Basic i*fa* (EcFuUc)

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The i*fa* is a relatively independent, emotionally controlled, and socially active person. He has disciplined the fickleness and distractibility of his externalized orientation so that he is able to concentrate and, in most instances, use his mental abilities effectively. Because he is Fu, rather than Fc, he is not self-centered, but has a social conscience; he has also learned to exploit his ability for empathy, understanding, and sensitivity. As an a*, he has learned to play a role with which he feels somewhat comfortable and, thus, has mitigated his social isolation and ineptness. To this extent, he has developed a social conscience and is working at being effective and responsible.

The convergent b (ifa) [IuFuAu] cluster represents the ideal personality pattern for the American culture; i*fa* is the pattern that allows the establishment of the most effective emotional relationships. The i*fa* tends to be a warm, responsive person who is compassionate, understanding, and emotionally dependable. Since he is a primitive U, he has had considerable experience with rejection and social isolation, but he has moved in the direction of learning how to earn acceptance and has some confidence in his role-playing skill. As a primitive E, he has had experience with environmental distraction and emotional dependency, but he has moved in the direction of independence and self-sufficiency without any tendency toward unusual self-centeredness or selfishness.

Tension, for the i*fa*, comes from his repression in the areas of dependency and social-interpersonal relationships. As a result, he will be most uncomfortable in situations requiring either strong requirements to be dependent or a need to be introversive and withdrawn. Unlike the i*f*a*, [EcRcUc] the i*fa* has marked capacity for insight that results in his reacting strongly against stimuli he perceives to be hostile. In effect, he will be very negativistic toward anything that requires him to be dependent or to withdraw. He will actively punish (or avoid) people who are either too dominant or too submissive and will ne very hostilely toward activities he considers a waste of time.

Anxiety for the i*fa* occurs in the emotional-procedural area. Since he exploits his emotionality, he considers anxiety, lest his intensity to get out of control. It is very important to the i*fa* that he finds ways of sublimating or displacing his emotional intensity. As a result, most i*fa* will have strong emotional ties to their religion, their country, their profession, cultural arts and sciences, and their various social responsibilities. The intensity and emotional involvements of the i*fa* are probably greater than those of any other basic adjustments.

Such a person is very jealous of anything in which he is involved and will fight vigorously to maintain his position. Anything that tends to be subvert, distort, pervert, or seduce his values and feelings is considered very dangerous. Because he is very perceptive, the i*fa* is quick to recognize potential dangers and very prompt in taking corrective action. The i*fa* is eager to censor, ban, and control. The ifa* [IuFuUc] tends to be more vindictive; he wants to destroy or to re-educate. Some i*fa* can become religious and political fanatics; John Calvin and Adolph Hitler, for example, probably were i*fa*.

This is a pattern with many extremes. Obviously, the milieu in which a person is reared, the events of his life, and the people who have influenced him all play a great role in determining the social effectiveness of his adjustment. Zealousness, dedication, and conscientiousness are all important ingredients of this adjustment. Unlike the i*f*a*, [EcRcUc] who is dependent upon external authority to set him in the right direction and teach him right from wrong, the i*fa* is more creative, more original, and more resistant to authority. He has a strong need to understand and believe; thus, he is questioning, doubting person who can often be very threatening to those who dislike change and who need established authority.