Basic e*ru (IcRuUu)

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The primary characteristic of the e*ra, [IcRuAu] described above, is his social-interpersonal initiative. He learns to be an active, aggressive, social being. The e*ru, on the other hand does not learn this social initiative. The primitive IRU is characterized by passivity, usually interpreted by others as shyness; the e*ru is the sort of IRU who maintains his shyness in adulthood.

The e*ru, nonetheless, has much in common with the e*ra*. [IcRuUc] He has the external I orientation and general environmental orientation seen in the e*ra*. [IcRuUc] However, it is not usual for the e*ru to be the physically aggressive and self-confident individual common in the e*ra* [IcRuUc] cluster. The e*ru is more apt to have to have some form of intellectual orientation. He is likely to be a contemplative, thinking person who tries to discipline his ideational abilities rather than repressing or displacing them as does the e*ra*. [IcRuUc] As a result, the e*ru is a more independent and seclusive person than the e*ra*. [IcRuUc] He is less inclined to compete for general social recognition and, thus, lacks the ostentatiousness and aristocratic bearing of the e*ra*. [IcRuUc]

It is fairly common for the e*ru to become extremely work-oriented. He is even more of a specialist than the e*ra* [IcRuUc] and, in most cases, seems to be more involved in and challenged by his work or professional interests. There is the same kind of slavish devotion to authority that is seen in the e*ra*, [IcRuUc] but the e*ru is much more passive, egocentric, and detached.

The e*ru is a sensually oriented person who is selfish and demanding in the manner in which he satisfies his personal needs. He is also inclined to be vindictive and punishing toward those who rebuff or ignore him. The e*ru is also a very selfish person, but he is more self-sufficient and independent than the eru. [EuRuUu] In many ways, the e*ru is the most self-seeking because he has limited capacity for empathy and has done little to improve his ability by education or training. He also has limited social versatility but has done little to learn a fixed or uniform social role. He tends to be indifferent to social conventions and, to a large degree, has very little ethical or moral sense.

His primary asset is his ability to learn mechanical-procedural tasks in a highly efficient manner. Once he has learned a skill, he is protective of his own time and effort, tending to become negativistic whenever he is distracted, annoyed, or frustrated. He gets his psychological satisfactions from his own activity and accomplishments, if he is allowed to do things at his own pace and in his own manner. He not only gets no satisfaction from the praise and recognition of others, but actually feels that such behavior is an invasion of his privacy. The i*ru [EcRuUu] will often go to great lengths to prove he has overcome his susceptibility to praise and recognition, but the e*ru is likely to be indifferent and non-responsive to flattery and other involving attempts because such activity represents no threat to him. He only becomes impatient whenever such behavior interferes with or frustrates his own activities.

The adjustment of the e*ru is very much a function of the extent to which he is allowed to develop his own interests and aptitude. Although he is very dependent on external guidance and discipline, he relies more on the rituals and procedures of his instructors. He learns how to do things in certain prescribed ways and is very loyal to these systems and methods. In this sense, he is very conventional and precise. Many skilled artisans such as watchmakers, wood carvers, and goldsmiths are found in this cluster. Although talented, such people will rarely be original or creative because they are so dependent upon the traditions and methods of the past.

Maladjustments in the e*ru may occur when his natural inclinations or skills are frustrated or denied, or when he is forced to operate in a situation requiring innovation and change. The e*ru is also resistant to situations demanding a sense of social responsibility or interpersonal understanding.

Generally speaking, he is independent, impatient, insensitive, intolerant of versatility, and negativistic toward change. Alcoholism, particularly solo drinking, and hypo-chondriasis are common neurotic manifestations of the maladjusted e*ru. Paranoid ideas of reference or influence, and suspicious negativism are relatively frequent occurrences.