Classification of character accentuations according to Karl Leonhard

German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard introduced the concept of accentuated personality in 1968 and, with it, created one of the first character classifications. The scientist identified twelve pure types and divided them into three groups. Knowing and understanding these types will help you better understand people and understand yourself. Having an idea about a person and his character, you will be able to correctly adjust further communication so that it is pleasant for both you and your interlocutor.

Accentuation refers to individual traits that can develop into a pathological state. K. Leonhard, calling personality accentuated, does not consider it pathological. Otherwise, any deviation from the middle would be a pathology. Do not forget about individuals with bright character traits who are not mentally ill.

Table of contents

1. Four types of character according to Leonhard Demonstrative (hysterical) personalities
2. Pedantic (anankast) personalities
3. Stuck (paranoid) individuals
4. Excitable (epileptoid) personalities

Comparison of Leonard's classification with other theories

Psychologists around the world have been working with the classification created by Leonhard for many years. They view accentuations not as a pathology, but as an extreme degree of normal behavior.

This typology is often used to analyze relationships in a team. Modern psychologists have also made an attempt to remake and supplement the theory of accentuation. For example, scientist Andrei Lichko created an updated table adding pathological conditions to the general idea of ​​accentuation.

And although character accentuations at first glance are more reminiscent of a personality disorder, in fact they are like illustrations, showing shortcomings and extreme states in a person’s behavior. In his classification, Leonhard pointed to the most clearly manifested extremes of which a person is capable. Accentuation cannot be considered a separate psychiatric diagnosis. However, both team leaders and people themselves should be aware of negative forms of character manifestation, at least to understand what is worth working on in the process of self-development.

Olga Figura

Four types of character according to Leonard

Let's move on to the first group, which contains four types depending on society: demonstrative, pedantic, stuck, excitable. That is, these are four types of character. I note that in the headings I indicated the names in brackets - these are the names of the extreme forms, i.e. if this type is strongly expressed, then it is called this way. In the process of describing the types, I used these two concepts, which differ in “degree of severity,” as synonyms, which is probably incorrect. Although Karl Leonhard himself willingly replaced them interchangeably, at the same time, their interchangeability created contradictions in his own judgments.

Classification of accentuations according to Leonard

The very first scientific classification of accentuations, proposed by the German scientist K. Leonhard, is also considered a typology of characters. It is based on assessing the individual’s communication style with the people around him.

Brief description of twelve types of accentuations according to K. Leonhard:

• Hyperthymic – active, optimistic, sociable, proactive, irresponsible, conflictual, irritable.
• Disthymic – serious, conscientious, fair, passive, slow, pessimistic.
• Cycloid is a type that alternately manifests itself as hyperthymic and dysthymic.
• Excitable – conscientious, caring, quarrelsome, domineering, irritable, quick-tempered, instinct-oriented.
• Stuck - purposeful, strong-willed, demanding, suspicious, touchy, vindictive, jealous.
• Pedantic – non-conflict, neat, conscientious, reliable, boring, indecisive, formalist.
• Anxious – friendly, efficient, self-critical, fearful, timid, submissive.
• Emotive – kind, compassionate, fair, tearful, overly vulnerable and soft-hearted.
• Demonstrative - courteous, extraordinary, charismatic, self-confident, selfish, vain, boastful, hypocritical, inclined to deceive.
• Exalted – emotional, amorous, altruistic, fickle, changeable, prone to panic and exaggerate.
• Extroverted – active, sociable, friendly, frivolous, short-sighted, subject to outside influence.
• Introverted - reserved, principled, non-conflict, reasonable, little subject to outside influence, closed, stubborn, rigid.

Demonstrative (hysterical) personalities

With pronounced accentuation, this type is called hysterical. The main essence of this character: the ability to repress. For example, a hysterical person is able to stick needles into his skin and not feel pain, i.e. a hysteric is able to displace physical sensations from consciousness.

As for the ability to deceive, they are also doing well here. Many people are betrayed by external manifestations when they are crafty. Hysterics are able to displace the thought of deception from the mind and believe in what they say. Why will they blush if for someone they consider a lie to be the truth? Children can deceive without realizing that they are liars; by the way, little liars and gossips can most likely be classified as the demonstrative type.

Demonstrative personalities, unlike other types, are more adaptable. While playing a role, the hysteric completely gets used to it and even an unforeseen circumstance is not able to unsettle him.

It was said earlier that demonstrative individuals are capable of repression and their behavior may seem unconscious and aimless. This is wrong. Demonstrative individuals first set a goal for themselves, and consciously, and further actions can already proceed mechanically. And from this conclusion follows the following characteristic feature: thoughtlessness of actions. As Karl Leonhard further notes: hysterics are ready to do anything (all methods are good) to achieve their goal. Even further, the doctor Leonhard writes: “As you know, hysterics are very concerned about the impression they make. However, they are not able to think about their course of action in advance.” Apparently, in this context, he uses the word “hysterics” as a form of character that has gone beyond the boundaries of normality. They are cunning in their inventions, but this cunning is easy to expose, since, striving for a goal, such people indiscriminately use any means, continues Karl Leonhard. – If a hysteric even has a thought about the possibility of exposure, he will immediately push it out, because the future is foggy, and the demonstrative type always lives in the moment.

Hysterics, like other individuals, want to find a way out of troublesome situations, get away from unwanted work, earn material resources, and so on. Their difference from others in achieving these goals lies in the methods peculiar to them.

Demonstrative personalities love attention. People's gazes turned to the side amuse their vanity. Even disapproving glances satisfy hysterics. This does not mean that all such individuals crave attention. This behavior can be explained by the lack of inhibition (to which Karl Leonhard often refers later).

Hysterics for the most part believe that they are not being treated fairly.

Earlier we talked about the negative side of this personality, now let's move on to the positive traits. Firstly, without demonstrative individuals there would be no balance in society. Such personalities are needed in many professions where it is necessary to adapt to people, for example, in the service sector (and not only there). In family life, demonstrative individuals are able to smooth out relationships with difficult people due to their adaptability. We shouldn’t belittle the artistic abilities of this kind of people, because this is also a positive trait?

Pedantic (anankast) personalities

With pronounced accentuation, this personality is called anankast. In ancient Greek mythology, Ananka, the goddess personifying inevitability or fate. In philosophy, this term means “necessity.” The first and most important thing that distinguishes anankasts from hysterics is their weak ability to repress. That is, demonstrative individuals quickly make a decision, while pedantic tendencies delay the answer, even if the “verdict” has already been made. Karl Leonhard explains this inhibition by the fact that anankasts are not able to repress doubts and this is what slows down their actions in general. Pedants can be called indecisive, and hysterics can be called frivolous.

The consciousness of pedantic individuals is still capable of repression if the decision is not of fundamental importance.

For the most part, damage is caused mainly only to the individual and subject to the severity of this trait. In the case of accentuation, the anancast has problems making decisions; when in doubt, he double-checks several times. This excessive control causes people to fall behind their peers. It is quite possible to compensate for this shortcoming with increased conscientiousness, but more on that later. This behavior will complicate professional and everyday life, as a result of which the joys of life are reduced.

In their work activities, pedants show a conscientious attitude to work, which, of course, is confirmed by facts. True, a responsible business can have a certain burden on an anancaste, because due to his uncertainty, it will be difficult for him to make an important decision.

If they deviate from the norm, pedantic individuals may worry too much about their health. Naturally, with moderate manifestations, this can be considered a positive trait. By the way, some situations can lead a person to hypochondria.

According to the observation of Karl Leonhard, pedantic individuals are extremely neat, which, of course, can be considered a positive trait. Pedants are not prone to spontaneously changing jobs because of some trifles. Often, pedantic individuals work in one place for a long time, and maybe their entire lives. This last remark can be seen as both positive and negative.

Types of accentuations

Types of temperament and character accentuation according to Leonard are divided into separate groups.

Temperament

The scientist attributed six types of accentuations to temperament, as a biologically determined formation. Let's talk briefly about each of them.

1. Hyperthymic (hypomanic) temperament. Characterized by a predominance of an optimistic mood, a thirst for activity, a focus on success, and sociability. Negativity develops superficiality, an inability to complete a task. There is a violation of ethical standards, a waste of opportunities.
2. Dysthymic type (subdepressive). The opposite of hyperthymic. Characterized by an orientation toward failure, pessimism, a serious ethical position, extreme passivity in action, and lethargy.
3. Affectively labile type (cyclomic). It is characterized by frequent changes in hyperthymic and dysthymic states.
4. Anxious. Characterized by the inability to defend one's point of view in a dispute, fearfulness, timidity, wariness, humility, and a humiliated position. Compensation in the form of feigned self-confidence or even impudent behavior is possible.
5. The affectively-exalted type is distinguished by the intensity of experiences, violent emotional reactions, and a tendency to extreme manifestations of feelings (enthusiasm, despair). Easily charged by the mood of others.
6. The emotive type is characterized by the ability to deeply feel and empathize. He is distinguished by his impressionability, kindness, and compassion.

Character

Leonhard's character classification is represented by four types.

1. Demonstrative (hysterical) type. The peculiarity of accentuation is the hypertrophied tendency to repression. This explains the ability of the hysteric to embellish reality. A person, as it were, enters into the desired image, beginning to believe his fantasies. Thanks to this trait, he easily adapts to his environment, instilling in himself a feeling of love and sympathy for others. The notorious “need for recognition,” as one of the motives of the demonstrative type, is exaggerated. Rather, the passion for self-praise is associated with the ability to repress objective information about oneself. For an ordinary person, if he wants to embellish the real state of things, the brakes are turned on. A hysteric person tends to forget himself, which often leads to rash actions.
2. Pedantic character. In contrast to the demonstrative type, the repression mechanism is poorly developed. People with this type of personality are not able to repress doubts or discard unimportant details of the issue, so they can hardly make their choice on any decision. Hence indecision, scrupulousness in work, hypochondria.
3. Stuck type. Characterized by the persistence of affective reactions. A penchant for ideas that completely take over a person’s thinking. Stuck affect is most clearly manifested in the case when a person’s personal interests are affected. Affect in these cases turns out to be a response to wounded pride, as well as to various forms of suppression, although objectively the moral damage may be negligible. As a result, the stuck type develops such traits as suspicion, hostility, jealousy, and morbid ambition.
4. Excitable type (epileptoid). Characterized by following lower instinctive impulses and ignoring the voice of reason. As a result, impulsiveness, incontinence, demandingness, intolerance, hot temper, and conflict develop.

Extroversion/introversion

Character types according to Leonhard also include extroverted and introverted personality accentuations.

The psychiatrist’s understanding of extra- and introversion differs from the popular definitions of these terms according to Eysenck and Myers, and Briggs in socionics.

Due to the fact that most psychologists rely on the interpretation of terms according to Eysenck, and psychiatrists - according to Leonhard, such terminological discrepancy creates a problem in finding a common language between specialists.

According to Leonhard, the extroverted personality type is a conformist who does not subject to special analysis information coming from the outside, and therefore easily succumbs to the influence of others. An introvert, on the other hand, does not blindly succumb to the sensations of the present moment, focusing primarily on previous life experiences and his own conclusions. Here, Leonhard’s opinion coincides with the point of view of Carl Jung, who attributed to introverts the traits of thinking types, and to extroverts - ethical (experiencing) types.

Stuck (paranoid) individuals

With pronounced accentuation, this type is called paranoid. Its basis is the stability of affect (a state of strong arousal). That is, a paranoid person gets “stuck” on his feelings, thoughts, and so on. A stuck person can be in a state of passion for a long time and any reminder of what happened brings them back to their initial emotions.

From the above, a characteristic feature of stuck individuals follows: vindictiveness and rancor. Paranoid people are also sensitive and touchy. Therefore, having identified such a character in your interlocutor, do not touch his pride and honor.

If successful, stuck individuals may become arrogant and self-confident. Like hysterics, paranoids are seen as vain people. Stuck individuals often become suspicious when society prevents them from realizing selfish goals.

Karl Leonhard noticed that in a stuck person, in the case of constant attacks from the outside, hatred towards the offender increases and at the same time, the affect that was discussed at the beginning is weakened, i.e. the personality is “tempered.”

What is interesting about stuck individuals is that they are equally likely to become both “bad” and “good” citizens. The pole in which paranoids will be depends on their own development and the influence of society on them. So, if an ambitious person achieves significant results and stands out from others, then the development of such a character follows a positive path. If a paranoid person does not play according to the rules of society, then against such a person, the latter may rebel, as a result of which suspicion may develop.

Since stuck individuals have a weak ability to repress, they need to gain real recognition in order to be proud of themselves. This is how ambition appears, which can be a driving force.

Excitable (epileptoid) personalities

With pronounced accentuation, this type is called epileptoid. Excitable individuals are not controllable enough. Epileptoids are guided mainly by instincts.

The reactions of excitable individuals are impulsive. They rarely hide their irritation. Epileptoids, unlike anankasts, are prone to frequent job changes. Due to the insufficient development of the level of thinking, excitable individuals are not predisposed to exchange opinions, and in case of disputes, to arguments. And this leads to argumentation in another way: demonstration of physical force and assault.

Excitable individuals do not “explode” over trifles; they accumulate their anger, which comes out at a critical moment. Epileptoids are prone to accumulation of affect.

Karl Leonhard noticed slowness and heaviness in them. He, during a conversation with excitable individuals, noticed that even simple questions can cause difficulty. If you give such a person the opportunity to speak, then their thoroughness will be clearly noticeable (great detail in what is described; due to a disorder of thinking, departure from the goal). By heaviness we mean difficulty in switching the psyche, i.e. excitable individuals find it difficult to build logical chains. This can lead to pedantry.

Unlike other types, excitable individuals are much more difficult to educate. They are more prone to gluttony and alcohol. You can often find epileptoids among alcoholics.

The behavior of excitable individuals, as well as demonstrative ones, can be explained by the lack of inhibitions. Epileptoids are often called heartless due to a lack of understanding of this type of people. Karl Leonhard, as a psychiatrist, often met such individuals and from this experience explains the reasons for their evil deeds: “Although an excitable person who committed gross violence is often characterized as heartless, soulless, and cruelty is considered the cause of the crime, such an assessment is based on a misunderstanding of these people. Their acts of violence are caused not by callousness, but by affective tension (stress). In a calm state, these people are affectionate, care about their children, love animals and are often ready to provide any help. These good feelings of the social order, just like the bad ones, do not experience inhibition. However, social duty of the highest order is, in general, an alien concept to them. They don’t realize that you can’t skip class, that you can’t get incredibly drunk, that missing at least one day from work is allowed only for a very good reason, that the employee is obliged to report to the boss.”

As a person matures, self-control increases, so excitable individuals become more restrained. And only under strong tension does self-control disappear.

Author's personality types

Karl Leonhard identified only 4 types of accentuated personalities. The classification is based on the principle of simultaneously highlighting a person’s strengths and weaknesses.

1. Demonstrative type. These are eternal players and actors. All life for them is theater. They love to show off, be the center of attention, show off their lives, follow an imagined image, or play an assigned social role. Their actions and decisions are very reckless. Demonstrative people love risks and adventures and rush headlong into the pool. At the same time, they “sin” with self-pity.
2. Pedantic type. These are responsible, conscientious people. Sometimes they are overly prim, bordering on tediousness. Their nervous processes are not flexible.
3. Stuck type. Such people cling to some emotion, feeling, event for a long time. That is, they remember insults for a long time and try to take revenge, they are distrustful and jealous. They are distinguished by persistent affective states (impressionable). At the same time, they are persistent and ambitious.
4. Excitable type. Such a person is characterized by impulsiveness, low self-control, and aggressiveness. He is often prone to addictions, in particular alcoholism. However, in moments of peace he is ready for constructive activities and conversations.

Hans Schmishek, a German conflictologist, identified 10 types of accentuations. Four of them coincide with Leonhard's classification. The remaining six types of accentuated personality, identified by Shmishek, were also mentioned in the works of Leonhard. But there they relate to temperament (this is a completely different topic), and not to accentuations. I described Leonhard’s accentuations above, now let’s look at Shmishek’s classification.

1. Hyperthymic personality. This is a pronounced optimist. Such a person easily establishes contacts with people, quickly switches from one activity to another (not in the sense of the properties of attention, but in the sense of “not finishing what you start”), that is, an addicted type. Often has inflated self-esteem. Characterized by frivolity, lack of performance, low discipline and self-control. He can be aggressive, conflict-provoking (often provoking), and immoral.
2. Dysthymic personality. This is the direct opposite of the individual described above, that is, a pessimist. Justice and friendship are important to him. However, he is closed and unsociable. Has low self-esteem. If she finds something she likes or someone she likes, she dives headlong into this relationship.
3. Cycloid personality. Man of moods. It is characterized by instability. Either a hyperthymic person appears before you, or a dysthymic one. That is, it combines both types described above. Accordingly, it is unpredictable, self-esteem is unstable. He is conflicted, but it is impossible to predict his behavior in a situation of contradiction.
4. Excitable personality. An unsociable, gloomy, boring type, often considered a boor. In relationships, he is characterized by a tendency towards tyranny, control, and power. Conflictful at work. When there is an emotional outburst, he is aggressive, dangerous, and active in disputes. When calm, he is neat and responsible.
5. Stuck personality. Eternal parent and mentor. Likes to read morals, reserved. He sets high standards for himself and those around him, he is used to achieving the maximum. Has a heightened sense of global justice/injustice. At the same time, he is distrustful, vindictive, jealous, and vulnerable. He is often the instigator of conflicts, in which he always takes an active position. Differs in overestimated or, on the contrary, underestimated self-esteem.
6. Pedantic personality. Executive and mandatory type. Loves formality and “clichés”. Non-conflicting. If such a situation happens, then be passive.
7. Anxious personality. The type with low self-esteem, expecting the worst. Avoids contacts, lacks self-confidence. However, at the same time he is friendly, self-critical and efficient. Tries not to participate in conflicts. If such a situation arises, then he chooses to leave or make concessions (passive methods of solution).
8. Emotive personality. Sentimental, kind, compassionate, dutiful, with an exaggerated sense of duty. Carefully selects the environment. He is friends with a select few, but is deeply imbued with these relationships. In a conflict, he happily makes concessions.
9. Demonstrative personality. Strives to be a leader. He is attracted to power and fame. Can find an approach to every person. As a rule, he has pronounced charisma and is mannered. At the same time, he is a hypocritical and selfish person. Likes to gossip, brag, and create intrigue. He happily enters into conflicts and takes an active position there.
10. Exalted personality. He is characterized by excessive optimism, I would call him an optimist squared (if not more). Amorous, hyper sociable and hyperactive. It is distinguished by fleeting, unpredictable changes (for example, in a fit of love, it can give an expensive gift from a master’s shoulder, which it will regret after the decline in “vital energy”). He easily becomes attached to people, but is always attentive to them.

Six types of temperament according to Leonard

Four types of character were previously discussed. He (character) determines the direction of a person’s interests and the form of reaction. Temperament is a set of innate human properties, on its basis character is formed and developed, and the pace and depth of emotional reactions also depends on it (temperament). Karl Leonhard does not see a clear distinction between these two concepts.

Hyperthymic (hypomanic) personalities

With pronounced accentuation, this type is called hypomanic. Characterized by high spirits and talkativeness. Thought racing (constant change of thoughts) is a common occurrence for hyperthymic individuals. They always look at life optimistically and crave activities that lead them to success at work or in creativity. Due to deviations from the main idea (due to jumping ideas), hyperthymic individuals have many associations, and this is a direct path to creative thinking.

Hyperthymic individuals are called the life of the party; they are excellent conversationalists and can talk endlessly.

If this type is strongly expressed, then problems may lurk here: frivolity, violation of ethical standards. A person can take on a lot and not finish it. And many ideas may lead to projectism.

Hyperthymic temperament, with mild manifestations, is the norm.

Professional activity

Exalted individuals are quite artistic, so they achieve success in creative professions. For example, they make excellent actors, musicians, artists, designers, poets, and so on.

They attract people with their responsiveness, sincerity and originality, so to speak, with their subtle spiritual organization. After all, it is much more interesting to spend time with a person who is easy to delight than with someone around whom you don’t understand how to behave at all. Is not it?

They also have excellent taste, apparently due to their passion for everything beautiful. Only they are able to quit things without finishing them, only because something else fascinated them more, or they were disappointed and now see no point in continuing.

The team tries to avoid conflicts, or at least do not provoke them. They cannot stand rudeness, so they do not stay long in places where there are authoritarian and tough leaders.

They need space for self-expression, and not clear boundaries that should never be crossed. Only by experiencing freedom and acceptance are they able to accomplish great things. Indeed, among exalted individuals there are often geniuses and simply gifted people.

When the mood is good, she works like a bee, tirelessly. But if you get even a little upset, such a person will become unable to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Everything will fall out of his hands and generally not work out.

Because of this, the business suffers if he is its leader or owner. Making deals and negotiating based on your mood is not the best way to achieve success.

Sometimes rationality and an unemotional approach to business are important. Which, unfortunately, is an unattainable character trait for him.

Affectively labile (cyclothymic) personalities

With pronounced accentuation, this type is called cyclothymic. Labile – in the context of the note: mobile, unstable. This temperament combines the previous two. Affectively labile individuals are characterized by a change of state from one extreme to the other, i.e. from hyperthymic to dysthymic position and vice versa. Sometimes such a change in mood is spontaneous, which is worth taking into account. A good mood can make you want to chat, while sad events can make you feel depressed and slow in your thinking.

Cyclothymic individuals in a cheerful society can be the center of attention and play to the public, but in a serious circle of people they are likely to withdraw into themselves.

Karl Leonhard refutes the idea that the hereditary combination of hyperthymic and dysthymic temperament results in an affectively labile personality. With such compatibility, it is more likely to obtain a syntonic (consonant, coordinated) temperament, which is characterized by calmness and evenness of mood. “This observation is of interest primarily for those who are inclined to see something fundamentally negative in psychopathy (mental disorder). – Karl Leonhard finishes his thought. “Meanwhile, two psychopathy, put together, can result in normality.”

Affectively exalted personalities

The name, despite its pronounced accentuation, is not exactly given by Karl Leonhard in his work. “The affectively exalted temperament, when it approaches psychopathy in severity,” writes Dr. Leongard, “could be called the temperament of anxiety and happiness.” Exaltation is enthusiasm, inspiration, excitement.

Affectively exalted individuals react very violently to any situation. They easily move into an enthusiastic state from a joyful event and into despair from sad situations. At first I wanted to write that this type is too sensitive, but I did not find Karl Leonhard using this definition to address affectively exalted individuals. This definition will be used to describe emotive personalities, which will be discussed further.

Activities in which it is necessary to reveal creative potential can captivate an exalted personality. Pity for people, extreme impressionability - this also characterizes this temperament. Alarmists can be classified as exalted individuals.

Karl Leonhard believes that in order to write poetry and other artistic activities, it is necessary to be able to give in to a high intensity of emotional experiences. Without people with an affectively exalted temperament, we would probably be left without many representatives of the creative professions.

AFFECTIVE-EXALTED TEMPERAMENT

An affectively exalted temperament, when its severity approaches psychopathy, could be called the temperament of anxiety and happiness. This name emphasizes its close connection with anxiety-happy psychosis, which is accompanied by sudden mood swings. The described temperament may indeed be a weakened form of this disease, but such a relationship is not necessary. In cases where pure affective exaltation is observed, there can be no talk of pathology.

Affectively exalted people react to life more violently than others. The rate of growth of reactions and their external manifestations are very intense. Affectively exalted individuals equally easily become delighted with joyful events and despair with sad ones. From “passionate jubilation to mortal melancholy,” in the words of the poet, they have one step. Exaltation is to a small extent associated with gross, egoistic incentives; much more often it is motivated by subtle, altruistic motives. Attachment to loved ones, friends, joy for them, for their success can be extremely strong. There are enthusiastic impulses that are not related to purely personal relationships. Love for music, art, nature, passion for sports, religious experiences, searches for a worldview - all this can capture an exalted person to the depths of his soul.

The other pole of his reactions is extreme impressionability about sad facts. Pity and compassion for unfortunate people and sick animals can drive such a person to despair. Over an easily correctable failure, a slight disappointment that others would have forgotten the next day, an exalted person may experience sincere and deep grief. He feels some ordinary trouble of a friend more painfully than the victim himself. Fear in people with such a temperament apparently has the property of a sharp increase, since even with a slight fear that engulfs an exalted nature, physiological manifestations are noticeable (trembling, cold sweat), and hence an intensification of mental reactions.

The fact that exaltation is associated with subtle and very human emotions explains why artistic people - artists, poets - especially often have this temperament. Artistic talent is something completely different from scientific ability in a particular area, such as mathematics. What is the reason for this phenomenon?

First, I believe that talent alone does not provide the opportunity to create a work of art. Such a work is born only when the creator is capable of a high intensity of emotional experiences. If a person has deep intelligence and practical common sense, then nothing will prevent him from developing his mathematical, technical or organizational abilities. But with such a reasonable practical attitude, this person does not write poetry or compose music, although his natural abilities would be enough for this.

Secondly, emotions themselves make it possible to create a correct judgment about the emerging work, to give it a correct assessment. The level of science is measured by its applied value, while the value of a work of art is recognized only by its emotional impact. It follows from this that an integral property of a poet or artist must first of all be emotional excitability. The second stimulating moment for an artistic nature may be the presence of demonstrative character traits. Finally, we will encounter a third point when considering introversion.

Conflicts between artistic natures and life often occur due to too much sensitivity; the “prose” of life, its sometimes crude demands, are beyond their ability to cope with.

For example, Hölderlin's excess of feelings stimulated his poetic creativity, but at the same time did not allow him to adapt to the everyday demands of life. Perhaps his constant emotional excitability was of a painful nature, since in the second half of his life he developed a severe mental illness (my work on this topic was published in 1964).

Throughout his life, Hölderlin suffered more than he experienced outbursts of ecstatic joy, but this was due to the great difficulties in life that he had to experience due to excessive sensitivity. By the onset of mental illness, this exceptional emotive excitability had increased even more. In a letter to V. Lange, he writes: “Believe me, dear! I have struggled to the point of mortal exhaustion to preserve the higher life, in faith and in contemplation, oh yes! I have struggled, suffering unspeakably, and I believe that my torment exceeds everything that has ever been experienced by man.” In such vital hyperboles we not only recognize Hölderlin, but at the same time we get an idea of ​​the strength of the impulses with which excitability fed his poetic inspiration.

I cited the outstanding German lyricist as an example.

In a similar way, although perhaps not to the same extent, emotive excitability is the basis for the creation of artistic works in many artistic natures. Let us add to this the natural desire of the artist to reflect in his work what captivates him so strongly and deeply.

The negative pole of the affectively exalted temperament can be observed in the following example.

Klaus E., born in 1928. The mother is an exalted woman, who is characterized, on the one hand, by a feeling of enthusiasm, and on the other, by susceptibility to sad experiences. As a child, E. was afraid of the dark. In the darkness, it constantly seemed to him that someone was standing behind him - he would look around and quickly run away, his heart pounding. He was a silent, reserved man who did not like to speak in public: in doing so, he lost his voice and sweated profusely. E. could not stand it when animals were beaten in front of him, he experienced “aching melancholy,” but, since he was “choked by excitement,” he could not utter a sound in defense of the poor four-legged animal. He is captivated by various solemn events: “When solemn hymns are performed, I am directly afraid to cry, all from being moved...” E. experiences something similar during visits to the theater. However, he cannot play himself and never could, he begins to experience “stage fever” and definitely has a “lump in his throat.” He really loves music, tender, lyrical, like Schumann’s “Dreams,” but he also likes the chorus from “The Flying Dutchman.” At the age of 25, he entered a university, studied with enthusiasm for 2 years, after which a breakdown occurred. E. got sick. His mother sent him a significant amount to buy food, but he, succumbing to the persuasion of his comrades, spent all this money on alcohol and had a party. “My God, I come from the most friendly feelings, we must help each other!” This incident was the beginning. Now, after all sorts of minor failures, which often cause E. severe depression, he drinks more and more often. It was about this that his mother contacted us.

We can say that the character of this subject is dominated by “readiness for despair.” Already as a child, he was often in the grip of sad and anxious experiences. Later, he increasingly began to despair when he could not achieve something; he was often overcome by fear. The fact that these fluctuations were associated with the typical temperament of anxiety and happiness is confirmed by E.’s tenderness at all kinds of special events: in this case, this state symbolizes a feeling of happiness, and his tears at this moment are tears of happiness.

Poets and artists are often distinguished by an exalted temperament, as evidenced by the examples below.

Martin R., born 1901, lyric poet. At the age of 62, when he came to see me, he was more engaged in translating poetry from foreign languages. R, was distinguished by his musical abilities, and he rather perceived his poems “as songs.” For some time he worked on advertising posters. His entire life bears the imprint of violent emotional experiences and unrest. Since childhood, R. was an enthusiastic person; at school he took an active part in social work. One day it almost came to a school strike, organized by R. as a protest against one vain and intolerant teacher. Later, his hobbies mainly concerned music, poetry and beautiful women. R. pathetically described his current wife as a “wonder woman.” R. is characterized by constant fluctuations between inspiration and extreme pessimism during trifling failures.

In the latter case, he also began to have suicidal thoughts. R. came to meet us depressed: renal colic led him to believe that he had cancer.

R. is a typical lyricist. What is interesting in this case is that outbursts of despair are associated with thoughts of suicide.

I turn to the characterization of the artist’s personality, described earlier by Trostorff.

Adele G., born in 1901, mother of an imbecile child, who became her favorite precisely as a result of his illness. She selflessly looks after him.

G. lives for the sake of his sick son and for the sake of art. She is interested in “everything beautiful.” At her first visit (she was then 63 years old), she said dreamily: “Painting is my greatest joy. I can’t help but write them!” The beauty of nature served as a kind of mood, and she began to be drawn to the brush: “I paint only motives that evoke inner joy. I have a need to express in colors the feeling of happiness that nature gives me. When I walk through a meadow or a forest, I feel unspeakable happiness. And I think: “This is great, write this!” Happiness without painting does not exist for me!” When asked why she tries so hard, since she never exhibits her paintings, she replied: “I don’t set this goal for myself. It’s enough for me to know that I can draw this...” Her statement is also interesting: “When I see a flower, I want to penetrate into its essence. For example, calendula—how much joy these petals radiate thanks to their yellow glow!” Or here’s another: “It’s difficult to draw a human face. You always want to guess the expression of the soul itself behind the external outlines.”

The ability to experience great inspiration explains the fact that G. devoted herself to painting and creativity with great inspiration. The second pole is represented by her touching concern for her son, deep compassion for this feeble-minded child.

The following example is previously described by Seige.

Martin Ts., 25 years old, was musical since childhood and liked to sing. After graduating from high school, he became a mechanic's apprentice. During one radio broadcast, he was unexpectedly discovered to have singing abilities. He began taking singing lessons and then began performing with a pop orchestra. He sings on radio and television in entertainment programs, but dreams of participating in revues and musicals, since he is interested not only in singing, but also in artistic design. Even now Ts. is trying to accompany the singing with expressive facial expressions and gestures.

The subject characterizes himself as a very temperamental person. He quickly becomes inspired and at such moments he feels “super happy.” But just as quickly he can fall into deep melancholy or a state of anxiety; at such moments he is close to despair. He returns to a balanced state under the influence of his wife. In general, Ts. is in an elevated mood, he considers himself an optimist, and is sometimes ready to “dance on the table” out of joy. It is not difficult for Ts. to immerse himself in the mood that a pop number requires, and then his performance turns out to be very convincing. He is ambitious, but fair, not vindictive and does not know how to stand up for himself.

One day Ts., very alarmed, ran to the dentist, who shortly before had given him two crowns. There was no pain, but (the crowns “interfered madly”: he would not be able to sing or perform. Ts. already saw himself as unemployed. The doctor reassured Ts., for which he thanked him in a very pompous style. A few days later, the singer said that Is he Ok.

The deep enthusiasm associated with Ts.’s profession as a pop singer is explained by his excitability and tendency to exaltation. The incident with the crowns indicates the lability of his psyche with a tendency to excessive anxiety.

Anxious or fearful individuals

Such individuals often become scapegoats. They may be afraid of the dark, dogs, other children and much more. An anxious person who has matured is more difficult to pick out from the crowd; they become less fearful, but in an argument their essence quickly becomes apparent; they are simply unable to defend their point of view.

Karl Leonhard attributes to them anankastic timidity, i.e. simply lack of self-confidence.

Fearful individuals may try to hide their nature through rude or defiant behavior. But again, such a temperament will quickly manifest itself.

Resources and limitations

The advantages are that such people are easy to cheer up and delight, even if just a minute ago they were sitting gloomier than a cloud.

This greatly simplifies life, because otherwise they would “fall out” into depression, plunging into sadness, as if into a swamp from which it is almost impossible to get out.

They usually talk a lot and loudly, attracting attention to themselves. They love animals and are touched by every living creature on the planet that they meet along the way.

They are friendly, altruistic, but there are those in their lives whom they sincerely hate with all their souls. They are practically incapable of offending another, but at the same time they can show excessive cruelty towards the enemy.

For example, they will simply pass by indifferently, even if he begs for help. While a stranger who finds himself in difficult life circumstances may be given his last.

Emotive Personalities

Emotivity is a central concept in etymology, which is the science that studies emotions. Emotive personalities are characterized by sensitivity and strong reactions in the emotional sphere. There may be confusion here with an exalted personality, whose emotions develop much faster. Simply put: emotive - impressionable, sensitive, exalted - stormy, excited. Emotive personalities resemble cyclothymic ones, but in affect-labile individuals the reaction is not so strongly connected with experience. Therefore, emotive people cannot become infected with any mood, as cyclothymic people can.

Emotive individuals are more susceptible to being moved. They are soft-hearted and tearful.

Recommendations

• Practice meditation to learn how to achieve peace and tranquility. Your nervous system needs to be calm at least sometimes. Otherwise, there is a high risk of developing any mental disorders. Most often, phobias arise, which bring a lot of difficulties and troubles into everyday life. And insomnia due to strong emotions is also extremely dangerous to health.
• Try to avoid communicating with authoritarian, dictatorial people. Considering your impressionability and vulnerability, such contacts will not be beneficial at all.
• Learn to stop yourself in situations where you feel like you are losing control of yourself. Or rather, over your emotions. Use the breathing techniques outlined in this article to calm yourself. And when anxiety, restlessness, or even excessive joy arise, inhale and exhale on a count. And when you stabilize your condition, then make decisions so as not to make mistakes due to impulsiveness.

Personal level according to Leonard

Karl Leonhard had his own idea about extroverts and introverts. He attributed these types to the personal level.

An extrovert is a person susceptible to environmental influences. Such people are easily influenced by their environment. They have superficial judgment and rarely analyze.

An introvert is a person with character, has his own values, and is not afraid to resist the environment. He lives not by perceptions, but by the ideas that are in his head. An introvert is more thoughtful, slower and indecisive in his actions.

What is character accentuation?

Specifically, Leonhard identified three categories of character accentuations depending on their origin.

• Relating specifically to character. They are formed exclusively during life and are formed based on the social environment. The psychologist identified them as demonstrative, pedantic, stuck and excitable types.
• Related to temperament. Here we are talking about the extreme expression of characteristics given from birth. This group included hyperthymic, dysthymic, cycloid, exalted, anxious and emotive types.
• Relating to the personal level. The expression of deep personality characteristics, this includes two types - extra- and introverted.

In general, accentuations are formed throughout life and if certain features become more pronounced, then they are called accentuations. They are not as different from the norm as in psychopathy, so we are not talking about pathology, but about an extreme option. Often accentuations arise due to a certain type of child upbringing, for example, excessive care, spoiling, emotional rejection, cruelty, and so on.

Moreover, personality accentuations do not always appear. They make themselves felt in the following situations:

• the occurrence of nervous disorders and physical illnesses that aggravate a certain personality trait;
• maintaining a lifestyle in which a certain character trait is exacerbated;
• the emergence of insoluble problems and trauma during age-related crises.

It was the personality accentuations according to Leonhard that became the first such typology, considering precisely the extreme variants of the norm, and not pathological cases, as in Gannushkin’s classification of psychopathy.

Conclusion

In this note, we looked at the typology that Karl Leonhard developed to describe the characters and temperaments of people (most often mentally ill). Although this classification is used in psychiatry (or rather, it was used), knowledge of these types can be useful to anyone who wants to better understand others and themselves. For a more detailed introduction to the concept of “accented personality,” you can read the work of the same name by Karl Leonhard, in which he not only described the types, but also presented their probable combinations. By the way, this book presents an analysis of 150 works, or rather the characters of these works, using this typology.