Basic i*ra (EcRuAu)

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A major characteristic of this adjustment is the development of intellectual discipline or control as a means of limiting the spontaneity and external environment dependency of the primitive E orientation. As a result, all of the surface adjustments derived from i*ra have something of an intellectualizing quality.

The Ec adjustment involves the development of some measure of independence and self-sufficiency by denying the existence of extremal stimuli; it is, thus, characterized by negativism and reliance on external discipline as a means of maintaining some form of internalized adjustment. The Euc (i') individual tends to be in a perpetual state of anxiety that he may give in to his externalized needs and and feels ashamed about his inability to control his responsiveness. The Ec, on the other hand, has learned to discipline himself and consciously at least, he feels that he has overcome his commitment to externalized activity. Psychologically, the Ec adjustment requires energy, and once achieved, results in a tension state. While the anxiety and shame of the Euc is not present in the Ec, the failure to maintain the Ec adjustment is more disabling. The Euc lives with this awareness of his vulnerability, while the Ec has lost this awareness (or assumes that it no longer exists). However, the tension state necessary to maintain the Ec compensation is still present and has some effect on the responsiveness and spontaneity of the individual; the tension is usually manifested by a tendency to maintain, aggressively and consistently, the basic pattern.

While the Euc, then, depends upon external discipline, the Ec depends primarily on internal, or self-discipline. Compulsiveness, characteristic of the Euc, is the extreme form of reliance on external discipline, while obsessiveness, the rigorous use of mental activities and exercise, is the extreme manifestation of Ec. The most common mechanism of the Ec (i*) and of the i*ra, in particular, is to learn by rote the "best" and most socially acceptable mental tasks in an effective way and then to depend on this learned behavior to protect him from the frivolous and useless spontaneity of his primitive externalizing tendencies. Obviously, the i*ra can be a useful and productive member of society, but he is inclined to be a conventional, conforming, unoriginal, and only technically creative person.

The i*ra with high intellectual level can be exceptionally skilled at meeting the requirements of professions and occupations that have well-defined procedures including both theoretical and practical activities. Usually, the i*ra will do better on the practical than the theoretical aspects, but he will have a healthy respect for the theoretical. Average level i*ra will often be able to achieve well in such professions and occupations, but the gap between the practical and the theoretical will be more marked. Many individuals whose college records or training reports underestimate their subsequent success fall in this cluster. The i*ra with low intelligence range from well disciplined artisans and mechanics to semi-delusional intellectually oriented individuals who feel that they are more learned than is the case. In all i*ra, however, there is a certain element of selfishness and self-centeredness stemming from their primitive and basic regulated orientation. In this respect they resemble the basic era. [EuRuAu]