Chapter 7. Personalities, i-type and u-type
At birth all humans are classified as male or female. Later in their lives, perhaps age 10 yrs, they can further be classified by personality as inhibited or uninhibited. This later characteristic is a key component for each human’s each individual’s World View The inhibited ones will be cautious and questioning, the uninhibited ones will be bold, even, maybe, reckless, This later group will probably inspire more adult approval. Things that can cause inhibition are: accidents and parental disapproval-- -- a tumble to a tile floor with a bump on the nose will be remembered a long time, future cavorting on tile floors will be considered with care and reflection. An admonition to let go of a mother’s earring should also be catalogued as an element in an inhibited child’s world view. More: Causing any harm, leading to an outcry,(sticking a finger in a brother’s eye, for example)Or stealing food from a neighbor child, probably leading to another outcry.
At age ten, youths will fall roughly into either the inhibited or the uninhibited categories. They can be referred to as i-type or u-type humans. i-type humans will be more docile, more likely to be nerds or bookworms. u-type humans will have a propensity to be rebellious.
Comparing academic performance, the i-type child will probably have better grades than the u-type child. Parents can have a strong influence that can accentuate either the inhibitions, or the absence of inhibitions. If a child is bitten by a dog by trying to take away the food bowl while the dog is feeding, reinforcement of inhibition will occur if the parent says, “See, I told you to stay away from the dog while he is feeding. Reinforcement of un-inhibition will occur if the parent takes the side of the child and punishes the dog, “Oh, my poor baby. Did that mean dog hurt you? BAD DOG!”
Sports have a way of developing the i-type person. This is due to the quick and certain negative feedback for errors and the pressure to maintain the esteem of teammates (usually close friends).Positive feedback for good performance is equally effective. There are strong incentives for paying attention, and for practicing technique, and for analysis. Both mental and physical performance is under the intense, steady review of teammates. Even single-player sports, such as tennis, gymnastics, bowling and golf Provide the combination of pressure and reward That favor the i-type over the u-type. Even card-games and board-games will reinforce i-types—it’s the quick reward (or the quick punishment)for caution, memorization, and analysis a (or the lack of these) that counts. When testing occurs with school work, reinforcing of the i and u-types will occur, as with sports and games. Report cards, reviewed by parents, also put parents in the reinforcement loop for school work. This can be nothing short of beneficial for the child. On the other hand, schools that don’t do this on a regular basis miss a great opportunity for parental reinforcement. One often hears of a lack of parental involvement in public schools. Much of the foregoing might explain superior performance of private schools: The parental interest in grades.
Quick comment: Any sort of competition builds stronger, better balanced kids.
The effect described above is an all-important psychological building block in what can be called a person’s World View.(For an illustration of world view, see the exchange of letters between Ms. Dart and Paul R., below; also see the bio of Pancho Terrible, farther down.)In the extreme, the i-type adult is painfully shy and retiring, often expresses self-doubt; and such a person tends to apologize frequently, rarely exerts his/her will over others, and often practices self sacrifice, so parents often turn off inhibition, and promote unhinibition. In the extreme, the u-type adult is loud and extroverted, craves attention, overlooks others and their needs, has a very high self esteem. It is not uncommon that an i-type is referred to as quiet, naïve, or innocent. Likewise, it is not uncommon for a u-type to be thought of as an adventurer, trailblazer, and, quite often, as a “good-talker”.
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[The letters exchanged between two i-type individuals]
Ms Dart’s letter to Paul R.
Dear Paul,
I am saddened greatly to know that you think the Iraq War is a war on terrorists. I’m Sorry, but I don’t see any terrorists anywhere in the world. All I see is loving people everywhere. When we were fighting the Viet Cong, I used to hear the same argument: The North Vietnamese are evil. They must be Stopped. A few years ago I visited Viet Nam, even Hanoi, and all I saw were charming people. Where did all those ‘bad guys “ go?
Love always, Sheila Dart
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Dear Sheila,
There is a difference in World View between “good” people and “bad” people. Confusion on this topic stems from the mistaken idea that, since we are all equal, our views of reality are the same.
World View is greatly influenced by childhood experience. Home, school, church, friends all have great influence. Later in life, world view is largely influenced by the culture in which one is immersed, plus how one stays informed: books, newspapers, television, radio, colleagues, neighbors, etc.
The 19 skyjackers who brought us the 911 attacks, obviously shared a similar World View. Part of that view was a hatred of Western Culture. The problem is, they were not alone. By some accounts, there are a minimum of 10 million hard-core sympathizers. These are the ones strapping explosives to themselves blowing up innocent people in crowded places like markets and restaurants. These are the same ones planting roadside bombs.
You never see them, because in this country they hide. The Places where they do not hide, I presume you do not go, and this is good, otherwise your life would be at risk. Think about poor Nick Berg.
Places where “bad” people proudly announce their presence are Darfur, Iran, certain neighborhoods in Iraq, and the mountain areas on the border between Afganistan and Pakistan. The Taliban are “bad” people. They proudly proclaim and celebrate their murderous intentions.
Most people in the United States don’t understand the murderous Taliban. I don’t, and I judge you don’t either.. YOU and I just don’t share the Taliban “World View.” Even though it may seem incredible that such people exist, believe me: They Do. Just go to downtown Manhattan and have a look at that hole in the ground to convince yourself.
Love, Paul R.
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