Evening star., 1935-12-28
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
TUOMIc p HENRY
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

A new classification of human tenn
peramentS Is presented in the current
issue of the American Journal of Psy-
chiatry.
It is based on the assumption that
every individual has tendencies toward
various types Of behavior which, in their
extreme manifestations, constitute the
different inSanitieS and that combined
with them. is sort of psychic brake or
balance wheel.
Upon the relative strength of the ten
denotes and the relative efficacy of the
brake" which they designate as the
normal component" D. G. Humm and
G. w. Wadsworth, jr., build up their
classification and scale for measuring it..
The tendencies, or components, of human
nature they designate as follows:
The hysteroid, or component of self
preservation. It is present in every one,
but where there is an excess it is mani
tested in tendencies toward stealing, ma
lingering, lying and cheating. The indi-
vidual always is on the defensive agatslSt
society. With the proper operation of the
balance wheel, this is the underlying
component of prudence and shrewdnesS.
Pathologically it results in hysteria and
criminality.
Second is the cycloic component which,
when it is strong and not properly re-
strained, leads to anic-depressive in
sanity. 1t is characterized by great emo
tionality, sensitivity to social situations,
versatility and sympathy.
Third is the schiZoid component in
two phaSes-the autistic and the para
mold. 1t is characterized by imaginative
ness and day dreaming. In the autistic
phase it manifests itself in seclusiveness,
shyneSS and ability to visualize and con-
centrate on special tasks. In the para
mold phase it is manifested by adherence
to fixed ideas, conceit, suspicion and con-
tempt for the opinions of others. 1t is
of value in pushing through programs
that meet with resistance. Many of the
great men of history, who have turned
forlorn hopes into successes, have had
a great deal of this component.
Fourth is the epileptoid component
a tendency to inspirations and lunches.
1t is also characterized by ambition and
has been an important factor in the
history of mankind. The inspirations
often have been of religious nature.
When the balance wheel of normality is
thrown out of action the component
manifests itself in epilepsy and allied
diseases.
Presumably, according to the tempera-
ment scale drawn up, in each individual
one of these components tends to be
dominant, but with more or less restraint
by the balance wheel. This "normality''
in itself cannot be considered as an un-
mixed good. When 1t becomes the con-
trolling component the result is almost
as bad as when one of the others gets
an unrestrained upper hand.
It represents unadulterated conServa-
tism. Its tendency is to place restraint
on every impulse. Without one or more
of the other components of personality
the individual never would get anything
accomplished and the world would stand
still. In the selection of personnel ac-
cording to their scale, Humm and Wads-
worth point out, the temperament can
bit fitted to the job. One that requires
extreme concentration, for example,
would be best filled by 'normal-schi-
zoid" of the autistic type. On the other
hand a job that required easy, SYM
pathetic dealing with the public would
call for a mal-cycloid." And a job
that required extreme shrewdness in
business dealings and prudence IN the