Basic categories of Socionics

Contents

 Information metabolism
 Psychological functions
 The type of informational metabolism
 Socionic models
 Designations of psychological functions
 The model of the information-metabolistic type
 Diads and relations between types
 Socion, Quadras

The information flow affecting a person is not homogeneous, but has a definite spectrum including logical, ethical, sensorical and intuitive components.

Each aspect of information flow corresponds with its own psychological function.

irrational	intuitive	logical	extrovert	ILE (Ir)
			introvert	ILI (Ir)
		ethical	extrovert	IEE (Ir)
			introvert	IEI (Ir)
	sensoric	logical	extrovert	SLE (Ir)
			introvert	SLI (Ir)
		ethical	extrovert	SEE (Ir)
			introvert	SEI (Ir)
rational	logical	intuitive	extrovert	LIE (Ra)
			introvert	LII (Ra)
		sensoric	extrovert	LSE (Ra)
			introvert	LSI (Ra)
	ethical	intuitive	extrovert	EIE (Ra)
			introvert	EII (Ra)
		sensoric	extrovert	ESE (Ra)
			introvert	ESI (Ra)

For convenience, each type is given a pseudonym chosen from names of prominent historical persons or literary heroes of corresponding types. For example:

Which description do you understand better? The answer is evident. When the pseudonym is used we have an integral image of the type and our attitude to it. As a result, we can understand the person under discussion without any difficulty.

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Socionics makes a model of the person and personal treatment and the main aspects of information about surroundings. The model examines in this review was suggested by Aushra Augustinavichute, and hence called “model A”.

1. Designations of psychological functions

In order to work out the type of model, each psychological function is given its own conventional name and symbol:

time		(I - intuition)	intuition of potentialities	irrational functions
temporal relations		(T - time)	intuition of time
space		(F - force)	volitional sensorics
spacing correlations		(S - sense)	sensational sensorics
matter		(P - profit)	business logic	rational functions
material relations		(L - logic)	logic of correlation
energy		(E - emotion)	emotional ethics
power relations		(R - relation)	relational ethics

Names and symbols have been formed on the basic of common agreement.



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2. The model of the information-metabolistic type includes symbols of psychological functions, which form the structure. It reflects the notions of Socionics concerning the way of functioning of personal psychology.

The information-metabolistic type as an intellectual and creative one may be described by the two-element model:

intellectual function

1

2

creative function

A broader description of types may be given by “model A”. The structure consists of 8 elements, each of which is filled by one of the 8 psychical functions. An element filled by certain psychical functions determines the way of treating the corresponding aspects of information.

intellectual function				1			2	creative function
function of diffidence				4			3	function of role
estimative function				6			5	suggestive function
function of personal knowledge				7			8	function of concrete act

The information flow is perceived simultaneously by all the elements. They are apparently resonant (each in its own way) to the received signal. Every element then treats that aspect of information, which corresponds to its psychical function.

Signals produced for every aspect of information have the imprint of their source-element. As a result, the same information after treatment by the different types, will have 16 different spectra.

EGO	1	2	mental ring	The modern Socionics model of information metabolistic type consists of two rings — mental (consciously realized personal activity) and vital (automatic, unrealized activity). The mental ring consists of two blocks of elements: EGO (creative block) and SUPREGO (block of social control); the vital ring also has two blocks: ID (block of individual activity) and SUPERID (block of individual control).
SUPREGO	4	3
SUPERID	6	5	vital ring
ID	7	8




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3. Diads and relations between types

identity activation social order (2) mirage superego quasi-identical congeneric

Two interacting types form a diad. There is only one kind of 16-th relations between types in a diad: from dualization (full addition) to conflict. Two kinds of relations are asymmetric: relations of social order and revision. All 16 kinds of relations are visible in model analysis.

dualization mirror revision (2) business full opposition conflict semi-dualization

Here is an example of the relations between types (EII) and (SEI). They are the relations of social order, where one member of the diad acts as a social transmitter, the other as a receiver.
The relations are evidence asymmetric. (SEI) gets a powerful intuitive program from the second element of (EII) on its perceptible suggestive 5^th element, though its own sensoric program (from the 1^st element) is perceived by (EII) more critically (6^th element). Wishing to be heard, (SEI) strengthens its activity, but once again does not receive the necessary response.
In order to balance these relations (EII) has to turn to the partner with small requests and advice as seldom as possible, and to apologize to (SEI) if he feels hurt (even if (EII) does not know the reason for this offense).
On the other hand (SEI) has to calmly to the expressions of his partner and to spend more time without him, affording him periodic “sensoric holiday”.

Here we do not have not pure conflict, but the asymmetry of interactions created a certain tension. In order to decrease this tension you should know and use special methods of correcting relations.

There are 256 relations between types, each of them having its own specific character. The table, a fragment of which is given on the next page, allows us to determine these relations conveniently.

Relations between types (fragment)

									...
	=	D	A	Mi	>O	>R	B	M
	D	=	Mi	A	>R	>O	M	B
	A	Mi	=	D	G	sD	<O	<R
	Mi	A	D	=	sD	G	<R	<O
	<O	<R	G	sD	=
	<R	<O	sD	Symbols in the table mean the kind of relation between types, for example: D — dual relations are the best in marriage, friendship and collaboration. The dual person is always interesting, his presence is not bothersome. He understands, gives helpful advice and needs support himself. R — social control (revision) is in charge areas of weakness. The controller constantly and especially noticed are difficult. Both people suffer, especially the one being controlled.
	B	M	>O
	M	B

An analysis of the models allows us to describe all 16 kinds of relations and to obtain a number of useful, empirically confirmed regularities.

More comprehensive information about relations between types exists. We would like to point out, however, that Augustinavichute’s work concerned only dual relationships.



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4. Socion, Quadras

Common values — behavior regulations, associations, attitude to the world, criteria of estimation, etc. — unite the corresponding types of informational metabolism into four quadras. With in your own quadra you are always understood and never blamed, you are listened to with pleasure and given considerable quadra interesting and valuable information. A person in his own uses his creative potential completely (because all his actions, within the bound of his own distinctive type, are expected and stimulated). A person works most effectively (within the limits of specialization of the quadra) and has the most positive relaxation. A quadra has a physiotherapeutic effect: it alleviates stress, increases vitality, improves psychological and physical health.

A quadra comprises a team of four types having a common system of values.

Time spent within a quadra wholly memorable.

Socion is the system unit of four quadras in accordance with their valuable and functional features.

Quadra 1 (alpha)			Quadra 2 (beta)		The orthogonal quadras (1–3, 2–4) have different systems of values, which is why they have conflict relationships, resistance, and lack of understanding.
Quadra 4 (delta)			Quadra 3 (gamma)

Here is an example of socion’s function, corroborated by analysis of the number of stages of mankind’s technical-scientific and social development — the so called evolution of idea:

generation of idea, working out suggestion, the project	1st quadra;
realization of project, introduction and assimilation of results, fixation of idea as system of knowledge	2nd quadra;
critical recomprehension of idea, exposure of defects	3rd quadra;
elimination of defects and bringing to perfection, mass realization of ready product, technology	4th quadra.

One of the four quadras “specializing” for a given question is responsible for its own aspect of the development of an idea. This phenomena is also confirmed by historical processes.

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