Character accentuation

The accentuation of character is the most complex type of norm on the verge of a mental illness characterized by an inharmonious development of personality: some features will be overly expressed and sharpened, while others are too suppressed. The concept of character accentuation in psychology was developed as an "accentuated personality", but later it was narrowed to this option.

Accentuation of the character of the personality: stages

In the course of diagnosis of accentuations of nature, two types of accentuations are distinguished, which differ in their degree of severity:

1. Hidden accentuation. This is the usual option, in which negative traits of character make themselves known only in isolated, difficult situations, while in ordinary life a person can be quite adequate.
2. Explicit accentuation. This phenomenon is a borderline version of the norm. In this case, usually throughout the life of a person, in practically any situation, one can note the manifestation of problematic traits. A pronounced accentuation in everyday life is usually called "psychopath".

Such a general characterization of character accentuation allows us to delineate concepts and give a more correct assessment of the human condition.

Character accentuation and psychopathy

There are special criteria that make it possible to distinguish the accentuation of a person's character as a norm border from pathology. There are only three of them:

1. The character is called pathological if it is stable and practically does not change during life.
2. The degree of negative manifestations of character is also very important for diagnosis. If a person has psychopathy, then he shows the same negative features everywhere, at work, at home, in a close circle, and among strangers. If a person changes depending on the conditions, then it is about the peculiarities of character accentuation.
3. The most striking feature is the emergence of difficulties due to the nature of both the person himself and his associates. If the features do not interfere with social adaptation, then it is not about psychopathy, but about accentuation.

Such signs allow us to distinguish between concepts and determine whether a character is the norm or not.

Basic character accentuations

Let's consider some basic types of accentuations that are quite common:

1. Hypertensive (hyperactive). Always elated, energetic, independent, does not react to remarks, loses the bound of what is permissible.
2. Dysthymic. Always a bad mood, closed, pessimistic, burdensome noisy society.
3. Cycloidal. Unstable - then sociable, then closed.
4. Emotional (emotional). Excessive sensitivity, strongly worried because of trifles, too sensitive to remarks.
5. Demonstrative. A demonstrative character accentuation makes people pay attention at all costs, be they tears, tantrums or illnesses.
6. Excitable. Excessive irritability, tediousness, sullenness, aggression, periodic flattery (this is disguise). Propensity to rudeness, abuse and conflict.
7. Stuck. A person who lives past grievances, is not talkative, arranges protracted quarrels.
8. Pedantic. This is a bright tediousness, manifested in all forms; requires a limit order in everything.
9. Anxious (psychasthenic). Constant anxiety and fear, shyness, indecisiveness and insecurity.
10. Exalted (labile). Overly volatile mood, distraction, amorousness, inability to concentrate.
11. Introverted (schizoid, autistic). Closure, a cold attitude towards loved ones and others.
12. Extraverted (conformal). Chatter, lack of independence, the desire to be like everyone else.

Surely in these descriptions you could find out some of your friends.