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Subtype
¶
Introduction
¶
When individuals of the same socionic type can be grouped into
subcategories by certain traits, we speak of “
subtypes
.” Many
socionists use some kind of subtype system to help describe
intratype differences
. A number of such systems are
familiar to many western readers.
Subtyping Systems
¶
This subtype theory is based on the premise that, within the same type,
some individuals are inclined to have an strengthening, focus, or
accentuation of a particular function(s) of their TIM model. This
strengthening has an effect across the entire TIM model, which
introduces variations to type expression within a type. Several
socionics authors have tried to capture subtype variations in their
descriptions of subtypes. Since type subtypes modify the expression of
several traits, such as extroversion/introversion and
rationality/irrationality along with others, some socionics
practitioners recognize their influence in determining type.
The most commonly used subtype systems are 2-subtype systems such as
“Contact/Inert” and “Accepting/Producing”, and a 4-subtype system called
“Dominant/Creative/Normalizing/Harmonizing”, abbreviated as DCNH.
Accepting / Producing Subtypes
¶
Accepting/Producing subtypes refers to accentuation of
accepting functions
(1, 3, 5, 7)
versus
producing functions
(2, 4, 6, 8)
of TIM model.
Accepting subtype
corresponds to accentuation of “accepting”
functions 1, 3, 5, 7; these are Program, Ignoring, Role, and
Suggestive.
Producing subtype
corresponds to accentuation of “producing”
functions 2, 4, 6, 8; these are Creative, Demonstrative, Activating,
and Vulnerable.
Contact / Inert Subtypes
¶
This system of subtypes was proposed by V. Meged and A. Ovcharov. It is
based on the premise that within a type some individuals will be more
inclined to focus on their
inert functions
(1, 4, 6, 7), and
others, on their
contact functions
(2, 3, 5, 8).
Contact subtype
corresponds to strengthening of contact functions
2, 3, 5, 8. These are Creative, Demonstrative, Suggestive, and Role
functions
.
Inert subtype
corresponds to strengthening of inert functions 1,
4, 6, 7. These are Base, Ignoring, Activating, and Vulnerable
functions
.
Theoretical information underpinning Contact-Inert subtype system is
further described in the following articles:
Contact and Inert Functions
Contact and Inert Subtypes by Meged and Ovcharov
On Specialization of Functions of Model A by Tsypin
Terminating / Initiating Subtypes
¶
Terminating/Initiating is a subtype notation introduced by
Victor Gulenko
. This subtyping system is based on
strengthening of the
first, “program” function
versus the
second, “creative” function
of TIM model.
Terminating (or terminal) subtype
refers to streightening of the
first, “program” function.
Initiating (or initial) subtype
refers to strengthening of the
second, “creative” function.
DCNH Subtypes
¶
DCNH is a theory with 4 different subtypes proposed by Victor Gulenko.
Dominating subtype (D)
Creative subtype (C)
Normalizing subtype (N)
Harmonizing subtype (H)
Further explication and profiles of the four subtypes can be found in
the following articles:
Theory of Subtypes: System of DCNH by Victor Gulenko
DCNH Subtypes: Empirical Portraits by Vera Borisova
Notation
¶
Like the names of core socionics types, subtypes can be called by
different names (though most are fairly similar). This nomenclature can
reference a particular subtyping system a person is using or assume a
more general form. For example, type EII with strengthened second,
creative intuitive function can be called:
Ne-EII or EII-Ne (the most common notation)
EII intuitive subtype
EII creative subtype
EII contact subtype
EII producing subtype
intuitive/producing/contact EII
terminating/initiating EII
Dual-type theory
¶
Dual-type theory is the proposition that individuals are in possession
of two personality types which work together to create the experience of
reality, see
Dual-type theory
. Although this
theory is highly speculative, Carl Jung himself hinted at the
possibility of more than one simultaneous type in
Psychological Types
.
Criticism of subtype systems
¶
Critics of subtype systems say that in practice an emphasis on
identifying subtypes draws attention away from the more central task of
diagnosing type
. Subtypes can be used as a
“cop-out” to avoid taking a stance on a person’s type, or for explaining
traits and behavior that contradict the basic type the socionist has
diagnosed. Critics say that in many cases the basic type has been
incorrectly diagnosed, and the addition of a “subtype” simply masks the
contradiction.
Some socionists think that subtypes are best used to retroactively
explain behavior of a person whose type is already known.
See also
¶
Accentuation of Functions
Visual Identification of Subtypes