DCNH System

Subtype Theory: DCNH System

1. The problem of intratype differences

Why are people of the same type so different? This question has long been concerned about every sensible socionics-practice. Why do two carriers of the same psychological system, having the same structure, demonstrate in the same situation such unlike patterns of behavior?

Do a simple experiment. Collect 3-4 people of the same type, no matter which one the specialist from which school identified them. Give them any available task (jointly solve an intellectual problem, play the situation, etc.) and observe their behavior. And you will see that, despite the identity of types, some of them will be more active, others more passive, some more resourceful, others more conservative, etc. The most interesting thing is that the more representatives of the same type you collect the more differences between them will find. Thus, the depth of the typology can be increased further.

This state of affairs should not be surprising. Other areas of perception are similarly arranged. Indeed, when examining, for example, a painted surface, in the basic color of paint, you will usually see one or another shade, and in the sound of a musical instrument you hear, pick up some characteristic ringtone - timbre. Here you hold in your hands a seal that does not change with time, but the prints are different each time. So in the psyche of a real person - carrier of the type, there is almost always an admixture of some other type. I call this admixture a subtype, or type variant.

With the similar phenomenon we meet and in other sciences. Recall isomerism - the ability of chemical compounds, without changing its composition, to form substances with different properties. Type variants are nothing but peculiar psychological isomers. The existence of subspecies within a species is also perceived as quite normal.

I suggested my solution to the problem of systemic description of intratype differences for a long time - in the late 80s. In this report I would like to state the current state of the problem.

Purely theoretically, the subtype problem is solved in two ways.

The first path runs through the introduction of special dichotomies. In relation to the usual all-type dichotomies, they are concretizing, thus acting as factors of the lower level. I call this method combinatorial-dichotomous.

The second way is to consider the strengthening of certain functions within the framework of the classical sociomodel. The fact is that the manifestation (it’s also manifestation) of a function is not equal to its location - a hierarchical place in the structure of the psyche. Equally located, that is, occupying the same position in the social model functions, may have completely different degrees of severity. This circumstance, according to the ideology of this approach, forms subtype features in behavior. Such a concept, unlike the aforementioned combinatorial-dichotomous approach, can be called functional-positional.

Combinatorial-dichotomous and functional-positional concepts do not contradict one another, but complement each other. Therefore, the specialists of the School of Humanitarian Socionics apply both of these approaches. It all depends on the goal that the researcher sets himself.

Another important preliminary question that cannot be ignored: how many subtypes should be allocated? The answer is that the number of subtypes should be no less than the average size of the groups you are dealing with. In small groups - the lower link of the collective hierarchy - it is enough to distinguish from four to eight subtypes of the base type. If one has to deal with socion - an entire system of closely interacting small groups, which is the highest level of a communicative organization, then the question of whether to distinguish in each type the admixture or shade of all 16 sociotypes becomes on the agenda.

2. How to select four subtypes

This level of detail is required when, for example, you are faced with the problem of choosing one of three or four of the same type of candidates for a vacant position or several representatives of the same type work together and you need to decide which of them to appoint as the main one .

Yes, and in my personal life sometimes you have to make a choice in favor of one of several familiar duals. Each of them is good in its own way, so you want to save them all. But even if you intend to communicate with them all, you have to figure out for yourself the order in which to meet, how intensive the communication should proceed in each case, which tasks to solve with this dual, and which tasks with that, etc. Refusing to prioritize , you will bring chaos into the communicative system, and it will collapse over time.

2.1 Three pairs of polarities

The first polarity: contact / distance.

Its first pole means the predominance of the need for communication, and the second - the need for distancing. Pronounced extraverts as well as extroverted introverts will fall into the category of contact people. Distant are respectively pronounced introverts, but also introverted extraverts that avoid intensive contacts. The scale of vertness is thus split into four internal gradations.

The second polarity is terminality / initiality.

By terminology, I mean the ability to bring to the end and the tendency to ordering. Under initiation is the opposite ability to initiate, it is easy to switch and the concomitant disorder in things and deeds. As you can see, this is a concretization of the usual dichotomy of rationality / irrationality. It would be wrong to think that any rational of the house is in order, and he clearly plans everything, and any irrational scatters things and planning. In reality, two intermediate gradations often occur between the extreme poles.

To terminal people belong, firstly, pronounced rationals, and, secondly, ordered irrationals. Pronounced irrationals, as well as unordered rationals, will have initial behavior.

And the third, complementary polarity is connectivity / ignorance.

The basis of this scale is the sensitivity to changes in the external environment. Connectors are very sensitive to such changes, and ignorers, as the name says, are able to ignore it.

This polarity is a subtype refinement of the classic dynamics / statics dichotomy.

Combining these three scales, we obtain the following four subtypes: 
- contact, terminal, connective - dominant subtype (D); 
- contact, initial, ignorative - creative subtype (C); 
- distant, terminal, ignorative - normalizing subtype (N); 
- distant, initial, connective - harmonizing subtype (H).

2.2 Strengthening a pair of functions
- Strengthening linearly-assertive functions (E and P), whatever position this pair occupies within the framework of the sociomodel, forms the dominant subtype. 
- Strengthening of flexible-agile functions (I and F) leads to the emergence of a creative subtype. 
- Gaining balanced stable functions (L and R) gives the normalizing subtype. 
- Strengthening of susceptible-adaptive functions (S and T) - a harmonizing subtype.

These functions are enhanced precisely in pairs, since they have similar energy.

2.3 Models of behavior in the autonomous group

The four above-mentioned subtypes are also identified experimentally. This is done by observing the behavior patterns of participants in an autonomous group of four identical types. Dominant is better than others to cope with the role of a leader, creative - the generator of ideas, normalizing - closer, harmonizing - corrector.

The working group of the SHGS checked the presence of these informal roles in a number of experiments conducted during 2006.

If there are not four, but three people in a group, then two roles are combined in one person. Most often, the leader and generator of ideas, closer and harmonizer, as they are closer in energy. Although in life there are any, the most incredible combinations.

If a small group consists of different types, then not only a subtype, but also a typical factor begins to influence the distribution of roles. However, the general type factor, as evidenced by our observations, in the conditions of close communication at close distances, is rather the background than the determining factor.

2.4 Test situations

The subtype is also detected through the fixation of human behavioral reactions to specialized test situations. Once in this situation, the subject is forced to show such qualities as perseverance or resourcefulness, ingenuity or pliability. This applied direction is just beginning to be created. His first priority is the selection of such tasks, which can be equally efficiently solved in any of four ways, or, conversely, clearly specialized in the method of solution.

3. How do subtypes affect intertype relationships?

Of course, their influence is significant, especially in conditions of intensive and dense contacts in a limited area.

However, first we will build the very system of relations arising between subtypes within an autonomous four-type group. Most clearly it turns out to describe them with the following two polarities: 
- by the presence of a leader: symmetrical relations (equal, without a certain leader) versus asymmetric relations (unequal, requiring a fixed leader); 
- on the direction of communication: attractive relations against repulsive; 
- according to the place and time of the action (additional polarity): consecutive relations versus parallel relations.

I want to emphasize that the above characteristics of the relations are not extensible abstractions, but completely verifiable experimentally with fairly specific parameters.

Combining these polarities, we get the following picture: 
- Symmetric attractive relations. Conditionally called subtype duality. Occur between opposite subtypes. They have a harmonizing, smoothing character. It’s difficult at first, but then partners are increasingly beginning to appreciate the advantages of the division of labor that this relationship gives them. The tougher the conditions of existence, the stronger they are. 
- Symmetrical repulsive relationships. They are called subtype identities. Their character is creativity. Occur between the same subtypes. Initially, they cause a mutual upsurge, but over time, disagreements increase in the dyad and mutual disappointment occurs. Strength tests, as a rule, do not pass. Useful for duplication, reservation, shift preparation.
- Asymmetrical predatory relationships. The working title is a subtype order. Their character includes, pushing, one-sidedly activating. D-subtype dominates C-subtype. It dominates the N-subtype. Normalizing, in turn, dominates the H-subtype. A harmonizing paradoxically affects the dominant participant. Thus the circle closes. These relationships are the main accelerators of group dynamics. 
- Asymmetric repulsive relationships.For their names we will use the conditional name subtype revision. They have the character of rationing, retention within, unilateral braking. Directed in the opposite direction compared to the order. Useful in terms of correction, error correction. Dominant revises harmonizing. Harmonizing revises the normalizer. Normalizing slows down and corrects the creative. A creative - dominant. And here the circuit closes, only in the opposite direction against the main vector.

And now, brief conclusions on the specialization of intertype relations: 
- identical subtypes contribute to intellectual development (understanding, learning, generating ideas in their field); 
- custom subtypes are most suitable for social activity, intensive work, expansion outside; 
- audit subtypes are specialized in psychological stabilization, balancing dreams and realities, most suitable for friendship, education; 
- dual subtypes give physical compatibility (life, intimate relationships).

4. The next step is the selection of eight subtypes.

This task becomes relevant when the group increases to 7-8 people.

To distinguish between eight subtypes, an additional scale is added - primary / secondary, which reflects the hierarchy of personal needs.

It should be noted that theoretically there should be seven such differences (including the already known three polarities). However, the description of the whole range of subtype dichotomies is not the subject of this report.

Any type of behavior in order to meet the needs of a group can be both primary and secondary. Primary needs are the needs of a specific, current nature (food, health, shelter, family, intimacy, etc.). Secondary needs - deep, higher (career, social status, spiritual world, cognition, etc.). No questionnaires using this scale have yet been created.

Experimentally, these subtypes are derived through an internal role in an octal identity group. 
Dominance by primary needs generates the intragroup role of the Motivator (psychologists call it the informal leader), and by secondary needs the role Engine (the formal leader). 
Creativity for primary needs contributes to taking on the role of the Contactor, and on the secondary - the role of the Innovator of the group. 
Rationing on primary needs gives the role of the Conscience of the group, and on the secondary needs - the Coordinator. 
And, finally, the primary harmonization leads to the role of Designer, and the secondary - the Expert.

Most often, our school defines the octal subtype not by dichotomy, but by strengthening one of the eight functions of the socionic model. Here I derived the following pattern. 
Strengthening the function E forms a demonstrative-artistic behavior. Corresponds to primary domination - through emotional pressure, the ability to inspire or scare. Primary dominance in animals is associated with bright colors, shouts, expressive facial expressions and gestures. 
Strengthening the function P forms a stuck behavior. This mode of dominance is secondary. These are business leaders who persevere and persevere.

Both of these behaviors are often found together, combining on the principle of a role mask. This suggests that dominance, although manifested through two varieties, is still a complete process. 
Strengthening the function F forms excitable behavior. This is interpreted as primary, instinctive creativity. It gives a non-standard quick decision in an extreme situation that is critical for survival. 
Strengthening function I forms affective-labile behavior. This is a secondary creativity associated with intellectual fantasy, non-standard ideas aimed not at breaking the deadlock, but at solving problems of the future.

Both of these functions often work in conjunction as two sides of a single innovation and implementation process. 
Strengthening the function R gives anxious and suspicious behavior. This is the primary rationing that does not require a formal fixation of the rules, based on tradition. 
Strengthening the function L leads to the formation of formal-pedantic behavior. It is secondary in nature to meet group-wide needs. Based on the regulations, instructions, official laws.

Both of these behaviors can act together, reinforcing each other. Conscientiousness and pedantic attitude to their duties are considered as two sides of normalizing behavior. 
Strengthening the function S leads to the formation of astheno-neurotic behavior. This is the primary, vital harmonization associated with the value of bodily comfort. 
Strengthening of function T forms the fenced off and self-invaded, up to autism behavior. This is the harmonization of the secondary, spiritual-mental plan.

Both of these behaviors are equivalent, that is, they often develop together and reinforce each other. It is known that for meditations of the mind it is necessary to relax the body.

If we proceed further according to our algorithm, then the next stage of subtype detailing will be 16 subtypes. I encounter them so far only when solving career guidance tasks, when I have to select a profession for a person at the junction of various fields of activity. This most difficult level will be considered in our subsequent works.

Understanding Subtypes

A subtype is the next level of detailing of the psyche in socionics after the sociotype itself and denotes a certain rather global value, ideological and, as a result, behavioral shift within the framework of the sociotype.

According to current theoretical concepts, a subtype arises as a result of a certain “gain” (an increase in the degree of domination in the psyche) of one of the components (parts) of a sociotype as a result of adaptation to real conditions of existence. Moreover, the conditions of existence imply not only external factors (society), but also internal ones.

A subtype is a fairly rigid and rigid structure, which, nevertheless, can still change (semi-rigid structure, rather than completely rigid, as a sociotype itself) with a very strong impact on the psyche (for example, the death of a loved one or spiritual crisis). In addition, it should be noted that in the process of adolescent crisis or mid-life crisis, the probability of changing the subtype increases, as psychological factors increase with psychological factors (“hormonal storm”). It is believed that in an average person, the subtype changes once or twice in the course of life (i.e., people who have it changed more times are possible, as well as people who have been in a fairly stable and appropriate to their nature environment and who have a subtype did not change at all during life).

Like the sociotype itself, a subtype is primarily a qualitative, not a quantitative, structure. 
As the concept of "sociotype", a subtype can be used in two similar, but still different meanings.

In the first (narrow) meaning, the subtype is considered as a structure based on the sociotype itself (a sheath of a sociotype), but nonetheless it is not. With this approach, the subtype is considered regardless of the sociotype itself (as a separate level), as it were, put out of brackets. Accordingly, as a result, subtypes appear to be “common” for different sociotypes (for example, any sociotype can be a creative subtype, and it is the same for all sociotypes).
In the second (broad) meaning, the subtype is considered as a variant of the sociotype, and therefore the subtype includes the sociotype itself as a core (accordingly, if in the first case we talked about the creative subtype as such, then with this approach the subtype will be not just creative, but , for example, a creative Enthusiast). From this point of view, the sociotype itself, in turn, can be regarded as an invariant of subtypes (that is, the part that remains stable and unchanged in various variants).

It is easy to see that both of these approaches do not contradict, but complement and mutually enrich each other, however, a narrow interpretation is more often used in theoretical consideration and study of the subtype, and a broad one in solving practical problems. It can also be said that a subtype in a narrow sense acts as a rather abstraction, which is necessary for a more convenient study of a fragment of a single and integral essence of interest to us — the psyche, while considering the subtype in a broad sense, we rely on two abstractions interpretation and sociotype in narrow interpretation), we are approaching the correct description of reality.

One of the important questions in the theory of subtypes is the question of their number (especially if we consider subtypes theoretically as ideal constructs). When addressing this issue can be approached from two sides - from the theory and from the practice. From a theoretical point of view, a subtype can be thought of as some qualitative reinforcement of a part of a sociotype, and therefore there should be as many subtypes as we select elements within a sociotype - 2, 4 (rings and blocks), 8 (separate functions) or 16 (taking into account the signs of ). From a practical point of view, the level of detail should be sufficient to solve real problems, sufficiently fully describe all the options, but not to be redundant. Accordingly, when developing the theory of subtypes, it is necessary to find a compromise between these two approaches,

Today, the DCNH subtype system is the most common and used as a standard when the subtype is considered as an enhancement of the temperamental pair of functions:

D (dominant) subtype (also sometimes referred to as a linearly energetic subtype) - as an enhancement of the E + P functions thus, such a person acts as a motivator for the people around them and as a group mover;

C (creative) subtype (also sometimes referred to as flexibly-agile subtype) - as an enhancement of I + F functions - a variant of a sociotype characterized by non-standard perception of situations and non-standard reactions to them, the introduction of a new one, to the group in which such a person is included, gives the opportunity to develop flexibly choosing the direction of movement (and this group can be as an informal team or family, and a sufficiently large organization);

N (normalizing) subtype(also sometimes referred to as a balanced and stable subtype) - as an enhancement of L + R functions - a variant of a sociotype characterized by the identification, establishment and maintenance of norms and rules governing both the formal and informal aspects of life, the ordering of the surrounding space (in the widest sense - from the allocation for each thing your personal place to behavior in public places). This variant of the sociotype is worse than the others, it transfers the situation of uncertainty and constant unpredictable change of the rules (however, it should be remembered that the comparison goes between the options within the same sociotype and the situation that for a normalizing LSI will be perceived as an uncertainty situation and cause comfort certain and regular,

H (harmonizing) subtype (also sometimes referred to as a susceptible-adaptive subtype) - as an enhancement of S + T functions - a variant of a sociotype characterized by sensitivity to changes in the broadest sense (from changes in one's own body to changes in the development of an organization), developed aesthetic flair. This variant of the sociotype transfers aggravated conflicts and contradictions worse than others, as a result of which it is inclined to “pour oil on the storm”, and if it is impossible to eliminate the conflict, it is inclined to distance itself from the situation physically and psychologically.