Basic if*a (IuRcAu)

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The if*a adjustment is schizoid pattern in which the individual has developed considerable external control or an intellectualized sense of responsibility. Fundamentally, the if*a is an independent, self-sufficient person who has a considerable amount of conscious autistic experience. In some manner, he recognizes that these experiences are non-productive or "incorrect," so a great deal of psychological energy is used to cover up, overcome, or justify his autistic activity. There is usually a considerable amount of compulsiveness in this adjustment that most frequently takes an introspective, self-centered direction. Thus, the if*a is a narcissistic person who actively seeks external direction and support for his behavior and interests. Conformity, passivity, and docile dependency are the primary ingredients of the adjustment.

The i*f*a [EcRcAu] spends considerable effort to rationalize his emotional needs, usually trying to earn his acceptance by intellectual productivity. The if*a, on the other hand, is under little or no pressure to rationalize his emotional needs because he has little need for reciprocal involvement. He tends to be somewhat smug and complacent with his dependency relationships because he takes others' for granted. The if*a actively seeks support because his inner anxiety but when he receives it, he is so busy getting relief from his anxiety that has little time for any interaction or involvement. Unlike the ef*a, [EuRcAu] the if*a is not vulnerable to seduction; he can sustain his loyalty to a succor figure as long as he feels he is being given support and sustenance.

The if*a is often considered to be very materialistic because his own well-being or personal security seem to be more important than conviction or ideals. At the same time, some if*a are thought to be the most dedicated and loyal of all because of their blind adherence to religious beliefs and certain individuals. Fundamentally, if the if*a, because of his conformity and conventionality, remains true to whatever pattern of his life is set for him by cultural milieu. The paradox of this adjustment is that it can produce the clinging, spoiled son of a domineering mother or, at the opposite pole, the dedicated priest.

The primitive IRA has little spontaneous need to show overt emotion; he must learn to show appropriate feelings. The ERA, on the other hand, must learn to control or hold in his overt emotional expressions. As a result, the ERA grows up to be somewhat controlled and "unemotional" while the IRA becomes quite expressive and affective. The ERA is non-expressive because it is threatening for him to be so.

The IRA can be expressive because these are learned responses and are usually relatively non-threatening. To a great extent, then, the emotional expression of the IRA is not really a reflection of his true feeling, but is geared more social expectation. It is this factor that lies behind the "split" personality characteristics of the schizoid adjustment

The ifa* [IuFuUc] adjustment is one in which the most superficial social expressiveness can be expected. The if*a, in contrast, learns to be appropriate in almost any social situation, but there is always an element of ritual in his role playing. As a matter of fact, the if*a is very protective of his privacy and can rarely be intimate with anyone. Sharing feelings is a psychological dream of the externalizer; much of the dynamics revolve around the various ways of this sharing can be accomplished. The internalizer tends to dream more of guilt-free independence and self-sufficiency; his dynamics revolve around socially acceptable ways to accomplish this. The external behavior of the if*a is misleading, then because it is socially conventional behavior rather than a reflection of how he really feels.

The if*a is much more superficial than the if*a* [IuRcUc] because his primitive role adaptability makes him more effective in social relations. The if*a* [IuRcUc] is under more intense pressure to learn social skills and roles and, if successful at all, is much more skilled and precise. The if*a* [IuRcUc] has to prove his ability, while the if*a is given more impressionistic credit for being successful. The if*a can grow to adolescence masking his autism by superficial social conformity, while the if*a* [IuRcUc] has great difficulty because his autism is so obvious. It is the if*a adjustment that produces the classic dementia praecox because the underlying schizophrenic process becomes obvious and disabling at puberty.

The primary problems of the if*a occur whenever succor dependency relationships are disturbed and not immediately replaced. Death of a mother, a broken home resulting in a changed pattern of life, moving to a new environment, or being forced to be independent and display initiative may all produce schizophrenic episodes or a schizophrenic breakdown.