Basic if*a* (IuRcUc)

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As has been pointed out several times, the primitive IRU is potentially a very literal, imitative person. Since he is a primitive R, the IRU is inclined to learn procedures, methods, and habits by rote; because of this, he does not necessarily have to understand what he is doing to be an effective learner. Unless particular attention is paid to teaching meaning, the R may continue to perform by rote and never learn the meaning, significance, or relationships of what he is doing. The IRU is particularly prone to use his R skills in this way.

The Basic patterns e*ra, [IcRuAu] e*ru, ira*, [IuRuUc] and iru [IuRuUu] are examples of IRU adjustments in which rote activity without insight or attempts at insight may occur. For this reason, these adjustments are characterized by selfishness, self-centeredness, and irritability. However, when continued pressure is applied to the regulated individual to force him to perform appropriately and to get him to attempt to understand and interpret what he is doing, the various forms of the Rc (f*) adjustment occur.

The f* adjustment does not necessarily mean that a person really understands or has true insight, but it does mean he has made some attempts at developing understanding. The e*f*a* [IcRcUc] and the e*f*u* [IcRcAc] feel that they have insight, but the actual attainment may range from frankly delusional and unrealistic belief to highly effective intellectual understanding. The if*a* and if*u [IuRcUu] lack the feeling of understanding and insight, but have an awareness of the need to try to learn how to be understanding and insightful. Their behavior can range from highly effective intellectual curiosity to frankly confused and bewildered adjustments characterized by autistic withdrawal and stubborn guilt ridden defensiveness.

The if*a [IuRcAu] adjustment, thus, implied the need to understand (a sense of responsibility), and the need for social adaptability. The effectiveness of the adjustment is a function of the appropriateness and efficiency with which these needs are met. The independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency characteristic of the Ic adjustment are lacking in the if*a; he is very susceptible to external control. In this sense, the if*a [IuRcAu] can be described as a dependent person. His need to conform to, and follow, the direction and guidance given by his environment is accompanied by a need to understand and anticipate what is expected of him.

His sense of duty is very similar to that of the e*f*a*, [IcRcUc] but is less fixed, less well defined, and less consistent. The e*f*a* [IcRcUc] knows what he is expected to do and sets out to do it in an insulated and somewhat autocratic way. The if*a* needs more reassurance and seeks specific supervision and correction. In one sense, the if*a* is more vacillating and inconsistent than the e*f*a* [IcRcUc] because he can conform, in sequence and sometimes simultaneously, to contradictory direction and supervision, provided that he clearly understands to whom he is to be responsible. In another sense, however, the if*a* is more amendable to change and adaptation; he is less conventional, tradition-bound, and stereotyped. It is the if*a* scientist, with high intelligence, who can adapt without conflict or anxiety to a Nazi society, a Soviet society, and an American society successively, with a well-defined sense of responsibility to each, in turn, but with no recognition of the paradoxical nature of his behavior. In other words, the if*a* has a true sense of loyalty to that which supports him, but he has little need for this support to be consistent. In spite of the fact that the if*a* is never a true revolutionary, he has the best adaptability to change of management. In business, it is the if*a* who is little influenced by the personality of his supervisor as long as supervision is provided.

Although passivity is characteristic of the if*a*, inactivity as a general rule, is not. The if*a* is work oriented, and seeks to earn his right to do what he can do well by learning to whom he is responsible and by giving his authority figures the respect and understanding that is expected. He learns and applies a conforming, if not conventional, social role. He is technically a good citizen, a good husband, and a good parent. However, he rarely enters into these responsibilities with enthusiasm, intensity, or dedication. At best, he is unimaginative; at worst, he is mundane and mechanical. In general, however, it is the if*a*, who gives continuity in rapidly changing societies that otherwise would breed only chaos.

Guilt reactions, anxiety states and profound inferiority feelings are in the primary psychological problems of the if*a*. The principle traumatic experience for him is loss of succor dependence without quick replacement.

The if*a [IuRcAu] is likely to be attractive or interesting enough to be able to re-establish dependency relationships without much difficulty, but the if*a* must do more to earn support; he must have a skill or interest that is worth supporting. When he is unsuited for readaptation because of lack of skill, or because his skills are inappropriate by reason of age or obsolescence, he becomes anxious, bewildered, and inoperative. In some cases, hypochondriasis or conversion symptoms, particularly headaches, may occur. Whenever too much independent responsibility is required, or when direct supervision is lacking, the if*a* is likely to become depressed, apathetic, and non-productive.