Character orientation

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Character orientation is a term from the analytical social psychology coined by Erich Fromm .

Character orientation is to be understood as the common direction of the instinctual or passionate strivings of a person, which makes it possible to describe his character structure uniformly. Several character traits or character traits are bundled into one orientation.

Fromm describes the character of individual persons as individual character. He describes the character of entire groups or societies as social or societal character .

classification

Fromm defines his concept of character orientation and character as follows:

“These orientations, in which the individual relates to his environment, form the core of his character. Character can thus be defined as the (relatively) constant form into which human energy is channeled in the process of assimilation and socialization. "

- Concept of character from psychoanalysis and ethics

The character concept is to be understood in terms of depth psychology , i.e. H. the character represents the motives behind the observable behaviors:

“The theory developed on the following pages follows Freud's characterology in essential points. First of all, on the assumption that every behavior is based on character traits which must be inferred from this very behavior. Furthermore, that these are forces of which the person concerned - no matter how strong - need not be aware. "

- Fromm's character theory from psychoanalysis and ethics

The characterology of Fromm shows a certain compatibility with the character types of Sigmund Freud . The big difference between the two models is that Freud sees the origins in "different forms of libido organization", while Fromm sees the origins in the relationship between the person and the world and fellow human beings.

The latter relation to the world occurs in Fromm's teaching in two ways:

  • Relationship to things ( assimilation process )
  • Relationship to other people and yourself ( socialization process )

Character orientations

In Psychoanalysis and Ethics , Fromm describes the basic orientations in detail. In later works the terms are developed further and these orientations are used again and again.

Fromm emphasizes that he differentiates between character and temperament ( doctrine of temperament according to Hippocrates ). In a sense, temperament determines the manner of behavior; on the other hand, the character ultimately provides the motivations behind the behavior. If one also takes the temperaments into account, there are "countless possible variations in personality".

In reality, the personality structure of an individual is usually a mixture of different orientations. If you want to characterize a person, this is usually done according to the character orientation that is dominant in him. The ideal types are listed below.

Non-productive orientations

Receptive orientation

A person with a dominant receptive orientation is convinced that the "source of everything good" lies outside of himself ". This applies to both material and immaterial. Love is characterized by a "wanting to be loved". His relationship to his fellow human beings is a dependent relationship that seeks help. A receptive person prefers food and drink for satisfaction.

Exploitative orientation

A common feature of this orientation with the receptive is that the person feels that the source of all good lies outside of himself. However, an exploitative character takes on his needs "with cunning or violence". People with a pronounced exploitative orientation "use and exploit" where the situation allows. Extreme cases are kleptomania or being drawn to partners in existing love relationships. Also the tendency to plagiarize z. B. in science is mentioned. An overestimation of someone else's property is typical.

Hoarding orientation

This orientation is characterized by "hoarding and storing". Strong, conservative personality traits, frugality and meticulous order are typical . Influence is preferably exercised through control , since external influences are perceived as threatening.

Marketing orientation

According to Fromm, marketing orientation is a phenomenon that has only recently emerged more strongly. So not only the actual knowledge and skills of a person are required, but also the superficial representation and marketing of his own personality, depending on needs and demand. This affects both the labor market and the rest of life. Your own needs are neglected.

In many of his writings, Fromm mentions the numerous forms of marketing orientation that are characteristic of modern times. It is mentioned in more detail u. a. in the art of loving and in having or being .

"The character orientation that is rooted in the experience that one is a commodity and has an exchange value is what I call marketing orientation."

- Marketing orientation in psychoanalysis and ethics

Fromm also presents a certain further development of the marketing character. He calls this "cybernetic character" or "monocerebral person". He deals with these personalities in more detail in the anatomy of human destructiveness and in having or being .

Productive orientations

Fromm describes the fully developed personality as a "productive character". He draws parallels to Sigmund Freud's fully developed, genital character type . Man uses the abilities and talents given to him for self-realization .

"Productivity is an attitude that everyone is capable of as long as they are not mentally or emotionally crippled."

- Productivity in psychoanalysis and ethics

The productive orientation is characterized neither by "wild busyness" nor by driving irrational passions. The relationship to the world and fellow human beings is positive and characterized by love in a very general sense. The latter includes "a sense of responsibility for and respect for the other [...]". Love is also to be understood as an activity that affects all areas of life without exception. Another characteristic is an objective (i.e. not irrationally distorted) view of things.

Fromm also describes the general concept of love with its associated productive relationship to the world in greater detail in The Art of Loving .

literature

  • Erich Fromm: Psychoanalysis and Ethics. Building blocks for a humanistic characterology 1947a. In: Erich Fromm Complete Edition in 12 volumes (edited by Rainer Funk ), Volume II ( Analytical Character Theory ). Stuttgart, 1999. pp. 1-154. ISBN 3-423-59043-2

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Fromm, p. 42 ( 2. The nature of man and his character , 2. The character )
  2. ↑ a b Fromm, p. 41 ( 2. The nature of man and his character , 2. The character )
  3. ↑ Fromm, p. 41 ( 2. The nature of man and his character , 2. The character )
  4. ↑ Fromm, pp. 29-77 ( 2. The nature of man and his character )
  5. ↑ Fromm, pp. 29-77 ( The nature of man and his character )
  6. ↑ Fromm, p. 77 ( The nature of man and his character )
  7. ↑ Fromm, p. 74 ( 2. The nature of man and his character , mixtures of the different orientations )
  8. ↑ Fromm, p. 44f ( The receptive orientation )
  9. ↑ Fromm, p. 45 ( The exploitative orientation )
  10. ↑ Fromm, p. 46f ( The hoarding orientation )
  11. ↑ Fromm, p. 47ff ( The Marketing Orientation )
  12. ↑ Fromm, p. 48 ( The Marketing Orientation )
  13. ↑ Fromm, pp. 56–71 ( The productive character orientations )
  14. ↑ Fromm, p. 57 ( The productive character orientations )
  15. ↑ Fromm, pp. 56–71 ( The productive character orientations )