Basic era (EuFuAu)

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This is relatively uncommon, but generally comfortable pattern derived from the primitive EFA orientation. In many ways, this adjustment is closest to the primitive level except that the efa has learned to control his affect in a socially suitable and acceptable way. However, the efa is not as tension-free as, for example, the era [EuRuAu] and eru. [EuRuUu] Dynamically, he recognizes that his sensitivity and low threshold for emotionality are liabilities; rather than repressing his affect or allowing it to remain unchecked, as does the er*a, [EuFcAu] the efa exploits it while, at the same time, controlling it through tension.

Fundamentally, the efa is aware of his sensuality, his intensity, and his inferiority. He must learn "proper" or socially acceptable means to use his sensuality. This may take the form of attending to beauty, esthetics, or subtle sensual stimuli in the extrenal environment. The efa loves sunsets, scenery, color combinations, and emotional relationships with others. He ordinarily finds discord, distractions, and crassness to be unpleasant, disturbing, and even disabling.

Since the efa is Eu rather than Ec, he does not intellectualize or internalize his sensual experience. He is hedonist by nature and tries to learn acceptable ways to exploit this. Unlike ef*a, [EuRcAu] there is no need to find the conventional or proper things about which to feel or experience, he is more concerned with finding the conventional or proper ways to show what he feels. The ef*a [EuRcAu] feels guilt because he may be a feeling person; the efa feels guilt because he may show too much (or inappropriate) feeling.

In addition to his sensuality, the efa has considerable inferiority anxiety. This anxiety is unlike that of the ef*a [EuRcAu] in that the ef*a [EuRcAu] may have started out with confidence, but has learned that he may be wrong; however, he is not quite sure. His inferiority, thus, is directed more toward a need for reassurance with what he is doing is correct. The efa, in contrast, is initially quite insecure about what he does since he lacks the imitative and rote learning ability of the primitive ERA; he has had to learn confidence. In other words, if he is to be effective, he must learn to manage his inferiority feelings. Not only is he cautious and anxious when learning new tasks, an attitude that makes him slow to learn, he may even refuse to learn certain things he cannot do. The efa is seldom mechanically inclined, since he relies on his feelings, his senses, and his intuition. In the extreme, the efa may be almost inoperative because his self-evaluation is so inferiority laden. In most cases, however, he can avoid inferiority producing situations by over achievement in the skills he does possess.

The efa has marked capacity for rapport, empathy, and identification with others, although he does not have the ability to rationalize and verbalize intellectually these skills, as does the ifa. [IuFuAu] In general, the efa will be regarded as a sensitive, sympathetic, compassionate, and warm individual. His primary problem is that, as an Eu, he is fickle, immediate-experience bound, and subject to seduction and inconsistent emotional loyalty. On long acquaintance with the efa, others tend to become jealous of his unrestrained emotionality and come to regard him as lacking in loyalty and dependability. The efa is acutely aware of his tendency toward fickleness and feels marked guilt and anxiety over this vulnerability. Thus, he is often initially very protective when he recognizes the development of a reciprocal relationship; an intense emotional relationship may be followed by a period of extreme guilt, remorse, and depression.