Contact and Inert Subtypes by Meged and Ovcharov¶

This article serves as the theoretical basis for the widely used Meged and Ovcharov’s subtype descriptions. It was originally published as “The Concept of Energy Exchanges in Model “A” and Construction of Two Main Vertical Subtypes” by Valentina Meged and Anatoliy Ovcharov.

Introduction¶

Practical experience in socionics consulting provided us with an opportunity to notice and track certain patterns in external traits and particularities of behavior not only between different sociotypes, but also among representatives of the same type. These differences extend to external appearance, to manners of behavior, and to style of conversation. Their variability is large, but two main trends in differences between representative of same type can be noticed. Some seem more active, initiative-taking, and confident in themselves (representatives of active temperaments - sanguine and choleric), while others seem more inert, passive, and indecisive (representatives of passive temperaments - melancholic and phlegmatic).

We have asked ourselves this question: in what way are these temperaments related to the specifics of functioning of EIM model? [translator’s note: “EIM” acronym stands for energy-informational metabolism]. This wasn’t difficult to guess. In the circular model “A”, besides four horizontal blocks there are also two vertical blocks: the first vertical block is inert - it gradually accumulates information and reluctantly spends it, thus it is socially more passive; the second block is contacting - it actively expends information and interacts with the environment more intensively.

This draws a clear analogy between temperaments and functioning of vertical blocks of Model “A”. It means that the elements of EIM located in different vertical blocks should also be differently strengthened for representatives of different temperaments. Evidently, this determines the most important differences between people of the same sociotype but different temperaments.

Relating EIM Model to Neurological Processes¶

We could further support this hypothesis by making a connection between the particularities of energy exchange of EIM model and the dynamic of neurological processes in cerebral cortex that have been described by neurophysiologists I. Sechenov and I. Pavlov.

Undoubtedly, that the process called information metabolism is the result of higher cognitive activity in human beings. Conditioned and unconditioned reflexes described by I. Pavlov find a reflection in functions of mental and vital rings of model of EIM. Our goal was to use the mechanism of these cognitive processes to analyze the characteristics of energy-informational exchanges between socionics functions of model “A”.

It is known that the activity of the cerebral cortex presents a
complex mosaic of processes of excitation and inhibition. These
processes are subject to two fundamental laws of neurophysiology:
- Law of irradiation and concentration of energy.
- Law of reciprocal induction.

The law of irradiation and concentration of energy, that affects the processes of excitation and inhibition, shows itself as follows. When, under the influence of some stimulus, there appears excitation of some part of the brain, it does not remain in fixed in place but radiates (spreads) to other parts of the cerebral cortex. This is the irradiation of excitation. Example: being engaged in a conflict, a person responds by using higher intonation and gestures. At the same time, there appears another process - inhibition, which has a protective function. It restricts the process and and directs it to a certain limit. This is the concentration of the excitation. The rate of these processes depends the type of the nervous system i.e. on person’s temperament.

The law of reciprocal induction of excitation and inhibition processes can be described as follows. If, in any part of the brain, there appears a process of excitation, then, in the neighboring regions of the brain, there will appear the process of inhibition. This is the phenomenon of negative induction. Example: appearance of a sudden sound or bright light will distract a person from work. Similarly, there also exists positive induction. If in any part of the brain there appears a process of inhibition, the process of excitation will develop in the neighboring regions of the brain; an example of this is having dreams.

All of this suggests that the working of any element of EIM does not occur in isolation but evokes certain reactions from other elements of the EIM.

Moving on from dynamics of nervous processes to workings of model of EIM, let us recall the main conclusions of C. Jung about mutual exclusion in interaction of opposite functions of the human psyche: thinking and feeling, sensation and intuition.

Construction of Vertical Model¶

Now, let’s take a look at an example of some circular model of EIM - for example Model A of type IEE - and all of these patterns and conclusions will become evident in the construction of two major vertical subtypes.

TIM IEE (ENFp)

Inert functions	Contact functions
1st Program function - Ne	2nd Creative function - Fi
4th Painful function - Ti	3rd Role function - Se
6th Activating function -Te	5th Suggestive function - Si
7th Ignoring function -Ni	8th Demonstrative function - Fe

The four functions on the left hand side comprise the Inert Block and the four functions on the right are called the Contact Block.

Distribution of Energy Potential Across the Model¶

We will be using signs (+) and (-) to illustrate the relative distribution of the energy potential between the functions of the different subtypes. These plus and minus signs are not related in any manner with the signs of functions used by Victor Gulenko, as the purpose of our analysis in this article is completely different.

In our analysis, the sign (+) represents augmentation, an increase in energy potential, while the sign (-) represents its decrease.

Type IEE, due to “program” function of intuition of possibilities, is discerning of undisclosed abilities of people. In presence of an object bearing exceptional qualities, this function receives a (+) - an increase in energy potential. The more this function is accentuated in the individual - the stronger the increase in energy potential. This subtype, however, has less pronounced displays of affection than the second subtype, which is accentuated with respect to the ethics of relations (Fi). Thus we assign (-) to ethics of relations for the first subtype. The second subtype, to the contrary, will more frequently manifest the ethics of relations in contact with people than intuition of their latent potential. Intuition of potential of this subtype will be assigned a (-) sign, while ethics of relations - a (+) sign.

Thus, the first subtype of IEE will have greater disposition towards melancholic or phlegmatic temperamental states, and a relative strengthening with the (+) sign of intuition of possibilities compared to the second subtype, which has stronger expression of sanguine or choleric temperamental states.

In accordance to the rules mentioned above, the process of excitation coming from first or second function will extend further across the entire model, changing the energy potential of the remaining functions. Some functions will become more strongly excited and acquire the (+) sign, others will experience certain inhibition and a decrease in the energy potential, acquiring the (-) sign.

Carl Jung wrote that for a logical type ethical functions become suppressed, and that an unconscious grouping of functions arises in accordance to the conscious contents of functions, for example, the unconsciousness of a sensing type manifests primarily as a suppression of intuition. From C. Jung’s deductions and conclusions about the relationships between functions of mental and vital rings (conscious and unconscious - by Jung), it becomes evident that with excitation of an ethical function there is suppression of logical one, and with excitation of sensing function there is suppression of an intuitive one. This happens not only on mental, but also in vital level of EIM model. If, for example, intuition is strengthened, it is strengthened in both orientations - introverted and extroverted, which also applies to other functions. Thus, with excitation of intuition of possibilities (Ne) of IEE model, the intuition of time (Ni) is also strengthened, and simultaneously both sensing functions (Se and Si) become inhibited. With excitation of ethics of relationships (Fi) there is a concurrent suppression of structural and business logic (Ti and Te).

Carl Jung has also noted that logical functions can be easily combined with intuitive ones but never with the feeling functions. Intuition, same as sensing, is not in opposition to logic, as is feeling that competes with logic. Thus, the excitation of intuitive functions in our example of type IEE correspondingly slows down the functions of ethics of relations and ethics of emotions (Fi and Fe) and, respectively, excites both functions of structural and business logic (Ti and Te).

Construction of Contact and Inert Subtypes¶

Now let’s distribute (+) and (-) signs over the functions of EIM model in correspondence to the conclusions made above concerning the distributions of energy potential in construction of two vertical subtypes. These signs of energy potential represent the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex in the process of formation of active or passive temperaments, which, in turn, involve a relative strengthening of either first or second function of EIM model, and subsequent strengthening of all functions of first or second vertical block of the model, which is clearly visible in the following tables:

Ne Subtype of TIM IEE - Inert subtype

Inert functions	Contact functions
(+)Ne - 1st program function	(-)Fi - 2nd creative function
(+)Ti - 4th painful function	(-)Se - 3rd role function
(+)Te - 6th painful function	(-)Si - 5th suggestive function
(+)Ni - 7th ignoring function	(-)Fe - 8th demonstrative function

Fi Subtype of TIM IEE - Contact subtype

Inert functions	Contact functions
(-)Ne - 1st program function	(+)Fi - 2nd creative function
(-)Ti - 4th painful function	(+)Se - 3rd role function
(-)Te - 6th painful function	(+)Si - 5th suggestive function
(-)Ni - 7th ignoring function	(+)Fe - 8th demonstrative function

These tables illustrate what was said above, that upon excitation of first function, i.e. acquisition of positive potential, all the other functions of the left (inert) vertical block acquire the same positive potential. With the strengthening of the second function correspondingly follows strengthening of all functions of the right (contact) vertical block. On basis of this, we can talk about existence of intuitive or ethical, sensing or logical subtypes of any type and consider these subtypes to be vertical, i.e. associates with the respective functions within the vertical blocks of the model of EIM.

On our theory of vertical subtypes, another theory of professional orientation of subtypes can be formulated. As is known, the functions of ethics and intuition, united into the same “Ego” block, according to V. Gulenko correspond to predisposition towards humanitarian professional activities, the functions of sensing and logic correspond to management and production professional activities, sensing and ethics - to social sphere of activity, intuition and logic - to research sphere of activity. The career predispositions of main socionics types can be easily determined by looking at the horizontal blocks of their functional models. To determine the influence of subtypes, one needs to take a look at vertical blocks.

For example, intuitive subtype of IEE is inclined towards humanitarian professional activity and has a “subtype” predisposition towards research. This means that since in the vertical block both intuitive and logical functions are strengthened, this person may choose a professional field combines scientific and humanitarian professional activities, and be quite successful in this. The ethical subtype of IEE, due to relative strengthening of ethical and sensing functions in the vertical block of EIM model, more successfully realizes him/herself in fields of activity that combine humanitarian and social work. In the same manner, all other sociotypes can be analyzed.

Based on our theory of vertical subtypes, we have also done empirical studies of the visual and behavioral characteristics of 32 subtypes and compiled their characterizing profiles [ref. 6].

Our observations indicate that within each of the 32 subtypes we can further differentiate 8 variations that are associated with enhancement of some elements of EIM, but not related to temperaments rather other physiological characteristics of the human central nervous system, which also find a reflection in the model of EIM. This is covered in our next article “Bioaccentuation of type”. Thus, creating a bridge between psychology, physiology and socionics, we have noted that this is not the limit to variability in individuals of the same type. We invite all our readers to follow this promising and exciting path towards new and useful discoveries.

References¶

Augustinavichiute A. “Model of information metabolism” Lithuania, 1980.
Gulenko V. “Signs of Socionics functions” - “16”, No 2, 1990.
Gulenko V.V., Molodtsov A.V. “Foundations of socio-analysis” - K., 1991
Meged V.V., Ovcharov A.A. “The concept of energy exchanges in model “A” and the construction of subtypes” Socionics, mentology and psychology of personality. MIS 1, 1994.
1. Jung “Psychological Types”. M., 1992.

Additional notes¶

Characterization of 32 vertical subtypes compiled by V. Meged and A. Ovcharov:

32 vertical subtypes¶
	strengthened	shielded	attenuated	sensitive	approx.
Ne-LII	Ne, Fe	Ni, Fi	Ti, Si	Te, Se	β NFs
Ti-LII	Ti, Si	Te, Se	Ne, Fe	Ni, Fi	δ STs
Ne-EII	Ne, Te	Ni, Ti	Fi, Si	Fe, Se	γ NTs
Fi-EII	Fi, Si	Fe, Se	Ne, Te	Ni, Ti	α SFs
Ni-IEI	Ni, Ti	Ne, Te	Fe, Se	Fi, Si	α NT
Fe-IEI	Fe, Se	Fi, Si	Ni, Ti	Ne, Te	γ SFs
Ni-ILI	Ni, Fi	Ne, Fe	Te, Se	Ti, Si	δ NFs
Te-ILI	Te, Se	Ti, Si	Ni, Fi	Ne, Fe	β STs
Ne-ILE	Ne, Fe	Ni, Fi	Ti, Si	Te, Se	β NFs
Ti-ILE	Ti, Si	Te, Se	Ne, Fe	Ni, Fi	δ STs
Ne-IEE	Ne, Te	Ni, Ti	Fi, Si	Fe, Se	γ NT
Fi-IEE	Fi, Si	Fe, Se	Ne, Te	Ni, Ti	α SFs
Fi-ESI	Fi, Ni	Fe, Ne	Se, Te	Si, Ti	β NFs
Se-ESI	Se, Te	Si, Ti	Fi, Ni	Fe, Ne	δ STs