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TYPE #4
THE ABSTRACT UTILITARIAN
Self-Esteem
As stated previously, our Self-Esteem largely depends on feedback from others. Its this feedback which allows us to see ourselves a little more objectively than we would otherwise, and gives us an opportunity to sort of fit ourselves in the wider world, based on how receptive and responsive others are towards us. This is true of all the types, though each type looks for a different kind of feedback. For Type #4, the feedback from others that they most seek is a recognition of their Ingenuity.
Type #4 is very rational, very logical, and makes considerable effort to think about things before they’ll act on them. They are problem solvers, they are clever, and they are efficient. It is precisely these qualities that they seek confirmation for from others.
Type #4 feels best, and enjoys the greatest level of Self-Esteem, when they are acknowledged and appreciated for their genius. Efficiency, problem solving skills, anything that requires a little out-of-the-box thinking, is where Type #4 likes to shine, and feels best when others are recognizing and appropriately deferential to these gifts.
Conversely, nothing will plunge Type #4 into a depressive spiral quite like feeling they can’t solve any problems, or that their ideas are not clever, of that everyone in their lives prefers the solutions of others to their own.
Self-Respect
Type #4’s Self-Respect has gone through a bit of a metamorphosis as of late. David Keirsey (from whom much of this information was taken) originally labeled #4’s Self-Respect in “Autonomy”, but provided no real support for that claim except a few sentences about their need to be autonomous and to not be forced or told what to do. Later, in a book titled “Personology” he redefined Type #4’s Self-Respect to be in being “knowledgeable” which I think is probably a little more accurate, though it doesnt *quite* get us there. I think both being autonomous and knowledgeable are related when we are discussing Self-Respect. I think its more of a sense of awareness, which requires both knowledge and autonomy. Knowledge of what needs to be done, and the autonomy to do it. I don’t have a word for that yet, but I will soon.
My thinking on this is that Self-Respect has to do with our relationship to God or to a higher power, and the antithesis to Self-Respect is Shame. In my discussions with people who are Type #4’s, their greatest shame (and the times they are most likely to shame others) has to do with a certain level of obliviousness and/or inaction. To discover they have been doing something wrong all this time, is shameful. Similarly, to have had a belief that proves false and to feel like you have been acting foolishly this whole time would similarly feel shameful.
As most of you who are reading this are going to be Type #4, I would welcome your feedback on this particular point. What gives you the most shame, and at what times are you most likely to shame others?
Self-Confidence
Finally, type #4’s Self-Confidence comes from their Strength of Resolve. Related to that sense of Autonomy, Resolve has to do with what you believe you are capable of. Type #4 accomplishes some really amazing things, sometimes out of what appears to be sheer stubbornness, but really is an internal “prove it to myself” kind of a voice. Once they have committed to something, there is virtually nothing that will stop them if its possible. Self-Confidence, however, is about relationship with “self”, and if there are any lingering internal doubts, then Type #4 will get some anxiety about whatever they’re engaged in. And unfortunately for Type #4, you’re only as good as your greatest failure.
An Example;
I had a friend who was a fantastic Skateboarder. He Competed all over the US and had several sponsorships.
At one competition, he decided that he was just not going to run his third heat. He had an excellent First and Second heat, and figured that he would rather spend the day hanging out with his girlfriend and family. He ended up taking 4th place anyway. Pretty impressive right? Only ran two of the three heats and STILL took 4th place! I thought it was really cool and aspired to have that sort of confidence.
Then, I started reflecting on that event through this lens of temperament. I know my friend to be a Type #4, and I started to wonder if it was confidence that motivated him, or was it the preservation of confidence?
He had entered this competition with the intention of winning. Now, if he had run his third heat and had taken 4th place, what might he have said to himself? “Oh man, I’m not as good as I thought I was” or “I’m a failure after all” might have been among the things his brain decided to throw at him. This would have dealt a pretty significant blow to the confidence going forward. By refusing to run his third heat, he made a choice, and now he has a story to tell himself about this choice that gives him the upper hand against anxiety. His resolve is in tact, because it was still his choice to walk away.
So it is with nearly all Type #4’s. If its something you’re comfortable with, and you know success is assured, you’ll charge forward boldly and confidently. But, as soon as failure is on the table, there’s going to be an anxious scramble to either recover it as quickly as possible, or to find a way to intentionally scuttle it. Choosing to quit with a strong justification is infinitely better than crashing and burning with no escape.
So, to recap on Type #4, the Abstract Utilitarian
Self-esteem (relationship with others) lies in their ingenuity and cleverness as highlighted and appreciated by others. The more people who are impressed with your brilliance, the better you generally feel about yourself.
Self-respect (relationship to God/Higher powers) is currently undergoing a revision, but for now is in this sense of awareness that requires both knowledge and autonomy. Its the opposite of being oblivious, whatever that word ends up being.
Self-confidence (relationship to self) is in resolve. The ability to commit to conquering something and following through to the end, wherever possible. Its the story you tell yourself about your abilities.
Regarding self-respect,
For me the ability to obtain, organize, and apply information is my ticket to advancement/self-improvement. I rely on other experts to supply information. So if I fail to access information appropriately or can not access it from a higher power/authority, I feel frustrated/stuck. When I am able to access information, I must be allowed the freedom to organize the information in a way that makes sense to me. I won’t readily trust some one else to organize information for me. I’m not sure they can. That’s where my autonomy comes into play. I don’t mind feedback or help. I just need the time and freedom to work through my own system to make sense of it to decide if information is applicable or the best way to apply it.