Accentuation of personality traits of the unstable driver type. How do accentuations differ from psychopathy? Methods for treating accentuations of various types

The study of individual differences, in particular character accentuations, belongs to a separate discipline - the field. The works of many scientists - Western and domestic - are devoted to this field.

Rationale for character trait research

Why it is necessary to study the types of accentuation of differences between individuals has two objectives. Firstly, this is a research goal - to identify as many groups as possible and develop specific advice for representatives of each of them. The more classes are identified, the more effective psychological recommendations for their representatives will be.

Secondly, it is necessary to know the types so that the person himself understands the characteristics and reasons for his behavior and can, in accordance with this, correct it.

Often in this regard, everyday psychology is completely insufficient. For example, there is a common belief that fat people are kind. Conversely, a thin person is sometimes perceived as anxious and wary. Of course, such a breakdown into categories may be partly correct. Even Hippocrates did not avoid such an error in classification, although already in the medical field: once upon a time, an ancient doctor directly linked the tendency to apoplexy with obesity.

The Soviet psychologist A.E. Lichko, like the German psychiatrist K. Leongard, used the concept of “accentuation” in their studies. When applied to a specific property, this term means that it is highlighted more clearly than others, as if emphasized. In other words, accentuation is the expression of a certain character trait. For a person with this or that quality, certain social situations will be very painful, while others will be easily tolerated. This article will discuss the types of accentuation according to Lichko and Leonhard.

The psychology of differences is not a rigorous discipline. Types of accentuation are always descriptive in nature and are practically never found in their pure form. Each person can find himself in two or more types.

It should also be noted that assigning oneself to a certain category should not be aimless. When playing psychological tests, you need to ask yourself the question: “Why am I doing this?” If a person understands that he belongs to one group or another, he needs to develop for himself an appropriate compensation and self-help strategy. To do this, you need to study the advice given by psychologists for representatives of different classes and apply them to life.

Classification by A. E. Lichko

A Soviet psychologist studied the types of accentuation of adolescents. In total, he identified eleven groups. The features of the types of character accentuation in his theory have much in common with the classification of Karl Leonhard. Let's look at them in order.

Hyperthymic type

A high level of energy, the ability to quickly find contact with people, a desire for leadership - all this distinguishes the hyperthymic type of accentuation. Lichko considered hyperthymia to be a general characteristic characteristic of adolescence. High emotional tone makes representatives of this category leaders in any company. They are not aggressive. They can enter into conflict, but only if they encounter sharp opposition to their activity. Therefore, it is better not to stand in their way, but, on the contrary, to encourage them to act.

Superficiality of interests is a negative feature that the hyperthymic type of accentuation has. Its representatives may have many abilities, but their interests are unstable.

Cycloid type

The main characteristic of this category is mood variability. An elevated state is replaced by despondency and irritability. Moreover, this happens every two to three weeks.

Labile type

The emotional tone of these teenagers, Lichko noted, cannot be defined as consistently low or high. Their mood is unstable and can change very quickly. Within this category, two subtypes can also be distinguished: reactive-labile and emotionally labile. The former are prone to mood swings due to external factors. The condition of others is more determined by internal experiences.

Representatives labile type sometimes they seem indifferent to others. But this is far from true - the real problem for some of them may be the ability to correctly express their feelings. Having deep attachments to loved ones, they do not know how to communicate them.

Astheno-neurotic type

Those who belong to this category are the main visitors to medical institutions. Their main difference is the concentration of attention on the state of their body. As soon as they feel unwell, they may suspect that they have a fatal illness - their suspiciousness reaches such proportions.

Sensitive type

The main characteristic of adolescents in this category, Lichko noted, is increased sensitivity, which is reflected in their behavior. People of the sensitive type are also characterized by painful irritability. Their weak point is big companies. They always feel uncomfortable in them, try to carefully observe what is happening, and sometimes copy the behavior of others. Representatives of the sensitive type can attract the attention of the entire company, for example, by going on some kind of prank. But they succeed poorly in this, and they return to the previous state only with even more aggravated timidity.

The advantage of representatives of the sensitive type is diligence, responsibility, and the ability to make and maintain deep friendships.

Psychasthenic type

Characterized by indecisiveness. Any everyday situation can become a source of painful uncertainty for a psychasthenic. What distinguishes them is high intelligence and confidence in your conclusions. But the latter is rarely confirmed by deeds. Psychasthenics are prone to impulsive actions just at those moments when it is worth weighing the pros and cons.

Schizoid type

Despite the fact that they are very vulnerable internally, schizoids have virtually no ability for empathy - they are not sensitive to the pain of others. The schizoid type of accentuation has a positive side - they make good inventors. Most of those people who moved forward the progress of mankind were schizoid. Their main feature, which immediately catches the eye, is their eccentricity. “Not of this world,” this can safely be said about schizoids.

Epileptoid type

The most pedantic and picky type. It would seem that what is good about these character traits? But representatives of other types are difficult to imagine in some professions. For example, the best teachers of mathematics or physics are epileptoids. Their accuracy and attention to detail are undeniable advantages in teaching the exact sciences.

Hysterical type

For this category, all life is one huge stage. Some people may initially find it unpleasant to be in company with a hysterical person. After all, their main quality is a constant desire to be in the center of attention. But for certain professions, belonging to this class (its analogue in Leonhard is a demonstrative type of accentuation) is an advantage. For example, hysterics make excellent salespeople, actors, and singers.

Unstable type

Lichko's representatives of this category turned out to be the most irresponsible teenagers. These were those who had no stable interests and practically did not think about their future. Unstable people cannot concentrate on work for long; they are characterized by a constant craving for idleness and entertainment.

Conformal type

A distinctive feature of conformists is the desire not to differ from their environment. Their credo is “to be like everyone else.” A negative feature of this category is the tendency to betray in a difficult situation. Conformist person he will not suffer from remorse - he will always find justification for his actions.

Types of character accentuation according to Leonard

Karl Leonhard identified twelve. In many ways, his classification overlaps with Lichko’s theory, and some types in them are identical. Leonhard created three categories: the first was associated with accentuations of character, the second with accentuations of temperament. The criterion for identifying the third group is personal characteristics (focus on oneself or the outside world).

First, we need to clarify the difference between temperament and character. People unfamiliar with psychology often confuse these concepts. But even some psychologists tend to believe that temperament and character are one and the same thing.

Temperament is the speed of a person’s reaction to current events. This quality is, rather, a physiological property of the nervous system. Temperament includes emotionality, degree of response, balance. Character is public education. Starting from birth, those around them seem to leave their mark on the child. Such social interactions “sculpt” his personality.

So, I carried out the classification in accordance with character, temperament and personality traits, and the criteria for identifying categories were the styles of human social interaction.

Accentuations associated with temperament

• Hyperthymic type. The main characteristics are mobility, sociability. In childhood, hyperthyms have good memory and are easy to learn. In adolescence, conflicts are possible, since the group does not always allow hypertim to take a leading position. As adults, representatives of this category remain sociable and energetic. It’s easy to find a common language with them if you don’t confront them.
• Dysthymic type. Sullenness, phlegmaticity, and inhibition of reactions are the main features of dysthymics. They are silent and seem to be incorrigible pessimists. On the positive side dysthymic type is responsibility, a developed sense of justice.
• Labile type. He, as in Lichko’s classification, is distinguished by the ability to quickly change mood. Even a harshly spoken word can have an effect on a representative of the labile type. A good mood can be ruined even because it rains.
• Exalted type. Representatives of this type are non-conflict, love society, and are attentive to others. The exalted type of accentuation is distinguished by amorousness, a tendency to sublime feelings, and sociability. Such people are very quickly influenced by events in the outside world - they are easily delighted by the positive ones, and panicked by the negative ones. Many designers, musicians and artists have an exalted type of accentuation.

• Anxious type. The main feature is a feeling of anxiety for no apparent reason. They are quickly recognized by their peers, and because of their indecisiveness, they can become an object of ridicule. Having become adults, they remain no less suspicious than they were as children. It is difficult for such people to insist on their own. However, the alarming type of accentuation has its advantages - its representatives have a rich inner world, and are always able to adequately assess their capabilities. Among other types, they perceive reality most clearly.
• It is believed that representatives of this category “think” with feelings. Their main characteristics are kindness, responsibility, the ability to empathize, and low conflict. People of the emotive type can only feel relaxed in the company of close people. They are soft-hearted, compassionate, and also appreciate the beauty of nature more than others. When communicating with them, their feelings are always recognized. Main value for them - good relationships in the family and at work. Representatives of the emotive type are very vulnerable to callousness and rude behavior.

Accentuations in accordance with character traits

• Stuck type. A person belonging to this category can carry certain feelings within himself for years. If these are negative emotions that were not correctly expressed, then they torment the stuck person for a long period of time. Striving for the goal - main characteristic this accentuation. The stuck type will get his way no matter what. Often for this he strives to find good travel companions. Those who get stuck get out good leaders in any activity. However, if their fate is not so rosy, they may become leaders of gangster groups. In addition, like the demonstrative, stuck type of accentuation needs recognition from society. However, this must be truly deserved respect, glory that has a basis.

• Pedantic type. Like the epileptoids in Lichko’s classification, the main features of representatives of this group are scrupulousness and attention to detail. Pedantic people are highly valued in an office environment for their responsibility and efficiency. This accentuation also manifests itself in concern for one’s own health, lack of bad habits. The other side of the coin for such people is the constant fear of making a mistake, perfectionism.

• Excitable type. Impulsiveness, irritability, the desire to satisfy surging impulses immediately - this is what characterizes the excitable type of accentuation. People belonging to this group are usually endowed with high level conflict, which often prevents them from building meaningful relationships. The advantage is that they live entirely in the present.
• Demonstrative type. It is easy to identify, starting from the age of two. Such kids, having once been the center of attention, then try to win it at all costs. If this tendency is supported by parents, then they almost always have an inflated self-esteem that is not really supported by anything. Students of this type can be set as an example to others. Therefore, it is not always easy to recognize that their abilities in a certain area are hardly above average. On the other hand, the demonstrative type of accentuation is distinguished by artistry and good taste in clothing.

Types of accentuations according to personality characteristics

• Introverted type. Characterized by focusing on one's experiences, avoiding social contacts. Reality for them is secondary to the inner world. Introverts are responsible, unobtrusive, and love privacy.
• Extroverted type. Its representatives are self-confident people who love being among people and receive energy from communication. They do not tend to get hung up on aspects of their inner life and always act in accordance with what reality presents to them.

Currently, Lichko's theory is more widely used among psychologists, since the scientist conducted his research on healthy people(teenagers). Leonhard's classification is more often used by psychiatrists. Despite the names presented in both classifications, these groups have nothing to do with mental disorders. The schizoid type of accentuation, for example, in no way means the presence of schizophrenia - all terms are conditional. Different types of accentuation mean the severity of the characteristic is within normal limits.

Accentuation of character or personality accentuation– excessive strengthening of individual character traits. This personality trait determines behavior and actions, leaves an imprint on all areas of its activity: attitude towards oneself, towards others, towards the world. Accentuation is an extreme variant of the norm and is not considered a mental disorder or disease.

Prevalence. Personality accentuations are widespread, especially among adolescents. Among young people, obvious or hidden accentuations are found in 95% of those examined. With age, people will be able to smooth out undesirable features, and the number of accentuations decreases to 50-60%.

The benefits and harms of accentuations. On the one hand, an accentuated trait makes a person more stable and successful in some situations. For example, people with hysterical accentuation are talented actors, and those with hyperthymic accentuation are positive, sociable and can find an approach to any person.

On the other hand, an accentuated character trait becomes a person’s vulnerable spot, complicating life for himself and those around him. Situations that are not significant for other people turn into a test for the psyche. For example, people with a hypothymic type of accentuation experience difficulties when it comes to getting to know each other and establishing contact.

There is a danger that in difficult situations these enhanced character traits can develop into psychopathy, cause neurosis, and become the cause of alcoholism and illegal behavior.

In what cases can accentuations develop into pathology?

• Unfavorable environmental conditions that hit the accentuated trait as the weakest point, for example for conformal accentuation, are rejection of the person in the team.
• Long-term exposure to this factor.
• Exposure to an unfavorable factor during a period when a person is most vulnerable. Most often these are elementary school and adolescence.

If these conditions are met, accentuation worsens and turns into psychopathy, which is already a mental disorder.

How do accentuations differ from psychopathy?

Reasons for the formation of accentuations. It is believed that the formation of accentuations is influenced by the innate properties of temperament. Thus, a person born choleric is prone to developing accentuation of the excitable type, and a sanguine person is prone to hyperthymic type. Strengthening of individual character traits occurs in childhood and adolescence under the influence of chronic traumatic situations (constant humiliation by peers) and characteristics of upbringing.
Degrees of personality accentuations

• Explicit– manifests itself in a person’s behavior in most situations, but does not interfere with his ability to adapt to various social situations (acquaintance, conflict, communication with friends).
• Hidden– does not manifest itself in life, can only be detected in critical situations that affect accentuated character traits.

Types of personality accentuations. Each scientist who dealt with character accentuations identified his own types. To date, several dozen of them have been described. This article will describe the main ones.
Psychologists began to deal with the problem of personality accentuations in the second half of the twentieth century. Therefore, many controversial issues remain in matters of classification, diagnosis and correction.

Types of accentuation

There are many personality traits, and each of them can be over-enhanced. It is the accentuated traits that determine the personality type and character traits and make a person different from others. Let's give short descriptions main personality types.

Hysterical type

In other classifications demonstrative type. Widely distributed among women. It is especially pronounced in adolescence and young adulthood. Distinctive features:

• The desire to attract attention those around you to your person. They seek attention in all ways - through actions, manner of dressing and speaking, appearance. They demand respect, surprise, sympathy, and, in extreme cases, anger from others. The appearance is bright and attractive. Even in the absence of outstanding external data, they know how to look impressive.
• Increased emotionality. They are distinguished by high sensitivity and violent reaction. At the same time, they easily endure mental pain, grief and resentment, although they demonstrate strong emotions. Some emotions are quickly replaced by others. There is a tendency towards envy and jealousy. They do not tolerate it if the attention of others is switched to another person.
• Artistry manifests itself in all life situations. They easily get used to any role, which makes it easier to adapt to new situations. They are distinguished by arrogant facial expressions and mannered poses.
• Developed imagination and imaginative thinking. They themselves believe in what they have invented. Suggestible. They are fond of applied magic and believe in horoscopes. They tend to advertise and exaggerate their victories in their personal lives.
• timid. Tend to exaggerate the danger.
• Positive features: They are open to communication and easily establish contact with a new person. Adapt well to new situations. They have an active life position. The desire for fame becomes a powerful motivator, which contributes to success in creative professions (actors, singers, dancers, artists).
• Flaws: excessive emotionality, an overly acute reaction to all events concerning one’s own personality, while indifference to the problems of others. Difficulties that arise along the way force us to abandon our plans. They do not tolerate routine work. They can easily get sick due to nervousness - psychosomatic diseases develop. Loss of authority can lead to thoughts of suicide. They provoke conflicts based on the desire to be the center of attention.

Epileptoid type

In other classifications excitable personality type. People with this accentuation, just like hysterics, strive to attract attention to themselves. But they do this not so demonstratively, but with the help of stuttering, coughing, and complaints. Distinctive features:

• Dissatisfaction and irritability. Prone to negative emotions. They constantly grumble and express complaints. They become fixated on the bad and think about the problem for a long time, while dissatisfaction grows until it spills out in the form of a major quarrel. The behavior model of such people is compared to a steam boiler, the temperature in which increases until an explosion occurs. After discharge, they cannot calm down for a long time. This feature distinguishes them from other types. In family life they show despotism, causing frequent scandals over trifles.
• Tendency to adhere to previously established order in things, deeds and relationships. They do not like changes or rearrangements. They keep order themselves and force others, especially family members and subordinates. Clutter can cause a major quarrel. Particular attention is paid to rationality rather than purity.
• Easy attitude to moral standards. Their actions are guided only by their own opinion, so they can transgress moral standards, especially in a fit of anger. They can be rude, show disrespect for elders, and physical violence towards children and animals. In this case, they will not even notice the offense, and will not be tormented by remorse.
• Structured thinking. When making decisions, they are guided by common sense and logic. However, this does not prevent them from going into fits of rage if their wishes are not fulfilled. They don't consider alternatives. They believe that their point of view is the only correct one.
• Mistrust based on critical thinking. They don’t take their word for it, they demand proof. They don't trust strangers. They don't believe in horoscopes and predictions.
• It is difficult to adapt to a new situation.
• Positive features: scrupulousness, increased accuracy, concern for one’s health, the ability to receive benefits, the ability to defend one’s interests. When calm, they show extreme kindness and care for family members and animals. They are energetic and active in matters of maintaining order, which can become part of the profession - managers, managers, caretakers.
• Flaws violent attacks of anger, after which they cool down for a long time, gloominess, intolerance of contradictions, lack of respect for other people's opinions. These aspects of character provoke dissatisfaction with others and frequent conflicts in the family and at work. Possible addictions to alcohol, sexual perversions, and sadistic tendencies.

Schizoid type

People with schizoid accentuation are secretive, uncommunicative and outwardly cold. However, this accentuation rarely leads to adaptation disorders. Distinctive features:

• Closedness. They do not know how and do not want to communicate with others. They strive for loneliness. After trying to make an acquaintance, they note that they have nothing to talk about with the person, which causes disappointment and withdrawal.
• Combination of contradictory properties: shyness and tactlessness, sensitivity and indifference, pliability and stubbornness.
• Lack of intuition regarding feelings other people. They cannot understand whether the interlocutor treats them well or badly, how he reacted to their words.
• Inability to empathize. They are indifferent and do not show emotions in communication.
• Secretive, do not show their inner world. They open up only to like-minded people.
• Unusual interests and hobbies. Reading literature of a certain genre, drawing churches, calligraphy, sometimes collecting (for example, only stamps with images of flowers).
• Positive features: developed imagination, creativity, creativity, passion for non-team sports to improve your body (cycling, yoga), playing musical instruments(guitar, violin).
• Flaws. Sometimes a tendency towards voyeurism or exhibitionism may appear; small doses of alcohol or recreational drugs may be taken to overcome shyness in communication.

1. Cycloid type. Accentuation causes periodic changes in mood (periods lasting from several days to 2 weeks). Distinctive features:

• Wave-like mood changes. Each phase can last 1-2 weeks. Sometimes there are breaks of “equilibrium” between them. Cycloid accentuation often occurs in adolescents and smoothes out with age.
• Rising periods– a person is full of energy and desire to work. At this time, cycloids are cheerful and sociable, striving for leadership and achieving success in school and at work. They do not tolerate loneliness, boredom, or monotony.
• Recession periods or subdepression– mood and performance decrease sharply. There is no desire to communicate or do anything, and drowsiness develops. They strive for loneliness, entertainment loses its appeal. They become too sensitive to criticism and vulnerable. Self-esteem sharply decreases, thoughts appear about one’s uselessness and inferiority.
• Positive features: in the recovery phase, a person is full of strength and desire to work and communicate.
• Flaws. Low activity in the decline phase. If the subdepressive phase is prolonged, thoughts of suicide may arise. Under unfavorable circumstances, accentuation can develop into bipolar disorder.

1. Paranoid type. It is formed late - by the age of 30. Its main characteristics are persistence and perseverance in achieving goals. People with paranoid accentuation feel bad and are afraid of what others will think of them if they find out about their essence. As a result, they often experience fear and shame. Two personalities coexist in them, one they consider worthless and despise. The second is perceived as ideal and omnipotent. Between these two poles, an internal conflict occurs that exhausts a person. Distinctive features:

• Projection of one's own character traits onto other people. Attribute their thoughts and intentions to them. This leads to them seeing anger and envy in others. They constantly try to recognize ill will in the behavior of others.
• Self-obsession. They are selfish, constantly think about themselves, and experience their own internal conflict.
• Excessive sensitivity to comments criticism, refusals.
• Grumpiness and a constant desire to defend one’s rights, even if they were not infringed.
• Unreasonable jealousy, suspicions of conspiracies.
• Inability to refuse. They do not know how to say “no”, but prefer to make promises and not keep them.
• Tendency towards exclusivity and uniqueness in clothing and hobbies.
• Positive features: persistent and purposeful. Have out-of-the-box thinking, smart, well read. Able to analyze and foresee the results of their own and others’ actions. They have a sense of style. They can deny themselves excesses for the sake of an idea.
• Flaws: tendency to hypercontrol over loved ones, suspicion, aversion to people.

1. Unstable (rampant) type. People with an unstable type are distinguished by a desire to have fun. Distinctive features:

• Laziness and weakness of will. It's hard to force yourself to do something that doesn't bring you pleasure. Under any pretext, they avoid work or imitate work activity.
• Emotional instability. Any event causes a short-term surge of emotions. Therefore, they need frequent changes of impressions.
• Need for strict control. Only the knowledge that the result of their work will be controlled can force them to complete the task. However, strict control makes them want to run away or quit.
• Tendency to obey an informal leader. They show lack of independence even in the search for entertainment. They follow the lead of others and do what is suggested to them.
• Positive features. Carefree, curious, optimistic about the future.
• Flaws. Constant search for thrills increases the risk of developing drug addiction and alcoholism. They love speed, which increases the risk of accidents when driving a car or motorcycle. Prone to gambling.

Labile type

People experience frequent unpredictable mood swings that occur for any unimportant reason (they didn’t like the tone or look of their interlocutor). Distinctive features:

• Mood swings. Mood changes are sharp and profound. People don't just get upset, they fall into despair, and then half an hour later they can experience genuine joy. Their well-being and performance, their idea of ​​their own future and the structure of the world largely depend on these changes. So, if a person is in high spirits, then he feels great, is friendly even to unfamiliar people, and is optimistic about the future. If your mood has dropped, then everything takes on a negative connotation.
• High sensitivity to praise and criticism. Praise causes joy and stimulates new achievements, but criticism can cause despondency and abandonment of activities.
• Sociability. They are drawn to their peers and are in dire need of communication. They become attached to people and suffer greatly from the breakdown of relationships.
• Positive features: sincere, spontaneous, positive, devoted. This accentuation rarely progresses into the phase of psychopathy.
• Flaws. They endure losses hard and have extremely low resistance to stress. If they are not ready to deal with difficulties, they may give up on the goal.

Conformal type

People with conformal type accentuation tend to trust their environment and follow it. Distinctive features:

• Submission to the majority opinion. Tend to agree with the opinion of the majority in the group to which they belong. There is no critical thinking; they do not analyze how the group decision corresponds to the norms of morality and law.
• Following fashion. They adhere to fashion trends in clothing, choice of hobbies or profession.
• The desire to be “like everyone else.” The reluctance to stand out from the group encourages you to be no worse than others in your studies and work. At the same time, they do not have the desire to take the place of a leader, to become better than the majority.
• Conservatism. Tend to stick established order imposed by the majority.
• They have a hard time breaking up with the group. Expulsion from the group, conflict with its leaders and loss of authority cause serious psychological trauma.
• Positive features. They are successful in a positive environment. This accentuation extremely rarely becomes the basis of mental disorders.
• Flaws. They do not show independence, independence, or initiative. They experience hostility towards people of other nationalities, towards strangers in the group. When they find themselves in bad company, they follow the lead, consume drugs and alcohol, and break the law.

Astheno-neurotic type

People with an astheno-neurotic type of accentuation are characterized by rapid fatigue, irritability and a tendency to hypochondria. Distinctive features:

• Difficulty with mental and physical stress(exams, dissertation defense, competitions). Severe fatigue is caused by mental and emotional stress. They also feel tired from noisy companies, active rest. If possible, try to avoid stress.
• Irritability, appearing against a background of fatigue. Its manifestations are short-term and not too strong outbursts of anger, which are associated with increased fatigue of the nervous system. Against this background, sleep deteriorates and appetite disappears.
• Tendency to hypochondria is characteristic of this type of accentuation. They love to be treated, enjoy bed rest, and listen to bodily sensations. They note a connection - the higher the state of health, the better the state of the nervous system. And against the background of a nervous shock, a real, and not a fictitious, illness can develop.
• Positive features. Attachment to loved ones, kindness, good intellectual development, conscientiousness.
• Flaws. The risk of developing neurosis and neurasthenia, they react painfully to jokes addressed to them, high fatigue prevents them from studying well and working productively.

Psychasthenic type

People with psychasthenic accentuation are prone to introspection. Distinctive features:

• Reflection– attention is directed inward. They tend to analyze their feelings, actions, emotions.
• Indecisiveness. Avoid situations in which a choice must be made.
• Striving to live up to expectations, which are placed on them by family, friends, and superiors. A developed sense of responsibility, combined with increased fatigue, causes a constant internal conflict between “should” and “can”, which depletes mental strength.
• Development of obsessions. Obsessive thoughts, memories, fears, actions, rituals, superstitions that appear regardless of a person’s desire and cause negative emotions.
• Experiences directed towards the future. They are afraid that something bad might happen to them or their loved ones in the future.
• Pedantry. They strictly follow the rules. These rules can be generally accepted (traffic rules, fire safety) or invented by them. The goal is to protect yourself from trouble.
• Positive features: kindness, affection for loved ones, adherence to moral principles, high intelligence, developed imagination.
• Flaws: indecisiveness, tendency to obsessive-compulsive neurosis.

1. Hyperthymic type. The main feature of people with a hyperthymic type of accentuation is optimism, and short-term outbursts of anger are very rare. Distinctive features:

• A good mood often without good reason - a distinctive feature of hyperteams, which makes them the life of the party.
• Energetic, active, resilient. Everything is done quickly. Sometimes the quality of work may suffer.
• Talkative. They like to tell stories, exaggerate, and sometimes embellish the truth.
• Sociable. They love to communicate and make new acquaintances. They strive to command. They love jokes and practical jokes.
• Positive features: high vitality, optimism, endurance to physical and mental stress, stress resistance.
• Flaws: indiscriminate choice of acquaintances, risk of regular consumption of alcoholic beverages. They are restless and do not like work that requires accuracy. They are wasteful, they can borrow and not pay back. Among people with hyperthymic accentuation, there is an addiction to petty theft.

Sensitive type

Very sensitive, yet reliable, serious and silent. Mainly depressed mood.

• Impressionability. Even as adults they remain extremely susceptible to everyone external stimuli. They tolerate stress and conflicts very hard and endure them for a long time.
• Difficulties in self-management stressful situations . If this situation drags on for a long time, they can become very angry. Which they later regret. In critical situations they are capable of courageous actions.
• Diffidence. In their imagination they draw a strict “I-ideal”, they worry that they do not correspond to it in real life.
• Pessimism. They see the future in dark colors.
• Concerns about how others treat them. They worry about what other people will think about them. They are afraid of criticism and ridicule.
• Positive features: conscientiousness, diligence, loyalty.
• Flaws: passivity, unpredictability in a stressful situation.

Combinations of types of accentuations

ABOUT mixed accentuations They say when not one, but several traits in a person’s character become stronger. It is these options that are found in the vast majority of cases of accentuation.
The most common mixed character accentuations:

• Hyperthymic + conformal;
• Labile + cycloid;
• Sensitive + schizoid;
• Sensitive + astheno-neurotic + psychasthenic;
• Hysteroid + epileptoid.

Classification of accentuations according to Leonard

German psychologist Karl Leonhard divided all character traits into basic and additional. Basics are the core of personality. They are responsible for her mental health. If one of these traits is strengthened (accentuated), then it determines a person’s behavior. When exposed to unfavorable factors, pathology may develop.

Group	Type of accentuation	Characteristic
temperament how to nature education	Emotive	Kind, compassionate, humane, values ​​close friends, peace-loving, executive, has a heightened sense of duty. But at the same time he is characterized by timidity, tearfulness and shyness.
	Affectively exalted	Sociable, amorous, has good taste, attentive to loved ones, altruistic, capable of high feelings. But at the same time, he is prone to panic, gets lost under stress, and is subject to mood swings.
	Affectively labile	Soft, vulnerable, capable of empathy, has high moral principles. But he is prone to sharp cyclical mood swings, which determine his relationships with people. Does not tolerate loneliness, indifference, or rudeness.
	Anxious	Friendly, loyal, efficient, self-critical. The mood is often low, timid, does not defend his interests, and needs support.
	Dysthymic (hypothymic)	Conscientious, serious, taciturn, highly values ​​friends. But at the same time, he is an individualist, closed, prone to pessimism, and passive.
	Hyperthymic	Sociable, optimistic, active, resilient, hardworking, does not lose control in stressful situations. Frivolous, rarely finishes what he starts. Does not tolerate loneliness and strict control.
Types of accentuations related to character how to social education	Excitable	Characterized by mood swings and violent outbursts of anger. In a calm state, caring, conscientious, neat. During outbursts of anger, he has poor control over his state and is irritable.
	Stuck	Responsible, stress-resistant, persistent, resilient, makes high demands on himself and others. But at the same time suspicious, touchy, boring, jealous, somewhat conflicted. He does not tolerate it when someone else claims to take his place.
	Pedantic	Neat, strictly adheres to the rules, reliable, conscientious, peaceful. But boringness, grumbling, and not working - bureaucracy are often noted.
	Demonstrative	Artistic, charismatic, sociable, has a developed imagination, strives for leadership. But at the same time he is vain and prone to lies, selfish. He does not tolerate it when he is not given attention, and suffers if his authority is undermined.
Types of accentuations related to personalities generally	Extroverted	Sociable, friendly, attentive, efficient, always ready to listen, does not pretend to be a leader. But at the same time, he is talkative, frivolous, easily falls under the influence of others, and is prone to rash, impulsive actions.
	Introverted	Principled, restrained, immersed in his inner world, morally developed, distinguished by a rich imagination. But at the same time he is closed, stubborn, defends his point of view, even if he turns out to be wrong. Does not tolerate interference in his personal life.

Classification of accentuations according to Lichko

Soviet psychiatrist Andrei Lichko viewed accentuations as temporary enhancements of character traits that can appear and disappear in childhood and adolescence. At the same time, he recognized the possibility of maintaining accentuations throughout life and turning them into psychopathy. Since Lichko considered accentuations to be a borderline option between normality and psychopathy, his classification is based on types of psychopathy.

Type of accentuation	Characteristic
Hyperthymic	Cheerful, active, optimistic, self-confident, strives for leadership, resourceful, enterprising. Disadvantages: frivolous, restless, inattentive, does not take his duties responsibly enough, can be irritable.
Labile	Empathy is well developed, he feels the emotions of others and their attitude towards himself. Experiences severe mood swings for minor reasons. Needs support from loved ones.
Cycloid	Cyclically changing mood ups and downs. The frequency is several weeks. During periods of recovery, sociable, energetic, joyful, energetic. During the recession – apathetic, irritable, sad.
Astheno-neurotic	Disciplined, neat. There is increased mental fatigue, which makes a person irritable and overly concerned about his health.
Psychasthenic (anxious and suspicious)	Intellectually developed. He is prone to reflection, introspection, and evaluation of his actions and the actions of others. Inflated self-esteem is combined with indecision. In moments of crisis, he can commit rash acts. Cons: petty, despotic, prone to developing obsessive actions.
Sensitive (sensitive)	High sensitivity to joyful and frightening moments. Obedient, diligent, responsible, calm, makes high moral demands on himself and others. Cons: uncommunicative, suspicious, whiny, difficult to adapt to a new team.
Epileptoid (inert-impulsive)	Strives for leadership, likes to set rules, enjoys authority among management and among peers. Tolerates conditions of harsh discipline well. Cons: can offend the weak, establishes cruel rules, irritable.
Schizoid (introverted)	Closed, prefers loneliness or communication with elders. Cons: indifferent, unable to show sympathy and empathy.
Unstable	Sociable, open, courteous, eager to have fun. Cons: laziness, unwillingness to work and study. Prone to consuming alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
Hysterical (demonstrative)	Artistic, impulsive, proactive, sociable, loves attention, strives to take a leading position, but is not able to achieve authority. Cons: self-centered, prone to lies. The behavior is unnatural and pretentious.
Conformal	Lacks criticality and initiative, tends to obey outside opinions. Strives not to be different from the rest of the group. To please the group, he can commit unseemly acts, while he is inclined to justify himself.
Paranoid	Characteristic features develop by age 30. In childhood, he manifests himself as a teenager with epileptoid or schizoid accentuation. Self-esteem is significantly inflated, ideas about one’s exclusivity and genius appear.
Emotionally labile	She suffers from frequent and severe mood swings, needs support, and has a good sense of how people treat her. Cons: emotionally unstable.

Character accentuation test according to Shmishek

The personality questionnaire, developed by G. Smishek, is designed to identify character accentuations. It is based on the classification of accentuations developed by Leonhard. The adult character accentuation test according to Shmishek consists of 88 questions. Each of them must be answered yes (+) or no (-). It is not recommended to think about questions for a long time, but to answer as it seems to you. this moment. The children's version of the test is similar and differs only in the wording of the questions.

Each of the 88 questions characterizes some emphasized feature.

1. Hyperthymia
2. Distinctiveness
3. Cyclothymic
4. Excitability
5. Jam
6. Emotivity
7. Exaltation
8. Pedantry
9. Demonstrativeness

The results obtained are processed using a key. For each trait, the scores are summed up and multiplied by the coefficient corresponding to this trait.

Scale	1 point is awarded for		Coefficient
	The answer is yes	The answer is no
Hyperthymia	1, 11, 23, 33, 45, 55, 67, 77		3
Distinctiveness	9, 21, 43, 74, 87	31, 53, 65	3
Cyclothymic	6, 18, 28, 40, 50, 62, 72, 84		3
Excitability	20, 30, 42, 52, 64, 75, 86		3
Jam	2, 15, 24, 34, 37, 56, 68, 78, 81	12, 46, 59	2
Emotivity	3, 13, 35, 47, 57, 69, 79	25	3
Exaltation	10, 32, 54, 76		6
Anxiety	6, 27, 38, 49, 60, 71, 82	5	3
Pedantry	4, 14, 17, 26, 36, 48, 58, 61, 70, 80, 83	39	2
Demonstrativeness	7, 19, 22, 29, 41, 44, 63, 66, 73, 85, 88	51	2

Each scale is assigned a score, from 0 to 24.

• 0-6 – the trait is not expressed.
• 7-12 – the trait is moderately expressed;
• 13-18 – severity above average;
• 19-24 – accentuated feature.

Based on the points obtained, a graph is constructed, which is also very important, since it makes it possible to characterize the personality in general terms.

Features of accentuation in adolescents

Personality accentuations are formed in adolescence. In the same period they manifest themselves especially clearly. The reason for this is the impulsiveness of adolescents and the inability to control their emotions and actions. Some personality accentuations are present in 90-95% of adolescents.

The very presence of an enhanced character trait is not dangerous, but it makes the teenager extremely sensitive to external situations and internal conflicts, and affects relationships with parents and peers. The same accentuations under unfavorable conditions can become a cause of crime, but with the right approach and the right choice of profession, they will help you achieve success in life.

It is important for parents to know about the presence of character accentuation in a teenager in order to help him adapt to life and build a parenting style that will be as effective as possible. The task of parents is to develop qualities and skills in a teenager that will smooth out the accentuated character trait.

Hysterical type

“Class stars”, activists, participate in all events. They are distinguished by their artistry and desire to stand out from others. They don’t like it if the praise goes to someone else. They react exaggeratedly emotionally to all events (they sob bitterly in front of the audience).
Distinctive feature. Playing for the public, constant need for attention, recognition or sympathy.

Characteristic
As long as they feel loved and all attention is on them, behavior problems will not arise. IN Everyday life attract attention in every possible way. This is defiant behavior, expressive manner of speaking and bright clothes. They take credit for their achievements. They may boast that they drank a lot and ran away from home. They lie often, mostly their fantasies concern their own person. They cannot stand it when the attention of others is switched to others (a newbie in class, a newborn, a stepfather). They can take actions to get rid of a competitor, “out of spite”, commit actions that their parents obviously will not like. They verbally defend independence, sometimes with scandals, but they need care and do not strive to get rid of it.

Problems
Often behavior problems are an attempt to get the attention of parents. They have suicidal tendencies, but the goal is not to commit suicide, but to avoid punishment or achieve sympathy. Suicide attempts are demonstrative and not dangerous. They are easily suggestible and risk falling into “bad” company. They can drink alcohol, but in small quantities. There are cases of minor offenses (fraud, absenteeism, petty theft). Demonstrative and frivolous behavior, revealing clothing and the desire to show one’s maturity can provoke sexual violence.

Positive sides. If they are held up as an example, they become very diligent. They study well, especially in the lower grades. Artistic, successful in dancing, vocals, and speaking.

How to interact

• Encourage people to say only good things about others.
• Praise only for real achievements.
• Giving a task is to help a peer be the center of attention. For example, prepare a number in which someone else will be the soloist.

Epileptoid type

Personality properties are determined by the passivity of processes occurring in the nervous system. Teenagers with such accentuation are touchy and stay stuck on resentment for a long time.

Distinctive feature. Periods of severe irritability and hostility towards others, lasting up to several days.

Characteristic
Teenagers with epileptoid accentuation are distinguished by their stubborn and unyielding character. They are vindictive and do not forget insults. They put personal interests first and do not take into account the opinions of others. The company is trying to become leaders by uniting the younger and weaker around them. Since they are despotic, their power rests on fear. The process of growing up is problematic. Teenagers can demand not only freedom, but also their share of property. Sometimes they get angry and cry for hours. Strong emotions provoke attacks of anger and aggression. During attacks, adolescents look for a “victim” on whom to pour out their emotions. During these attacks they can reach the point of sadism.

Problems.
Suicidal attempts as a reaction to “unfair” punishment. Tend to drink alcohol in large quantities “to the point of memory loss.” They do not remember the actions they perform in this state. But they rarely consume other toxic drugs. During puberty, they experience a strong sexual desire, which can lead to the development of perversions. There is a predilection for lighting firecrackers and making fires.

Positive sides.
Discipline, accuracy. They know how to win over teachers. They feel comfortable in conditions of strict discipline (boarding school, camp). They love and know how to make anything.
How to interact

• Provide safety and mental comfort to reduce irritability and aggression.
• Demand strict adherence to the rules, installed at home(do not give unsolicited advice, do not interrupt). This will allow parents to gain the status of “strong” in the eyes of the teenager.

Schizoid type

This type of accentuation manifests itself in preschool age: Children prefer playing alone to interacting with peers.

Distinctive feature isolation, immersion in a world of fantasy.
Characteristic
They prefer to fantasize and engage in their hobbies, which are usually highly specialized (they sculpt soldiers from plasticine, embroider birds). They do not know how and do not want to establish emotional contact and communicate. They don't express their emotions. They are closed, do not share their experiences, do not reveal their inner world. They consciously choose loneliness and do not suffer from the lack of friends. Difficulties in communication are associated with a lack of understanding of the feelings of others: “I don’t know if this person likes me, how he reacted to my words.” At the same time, they are not interested in the opinions of others. They are not able to rejoice with friends or empathize with the grief of others. They are not tactful, they do not understand when to remain silent and when to insist on their own. The speech is florid, statements are often with subtext, which further complicates communication.
Problems. You may develop a tendency to take drugs to enhance your fantasies and immerse yourself in your fantasy world. Occasionally they can commit illegal actions (theft, damage to property, sexual violence), and they think through their actions to the smallest detail.
Positive sides. Developed imagination, rich inner world, stable interests.
How to interact

• Encourage classes in a theater studio - this will help the teenager learn to express emotions and actively use facial expressions. Encourage dancing and martial arts or other sports that train plasticity. They will teach you how to control your body and make your movements less abrupt and angular.
• Encourage being in the center. A teenager should periodically feel like he is in the role of an animator, responsible for entertaining others. For example, by entertaining his younger brother and his friends, he will learn to speak loudly and emotionally. Learn to read the reaction to your actions.
• Instill a sense of style. It is necessary to teach a teenager to take care of his appearance and fashion.

1. Cycloid. Cheerful, sociable and active children in adolescence experience long (1-2 weeks) periods of low mood, loss of strength, and irritability. These are called the subdepressive phase. During these periods, teenagers are no longer interested in former hobbies and communication with peers. Problems begin in school due to decreased performance.

Distinctive feature– alternating cycles of high mood with apathy and loss of strength.
Characteristic
A lack of perseverance, patience and attention leads to the fact that adolescents with cycloid accentuation do not perform monotonous, scrupulous work well. In the subdepressive phase, they do not tolerate changes in their usual way of life. Become very sensitive to failures and criticism. Their self-esteem drops significantly. They look for and find flaws in themselves and get very upset about it. During periods of recovery, they do not like loneliness - they are open, friendly and need communication. The mood improves and a thirst for activity appears. Against this background, academic performance improves. During periods of recovery, they try to catch up with lost time in their studies and hobbies.
Problems.
Serious problems in a teenager in the subdepressive stage can cause an emotional breakdown or even provoke a suicide attempt. They do not tolerate total control and may escape in protest. Absences from home can be either short or long. During periods of recovery, they become promiscuous in their acquaintances.
Positive sides: during the period of recovery, conscientiousness, accuracy, reliability, high productivity.

How to interact
It is necessary to be as tolerant and tactful as possible, especially when a teenager is going through a subdepressive phase.

• Protect from emotional overload.
• Avoid rudeness and insults, as this can provoke serious breakdown.
• During periods of recovery, it is necessary to help direct energy in the right direction. Support a teenager in his passion, teach him to plan his time and finish what he starts.
• Support him in the negative phase, increase his self-esteem, encourage him. Convince that the bad period will end soon.

Paranoid ( paronoid ) or stuck the type of accentuation in adolescents is not distinguished, since its features are formed later by the age of 25-30.
Distinctive feature- high sense of purpose.
Characteristic
Sets a goal and looks for means to achieve it. In adolescence, hostility towards others, as the main feature of this accentuation, does not manifest itself in any way. Future accentuation may be indicated by an exaggerated sense of self-esteem, ambition and perseverance. “Stuck” is also typical, when a teenager cannot move away from a state of affect (strong negative emotions) for a long time.

Unstable or uncontrollable.

Since childhood, such teenagers have been distinguished by disobedience and reluctance to learn. They need strict control. Fear of punishment is the main incentive to study and perform duties.

Distinctive feature - weak will, laziness and desire to have fun.
Characteristic
They love pleasure and need frequent changes of impressions. They avoid any work under various pretexts. This is especially noticeable when there is a need to study or run errands for parents. For them, only communication with friends seems attractive. On this basis, they risk ending up in an antisocial company. Easily susceptible to negative influence.
Problems associated with the desire to have fun. For this reason, people start drinking early and using various intoxicating drugs. The risk of developing drug addiction and alcoholism is quite high. “For fun” they can skip school, steal cars, break into other people’s apartments, commit thefts, etc. They have a tendency to wander.

Positive sides. Striving for positive emotions, cheerfulness.

How to interact

• Need strict control. This applies to everything from homework to the quality of errands.
• Management using the “carrot and stick” method. Discuss in advance what fines will be imposed for failure to complete tasks, and what bonuses the teenager will receive for quality work.
• Encourage active exercise and other ways to release energy.

Labile

Frequent and rapid mood swings from delight and wild joy to despondency and tears. Often the reasons for a change in mood are the most insignificant (bad weather, tangled headphones).

Distinctive feature– mood variability for unimportant reasons.
Characteristic
During periods of good mood, teenagers are talkative, active, and eager to communicate. But any little thing can ruin their mood and make them angry. At the same time, they may burst into tears, easily go into conflict, become lethargic and withdrawn.
Problems.
They are very dependent on people they value (close friends, parents). A loss loved one or its location, separation from it, causes affect, neurosis or depression. A bad mood can cause a deterioration in health up to the development of real diseases (bronchial asthma, diabetes, migraines, nervous tics). They tolerate criticism and reproaches from teachers, parents, and close friends very poorly. They become withdrawn and react with tears.

Positive sides. Often talented. They have a deep inner world. Capable of strong affection and sincere friendship. They value people for their good attitude towards them. During periods of good mood, they are full of energy, desire to communicate, study and engage in hobbies. Empathy is developed - they unmistakably feel the attitude of others towards them.

How to interact

• Show empathy and openness in communication. Let your teenager know that you share his feelings.
• Provide the opportunity to care for the weaker, take care of younger family members, and volunteer.
• Encourage to expand your social circle and meet peers in extracurricular activities.

Conformal

Extremely susceptible to outside influence. They change their opinions and behavior to please others. They are afraid to stand out from the crowd.
Distinctive feature– conformity, the desire to please others.
Characteristic
The basic desire to “be like everyone else” is manifested in clothing, behavior, and interests. If all your friends are into breakdancing, such a teenager will also do it. If the immediate environment (parents, friends) is prosperous, then such teenagers are no different from the rest and the accentuation is practically unnoticeable. If they fall under bad influence, they may break the rules and the law. They have a hard time bearing the loss of friends, but they can betray a friend for someone more authoritative. They are conservative and do not like changes in all areas. They rarely take initiative.

Problems
Having contacted bad company, they can become an alcoholic and become addicted to taking drugs. To avoid being accused of cowardice, they can commit actions that pose a danger to their health or harm other people. A ban on communicating with the company can provoke a scandal with parents or running away from home.

Positive sides. They value their surroundings. Attached to friends. They love stability and order.

How to interact

• Offer to make your own choice, without relying on someone else’s opinion.
• Ensure that the teenager is involved in various groups, has the opportunity to communicate with peers at school, sports sections, mugs. This reduces the likelihood that he will end up in bad company.
• Help choose authorities who are truly worthy of emulation.

Astheno-neurotic

Teenagers with such accentuation are characterized by increased fatigue and irritability.
Distinctive feature– fears for your health, increased fatigue.
Characteristic
Mental and emotional stress quickly tires them. The result is irritability as teenagers take out their anger on whoever is at hand. Immediately after this, they feel ashamed of their behavior, they sincerely repent, and ask for forgiveness. Outbursts of anger are short-lived and not strong, which is associated with low activity of the nervous system. They are prone to hypochondria - they listen to bodily sensations, perceiving them as signs of illness. They love to be examined and treated. They attract attention by complaining.

Problems– high fatigue, risk of developing neurosis.

Positive sides. Kindness, empathy, high intelligence. Such teenagers do not experience running away from home, hooliganism or other illegal actions.

How to interact

• Ignore outbursts of anger that occur against the background of nervous exhaustion.
• Praising your successes and noticing even minor achievements will become a serious motivation.
• Encourage them to play sports, do morning exercises, and take a contrast shower to improve the performance of the nervous system.
• Use periods of highest productivity (from 10 am to 1 pm) to complete the most difficult tasks.

Psychasthenic

Such teenagers are characterized by: suspiciousness, a tendency to introspection and fear of the future.
Distinctive feature high demands on oneself and fear of not meeting the expectations of others.

Characteristic
This type of accentuation is formed if parents place too high expectations on their child in school or sports. The discrepancy between their expectations leaves an imprint on the character. Such teenagers have low self-esteem, they are tormented by feelings of guilt and fear of failure, which can further disappoint their parents. Teenagers suffer from increased anxiety. They are afraid that something terrible and irreparable might happen to them or their loved ones. Pedantry develops as a defense mechanism. Teenagers draw up a detailed action plan, believe in omens, and develop rituals that should ensure success (not washing your hair before an exam).

Problem. The risk of developing anxiety, obsessive thoughts and actions that are prone to complications.

Positive sides. In critical situations, they quickly find the right solution and are capable of bold action. Obedient, non-conflict people, as a rule, are quite successful in their studies and become good friends.

How to interact

• Model frightening situations and offer to find a solution on your own. For example: “Suppose you are lost in a strange city. What will you do?"
• Teach a constructive approach to problem solving. What to do? Who should I turn to for help? What to do to prevent what happened from happening again?

Hyperthymic

They are characterized as cheerful, noisy, restless. They find it difficult to concentrate on their studies and maintain discipline at school. They often become informal leaders among their peers. They cannot tolerate strict control from adults and constantly struggle for independence.

Distinctive feature– optimism and high spirits, which often pushes them to play pranks.

Characteristic
They are very sociable and quickly become the center of any company. They don’t finish the job and are not constant in their hobbies. They make and break promises easily. Despite good abilities, they study mediocrely. They easily provoke conflicts, but they can smooth them out themselves. They quickly gain peace of mind after failures and quarrels. Outbursts of anger are short-lived.

Problems– unable to perform routine work that requires perseverance and intense attention. They are indiscriminate in their choice of acquaintances. If such teenagers find themselves in an unfavorable situation, they may develop an addiction to alcohol and soft drugs. They can commit illegal and antisocial acts (vandalism, hooliganism, petty theft). They are characterized by early sexual relationships. Prone to risk, extreme hobbies and gambling. Finding yourself in conditions of control and strict discipline (hospital, summer camp) can escape.

Positive sides. Energetic and tireless. They are cheerful and do not lose optimism difficult circumstances. They find a way out in any situation.

How to interact
The task of adults is to accustom a teenager with hyperthymic accentuation to discipline and self-organization.

• Avoid total control.
• Advise your teenager to keep a diary, in which you need to write down your plans for the day and independently monitor their implementation.
• Come up with a punishment for yourself for every task not completed.
• Learn to maintain order on the table, in the closet, in the room. This will stimulate the teenager to systematize and analyze everything that happens.

Sensitive type

Signs of this accentuation can be noticed in childhood. The sensitive type is manifested by numerous fears that replace each other.

Distinctive feature- hypersensitivity.

Characteristic
Teenagers experience everything that happens deeply and for a long time. Praise and criticism are deeply etched in their memory and have a significant impact on their self-esteem, behavior and actions. They are very shy and for this reason unsociable. They have difficulty getting used to the new team. They quickly get tired of mental work. Tests and exams cause them significant stress. They are also very worried about ridicule from their peers. Dreamy, prone to introspection. They are conscientious and have a developed sense of duty. Be sure to finish what you start. They are very worried about the results of their actions (controls, actions).

Problems. Tendency to self-flagellation and development of phobias. Tearfulness. Excessive demands on oneself can cause neurosis. A chain of failures can provoke a suicide attempt.

Positive sides. They are diligent in their studies and take all tasks responsibly. They strive to become a good friend and value their loved ones.

How to interact

• Increase self-esteem and self-confidence. To do this, it is important to give feasible tasks that will not be too simple, otherwise their solution will not inspire self-respect.
• Have long conversations to establish contact with the teenager.
• Deserved praise and gratitude. Keep criticism to a minimum. Do not criticize qualities, do not attach labels - “lazy”, “sloppy”. Instead, indicate what needs to be done.
• Encourage auto-training. Repeat formulas to increase self-esteem: “I feel calm and confident,” “I am brave and confident,” “I am an excellent speaker.”

Most teenagers have several accentuated character traits at once. Therefore, to determine accentuation, it is necessary to use the Schmishek test, and not be guided only by the presented description of accentuation.

Factors influencing the formation of personality accentuations

In the vast majority of cases, accentuation develops in childhood or adolescence. Its appearance is significantly influenced by inharmonious relationships with parents and conflicts with peers.

• Overprotection and control from the parents and teachers. Promotes the emergence and aggravation of psychasthenic, sensitive, asthenic accentuation;
• Lack of care and parental attention increases the risk of developing hysterical, unstable and conformist personality traits:
• cruel attitude excessive severity and authoritarian style of communication provoke an increase in epileptoid traits;
• Excessive demands on the child leads to psychasthenic accentuation of character;
• Lack of emotional contact may cause an increase in labile, sensitive and asthenic traits;
• Excessive attention to well-being And chronic diseases that disrupt the normal way of life. Physical disabilities, defects in appearance and diseases of the nervous system play a major role. The result may be hysterical or astheno-neurotic accentuation;
• Serious conflicts with peers in adolescence, when communication is most significant, they can cause the development of conformal or schizoid accentuation.

The development of any type of accentuation can be facilitated by:

• Inability to satisfy basic needs for love, care, safety, communication;
• Lack of concepts about moral and cultural norms, interests and hobbies;
• Misconception about yourself - inferiority complex, inflated self-esteem;
• Professional factors. Work-related accentuations often occur among actors, teachers, doctors of certain specialties, law enforcement officers and the military;
• Genetic predisposition. Features of the functioning of the nervous system are passed on from parents to children. This is especially true for hyperthymic, cycloid and schizoid accentuation. Therefore, if parents have an accentuated character trait, then there is a high probability that it will be found in the child. Improper upbringing and parental behavior can significantly enhance innate accentuated traits.

Methods for treating accentuations of various types

Treatment of accentuation is based on smoothing the enhanced features. Correction is necessary if personality accentuation disrupts its social adaptation. If normally a person changes his behavior depending on the situation and goals of the activity, then people with pronounced accentuation constantly demonstrate an enhanced character trait, which interferes with themselves and those around them. Although it is impossible to change character, a person can learn to restrain its negative manifestations. Self-improvement and psychocorrection can help with this.

Work on yourself

People with accentuation of character rarely seek help from a psychologist, preferring to work independently.
To correct accentuated traits, training is necessary that develops character traits opposite to the accented one. At the same time, the development of new behavior patterns and personality harmonization occurs.
To correct pronounced character accentuations, exercises have been developed that must be performed daily.

1. Hysterical type

• "Calm Quiet Speech". Adopt the manner of speaking of a phlegmatic person (quiet speech, minimum facial expressions and gestures). Think about what you want to say. State the facts, not your emotions about what is happening.
• "Good deeds". Try to do them quietly and not tell anyone about what you did. Observe the person's reaction without expressing yourself.
• "Invisible". When you are in a company for an hour, try to sit silently, observing those around you. Resist attempts to engage you in conversation.
• Do auto-training daily. The goal is to love yourself for who you are and increase your self-esteem. When you achieve this, the praise and attention of others will not seem vital.

1. Epileptoid type.

• Forgive and let go of grudges. Realize that being offended is harmful to the mental and physical health of the person being offended.
• Train tolerance and kindness to people. Smile at people you know when you meet, or try to show a readiness to smile on your face.
• Show generosity take part in charity events.
• "Active Listening" Listen to the other person kindly, without interrupting or arguing. Encourage the speaker with phrases: “I understand you,” “I know this.”
• Put yourself in others' shoes. This exercise must be done daily. It is important to put yourself in the shoes of the person with whom you want to argue.

1. Schizoid type.

• Learn to copy another person's facial expressions and determine his emotion. For this exercise you will need the help of someone close to you.
• "Calm kindness" will in the best style communication with others. Such an even attitude towards your interlocutor must be practiced daily when communicating with loved ones. Avoid being too friendly or hostile.
• « Choleric game" Try to speak louder, faster, more impulsively. Express your opinion during the conversation. Do it kindly with a smile on your face.

1. Cycloid type.

• Keep a diary. It is necessary for planning and describing your emotions and experiences. During periods of decline, it is useful to reread how the same people and events were perceived during periods of emotional upsurge. This helps to realize that difficulties are temporary.
• Ask yourself a question, “What can I change in myself so that my negative qualities do not interfere with me and others?”

1. Paranoid type.

• Double check your motives Don't trust other people's first impressions.
• “An hour without comments.” For a while, completely abandon criticism and moralizing.
• Attend training on communication behavior. Read relevant literature and apply knowledge in life.
• Learn practices that force you to be “here and now”- meditation, yoga, zen.
• "Compliment". Develop the habit of saying something good to your loved ones every day.

1. Unstable type.

• “I can + I want.” This exercise will help you cope with laziness and force yourself to do the necessary things. If you don’t want to do something, you need to ask yourself the question: “Can I do this? Am I capable of this? The second question: “Do I want to?” Moreover, you can want long-term consequences - I want a salary, so I get a job; I want a slim, healthy body, so I go to the gym.
• Increased motivation. Think about what you really want. Write down the goal. Break the path to it into stages and take action. Desire(car, vacation) will force you to move forward.

1. Labile type.

• Rational approach to problem solving. In any unpleasant situation, answer the questions: why did this happen? (what is the reason) what can be done now? (where to start), how to correct the situation? (long-term plans), what can be done to prevent this from happening again?
• "Mood Diary". Keep a diary in which you indicate when and for what reason your mood change occurred.
• Separate the rational and the emotional. It is important to accept and love both of these sides of yourself. Treat your “emotional” self with indulgence, but don’t let your emotions control your actions.
• Autotraining, which will help balance processes in the nervous system. This will make you less sensitive to situations that make you angry and will help you control your emotions.

1. Conformal type.

• Develop critical thinking. Consider whether the statement might be a lie. What consequences might there be if you do what they suggest to you?
• Offer. Try not to immediately agree with what is offered to you. Voice a counteroffer. When they tell you, let's go to the cinema, suggest going to a cafe.
• Try something new. Try new dishes, buy clothes in a new style for you, visit places you have never been to, communicate with people outside your circle.

1. Astheno-neurotic type.

• "Superman". Imagine that you have superpowers. Feel how your inner state changes. The purpose of the exercise is to look, move, talk, feeling your importance and exclusivity. The goal is to keep the image as long as possible.
• Meeting new people. Set a goal - to meet a new person and start a short conversation with him.
• Add some humor. Don't silently swallow ridicule. Learn to answer them with humor; self-irony is also acceptable. To develop a sense of humor, read more humorous literature and watch comedy programs.

1. Psychasthenic type.

• Imagine that what you fear has happened. Calmly think through your plan of action in this situation.
• Move away from the established order. Don’t follow your usual rituals (walk on the left side of the street, don’t step on cracks) to make sure nothing bad happens;
• "Face exercise." In people with psychasthenic accentuation, the muscles of the forehead and the muscles that lower the corners of the mouth are constantly tense. It is necessary to make grimaces depicting positive emotions (surprise, joy, delight).

1. Hyperthymic type.

• Get things in order. Spend 15 minutes every day to tidy up your desk and closet. This helps to organize your thoughts.
• Follow through. Make a promise to yourself to finish what you started, no matter what happens. Be sure to complete it, and then move on to other activities.
• Diary. Planning will help you systematize tasks, set priorities, and complete what you started on time. Be sure to indicate exact deadlines for completing each task. Test yourself and reward for success.

1. Sensitive type.

• "Winner". Praise yourself for every success. Break big things down into stages and don’t forget to thank yourself for each successfully completed period.
• "My virtues." You need to make a poster on which you list all the virtues that you value in yourself or that people pay attention to. It is advisable to post it in a visible place.
• Play the role of the joker. Learn funny stories and jokes to tell in company. Gradually, this will cause less and less psychological discomfort when speaking in front of the public.

The main principle of correction is that you need to do little by little, but every day, what you are not used to, what the accentuated trait resists. Such exercises allow you to smooth out the roughness of your character and make you a harmoniously developed personality.

Help from a psychologist

Psychological correction of personality accentuations usually takes from 3 months to several years. It includes working with a psychologist and self-execution tasks. Main directions:

• Individual conversations– the psychologist points out accentuated character traits and the most vulnerable places of the individual. Shows how to effectively use character strengths. Teaches how to change the way you react and behave in various social situations.
• Group classes. Select a group of people with similar accentuations or choose a topic that would be useful to everyone. The psychologist teaches productive models of behavior in various situations, rules of communication with others, and the intricacies of relationships with family members. The conversation is illustrated with examples from life, and the lesson includes practical tasks for each type of accentuation.
• Family therapy – conversation with family members. Aimed at improving relationships with loved ones and improving the psychological atmosphere in the family. One of the main methods when working with teenagers.
• Psychological trainings – active training that teaches correct behavior patterns in various situations.
• Psychodrama method– a group method of psychotherapy based on playing out an exciting situation (invented or real events). Helps to develop the correct model of behavior and communication with people in various situations.

It is important to remember that character accentuation is not a pre-disease. This is the strengthening of certain character traits that make a person more vulnerable to certain influences, but these same traits provide increased resilience

Accentuation of character - overly pronounced character traits in a certain person, which are not considered pathological, but are an extreme variant of the norm. They arise due to improper upbringing of the individual in childhood and heredity. There are a large number of accentuations, which are characterized by their own characteristics. In most cases, they occur during adolescence.

Character accentuation: what is it?

Accentuation (accentuated personality) is a definition used in psychology. This term is understood as disharmony in the development of character, which manifests itself in the excessive expression of its individual traits, causing increased vulnerability of the individual to certain types of influences and complicating its adaptation in some specific situations. Character accentuation arises and develops in children and adolescents.

The term “accentuation” was first introduced by the German psychiatrist K. Leonhard. He calls character accentuation overly expressed individual personality traits that have the ability to transform into pathological condition under the influence of unfavorable factors. Leonhard made the first attempt to classify them. He argued that a large number of people have sharpened character traits.

Then this issue was considered by A.E. Lichko. By accentuation of character he understood extreme variants of his norm, when certain traits are excessively strengthened. At the same time, selective vulnerability is noted, which relates to certain psychogenic influences. Any accentuation cannot be presented as a mental illness.

A.E.Lichko

Causes

An accentuated character arises and develops under the influence of many reasons. The most basic is heredity. The causes also include an insufficient amount communication in adolescence both with peers and with parents.

The appearance of sharpened character traits is influenced by the child’s social environment (family and friends), incorrect parenting style (overprotection and hypoprotection). This leads to a lack of communication. Lack of satisfaction of personal needs, inferiority complex, chronic diseases of the nervous system and physical ailments can also lead to accentuation. According to statistics, these manifestations are observed in people who work in the “person-to-person” field:

• teachers;
• medical and social workers;
• military;
• actors.

Types and types, main clinical manifestations

There are classifications of character accentuations, which were identified by A. E. Lichko and K. Leongard. The first proposed a typology of accentuations, consisting of 11 types, each of which is characterized by specific manifestations that can be observed in adolescence. In addition to types, Lichko identified types of accentuation, which differ depending on the degree of severity:

• obvious accentuation is an extreme version of the norm (character traits are expressed throughout life);
• hidden - the usual option (sharpened character traits appear in a person only in difficult life circumstances).

Types of accentuations according to A. E. Lichko:

View	Manifestations
Hyperthymic	There is increased activity and mood. Such individuals cannot tolerate loneliness and monotony in life. They love communication and have a tendency to frequently change interests and hobbies. Rarely finish what they start
Cycloid	There are cyclical mood changes from hyperthymic to dysphoric (angry)
Emotionally labile	Unreasonable and frequent mood swings. People are highly sensitive. They openly express their positive emotions towards the people around them. Responsiveness, altruism and sociability are noted
Sensitive	Such individuals are characterized by a feeling of inferiority. There is increased impressionability. Interests lie in the intellectual and aesthetic spheres
Astheno-neurotic	There is increased moodiness and tearfulness. Such people quickly become tired and exhausted, and irritability often arises against this background.
Schizoid	Such people are characterized by isolation and like to spend time alone. It is common for teenagers to not communicate with their peers. They like to be around adults
Psychasthenic	Individuals with this character are prone to careful introspection and reflection. They take a long time to make a decision regarding any situation and are afraid of responsibility. Self-critical
Epileptoid	The behavior is characterized by attacks of anger towards other people. There is increased excitability and tension
Hysterical	They love to be the center of attention. Prone to demonstrative suicide and afraid of ridicule from others
Conformal	Dependent on other people. Submit to authority. They strive not to be different from others
Unstable	Craving for various interests and hobbies. Such people are lazy. They have no plans for their future

Leonhard identified a classification of character accentuations, consisting of 12 types. Some of them coincide with the typology of A.E. Lichko. He studied the typology of characters in adults. The species are divided into three groups:

1. 1. temperament (hyperthymic, dysthymic, exalted, anxious and emotive);
2. 2. character (demonstrative, stuck and excitable);
3. 3. personal level (extroverted and introverted).

Types of accentuations according to K. Leonhard:

View	Characteristic signs
Hyperthymic	Readiness to make contact at any time. There is a clear expression of facial expressions and gestures when communicating. Energetic and proactive. In some cases, there is conflict, irritability and frivolity
Dysthymic	Lack of sociability. Pessimistic and melancholic mood and outlook on the future
Cycloid	Frequent and sudden mood changes. Behavior and manner of communication with people around you depends on your mood.
Excitable	Slow verbal and nonverbal reactions to the situation. If a person is emotionally excited, then irritability and aggression are noted
Stuck	There is boredom. They tend to be preachy and touchy. In some cases, such people are capable of taking revenge
Pedantic	They are passive in conflicts. Conscientiousness and accuracy in carrying out tasks are noted. There is a tendency towards tediousness
Anxious	Anxious states arise with or without cause. Such individuals lack self-confidence
Emotive	They feel comfortable only around close people. The ability to empathize and sincerely rejoice at someone else's happiness is noted. There is increased sensitivity
Demonstrative	Such individuals strive to take a leadership position. They are artistic. There is unconventional thinking, selfishness, hypocrisy and a tendency to boast
Exalted	They love to communicate and are altruists. There is a tendency to commit impulsive actions
Extroverted	Personalities of this type are willing to make contact with people and have a large number of friends. They are non-conflicting and easily succumb to the influence of others. Sometimes there is rash actions and a tendency to spread gossip.
Introverted	There is isolation, a tendency to fantasize and loneliness

Peculiarities

According to A.E. Lichko, most types become more acute in adolescence. Certain types of accentuations arise at a specific age. Sensitive appears and develops by the age of 19. Schizoid - in early childhood, and hyperthymic - in adolescence.

Character accentuations are found not only in pure form, but also in mixed forms (intermediate types). Manifestations of accentuation are not constant; they tend to disappear in some periods of life. Character accentuation is found in 80% of adolescents. Some of them, under the influence of unfavorable factors, may develop into mental illness at a later age.

In the development of character accentuations, two groups of changes are distinguished: transient and persistent. The first group is divided into acute emotional reactions, psycho-like disorders and psychogenic mental disorders. Acute affective reactions are characterized by the fact that such people harm themselves in various ways, and there are suicide attempts (intrapunitive reactions). This behavior occurs with sensitive and epileptoid accentuation.

Extrapunitive reactions are characterized by taking out aggression on random persons or objects. Characteristic of hyperthymic, labile and epileptoid accentuation. The immune reaction is characterized by the fact that a person avoids conflicts. Occurs with unstable and schizoid accentuation.

Some people have demonstrative reactions. Psychological disorders manifest themselves in minor misdemeanors and offenses, vagrancy. Sexual deviant behavior, the desire to become intoxicated or experience unusual sensations through the use of alcohol and drugs are also found in individuals of this type.

Against the background of accentuations, neuroses and depression develop. Persistent changes are characterized by a transition from an obvious type of character accentuation to a hidden one. Psychopathic reactions may occur with prolonged exposure to stress and critical age. Persistent changes include the transformation of types of accentuations from one to another due to improper upbringing of the child, which is possible towards compatible types.

This character accentuation technique can be used for both diagnostic and psychocorrective purposes.
Karl Leonhard identified ten types of character accentuations, which are quite arbitrarily divided into two groups: character accentuations (demonstrative, pedantic, stuck, excitable) and temperament accentuations (hyperthymic and hypothymic, cyclothymic and exalted, anxious-fearful and emotive).

Instructions for the character accentuation test according to Leonhard:
You are asked to answer 88 questions relating to various aspects of your personality. Place a sign next to the question number "+" (yes) if you agree, or "-" (No), if you don't agree. Answer quickly, don’t think too long.” Remember that there are no right or wrong questions, so don’t play along with yourself.
(definition and change of character)

Questions from Karl Leonhard - Accentuations of character and temperament

1. Is your mood generally cheerful and carefree?
2. Are you sensitive to insults?
3. Have you ever cried quickly?
4. Do you always consider yourself to be right in what you do, and will you not rest until you are convinced of this?
5. Do you consider yourself more courageous than in childhood?
6. Can your mood change from deep joy to deep sadness?
7. Are you the center of attention in the company?
8. Do you have days when you are in a sullen and irritable mood for no good reason and don’t want to talk to anyone?
9. Are you a serious person?
10. Can you get very excited?
11. Are you entrepreneurial?
12. Do you quickly forget if someone offends you?
13. Are you a kind-hearted person?
14. After you put a letter in the mailbox, do you try to check whether it is still hanging in the slot?
15. Do you always try to be conscientious at work?
16. Did you experience fear of thunderstorms or dogs as a child?
17. Do you think other people are not demanding enough of each other?
18. Does your mood depend greatly on life events and experiences?
19. Are you always straightforward with your friends?
20. Is your mood often depressed?
21. Have you ever had a hysterical attack or exhaustion of the nervous system?
22. Are you prone to states of intense inner restlessness or passionate desire?
23. Is it difficult for you long time sit on a chair?
24. Do you fight for your interests if someone treats you unfairly?
25. Could you kill a person?
26. Does a curtain hanging askew or an uneven tablecloth really bother you, so much so that you want to immediately eliminate these shortcomings?
27. As a child, did you experience fear when you were alone in the apartment?
28. Do you often change your mood for no reason?
29. Are you always diligent in your activities?
30. Can you get angry quickly?
31. Can you be recklessly cheerful?
32. Can you sometimes be completely imbued with a feeling of joy?
33. Are you suitable for entertaining?
34. Do you usually express your frank opinion to people on a particular issue?
35. Does the type of blood affect you?
36. Are you willing to engage in activities associated with great responsibility?
37. Are you inclined to stand up for a person who has been treated unfairly?
38. Is it difficult for you to enter a dark basement?
39. Do you do painstaking menial work as slowly and carefully as you do what you love?
40. Are you a sociable person?
41. Did you willingly recite poetry at school?
42. Did you run away from home as a child?
43. Do you find life difficult?
44. Have you ever had conflicts and troubles that got on your nerves so much that you didn’t go to work?
45. Can we say that when you fail, you don’t lose your sense of humor?
46. ​​Will you take the first step towards reconciliation if someone insults you?
47. Do you love animals?
48. Will you leave work or home if something is wrong with you?
49. Are you tormented by vague thoughts that some misfortune will happen to you or your relatives?
50. Do you think that your mood depends on the weather?
51. Would it be difficult for you to perform on stage in front of a large crowd?
52. Can you lose your temper and give free rein if someone deliberately rudely angers you?
53. Do you communicate a lot?
54. If you are disappointed with something, will you despair?
55. Do you like organizational work?
56. Do you persistently strive for your goal, even if there are many obstacles along the way?
57. Can you be so captivated by a movie that tears come to your eyes?
58. Will it be difficult for you to fall asleep if you have been thinking about your future or some problem all day?
59. During your school years, did you have to use hints or copy homework from your friends?
60. Is it difficult for you to go to the cemetery at night?
61. Do you take great care to ensure that every thing in the house is in its place?
62. Have you ever gone to bed in a good mood, but woke up in a dejected mood and remained in that mood for several hours?
63. Can you easily adapt to a new situation?
64. Are you prone to headaches?
65. Do you laugh often?
66. Can you be friendly with people without revealing your true attitude towards them?
67. Can you be called a lively and lively person?
68. Do you suffer greatly due to injustice?
69. Can you be called a passionate nature lover?
70. Do you have a habit of checking before going to bed or before leaving whether the gas and lights are turned off, and whether the door is closed?
71. Are you timid?
72. Does it happen that you feel in seventh heaven, although there are no objective reasons for this?
73. In your youth, were you willing to participate in amateur art groups and a theater group?
74. Do you sometimes feel drawn to look into the distance?
75. Do you look pessimistically at the future?
76. Can your mood change from extreme joy to deep sadness in a short period of time?
77. Is it easy for you to lift your spirits in a friendly company?
78. Do you endure anger for a long time?
79. Do you worry a lot if grief happens to another person?
80. At school, did you have the habit of rewriting a piece of paper in your notebook if you put a blot on it?
81. Can we say that you are more distrustful and cautious than trusting?
82. How often do you see scary dreams?
83. Have you ever had the idea of ​​throwing yourself out of a window against your will, under an approaching train?
84. Do you become joyful in a cheerful environment?
85. Can you easily distract yourself from burdensome issues and not think about them?
86. Do you find it difficult to control yourself if you get angry?
87. Do you prefer to be silent (yes), or are you talkative (no)?
88. If you had to participate in a theatrical performance, could you, with complete penetration and transformation, enter into the role and forget about yourself?
(Accentuations are closely related to mental protection)
Processing the results of the character accentuation technique:
If the answer to a question matches the key, the answer is assigned one point.

The interpretation is based on consideration of the entire profile.

Assumptions about character accentuation can only be made when the amount is greater 12 points.

The maximum indicator for each type of accentuation is 24 points.

Key to the character accentuation test and quick transition to description:

1.Demonstrativeness/ demonstrative type:
“+”: 7, 19, 22, 29, 41, 44, 63, 66, 73, 85, 88.
"-": 51.
Multiply the sum of the answers by 2.

Description of the character accentuation test result:

1. Demonstrative accentuation(psychocorrection: demonstrative nature)
Characterized by an increased ability to repress, demonstrative behavior, liveliness, mobility, and ease of establishing contacts.

He is prone to fantasy, deceit and pretense, aimed at embellishing his person, to adventurism, artistry, and posturing. He is driven by the desire for leadership, the need for recognition, the thirst for constant attention to his person, the thirst for power, praise; the prospect of being undetected weighs him down.

He demonstrates high adaptability to people, emotional lability (easy mood swings) in the absence of truly deep feelings, and a tendency to intrigue (with an externally soft manner of communication).

There is boundless egocentrism, a thirst for admiration, sympathy, veneration, and surprise. Usually the praise of others in his presence causes him a particularly unpleasant feeling; he cannot stand it.

The desire of a company is usually associated with the need to feel like a leader, to occupy an exceptional position. Self-esteem is very far from objectivity. He can irritate with his self-confidence and high claims; he systematically provokes conflicts, but at the same time actively defends himself.

Possessing a pathological ability to repress, he can completely forget what he does not want to know about. This unchains him in his lies. Usually he lies with an innocent face, because what he says is true for him at the moment; Apparently, he is not internally aware of his lie, or he is aware of it very shallowly, without noticeable remorse. Able to captivate others with his originality of thinking and actions.

In the section Psychological diagnostics and testing you can find the tests you need.

In addition to the classification of K. Leongrard, psychologists and psychiatrists use accentuations of Lichko's character.

He expanded and supplemented this concept and developed his own typology of characteristics of sharpened personality traits.

How to help a teenager gain self-confidence? Find out about this from ours.

Brief background

A. Lichko derived his taxonomy of character accentuations, based on G.E. Sukhareva and P.B. Gannushkin.

However, she slightly different.

Classification is intended first for the study of adolescence, covers not only accentuations, but also psychopathological character deviations.

Lichko proposed replacing the term “personality accentuations” with “character accentuations,” explaining that personality is a broader concept and cannot be assessed only from the point of view of accentuations.

Attention in research was directed to adolescence, because during this period various psychopathies begin to manifest themselves most clearly.

Types of character accentuation according to Lichko:

Accentuations of character from the point of view of A. E. Lichko

According to Lichko's theory, accentuation is temporary. In the process they may appear and disappear. These changes and personality traits sometimes develop into psychopathy and persist into adulthood.

The direction of development of sharpened personality traits is determined by the social environment and the type of accentuation. It happens obvious and hidden.

According to psychiatrist A. Lichko, accentuations are borderline states between normality and pathology.

Therefore, he built his classification on the basis of types of psychopathy.

Character accentuations - examples:

Classification

The following types of accentuations were identified:

1. Hyperthymic type. Active, restless, poorly controlled by teachers. Labile, easily adapts to changing situations. Teenagers are prone to conflicts with adults, including teachers. They are not afraid of change. The mood is predominantly positive. tend to overestimate their capabilities, so they are able to take risks without hesitation.

   Excitement, noisy, active companies and entertainment are acceptable to them. There are many hobbies, they are superficial.

2. Cycloid. Characterized by frequent mood swings - from good to bad. They prefer loneliness and being at home than active entertainment in the company. Troubles are hard to bear. Reacts painfully to criticism and comments. There is a tendency towards apathy and is easily irritated. Changes in mood can be tied to the time of year.

   In the process of growing up, pronounced features of accentuation can be smoothed out, but sometimes they get stuck at a depressed-melancholic stage. During the period of recovery, when the mood is good, one observes cheerfulness, optimism, high activity, sociability, and initiative. In the opposite state - bad mood- show increased sensitivity, react sharply to criticism.

3. Sensitive. People of this type are highly sensitive. Teenagers give the impression of being withdrawn, they do not strive to play together, and are fearful. They treat their parents well and behave obediently. It may be difficult to adapt to a team. An inferiority complex may develop.

   People of this type have a developed sense of responsibility and place high moral demands on themselves and others.

   Perseverance allows you to successfully engage in painstaking work and complex activities. choose carefully. They prefer to communicate with those who are older.

4. Schizoid type. There is isolation, a desire to spend time alone, and isolation from the world. They are indifferent to other people and communication with them, which can manifest itself in a demonstrative avoidance of contacts. They lack such a quality as sympathy, they do not show interest in the people around them, there is no empathy and understanding of the feelings of others. they do not strive to show people their feelings, so their peers do not understand them, considering them strange.
5. 
   Hysterical. They are characterized by a high degree of egocentrism. They need attention from other people and will do anything to get it. Demonstrative and artistic. They worry if attention is paid not to them, but to someone else. They should be admired - one of the important needs of the individual. Hysteroids become the initiator of activities and events, but they themselves are not able to clearly organize them. It is also problematic for them to earn authority among their peers, despite the fact that they strive for leadership. They need praise addressed to them, but they take criticism painfully. Feelings are shallow.

   Prone to deception, fantasies, pretense. They often display a demonstrative type of suicide in an attempt to attract attention and earn the sympathy of others.

6. Conformal type. Teenagers with such accentuation easily obey the will of other people. They have no opinion of their own and follow the group. The basic principle is to be and act like everyone else. At the same time, they are distinguished by conservatism. If they need to protect their interests, they will do anything, finding justification for them. Prone to betrayal. Finds a way to survive in a team by adapting to it and adapting to the leader.
7. Psychasthenic type. Characterized by indecisiveness and unwillingness to take responsibility. They are prone to introspection and are critical of their personality and actions. They have high mental abilities, ahead of their peers. Behavior may be impulsive and thoughtless in actions. They are careful and reasonable, quite calm, but at the same time indecisive and incapable of active actions that require risk and taking responsibility.

   To relieve tension, they tend to use alcohol or drugs. Psychasthenics manifest themselves despotic in personal relationships, which can ultimately lead to their destruction. They are also prone to pettiness.

8. Unstable. They show little interest in studying, which causes a lot of worry for parents and teachers. They have a penchant for entertainment. There are no goals in life, they live one day at a time, and are not interested in anything. The main features are frivolity, laziness, idleness. They are not interested in work either. They do not like to be controlled and strive for complete freedom. They are open to communication, communicative, love conversations. They have a tendency to different types of addictions. They often end up in dangerous companies.
9. Emotionally labile type. Sudden, unpredictable changes in mood. Any little thing, even the wrong glance or spoken word, can be the reason for changes in the emotional state.

   The type is sensitive and needs support, especially during periods of bad mood.

   Treats peers well. Has sensitivity, understands the attitude and mood of others. They become strongly attached to people.

10. Epileptoid type. One of the expressed character traits is cruelty; they tend to offend younger and weaker animals. He prefers to make friends and communicate with adults; the need to establish communication with peers causes discomfort. At an early age they show traits of capriciousness, tearfulness, and require attention.

    They have pride and a desire for power. If they become a boss, their subordinates are kept in fear. Of all accentuations, it is considered the most dangerous personality type, as it has a high degree of cruelty. If they need to make a career and achieve a high position, they know how to please top management, adapt to their requirements, while not forgetting about their interests.

11. Asthenoneurotic type. Show discipline and responsibility. However, they high degree fatigue, this is especially noticeable during monotonous activity or the need to participate in competitive work. Drowsiness and fatigue can occur for no apparent reason. The manifestations of accentuation include irritability, increased suspiciousness, and hypochondria.

    There is a possibility of emotional breakdowns, especially if events do not happen the way asthenics want. Irritability gives way to remorse.

In addition to pronounced types, there may also be mixed characters.

Character accentuation table:

Where is the technique used?

Lichko test expanded to 143 questions. Aimed more at children and teenagers.

Used to identify pronounced problems and accentuations in character, allows you to predict the appearance of psychopathy, begin timely correction of negative conditions, and identify dangerous individuals.

Lichko believed that it was important to study accentuations already in adolescence, since most during this period manifest themselves most clearly and are formed before adolescence.

The use of diagnostic methods, testing, and conversation allows identify the problem in a timely manner and develop a correction program.

How to identify character accentuations? Psychologist's comment: