Our personality model suggests that for any group of humans to be successful over a long period of time, there needs to be 8 types of personality, with each being more advantageous in certain circumstances. Whether it is the intelligence of evolution or God, it seems that these 8 styles are necessary in a group if it is to be successful in the long term. Before you consider which of the 8 styles you are, firstly identify whether you focus more (of course you do all of these but not equally):
- details and practicality (Physical)
- big picture and imagination (Spiritual)
- analysis and logic (Intellectual)
- sympathy and sentiment (Emotional)
Secondly, decide whether you are more introverted (reflective) or extraverted (responsive) in your personality style. In other words, whether you are more energised internally (introverted) or externally (extraverted) – bearing in mind that we are all both but prefer one. Being left or right-handed is a good comparison. You will be both introverted and extraverted but not equally so, just as even if you are strongly left-handed, you will still use your right hand to some extent. Personality styles are the same. If you prefer to use one or the other, you will keep using it, and get better at using it – perhaps until something in the environment changes. Then you could choose, or be forced, to change.
Eight UHM neuro-style descriptions (can you tell which one you are?)
We are all unique individuals but there are only 8 distinct neuro-styles. Which is yours?
(Physical Introverted) Preserver - driven to review information
(Physical Extraverted) Adventurer - driven to experience things
(Emotional Introverted) Artist - driven to value feelings
(Emotional Extraverted) Helper - driven to be in harmony with other people
(Intellectual Introverted) Scientist - driven to analyze the theory
(Intellectual Extraverted) Director - driven to systemize using models
(Spiritual Introverted) Seer - driven to imagine the future
(Spiritual Extraverted) Ideator - driven to brainstorm and come up with ideas
If you want to get practical insights to help you succeed professionally or personally then join us on the next Understanding Human Personality public program.
ADHD and other things
This model explains much in human experience that is hard to explain in other ways. For instance, it suggests that the label of ADHD may be used when a child is one type and a parent another. So the parent thinks "how would I have to feel to behave like that - I would have to have something wrong with me - so my child must have something wrong with them..." But what if it is just a case of different personality styles?”
Richard A Friedman, professor of clinical psychiatry and director of psychopharmacology clinic at the Weill Cornell Medical College, USA also says that sometimes difficulties with children may be to do with personality. In particular he notes that ADHD labelled children have the key traits of curiosity, energy and novelty seeking - key characteristics of two of the 8 UHM neurostyles. Psychologist, such as David Keirsey, have had a great deal of success in treating ADHD/ADD without drugs - equipping teachers, parents and children with ways to understand their differences (see the November 2014 Newsletter for more information).
Can you identify which two of the 8 styles are most likely to be labelled as ADHD (those which are most likely curious, energetic and novelty seeking)?
Testimonial (read more...)
Thank you very much for the opportunity to complete [MarkTwo's] personality training. It was a very enlightening experience - Nathan Barry, Undergraduate, Monash University
