in the company of adults. They often demonstrate outward indifference to the people around them, lack of interest in them, they poorly understand the state of other people, their experiences, they do not know how to sympathize. Their inner world is often filled with various fantasies, some special hobbies. In the external manifestations of their feelings, they are quite restrained, not always understandable to others, especially to their peers, who, as a rule, do not like them very much.
8. Epileptoid type. These teenagers often cry, harass others, especially in early childhood. Such children, as noted by Lichko, love to torture animals, tease the younger ones, and mock the helpless. In children's companies, they behave like dictators. Their typical features are cruelty, dominance, selfishness. In the group of children they control, such adolescents establish their own rigid, almost terrorist orders, and their personal power in such groups rests mainly on the voluntary obedience of other children or on fear. In the conditions of a tough disciplinary regime, they often feel at their best, try to please their superiors, achieve certain advantages over their peers, gain power, establish their dictate over others.
9. Hysteroid type. The main feature of this type is egocentrism, a thirst for constant attention to one's own person. Adolescents of this type often have a tendency to theatricality, posturing, and panache. Such children with great difficulty endure when in their presence someone praises their own comrade, when others are given more attention than themselves. For them, an urgent need is the desire to attract the attention of others, to listen to admiration and praise in their address. These adolescents are characterized by claims to an exclusive position among their peers, and in order to influence others
to attract their attention, they often act in groups as instigators and ringleaders. At the same time, being unable to become real leaders and organizers of the business, to gain informal authority for themselves, they often and quickly fail.
10. Unstable type. He is sometimes mischaracterized as the type of weak-willed, drifting person. Adolescents of this type show an increased inclination and craving for entertainment, and indiscriminately, as well as for idleness and idleness. They do not have any serious, including professional, interests, they almost do not think about their future at all.
11. Conformal type. Adolescents of this type demonstrate opportunistic, and often simply thoughtless, submission to any authorities, to the majority in the group. They are usually prone to moralizing and conservatism, and their main life credo is "to be like everyone else." This is a type of opportunist who, for the sake of his own interests, is ready to betray a comrade, to leave him in difficult times, but no matter what he does, he will always find a “moral” justification for his act, and often not even one.
There are other classifications of character types. For example, the typology of character, built on the basis of a person's attitude to life, society and moral values, is widely known. Its author is E. Fromm, who called this classification a social typology of characters. for this group. According to the author of this concept, the social character determines the thinking, emotions and actions of individuals. The various classes and groups of people that exist in society have their own social character. On its basis, certain social, national and cultural ideas develop and gain strength.
However, these ideas are in themselves passive and can become real forces only when they meet special human needs.
Summarizing the observational data on the behavior of various people and correlating them with the practice of working in the clinic, E. Fromm deduced the following main types of social characters.
1. “Masochist-sadist. This is the type of person who tends to see the causes of his successes and failures in life, as well as the causes of observed social events, not in the circumstances, but in people. In an effort to eliminate these causes, he directs his aggression towards the person who seems to him to be the cause of failure. If it is about himself, then his aggressive actions are directed at himself; if other people act as a cause, then they become victims of his aggressiveness. Such a person is engaged in self-education, self-improvement, "remaking" people "for the better" a lot. With his persistent actions, exorbitant demands and claims, he sometimes brings himself and those around him to a state of exhaustion. Such a person is especially dangerous for those around him when he gains power over them: he begins to terrorize them, proceeding from “good intentions”.
According to Fromm, people of this type, along with masochistic tendencies, almost always have sadistic tendencies. They manifest themselves in the desire to make people dependent on themselves, to acquire complete and unlimited power over them, to exploit them, to inflict pain and suffering on them, to enjoy how they suffer. This type of person was called by Fromm an authoritarian personality. Such personality traits were characteristic of many famous despots in history; Fromm included among them Hitler, Stalin and a number of other famous historical figures.
2. ^Destroyer. It is characterized by pronounced aggressiveness and an active desire to eliminate, destroy the object that caused frustration, the collapse of hopes in this person. “Destructiveness,” writes Fromm, “is a means of getting rid of an unbearable feeling of impotence.” Destructiveness as a means of resolving their life problems is usually addressed by people who experience a sense of anxiety and powerlessness, are limited in the realization of their intellectual and emotional capabilities. During periods of great social upheavals, revolutions, upheavals, they act as the main force that destroys the old, including culture.
3. "Conformist-machine". Such an individual, faced with intractable social and personal life problems, ceases to "be himself." He unquestioningly submits to circumstances, society of any type, the requirements of a social group, quickly assimilating the type of thinking and mode of behavior that is characteristic of most people in a given situation. Such a person almost never has either his own opinion or a pronounced social position. He actually loses his own "I", his individuality and is used to experiencing exactly the feelings that are expected of him in certain situations. Such a person is always ready to submit to any new authority, if necessary, quickly and without problems changes his beliefs, not particularly thinking about the moral side of such behavior. This is a type of conscious or unconscious opportunist.
The classification of characters depending on belonging to the extraverted and introverted type, proposed by K Jung, has become widespread. As you remember, extraversion-introversion is considered by modern psychology as a manifestation of temperament. The first type is characterized by the orientation of the personality to the surrounding world, the objects of which, like a magnet, attract the interests, vital energy of the subject, what in
The concept of "accentuation" was first introduced by the German psychiatrist and psychologist, professor of neurology at the neurological clinic of the University of Berlin, Karl Leonhard (K.Leonhard). He also developed and described the well-known classification of personality accentuations. In our country, another classification of accentuations has become widespread, which was proposed by the famous child psychiatrist, Professor A.E. Lichko. However, in both approaches, a common understanding of the meaning of accentuation is preserved.
In the most concise form, accentuation can be defined as the disharmony of character development, the hypertrophied severity of its individual features, which causes an increased vulnerability of the individual to certain types of influences and makes it difficult to adapt to some specific situations.
At the same time, it is important to note that selective vulnerability to certain types of influences, which occurs with one or another accentuation, can be combined with good or even increased resistance to other influences. In the same way, difficulties with the adaptation of the personality in some specific situations (associated with this accentuation) can be combined with good and even increased abilities for social adaptation in other situations. At the same time, these “other” situations themselves can be objectively more complex, but not associated with this accentuation.
In the works of K.Leonhard, both the combination of “accentuated personality” and “accentuated character traits” are used. Although, nevertheless, the main thing for him is the concept of “accentuation of personality”. The very classification of K. Leonhard is a classification of accentuated personalities. A.E. Lichko believes that it would be more correct to talk about accentuations of character, because in reality it is about the features of character and typology of character that we are talking about. Most likely, it should be considered that the use of both combinations is fair - both an accentuated personality and an accentuation of character. In Russian psychology, a tradition has developed to clearly, and sometimes sharply, emphasize the difference in the concepts of personality and character. This means that the concept of personality is broader, including orientation, motives, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, etc. Meanwhile, in Western psychology, often speaking "personality" - they mean its characterology. There are certain reasons for this, because character is not only the basis of personality (many people think so, although this is debatable), but also an integrative education. The system of relations of the personality, its attitudes, orientations, etc. find their expression in the character. If we turn specifically to the descriptions of various accentuations (it doesn’t matter in what typology - K. Leonhard or A. Lichko), then it is easy to see that much in them characterizes the personality in its various aspects. In the future, we will equally and equally use both terms - an accentuated personality and an accentuation of character.
One of the common practical mistakes that we would like to warn against is the interpretation of accentuation as an established pathology. Very often such an interpretation can be heard not only in oral presentations and lectures, but even in very solid psychological publications. So, in one (on the whole, in a very good) textbook addressed to school psychologists, we read: “in a public school, among “difficult” teenagers, accentuated ones are no more common than among the rest. From this follows the conclusion that psychopathological (highlighted by me - A.R.) character traits are not a factor that directly causes school difficulties ”(Psychological service of the school. M. 1995). However, the identification of accentuations with the psychopathology of character is wrong. Perhaps this erroneous stereotype has acquired such a noticeable stability and prevalence because the very concept of “accentuation” appeared and at first was used mainly in clinical psychology. However, already in the works of K. Leonhard it was specially emphasized that accentuated people are not abnormal. Otherwise, only average mediocrity should be considered the norm, and any deviation from it should be considered as a pathology (K. Leonhard, 1981). K. Leonhard even believed that a person without a hint of accentuation, of course, is not inclined to develop in an unfavorable direction; but it is just as unlikely that it differs in any positive way. Accentuated personalities, on the contrary, are characterized by readiness for the special, i. both socially positive and socially negative development. Summarizing all that has been said, it can obviously be concluded that accentuation is not a pathology, but an extreme version of the norm.
According to various sources, the prevalence of accentuations in a population varies greatly and depends on many factors. These factors include socio-cultural characteristics of the environment, gender and age characteristics, etc. According to K. Leonhard and his collaborators, the proportion of accentuated personalities in the adult population is approximately 50%. However, the authors specifically emphasize that in other countries the ratio of accentuated and non-accentuated people may be different.
Although, in general, the question of the dynamics of accentuations has not yet been sufficiently developed, it is already definitely possible to speak about the phenomenon of sharpening of the features of an accentuated character in adolescence. In the future, obviously, their smoothing or compensation occurs, as well as the transition of explicit accentuations to hidden ones. According to N.Ya. Ivanov (see Table 1.), the prevalence of accentuations in adolescence, as well as in early adolescence, is different in boys and girls. In addition, the proportion of those who are accentuated varies depending on the type and characteristics of the educational institution.
Usually accentuations develop during the formation of character and smooth out with growing up. Character traits with accentuations may not appear constantly, but only in certain situations, in a certain situation, and almost not be detected under normal conditions. Social maladaptation with accentuations is either completely absent or is short-lived.
With accentuations, violations occur only with a certain kind of mental trauma, in some difficult situations, namely, only when they are addressed to the "place of least resistance", to the "weak link" of this type of character. Other difficulties and upheavals that do not touch this Achilles' heel do not lead to violations and are steadfastly endured. With each type of accentuation, there are "weak points" inherent in it, different from other types.
Accentuations of character are extreme variants of the norm, in which certain character traits are excessively strengthened, as a result of which selective vulnerability is revealed in relation to a certain kind of psychogenic influences with good and even increased resistance to others ...
two degrees of character accentuation are distinguished: explicit and hidden
obvious accentuation. This degree of accentuation refers to the extreme variants of the norm. It is distinguished by the presence of fairly constant traits of a certain type of character ...
In adolescence, character traits are often sharpened, and under the influence of psychogenic factors that address the "place of least resistance", temporary disturbances in adaptation and behavioral deviations may occur. When growing up, character traits remain quite pronounced, but they are compensated and usually do not interfere with adaptation.
hidden accent. This degree, apparently, should be attributed not to the extreme, but to the usual variants of the norm. In ordinary, habitual conditions, the features of a certain type of character are weakly expressed or do not appear at all. Even with prolonged observation, versatile contacts and detailed acquaintance with the biography, it is difficult to get a clear picture of a certain type of character. However, traits of this type can be clearly, sometimes unexpectedly, revealed under the influence of those situations and mental traumas that place increased demands on the "place of least resistance." Psychogenic factors of a different kind, even severe ones, not only do not cause mental disorders, but may not even reveal the type of character. If such features are revealed, this, as a rule, does not lead to noticeable social maladjustment ...
Description of types of accentuations (according to K. Leonhard)
Hyperthymic type
A noticeable feature of the hyperthymic personality type is a constant (or frequent) stay in high spirits. Hyperthymia can be in high spirits, despite the absence of any external reasons for this. Elevated mood is combined with high activity, thirst for activity. Sociability, increased talkativeness are characteristic. They look at life optimistically, without losing optimism even when difficulties arise. Difficulties are often overcome without much difficulty due to their inherent activity and activity.
stuck type
The stuck type of personality is characterized by a high stability of affect, the duration of an emotional response, experiences. Insulting personal interests and dignity, as a rule, is not forgotten for a long time and is never simply forgiven. In this regard, others often characterize them as vindictive and vindictive people. There are reasons for this: the experience of affect is often combined with fantasizing, hatching a plan to respond to the offender, revenge. The painful resentment of these people, as a rule, is clearly visible. They can also be called sensitive and vulnerable, but in combination and in the context of the above.
emotive type
The main feature of an emotive personality is high sensitivity and deep reactions in the field of subtle emotions. Kindness, kindness, sincerity, emotional responsiveness, highly developed empathy are characteristic. All these features, as a rule, are clearly visible and are constantly manifested in the external reactions of the individual in various situations. A characteristic feature is increased tearfulness (“wet eyes”).
Under character accentuation understood as overly expressed ( accentuated) character traits.At the same time, depending on the degree of severity, two variants of character accentuation are distinguished - explicit and hidden. Explicit accentuation is characterized by the constancy of accentuated character traits, while with hidden accentuation traits do not appear constantly, but under the influence of specific situations and factors.
It should be noted that, despite the severe degree of social maladjustment, character accentuation is a variant of its norm. Due to the fact that individual character traits are excessively enhanced, a person's vulnerability to certain psychogenic interactions is revealed. However, in clinical terms, this is not considered a pathology.
To understand what character is, and in what cases it is said about accentuation, it is important to know what components it is made of, what is the difference between character and temperament.
What is a character?
Translated from Greek, character means chasing, imprint. Modern psychology defines character as a set of peculiar mental properties that manifest themselves in a person in typical and standard conditions. In other words, character is an individual combination of certain personality traits that are manifested in his behavior, actions and attitude to reality.Unlike temperament, character is not inherited and is not an inborn property of a person. Also, it is not characterized by constancy and immutability. Personality is formed and developed under the influence of the environment, upbringing, life experience and many other external factors. Thus, the character of each person is determined both by his social being and by his individual experience. The consequence of this is an infinite number of characters.
However, despite the fact that each person is unique ( like his experience) in the life of people there is much in common. This underlies the division of a large number of people into certain types of personality ( according to Leonhard and so on).
What is the difference between character and temperament?
Very often such terms as temperament and character are used as synonyms, which is not true. Temperament is understood as a set of spiritual and mental qualities of a person that characterize his attitude to the surrounding reality. These are the individual characteristics of the individual that determine the dynamics of his mental processes and behavior. In turn, dynamics is understood as the pace, rhythm, duration, intensity of emotional processes, as well as the characteristics of human behavior - its mobility, activity, speed.Thus, temperament characterizes the dynamism of the individual, and the nature of her beliefs, views and interests. Also, a person's temperament is a genetically determined process, while character is a constantly changing structure.
The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates described four variants of temperament, which received the following names - sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, melancholic temperament. However, further studies of the higher nervous activity of animals and humans ( including those conducted by Pavlov), proved that the basis of temperament is a combination of certain nervous processes.
From a scientific point of view, temperament refers to the natural features of behavior that are typical for a given person.
The components that determine temperament are:
- General activity. It manifests itself at the level of mental activity and human behavior and is expressed in varying degrees of motivation and the desire to manifest oneself in a variety of activities. The expression of general activity is different for different people.
- Motor or motor activity. Reflects the state of the motor and speech motor apparatus. It manifests itself in the speed and intensity of movements, the pace of speech, as well as in its external mobility ( or, conversely, restraint).
- emotional activity. Expressed in the degree of perception ( sensitivity) to emotional influences, impulsiveness, emotional mobility.
What is a personality?
Personality is a more complex concept than character or temperament. As a concept, it began to take shape in antiquity, and the ancient Greeks initially defined it as a “mask” worn by an actor in the ancient theater. Subsequently, the term began to be used to determine the real role of a person in public life.Today, a person is understood as a specific individual who is a representative of his society, nationality, class or team. Modern psychologists and sociologists in the definition of personality, first of all, distinguish its social essence. A man is born a man, but he becomes a person in the process of his social and labor activity. Some may remain infantile ( immature and unfulfilled) individuals throughout life. Biological factors, factors of the social environment, upbringing and many other aspects influence the formation and development of a personality.
Accentuation of character according to Lichko
Lichko's taxonomy is designed specifically for adolescence, and all types of accentuations are described as they appear at this age. It is intended for clinicians and covers psychopathy, that is, pathological deviations of character.In addition to the basic types, it contains a description of mixed and intermediate types, which are due to endogenous factors and developmental characteristics in early childhood.
Particular attention in systematics is paid to psychopathy - anomalies of character that determine the entire mental appearance of the individual. Throughout life, psychopathy does not undergo any drastic changes, thus making it difficult for a person to adapt to the environment.
The following types of accentuations according to Lichko are distinguished:
- hyperthymic type;
- cycloid type;
- labile type;
- astheno-neurotic type;
- sensitive type;
- psychasthenic type;
- schizoid type;
- epileptoid type;
- hysteroid type;
- unstable type;
- conformal type.
Hyperthymic type
This type is also present in the Leonhard classification, as well as in other psychiatrists ( for example, Schneider or Gannushkin). From childhood, hyperthymic adolescents are characterized by mobility, increased sociability and even talkativeness. At the same time, they are distinguished by excessive independence and a lack of a sense of distance in relation to adults. From the first years of life, kindergarten teachers complain about their restlessness and mischief.The first significant difficulties appear during adaptation at school. Good academic abilities, a lively mind and the ability to grasp everything on the fly are combined with restlessness, increased distractibility and indiscipline. This behavior affects their uneven learning - a hyperthymic child has both high and low grades in his diary. A distinctive feature of such children is always a good mood, which is harmoniously combined with good health and often blooming appearance.
The most painful and distinct in such adolescents is the reaction of emancipation. The constant struggle for independence gives rise to constant conflicts with parents, teachers, educators. Trying to escape from the care of the family, hyperthymic teenagers sometimes run away from home, although not for long. True escapes from home are rare for this personality type.
A serious danger for these teenagers is alcoholism. This is largely due to their irrepressible interest in everything and promiscuity in the choice of acquaintances. Contact with random passers-by and the use of alcoholic beverages is not a problem for them. They always rush to where life is in full swing, very quickly adopt manners, behavior, fashionable hobbies.
The family usually plays a decisive role in the accentuation of a hyperthymic personality. The factors that determine accentuation are hyperprotection, petty control, cruel dictatorship, as well as dysfunctional intra-family relationships.
Cycloid type
This personality type is widely used in psychiatric research. At the same time, in adolescence, two variants of cycloid accentuation are distinguished - typical and labile cycloid.Typical cycloids in childhood are not much different from their peers. However, already with the onset of puberty, they experience the first subdepressive phase. Teenagers become lethargic and irritable. They may complain of lethargy, lack of energy, and that learning is becoming increasingly difficult. Society begins to weigh them down, which is why teenagers begin to avoid the company of their peers. Very quickly they become lethargic homebodies - they sleep a lot, walk a little.
Teenagers react to any remarks or calls for socialization by their parents with irritation, sometimes rudeness and anger. However, serious failures in school or personal life can deepen the depression and cause violent reactions, often with suicidal attempts. Often at this moment they fall under the supervision of a psychiatrist. Similar phases in typical cycloids last two to three weeks.
In labile cycloids, unlike typical ones, the phases are much shorter - several good days are quickly replaced by several bad ones. Within one period ( single phase) short mood swings are fixed - from a bad disposition to causeless euphoria. Often these mood swings are triggered by minor news or events. But, unlike other personality types, there is no excessive emotional reaction.
Behavioral reactions in adolescents are moderate and delinquent ( runaways from home, acquaintance with drugs) is not characteristic of them. The risk of alcoholism and suicidal behavior is present only in the depressive phase.
labile type
This type is also called emotionally labile, reactively labile, and emotively labile. The main feature of this type is its extreme variability of mood.Early development of labile children occurs without any special changes, and they do not particularly stand out among their peers. However, children are more susceptible to infections and constitute a category of so-called "frequently ill children". They are characterized by frequent tonsillitis, chronic pneumonia and bronchitis, rheumatism, pyelonephritis.
Over time, mood swings begin to be noted. At the same time, the mood changes frequently and excessively abruptly, while the reasons for such changes are insignificant. It can be either the unfriendly look of a random interlocutor, or inopportunely gone rain. Almost any event can plunge a labile teenager into despondency. At the same time, interesting news or a new costume can cheer you up and distract you from the existing reality.
The labile type is characterized not only by frequent and abrupt changes, but also by their significant depth. A good mood affects all aspects of a teenager's life. It affects well-being, appetite, sleep and ability to work. Accordingly, the same environment can evoke different emotions - people seem either cute and interesting, or boring and boring.
Labile teenagers are extremely vulnerable to censure, reprimands and condemnations, deeply worrying inside themselves. Often, troubles or minor losses can lead to the development of reactive depressions. At the same time, any praise or sign of attention brings them sincere joy. Emancipation in the labile type occurs very moderately and manifests itself in the form of short flashes. As a rule, in families where they feel love and care, they feel good.
Astheno-neurotic type
For the personality of the astheno-neurotic type, signs of neuropathy are characteristic from early childhood. They are characterized by tearfulness, shyness, poor appetite and restless sleep with enuresis ( nighttime urinary incontinence).The main features of adolescents of this type of accentuation are increased irritability, fatigue and a tendency to hypochondria. Irritation is noted for an insignificant reason and sometimes pours out on people who accidentally fall under the hot hand. However, it is quickly replaced by remorse. Unlike other types, there is neither a pronounced force of affect, nor duration, nor violent fury. Fatigue, as a rule, manifests itself in mental activities, while physical activity is better tolerated. The tendency to hypochondria is manifested by careful care of one's health, the heart becomes a frequent source of hypochondriacal experiences.
Runaways from home, addiction to drugs and alcoholism are not typical for adolescents with this type. However, this does not exclude other adolescent behavioral responses. They are drawn to peers, but quickly get tired of them and look for rest or loneliness. Relationships with the opposite sex are usually limited to short bursts.
sensitive type
Children from early childhood are characterized by increased fearfulness and timidity. They are afraid of everything - darkness, heights, animals, noisy peers. They also do not like overly mobile and mischievous games, avoiding children's companies. This behavior gives the impression of being isolated from the outside world and makes the child suspect the presence of some kind of disorder ( often autistic). However, it is worth noting that with those to whom these children are accustomed, they are quite sociable. The sensitive type feels especially good among babies.They are extremely attached to close people, even if they treat them coldly and harshly. They stand out among other children by obedience, they are often known as a domestic and obedient child. However, there are difficulties at school, because it frightens them with a crowd of peers, fuss and fights. Despite this, they study diligently, although they are embarrassed to answer in front of the class and answer much less than what they know.
The pubertal period usually passes without special bursts and complications. The first significant difficulties in adaptation arise at the age of 18-19. In this period, the main characteristics of the type are maximally manifested - extreme impressionability and a sense of one's own insufficiency.
Sensitive adolescents retain their childhood attachment to the family, and therefore the reaction of emancipation is rather weakly expressed. Excessive reproaches and lectures from the outside cause tears and despair, and not the protest characteristic of adolescents.
Sensitive individuals grow up early, and they also develop a sense of duty and high moral requirements early. At the same time, these requirements are addressed both to oneself and to others. Adolescents most painfully express a sense of their own inferiority, which with age turns into a hypercompensation reaction. This is manifested by the fact that they are looking for self-affirmation not on the side of their abilities ( where they can open up the most), but where they feel their inferiority. Timid and shy teenagers apply a mask of swagger, trying to show their arrogance, energy and will. But very often, as soon as the situation requires them to act, they pass.
Another weak link of the sensitive type is the attitude of others around them. They are extremely sensitive to situations where they become the object of ridicule or suspicion, or when the slightest shadow falls on their reputation.
Psychasthenic type
Manifestations of the psychasthenic type can begin both in early childhood and are characterized by shyness and fearfulness, and in a later period, manifested by obsessive fears ( phobias), and later by obsessive actions ( compulsions). Phobias, they are fears, most often relate to strangers, new objects, darkness, insects.The critical period in the life of any psychasthenic is the primary school. It is during this period that the first requirements for a sense of responsibility appear. Such requirements contribute to the formation of psychasthenia.
The main features of the psychasthenic type are:
- indecision;
- propensity to reason;
- anxious suspiciousness;
- love for introspection;
- the formation of obsessions - obsessive fears and fears;
- the formation of compulsions - obsessive actions and rituals.
Specially invented signs and rituals become protection from this anxiety for the future. For example, when going to school, it is necessary to bypass all the hatches, in no case stepping on their covers. Do not touch the door handles before entering the school. With the next alarm for the mother, it is necessary to pronounce a spell invented by yourself. In parallel with obsession, a psychasthenic teenager has indecision. Any, even a minor choice ( going to the cinema or choosing a juice), can be the subject of long and painful hesitation. However, after the decision has been made, it must be immediately executed, since psychasthenics cannot wait, showing extreme impatience.
As with other types, overcompensation reactions can be noted here, in this case in relation to their indecision. Such a reaction is manifested in them by exaggerated decisiveness in those moments when prudence and caution are required. This, in turn, results in a tendency to introspection about the motives of their actions and actions.
Schizoid type
The most significant and painful feature of this type is isolation and isolation from the outside world. Schizoid manifestations of character are detected much earlier than with other types. From the very first years, the child prefers to play alone, does not reach out to peers, and avoids noisy fun. He is distinguished by coldness and unchildish restraint.Other characteristics of the schizoid type are:
- isolation;
- inability to establish contacts;
- reduced need for communication.
Some teenagers, after all, sometimes try to make acquaintances and make any contacts. However, most often this ends in failure and disappointment. As a result of failures, they often withdraw even more into themselves.
The coldness of schizoids is explained by their lack of intuition ( inability to penetrate other people's experiences) and lack of empathy ( inability to share the joy or sorrow of another). Based on this, the actions of a schizoid teenager can be cruel, and this is not due to the desire to hurt someone, but to the inability to feel the suffering of others. The reaction of emancipation also proceeds in a very peculiar way. In the family, schizoid children can endure guardianship, obey a certain routine and regimen. But, at the same time, they react violently to the intrusion into their world of interests and hobbies. Also in society, they are furiously indignant at the existing rules and regulations, expressing their protest with ridicule. Such judgments can be nurtured and implemented in public speeches for a long time.
Despite isolation and isolation, schizoid adolescents have hobbies that are usually brighter than others. In the first place there are intellectual and aesthetic hobbies ( hobby). Most often this is strictly selective reading. Adolescents may be interested in a certain era in history, it can be a strictly defined genre of literature or a certain trend in philosophy. Moreover, enthusiasm may not correlate in any way ( not be related) to their needs. For example, it may be a passion for Sanskrit or Hebrew. Moreover, it is never exposed otherwise it will be regarded as an invasion of privacy) and is often hidden.
In addition to intellectual hobbies, hobbies of the manual-bodily type are also noted. It can be gymnastics, swimming or yoga exercises. At the same time, training is combined with a complete lack of interest in collective sports games.
epileptoid type
Characteristics of the epileptoid personality type is a tendency to dysphoria - low mood with outbursts of anger.Other characteristics of the epileptoid type are:
- emotional explosiveness;
- constant tension;
- cognitive ( mental) viscosity;
- stiffness;
- inertia.
The first signs of psychopathy are found in early childhood. From an early age, such children are distinguished by gloomy anger. Their dysphoria is manifested by whims, the desire to deliberately harass others. Unfortunately, sadistic tendencies are already noted at an early age - such children love to torture animals, beat and tease the younger and weaker. And, they do it all on the sly. Also, such children are notable for the childish frugality of their clothes and toys, as well as petty accuracy in things. To any attempts to touch their things, they react with an extremely vicious reaction.
The full picture of epileptoid psychopathy unfolds during puberty, starting at 12-13 years of age. It is characterized mainly by pronounced affective ( emotional) discharges that are the result of prolonged and painful dysphoria. In such categories there is abuse, severe beatings, rage and cynicism. Often the reason for anger may be small and insignificant, but it always concerns the personal interests of a teenager. In a fit of rage, such a teenager is able to throw his fists at a stranger, hit a parent in the face, or push a toddler down the stairs.
Attraction to the opposite sex awakens with force, but is always colored by gloomy tones of jealousy. They never forgive betrayals, both real and imaginary, and flirting is interpreted as a serious betrayal.
The reaction of emancipation proceeds very painfully in epileptoid adolescents. The struggle for independence causes them extreme anger and vindictiveness. They do not so much demand freedom and deliverance from power, but rights - their share of property and material wealth. It is also extremely painful for this type of personality to have reactions of passion. Almost everyone is prone to gambling, collecting. Very often they are driven by an instinctive desire for enrichment. Hobbies include sports, music and singing.
Self-esteem is one-sided. Most adolescents of this type note their tendency to a gloomy mood and commitment to the rules, accuracy. However, they do not recognize their peculiarities in relationships with others.
hysteroid type
Characteristics of the hysteroid character are egocentrism, a thirst for constant attention to one's person and admiration. To people who show indifference, such individuals show hatred.Other characteristics of the hysterical personality type are:
- increased suggestibility;
- deceit;
- fantasizing;
- theatricality;
- propensity for drawing and posturing;
- lack of deep sincere feelings with a great expression of emotions.
To attract attention, children begin to manipulate, show various demonstrative reactions. Over time, suicidality becomes the main behavioral response. In this case, we are talking about a demonstration and suicidal blackmail, and not about serious attempts. Suicidal blackmail is characterized by safe methods - vein cuts are made on the forearm or shoulder, medicines are selected from a home medicine cabinet ( citramon, activated charcoal). Also, they are always designed for the viewer - attempts to jump out of the window or throw themselves under the wheels of the transport are made in front of those present. Such suicidality is always signaled - various farewell notes are written, secret confessions are made.
Teenagers may blame failed love for their attempts. However, upon careful examination of the circumstances, it turns out that this is only a romantic veil. The only reason for this behavior in the hysteroid type is wounded pride and lack of attention. A suicidal demonstration followed by fuss and an ambulance gives considerable satisfaction to the egocentrism of a hysterical teenager.
Another distinguishing characteristic is the "flight into the disease" of hysterical adolescents. Very often they portray mysterious illnesses, and sometimes even seek to get into a psychiatric hospital. Once in it, they thus gain a reputation for being unusual.
Hobbies, including alcoholism or drug use, are also demonstrative. Already in adulthood, hysteroid personalities retain the features of childish opposition, imitation, and infantilism. As a rule, the reaction of the opposition ( negativism) manifests itself in the loss of habitual attention and the loss of the role of an idol. A similar reaction manifests itself in the same way as in childhood - going into illness, suicidal behavior, attempts to get rid of the one to whom attention has switched. For example, if another family member appeared ( new baby, mother's new husband), then all attempts will be addressed in his direction.
At this point, teenagers begin to signal themselves with addiction to drinking or drugs, leaving and absenteeism, and sometimes even stealing. In this way, they seem to be saying to return their former attention to them, otherwise they will go astray.
The hobbies of this psychotype are always concentrated around their own egocentrism. They prefer ensembles, stage, theaters. Self-esteem in adolescents with this type of character is far from objectivity.
Unstable type
The main characteristic of this type is emotional lability and unstable behavior. In early childhood, such children are distinguished by disobedience and restlessness, but at the same time, unlike hyperthymics, they are very cowardly and easily obey other children. Starting from kindergarten, they hardly learn the elementary rules of behavior, and from the first grades of school, there is a lack of any desire to learn.They can complete tasks and not shirk only with very strict supervision. They have an increased craving for entertainment, idleness and total idleness. They run away from lessons just to walk down the street. In their choice, they are extremely unstable and try literally everything - they steal and start smoking, while still children. Growing up quickly, they lose interest in their former hobbies and are constantly looking for thrills and new sensations. The painful reaction of emancipation is also connected with this - adolescents seek to free themselves from guardianship in order to indulge in entertainment. They never have true love for relatives, including parents, and they treat their troubles and worries with indifference. Basically, they use their family ties as a source of material wealth. Alone, they feel bad, as they are unable to occupy themselves. As a result, they are constantly drawn to teenage groups of all kinds. However, cowardice and lack of initiative do not allow a labile teenager to take the place of a leader in them.
Teenage hobbies are mainly concentrated around gambling. Those disciplines that require hard work disgust them. They can only work when absolutely necessary, but soon everything is quickly abandoned. Any difficulty or threat of punishment for not doing the job elicits one behavioral response - to run away. Unstable teenagers do not make plans, do not dream of anything or any profession. They amaze with their complete indifference to the future.
One of the main features of unstable types is weak will. It is this feature that can keep them in a regulated regime for some time. They can only reconcile themselves if idleness threatens severe punishment, and there is nowhere to run. The weak point of the unstable is the lack of supervision. Self-assessment of adolescents is far from objectivity, often adolescents ascribe to themselves the desired traits.
Conformal type
Characteristics of this type of personality are the constant willingness to obey the voice of the majority, stereotyping and stereotyping, a tendency to conservatism. However, the main constant feature is their excessive conformity ( compliance) to their familiar environment. At the same time, pressure from the group can be both real and imaginary.Representatives of this accentuated type are people of their environment. Their main rule is to think like everyone else and act like everyone else. The desire to join the majority makes them imitators in everything - from clothing and home furnishings to worldview points. Even in childhood, this is especially noticeable in the choice of clothes, school supplies, hobbies. If something new appears in society ( e.g. style), then initially representatives of the conformal type vehemently reject everything. But as soon as a new trend enters society, for example, they themselves dress in the same clothes or listen to the same music as everyone else.
Because of the desire to be in tune with their surroundings, conforming teenagers can't resist anything. Therefore, they are a copy of their microenvironment. In a good environment, they absorb all the good, in a bad environment, all the bad customs and habits. Quite often, such teenagers can drink too much for the company or can be involved in group offenses.
Their professional success is largely due to two qualities - the lack of initiative and criticism. They can work hard, as long as the work does not require constant personal initiative. Even highly stressful work is to their liking, if it is clearly regulated. They are also remarkably uncritical. Everything that their environment says becomes the truth for them. Adolescents are not inclined to change their group and choose the educational institution where the majority of their comrades go. Deprived of initiative, conformists often find themselves drawn into group offenses. Therefore, the most severe mental trauma for them is expulsion from the group. Emancipation is weakly expressed, and hobbies are determined by the environment of the teenager and the fashion of that time.
Intermediate types of accentuation
In addition to the types described above, Lichko's classification also distinguishes intermediate and amalgam types, which account for more than half of all cases of accentuations. They are combinations of different types of accentuations among themselves. At the same time, the features of some types are combined with each other quite often, while others - almost never.Intermediate types include the labile-cycloid and conformally hyperthymic types, as well as combinations of the labile type with the astheno-neurotic and sensitive types. The formation of intermediate types is due to the peculiarities of development in the early period, upbringing factors and, above all, genetic factors.
Intermediate accentuated types are:
- schizoid-sensitive;
- schizoid-psychasthenic;
- schizoid-epileptoid;
- hysteroid-epileptoid;
- labile-cycloid;
- conformally hyperthymic.
Options for amalgam types are:
- schizoid unstable;
- epileptoid-unstable;
- hysteroid-unstable;
- conformally unstable.
Classification of an accentuated character according to Leonhard
Leonhard distinguished twelve types of personality accentuations. Four types are directly related to character accentuation, six more relate to temperament accentuation, and two more to personality accentuation.The following variants of character accentuation according to Leonhard are distinguished:
- demonstrative;
- pedantic;
- stuck;
- excitable.
stuck type
This is a persistent and stubborn type of character that resists change and is characterized by increased conceit and selfishness, one-sided interests. People with the stuck type are characterized by a keen sense of injustice, as a result of which they are very distrustful and experience the same emotions for a long time. The basis of the stuck type of personality accentuation is the pathological persistence of affect ( emotions).Any injustice can cause a strong and violent reaction. However, emotions subside after the person "gave vent to feelings." Anger also subsides very quickly, especially when the offender can be punished. If the emotional explosion did not take place, the affect continues much more slowly. In cases where a stuck person could not respond either in word or deed, internal tension can drag on. At the same time, one has only to return the thought to what happened, as all emotions come to life, and a new explosion is brewing. Thus, the affect in such a person will last until the inner experiences completely disappear.
Such jams are most pronounced when the personal interests of the accentuated personality are affected. And the explosion becomes a response to wounded pride and hurt pride. In this case, the objective moral damage can be negligible. Since the insult to personal interests is never forgotten, stuck individuals are reputed to be vindictive and vengeful people. In addition, they are extremely sensitive, painfully touchy and easily vulnerable.
Equally, such psychotypes react to social injustice. Therefore, among them there are often fighters for civil justice and freedom.
Traits of stuckness also appear in case of failure of the individual, since ambition is very bright in such people. As a result, they show arrogance and arrogance.
Pedantic type
In persons of the pedantic type, the repression mechanisms operate very weakly. They are distinguished by adherence to a certain order, formed habits and resist any changes. They also attach great importance to the external side of the case and the little things, and also demand the same from others.Pedantic people are extremely slow to make decisions, they take all issues seriously, both work and household. In their discussions, pedants can bring others to white heat. Surrounding people perceive scrupulousness and pedantry as banal tediousness.
The main feature of this character is total rigidity, which determines the unwillingness to any changes. Also, due to weak displacement mechanisms ( or their complete absence.) traumatic events are experienced by pedants for a very long time. The inability to oust trauma from memory leads to the fact that pedants return to it again and again. All this leads to even greater indecision and inability to respond quickly. The pedantic type is non-conflict by nature, but reacts very strongly to violations of the established order.
Other qualities of a pedantic personality are:
- punctuality;
- conscientiousness;
- accuracy;
- focus on high quality;
- indecision.
excitable type
The excitable type of accentuated personality is characterized by increased impulsivity, poor control of drives and impulses, irascibility and stubbornness. In a state of emotional arousal, such people do not control themselves.The main characteristic is instinctiveness - the desire to satisfy their needs and desires at this very moment. Such excitability is very difficult to extinguish, which is why people of this psychotype are often quite irritable and intolerant of others. At the moment of excitement, they do not think about the consequences, give a weak assessment of what is happening, and deny any criticism.
Impulsivity of a pathological nature is noted in all spheres of life, including in inclinations. Such individuals eat and drink everything in a row, are impulsive and promiscuous in the sexual sphere. Most of them become chronic alcoholics. They do not think about the danger or about the consequences both for themselves and for family life. Among chronic alcoholics one can find many excitable personalities. Promiscuity in sexual relations leads to the fact that such people have many illegitimate children at an early age, both in women and men. Many of them may enter the path of prostitution.
The excitable type is in many ways similar to epileptic psychopathy. This is manifested in the heaviness of thinking, slowness of thought processes and the difficult perception of other people's thoughts. The state of constant emotional arousal provokes multiple conflicts. As a result, such people often do not take root in any team. This is also aggravated by the fact that some of them support their opinion not only with shouts and all kinds of demonstrations, but also with fists. Also, such people are characterized by destructive behavior - the destruction of objects, breaking glass, and the like.
Demonstrative type
This type of accentuated character is distinguished by a pronounced demonstrative behavior, deliberate artistry, as well as emotionality and mobility. Children of this type are distinguished by fantasy and a certain degree of deceit. Moreover, they lie not from evil, but in this way they only try to embellish themselves in the eyes of others.As they grow older, they continue to fantasize, using deception to get attention. This is explained by the fact that the spoken words seem to them at the moment the truth. Another character trait is connected with this - the ability to forget what a person does not want to remember.
The demonstrative type is characterized by a constant desire to be in the spotlight. To get attention, such people tend to adapt very quickly to a new environment. Thus, the demonstrative type is distinguished by mobility and, at the same time, inconstancy.
In view of their originality of thinking and actions, demonstrative people can carry others around with them. At the same time, they often focus on themselves, which can turn people off.
Other types of Leonhard accentuations are:
- Hyperthymic accentuation. These are very active people who are characterized by sociability and restlessness. In communication with them, gestures, active facial expressions and other non-verbal means of communication prevail.
- Disty accentuation. Unlike the previous type, these are serious people who are often depressed. They are characterized by silence, pessimism and low self-esteem. As a rule, these are homebodies.
- Anxious accentuation. This type is characterized by shyness, fearfulness and self-doubt. They are worried about various fears, they are painfully hard going through troubles. Also, from an early age, they are responsible, tactful, endowed with high moral qualities.
- exalted accentuation. Differs in sociability, exaltation and altruism. However, this does not prevent such individuals from quickly falling into depressive states.
- Emotive accentuation. This type is characterized by increased empathy - a heightened sense of interconnection and sympathy for other people.
- Cyclotypic accentuation. This type is distinguished by a combination of hyperthymic and dysthymic features, which appear alternately.
Psychopathies and character accentuations in adolescents
According to the Soviet psychiatrist Gannushkin ( one of the main researchers of psychopathy), psychopathy is called persistent anomalies of character that determine the entire mental appearance of the individual. These anomalies do not undergo changes during life and, at the same time, prevent the individual from adapting to the environment.
The diagnostic criteria for psychopathy are:
- totality;
- resistance;
- violation of social adaptation.
The above criteria also serve as diagnostic criteria for psychopathic syndrome in adolescents. Totality means that pathological character traits are manifested everywhere - in the family, at school, with peers, in study and leisure, in work and in entertainment. Stability reflects the immutability of these traits. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the stability of the pathological features of a teenager is relative. This is explained by the fact that each type of psychopathy has its own age of formation. For example, schizoid traits appear even in childhood, while an unstable type blooms during puberty ( puberty). There are also some patterns in the transformation of character types. With the onset of puberty, previously observed hyperthymic features may be replaced by cycloidism.
Despite the fact that the degree of character anomalies is difficult to quantify, psychologists and psychiatrists still distinguish degrees of accentuation. These degrees are based on certain indicators.
Indicators that affect the severity of psychopathy are:
- severity, duration and frequency of decompensations ( breakdowns), phases;
- the severity of social behavioral disorders;
- degree of social ( work, family) maladaptation;
- degree of self-esteem ( criticality of a psychopath to his own person).
Severe psychopathy
Characterized by the fact that compensatory ( protective) mechanisms are not developed, and if they are present, they are extremely weakly expressed. During the period of exacerbation, very severe psychoses, dysphoria, and depression are observed. Conduct violations tend to reach the level of criminal offenses and suicide. There is also a constant and significant social maladjustment, and even in children. Adolescents drop out of school early in elementary school, almost never work, except in forced labor conditions. In adults, a complete inability to maintain family and friendly relations is revealed.Pronounced degree of psychopathy
It is characterized by the fact that there are compensatory mechanisms, but they are unstable and short-lived. Reason for decompensation ( exacerbation) can serve as the most insignificant moments. Work or study is intermittent - sometimes it rushes, then it resumes again. Existing abilities always remain unrealized. Conflicts are constantly present in a family or work team, and relationships with people are characterized by pathological dependence. Criticality to own state ( self-esteem) is unstable.Moderate degree of psychopathy
It is characterized by pronounced compensatory mechanisms, as a result of which exacerbations are rarely recorded. Breakdowns are usually short-lived, and their intensity is proportional to the severity of the trauma. The period of decompensation is manifested by sharpening of pathological features or behavioral disorders, but does not reach the level of psychosis. Social adaptation is present, but reduced or limited. Despite the presence of pathological features, productive activity can be maintained. Moreover, sometimes outstanding results can be achieved in a wide variety of areas.Relations with close people are distinguished by disharmony, frequent conflicts and pathological attachment.
Psychopathic development and marginal psychopathy
It happens that in the formation of psychopathy, the decisive factor is the adverse effects of the environment. Such psychopathy is also called sociopathy or marginal psychopathy. Numerous studies in this area have shown that difficult adolescents account for no more than 55 percent of all nuclear ( true) psychopathy. The share of the rest accounts for psychopathic development.In diagnosing this anomaly of character, it is important not only to identify the main accentuated features, but also to state the harmful influence of the environment. Often this is wrong defective) upbringing.
The most common types of defective parenting that influence the formation of psychopathy are:
- Hypoprotection. This type of defective upbringing is characterized by a lack of care and control over behavior. At the same time, hypoprotection is not limited to meeting essential needs, that is, children do not go naked and hungry. Basically, this concerns the lack of attention, care and true interest of parents in the affairs of a teenager. Hypoprotection can also be hidden, when control over the behavior of a teenager seems to be carried out, but in fact it is only a formalism. This type of upbringing is especially dangerous when accentuated by unstable and conformal types. As a result, teenagers find themselves in asocial companies and quickly adopt a bad lifestyle. Also, the lack of care is very detrimental in hyperthymic, epileptoid and schizoid accentuation.
- Dominant overprotection. This type of defective parenting is characterized by overprotectiveness, petty control, and even surveillance. Such constant control grows into a whole system of permanent prohibitions. In turn, constant prohibitions and the inability to make at least minor decisions of their own confuse the teenager. Very often, children and adolescents create the following system of values - everything is impossible for him with adults, but everything is possible for his peers. This type of upbringing does not allow a teenager to analyze his own actions and learn independence. In addition, a sense of responsibility and duty is suppressed, the teenager ceases to be responsible for his own actions. Hyperprotection is most dangerous for hyperthymic adolescents, since it leads to a sharp increase in the emancipation reaction. Teenagers, or even children, rebel against oppression in the most aggressive ways.
- Emotional rejection. Characterized by emotional coldness, lack of care and affection. With this type of defective parenting, the child or adolescent constantly feels that he is burdened and that he is a burden in the life of his parents. Often such defective parenting takes place within the framework of hidden emotional rejection on the part of parents when they do not recognize the true hardships with their son or daughter. Allegedly, common sense suppresses in them this rejection of children as unworthy. Sometimes such rejection turns into a reaction of hypercompensation in the form of emphasized care and exaggerated attention. However, such a false attitude is well felt by a child and especially a teenager. A schizoid teenager reacts to such insincerity by withdrawing into himself, erecting an even greater wall between himself and his family. The unstable type rushes to look for an outlet in the company of friends.
- terms of abusive relationships. This type of defective upbringing is manifested by open and severe reprisals for petty offenses. At the same time, very often the child is simply “teared off evil”. However, abusive relationships are not limited to a child or teenager. A similar heavy and harsh atmosphere dominates the entire environment. Very often, brutal reprisals are hidden from prying eyes, and the family looks “healthy” in appearance. Education in conditions of cruel relationships is very dangerous for the epileptoid and conformal types. In this case, there is a high risk of psychopathic development. However, mental indifference and beatings are reflected in an unhealthy way on other types of personalities. In such families, the highest risk of developing psychopathy.
Diagnosis of character accentuations and psychopathy
Various questionnaires and tests are used to diagnose accentuated personalities. The most universal and well-known is the MMPI test - the Minnesota multidimensional personality questionnaire. It contains 550 questions ( abbreviated version 71) and 11 scales, 3 of which are evaluative. They are called evaluative, as they measure the sincerity of the subject and the degree of reliability of the results. The remaining 9 scales are basic. These scales assess personality traits and determine its type.
The characteristics of the base scales in the MMPI test are as follows:
- first scale ( hypochondria scale) measures the features of the astheno-neurotic personality type;
- second scale ( depression scale) indicates a hypothymic personality type;
- third scale ( hysteria scale) designed to identify individuals prone to neurotic conversion reactions ( hysterical) type;
- fourth scale ( psychopathy scale) - diagnoses a sociopathic personality type;
- fifth scale- is not used to diagnose a personality type, but is used to determine male or female personality traits ( imposed by society);
- sixth scale ( paranoid scale) characterizes touchiness and diagnoses the paranoid type;
- seventh scale ( anxiety and psychosis) is intended for diagnosing an anxious and suspicious personality type;
- eighth scale ( schizophrenia and autism scale) determines the degree of emotional alienation, indicates the schizoid type and the autistic spectrum;
- ninth scale ( hypomania scale) indicates a hyperthymic personality type.
In addition to the MMPI test, the Cattell questionnaire and the Schmishek test are used in the diagnosis of accentuations and psychopathy. The first questionnaire is a widely used method for assessing individual personality traits and is intended to describe individual-personal relationships. The Schmishek test is focused on diagnosing accentuation according to Leonhard.
Schmishek's test for diagnosing the type of accentuation according to Leonhard
The Shmishek Questionnaire is a personality questionnaire that is designed to diagnose the type of personality accentuation according to Leonhard. The test consists of 97 questions ( there is also an abbreviated version) to which you need to answer “yes” or “no”. Next, the number of answers that matched the key is multiplied by the value of the coefficient that corresponds to each type of accentuation. If the resulting figure is more than 18, then this indicates the severity of this type of accentuation, while the maximum indicator is 24 points.There are two versions of this technique - adult and children.
They consist of the same number of questions and, accordingly, have the same types of accentuations. The difference lies in the wording of the questions, that is, the children's version contains questions adapted for children, the adult - for adults. The theoretical basis of both options is the theory of accentuated personalities, according to which all personality traits are divided into basic and additional. The main features are the core of personality, they determine the character of a person.
