Classification of Socionics Intertype Relations According to their Purpose and Activity Orientation by Victor Gulenko

Classification of Intertype Relations According to Their Purpose and Activity Orientation

Roles of Intertype Relations

Identity

Mirror

Extinguishment

Quasi-identity

Duality

Activity

Superego

Conflict

Semi-duality

Direct request (benefit)

Business (look-alike)

Reverse supervision

Mirage

Reverse request (benefit)

Kindred

Direct supervision

Energetics of Intertype Relations

Published by Viktor Gulenko 21. 08. 1996, Kiev.Original article: http://socionics.kiev.ua/articles/fe...oup/ascension/ (only sections 1-4 of this article have been translated)Psychological "division of labor" is a mark of a mature and rationally structured society. Ancient societies received powerful stimulus with invention of division of physical labor. We stand on the threshold of a new step forward when professional specialization will be supplemented by psychological one.The construction of such classification provides us with the answer to an important question: why does each intertype relation exist? Which relations are optimal for achieving these or that goals? Which communicative issues naturally arise for each type of relation? Using intertype relations for purposes that are different from their intended ones often leads to stress and frustration.Within each orientation, I will distinguish two sub-groups that are specialized for solving light tasks and serious or heavy tasks. Their separation is directly related to the Dynamic/Static dichotomy. Light relations (variety and expediency of communication) correspond to dynamic aspect, heavy relations (uniformity and thoroughness)  to static aspect.This group includes Identical, Mirror, Extinguishment and Quasi-identical relations. Their goal  to learn more about the world, its fundamental laws, and about oneself through comparison with others. Within these types of relations, ability to make comparisons, analyses, classifications, and to put forward advanced hypothesis improves markedly.Research relations train one's mental functions. I use term "mental" here not in the sense of "belonging to the mental processes" but in reference to the mental 1, 2, 7 and 8 functional positions in socionics model.1.2 Heavy research relations. In these relations, people are attracted by similarity in interests. However, after understanding one another, these relations become uninteresting. Identity starts from sense of mutual understanding and evolves to competition in the intellectual sphere. Discussions involve most unique and controversial issues. Able to reveal the opposite side of the "coin". These relations are analytical in nature and allow one to solve more complex theoretical problems. These relations place a large load on mental functions of partners. Deep insight into common topics of interest can be achieved here.1. 2. Light research relations. review, critique of each other's positions, sharing of interesting and useful information, accumulation of information. audit, experimentation. Relations are distinguished by pragmatic activities, enterprise and curiosity.Research relations serve as foundation for "young" partnerships i.e. psychologically immature ones. Many young people enter unions based on shared interests - music, hobbies, common conversation topics. Despite the fact that sometimes such relations are very stable, it is similar to an experiment to create a family.These relations include Duality, Activity, Super-ego, and Conflict. These relations are designed for fitting into society, creating a family, making a circle of friends, finding one's social group. These relations put a load on type's vital functions (positions 3, 4, 5, 6).2. 1. Light social relations. Family with few children that lives separately from relatives. In the foreground is convenience, application of minimum of effort while achieving maximum results in getting along in the household. Family with many children or friends with whom you meet over holidays. In the foreground is emotionally charged communication and caring about each other.2.2 Heavy social relations. Generates a lot of inconveniences in daily life and leisure time activities. Partners run into lack of acceptance of their vital habits. Frequent outbreaks of unmotivated emotions follow. Such situation trains one to be flexible in life, to learn how to get comfortable despite external resistance. Helps to survive in poor conditions, in hostile and difficult social environments. Instead of flexibility and resourcefulness, trains steadfastness and tolerance in a tense atmosphere. The paradox of this kind of conflict is that partners are unconsciously looking for or creating problems for themselves that give rise to the tension, in order to then pull together to overcome them.This group includes Semi-duality, Direct Request (benefit), Business (look-alike), and Reverse Supervision. Working relations create productive teams of co-workers and collaborators who share a common pragmatic goal and skillfully distribute responsibilities and assignments. Communication in these relations puts a load on instrumental functions - 2, 3, 5, 8 positions.3.1 Light work relations.- Relations of comfortable business collaboration. In semi-dual pair everything can be discussed and arranged in a way that interests of both partners are respected equally. Relations of concrete assignments. If conditions that promote stability are maintained, the energy pulse gets quickly transmitted from the benefactor to the beneficiary.3.2 Heavy work relations. Competition in power, breakthroughs, extreme situations. Certain edginess is an essential attribute in harsh working conditions. These relations train the "fighting", offensive qualities of partners. Audit, control, inventorization. Promotes actualization of monotone, uninteresting, wearisome work which is nevertheless required.Types of families that get founded on basis of these relationships  colleagues at work, promoters of a common cause. For such pair prenuptial contract is suitable  when relations between spouses are regulated by a marriage contract or any other form of formal consolidation of mutual obligations. Emotions in the working relationship must be kept on a sound logic "leash."This group encompasses Mirage, Reverse request (benefit), Kindred, and Direct Supervision relations. They face the issue of accessing the inner world of man, addressing one's moral inquiries and inner sentiments. These relations amplify the axial (evaluative) functions - 1, 4, 6, 7. In these relations the goal is personal growth, offset or strengthening the evaluative criteria of the world and one's place in it.4.1 Light educational relations. Educational empathy, ability to comfort, optimism. After each collision the bitterness of disappointment eventually gives way to hope for a better future. Instruction and teaching, appeals, changes in values. Education occurs through emotional upheavals, introduction to another ideology and style of life.4.2 Heavy educational relations. Advice on difficult life situations of psychological nature, creating incentives for realization of innate abilities, overcoming of rigid stereotypes. Education in kindness, humanity, tolerance, forgiveness. This process is very slow and meticulous, with temporary aggravations and conflicts.This type of family is founded with the explicit or implicit goals of resolving internal psychological problems. A person in such union does not look so much for material or career support as for emotional support. For the reason of frequent household and organizational problems, life in these relations leads to crash of original illusions and ideals derived from literature.Original article: http://socionics.kiev.ua/articles/relations/energ-rel/ How do temperaments of sociotypes reflect on the nature of communication between them? Different temperaments have an effect of increasing or reducing energetics of interaction in a pair, or making the final energy potential higher or lower. The latter case results in a process of oscillation.Here is a general classification of intertype relations by the energy modes of communication in the dyad.These relations are linear-assertive in their temperament. In such dyads, there is a steady increase in emotional tension over time. When the critical point has been reached, if there isn't an increase in communicative distance and an interruption, relations become over-strained, there is possibility of nervous breakdown as a result of emotional exhaustion. The main recommendation for this dyad: use extra energy for active work.1. 1. Direct request (benefit) - one-sided activation, transfer of energy pulse from the benefactor to beneficiary, inclusion of the beneficiary in active work. This is the basic relation of this class - it can be used to construct other accelerating relations.1. 2. Reverse request (benefit) - one-sided activation aimed in the opposite direction from beneficiary to benefactor. Represents beneficiary's attempt to overthrow control of the benefactor. Energy pulse instead of being passed down the benefit ring is turned the other way. Such a "breakdown" usually leads to a breakdown in communication in the dyad.1.3 Activation - two-way (mutual) direct request (benefit). During communication partners energize each other. Balance is achieved if partners alternate roles of benefactor and beneficiary.1.4 Quasi-identity - two-way (mutual) reverse request (benefit). This is the least comfortable relation of this class. There is a desire to do favors for one another (to execute the request), but not in the manner and to the extent as it was expected.These relations are opposite in their energetics to relations of acceleration. The total energy potential of such dyad falls over time, simultaneously there is deepening of informational connections between partners. The advantage of these relations is thus not in activity, but in high-quality, comprehensive treatment of mutually useful or interesting information. The main recommendation is to use these relations for self-improvement and personal growth.2.1 Direct supervision - one-way deceleration directed from the supervisor towards the supervisee. Supervisor stops the supervisee, encouraging him to act more thoughtfully and rationally. This is the basic relations of this type - it can be used to construct all other relations of deceleration.2.2. Reverse supervision - one-sided deceleration directed in the opposite direction from supervisee to supervisor. Represents attempt of supervisee to break from control of supervisor. Favorable development of relations implies not return, but transfer of received information (not energy!) further down the supervision chain.2.3 Mirror - two-way (mutual) direct supervision. Mirror partners correct each other in process of mutual discussion. Each believes his position to be more correct, but will also take the omitted information under consideration.2.4 Conflict - two-way (mutual) reverse supervision. This relation makes the partner particularly cautious, awaiting unpleasant actions from the opposite side. Relation generates internal mobilization and readiness to defend oneself at any time. One is as if auditing the other and at the same time knows that he himself will be audited.This type of relations is characterized by unavoidable oscillations in energy from positive (acceleration) to negative (deceleration). In such dyad, there is build-up of energy during the first phase of interaction and subsequent increase in resistance in the second half.Another name for such relations is relations of resonance, since they transpire smoothly if one partner is able to adjust to the other partner's rhythm of life. However, it is not possible to hold this resonance for long periods of time - now and then there are breaks and misunderstandings. The main recommendation is to engage in negotiations and to seek recovery of the lost balance by way of making mutual concessions.3.1 Identity - energy oscillations are in-phase due to similar temperaments. Because of this, one quickly understands both strengths and weaknesses of the partner. Deterioration of relations occurs when partners attempt to solve problems where both experience same difficulties.3.2 Superego - oscillations are in anti-phase. Where one partner is experiencing difficulties, the other feels sure of him/herself. Partners understand each other's pragmatic motives very well. You can as if physically feel your partner's thoughts and intentions because you are already at the point towards which he is striving (an effect which is explained by the coincidence one partners mental function with another partners vital functions).3.3 Business (look-alike) - oscillations run ahead by quarter period. These relations represent the transition from superego to identity relations. These relations can pleasantly surprise you. That which seems unattainable to you, your partner performs a short period of time or on a larger scale than was expected.3.4 Kindred - oscillations lag by quarter period. These relations represent transition in the opposite direction from Business relations - from identity to superego. The unpleasant part is that that striving for similar goals, partners resort to completely unexpected and opposing methods.It should be noted that the general nature of relations will be influenced by characteristic of rationality / irrationality. For example, business relations as a whole are better formed in a rational dyad, as in such a dyad one partner will be ethical type and another logical type. Kindred relations for the same reason are better formed within irrational dyad. If both partners are ethical or logical such distribution does not give complementarity in psychological sense.These relations are similar to a swinging pendulum, but in contrast with relations of resonance they do not require compulsory attuning from partners. Such an adjustment is automatic after a while. The movement goes from minus (deceleration) to plus (acceleration) in the first half of the cycle of interaction and then swings in the opposite direction in the second half of the cycle.Adaptation of partners to each other takes place more smoothly and naturally than in relations of resonance. Thus another name for these types of relations is "symbiotic relations". Symbiosis is a mutually beneficial co-existence based on cooperation. The main recommendation for symbiotic relations: "surrender to the will of the waves," do not try to prove anything to each other, strictly separate duties, behave the way you want to and allow for your partner to do same.4.1 Duality - in-phase energy oscillations of opposite temperaments. Dual relations provide for the greatest degree of life comfort to both partners.4.2 Extinguishment - anti-phase energy oscillations of opposite temperaments. Your partner is your unconscious ideal: he is already at the point towards which you are aiming.4.3 Semi-duality - lag by a quarter period, transition from Duality to Extinguishment. Decreasing distance difficulties with adaptation arise because you will have to overcome the opposition of values and tastes. Partner does that which was expected of him but with an obvious delay.4.1 Mirage - lead by a quarter period, transition from Extinguishment to Duality. Main difficulties with adaptation arise in the beginning, but in the process of getting closer they smooth over. Partner is doing more than you expect from him.The trait of rationality / irrationality has an effect on these relations. Semi-dual relations are more favorable in a rational dyad while mirage relations are more favorable in irrational dyad.Lets try to summarize. Integrated relationship dyads can be classified by temperament of relations. There are four such temperaments:Linear-assertive - Direct Request (benefit), Reserve Request (benefit), Activity, Quasi-identicalBalanced-stable - Direct Revision, Reverse Revision, Mirror, ConflictFlexible-mobile - Identity, Super-ego, Business (look-alike), KindredAccepting-adaptive - Duality, Extinguishment, Semi-duality, MirageWithin each class of relations there is one elementary, basic relation which to varying degrees is present as a necessary component of other relations within the same group. This is Direct Request, Direct Revision, Identity, Duality respectively in the table above.On a social level of communications, elementary relations for the first time were identified by a French sociologist G. Tarde (1843 - 1904). In his famous work "The laws of imitation", he described three basic psycho-social processes, namely:- imitation- antithesis- adaptationI see the following correspondences between socionics relations and social processes of Tarde:- imitation - Request/Benefit- antithesis - Revision/Supervision- adaptation - Duality- none - IdentityInsisting that the main driving force of historical process is the desire of people to imitate one another, Tarde, in fact, was pointing to the psychological mechanism of social request (benefit).All other relations can be derived from these elementary relations with three logical operations, namely inversion (operation NOT), disjunction (operation OR), and implication (operation IF - THEN). Using minus sign for inversion, plus sign for disjunction, and arrow sign for implication, we obtain the following:Accelerating relations:1. Direct Benefit (elementary relation)2.  Direct Benefit = Reverse Benefit3. Direct Benefit + Direct Benefit = Activity4. Reverse Benefit + Reverse Benefit = Quasi-identityDecelerating relations:1. Direct Supervision (elementary relation)2.  Direct Supervision = Reverse Supervision3. Direct Supervision + Direct Supervision = Mirror4. Reverse Supervision + Reverse Supervision = ConflictRelations of resonance:1. Identity (elementary relation)2.  Identity = Super-ego3. Identity → Super-ego = Kindred4. Superego → Identity = Business or  Kindred = BusinessRelations of symbiosis:1. Duality (elementary relation)2.  Duality = Extinguishment3. Duality → Extinguishment = Semi-duality4. Extinguishment -> Duality = Mirage or  Semi-duality = MirageThus, Activity is mutual request and Quasi-identity is mutual execution of the request. Similarly, Mirror is supervision/audit of one another, and in Conflict both partners are expecting to be supervised/audited. Business relations are formed as a combination of Superego and Identity (improved Superego), and Kindred relations are combination of same elements but in reverse order (impaired Identity). Extinguishment is "negative" Duality (Duality with opposite sign). Semi-duality if formed as a combination of Duality and Extinguishment (impaired Duality) while Mirage combines same elements in reverse order (improved Extinguishment).