Dave Kelly
http://www.ptypes.com/bad-character-types.pdf
4/1/2010

Theory and Types of Bad Character


Vices, or irrational needs, are dispositions to make particular false value-judgments which, in turn, motivate particular acts of wrong doing. Through repetition these acts of wrong doing reinforce the vices and become bad habits.


For Stoics, only the Sage is virtuous; everyone else is vicious. The idealized self-image of the vicious individual is chiefly a glorification of the vices, or irrational needs, that have formed in his character. (A need is irrational if it is a requirement for something not in our power and involves a false judgment of good or bad).


The vicious individual takes pride in the imagined attributes of his idealized image.


On the basis of that pride, the individual makes claims, or demands, upon others, and upon life. (Claims are irrational needs that have become demands on others and on life.)


The individual also makes demands of himself, what Karen Horney called "shoulds," which compel him to try to live up to his idealized image. (Shoulds are irrational needs that have become demands of oneself).


But if others do not honor his claims, or if he fails to live up to his idealized image, he hates himself. In reaction to this self-hate he redoubles his efforts and resumes his search for glory. But in seeking after perfection and the absolute in externals, he only ends up sending himself to hell, the inner hell of self-contempt.





Conscientious Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pg. 63)
Personality Disorder




achievementlack of achievementachieving, productive, industrious, diligent, hard workingexcessive devotion to work and productivity
respect, approval, being beyond reproach, a just reward for rectitudelack of respect, lack of approval, reproach, lack of a just reward for rectitudeconscientious, scrupulous, upright, justoverconscientious, scrupulous, inflexible
interpersonal control, things being done 'right', correctnesslack of interpersonal control, things not being done 'right', incorrectnessresponsible, correctcan't delegate responsibility
perfect performancemistakes, errors, flawsperfect, or trying to be perfectperfectionism
to be right, to be certainbeing wrong, being uncertainpersevering, singleminded, imperturbablerigidity, stubbornness
order and organization (rules)lack of order and organization (rules)orderly, organized, meticulouspreoccupied with lists, rules, details, order and organization
to save moneyspending money, povertyprudent, frugal, cautiousparsimony, miserly spending style
to accumulate thingsdiscarding things, being without thingsprovident, preparedhoarding worn out or worthless objects


The irrational needs of the Conscientious type are based on particular false values.




Sensitive Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 180-81)
Personality Disorder




acceptance; exclusive interpersonal contact with familiarscriticism, disapproval, rejection; significant interpersonal contact with non-familiarsunconditionally accepted; familiar: prefer the known to the unknown; comfortable with and inspired by habit, repetition, and routinefears criticism, disapproval, or rejection; avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact
to be likedbeing dislikedwell-liked; concerned: care deeply what other people think of themunwilling to get involved unless certain of being liked
to be restrained in intimate relationsattempts to shame or ridicule themcircumspect: behave with deliberate discretion; don't make hasty judgments or jump in before they know what is appropriatefears being shamed or ridiculed; shows restraint within intimate relationships
for the familiar; habit, repetition, routinenew interpersonal situationspolitely reserved, courteous, self-restrainedfeelings of inadequacy; inhibited in new interpersonal situations
to be socially adept and personally appealingbeing seen as socially inept or personally unappealingsocially adept, personally appealingviews self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior
familiar, routine activitiesnew activities and personal risk; being embarrassedplays their role well; does what is expected of themis reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may be embarrassing
approval and acceptance in social situationsbeing criticized or rejected in social situationssocially approved and acceptedpreoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations


The irrational needs of the Sensitive type are based on particular false values.




Vigilant Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 157-58)
Personality Disorder





being exploited, harmed, or deceived by othersautonomous, independent; keep their own counsel, require no outside reassurance or advice; make decisions easily, and take care of themselvessuspects that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them
loyalty of othersthe disloyalty or untrustworthiness of friends or associatesloyal and trustworthyunjustified doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates

having information confided to others used against themcautious; careful in their dealings with others, preferring to size up a person before entering a relationshipreluctance to confide in others because of fear that the information will be used maliciously against them

demeaning or threatening remarks or eventsperceptive; good listener, with an ear for subtlety, tone, and multiple levels of communicationfears hidden demeaning or threatening meanings in benign remarks or events

insults, injuries, slights, and attacks on their character or reputationable to defend self; feisty and do not hesitate to stand up for themselves, especially when they are under attackbears grudges; is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights; perceived attacks on their character not apparent to others; is quick to react angrily or to counterattack
fidelity of their spouse or sexual partnerthe infidelity of their spouse or sexual partnerfaithful and loyalhas suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse, or sexual partner


The irrational needs of the Vigilant type are based on particular false values.




Dramatic Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 131-32)
Personality Disorder




attentionbeing ignoredlike to be seen and noticed; often the center of attention; rise to the occasion when all eyes are on themuncomfortable in situations in which they are not the center of attention
to be sexually attractive
sexually attractive; seductive, engaging, charminginteraction with others often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
to react emotionally to events
feeling; live in an emotional world; sensation oriented, emotionally demonstrative, physically affectionate; react emotionally to eventsrapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotion
to present an attractive physical appearance
pay a lot of attention to grooming; enjoy clothes, style, and fashionconsistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self
to have a dramatic, stimulating style of speech
experiences life vividly and expansively; have rich imaginations, tell entertaining stories, and are drawn to romance and melodramahas a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
to dramatically express emotion
expressive; display their emotions freely and openlyshows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion
others' guidance, help, and considered opinions
eagerly responds to new ideas and suggestions by othersis suggestible, easily influenced by others or circumstances
intimate relationships
easily put their trust in others; are able to become quickly involved in relationshipsconsider relationships to be more intimate than they actually are


The irrational needs of the Dramatic type are based on particular false values.




Aggressive Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 345-45)
Personality Disorder
(not completely correlated)




to dominate; to be in charge; to have power, authority, responsibility; controlto be without powercommanding; take charge; are comfortable with power, authority, and responsibilityuses physical cruelty or violence to establish dominance in relationships
traditional power structure; hierarchical lines of authority
operate best within traditional power structure where everyone knows his or her place and the lines of authority are clearhumiliates or demeans people in the presence of others
self-discipline; to have those in their charge follow their ruleshaving those in their charge not follow the rules which they have imposedhighly disciplined; impose rules of order that they expect those in their charge to followtreated or disciplined someone under their control unusually harshly
to be pragmatic
take a pragmatic, practical approach to accomplishing their objectives; do what is necessary to get the job doneamused or takes pleasure in the psychological or physical suffering of others
to accomplish goalsthings which distract them from accomplishing their goalshighly goal orientedlies for the purpose of harming or inflicting pain on others
action, adventure, competition, and being physically assertive
active and adventurous; physically assertive; competitive in sports, especially contact sportsis fascinated by violence, weapons, martial arts, injury, or torture
for people to do what they want them to do
neither sqeamish or fainthearted; can function well in difficult situations without being distracted by fear or horrorgets people to do what they want by frightening them
control of those with whom they have a close relationship
protective of and responsible for those with whom they have a close relationshiprestricts the autonomy of people with whom they have a close relationship


The irrational needs of the Aggressive type are based on particular false values.



Idiosyncratic Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 252-53)
Personality Disorder
(not correlated)




self-direction and independenceclose relationshipsare self-directed and independentlack of close friends or confidants
an interesting, unusual, and eccentric lifestyleconvention; conformityoblivious to convention; create interesting, unusual, often eccentric lifestylesodd beliefs or magical thinking
things of the occult, extrasensory, or supernaturalthe mundaneopen to anything; are interested in the occult, the extrasensory, and the supernaturalodd thinking and speech
to have their own idiosyncratic feelings and belief systemconventional emotional experience; adopting others' beliefsare tuned into and sustained by their own feelings and belief systemssuspiciousness or paranoid ideation
abstract and speculative thinkingconcrete and conventional thinkingare drawn to abstract and speculative thinkinginappropriate or constricted affect
positive reactions from othersbeing the object of others' attentionthough they are inner-directed and follow their own hearts and minds, are keen observers of others, particularly sensitive to how other people react to themexcessive social anxiety; ideas of reference



behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar


The irrational needs of the Idiosyncratic type are based on particular false values.



Inventive Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized ImagePersonality Disorder




to have an image of superiority and high worth


social recognition, status, and prestigeobscurity, low status, and lack of prestige

outstanding acievementbeing out-achieved by others

glory, honors, and fame


praise and approvalothers' critical judgments and disapproval

to be highly esteemed


greatness, perfection, genius, or stardom


a highly valued spouse or partner; to be affirmed and confirmed in relationships


to be their idealized selfbeing their actual self

success and others' admiration



being slighted and not receiving constant admiration

love and approval from others


the attention and admiration of others


fulfillment of their grandiose expectationslack of fulfillment of their grandiose expectations

to receive praisebeing criticized


The irrational needs of the Inventive type are based on particular false values.



Solitary Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 275-76)
Personality Disorder




to be aloneclose relationships and being part of a familyhave small need of companionship and are most comfortable aloneneither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
solitude and solitary activitieslack of solitude; having to do things with othersare self-contained and do not require interaction with others in order to enjoy their experiences or to get on in lifealmost always choose solitary activities
autoeroticismsexual experiences with othersare not driven by sexual needs; enjoy sex but will not suffer in its absencehas little if any interest in having sexual experiences with another person
self-controlpleasure and paindisplay an apparent indifference to pleasure and paintakes pleasure in few activities
secrecyintimacy, friendship, and confiding in othersare their own truest, most trusted companions, providing the most important resources they needlacks close friends or confidants other than first degree relatives
to be unaffected and uninfluencedpraise and criticismare unswayed by either praise or criticism and can confidently come to terms with their own behaviorappears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
to suppress emotionexpression of emotion and feelingare even-tempered, calm, dispassionate, unsentimental, and unflappableshows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity


The irrational needs of the Solitary type are based on particular false values.



Leisurely Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 203-204)
Personality Disorder




to be free to do as one pleaseshaving to fulfill routine social and occupational tasksbelieve in their right to enjoy themselves on their own terms in their own time; value and protect their comfort, their free time, and their individual pursuit of happinesspassively resist fulfilling routine social and occupational tasks
to be understood and appreciated by othersbeing misunderstood and unappreciated by othersagree to play by the rules; deliver what is expected of them and no more; expect others to recognize and respect that limitcomplains of being misunderstood and unappreciated by others
to resist the demands of otherscompliance with others' demands and expectations; external demandscannot be exploited; can comfortably resist acceding to demands that they deem unreasonable or above and beyond the call of dutyis sullen and argumentative
to withhold respect for figures of authoritysubmission to authority figures and their expectations and demandsare not overawed by authority; accept themselves and their approach to lifeunreasonably criticizes and scorns authority
to possess the same advantages as possessed by othersill fortune and not getting the best in lifebelieve that blind luck accounts for who fares well and who fares poorlyexpresses envy and resentment toward those apparently more fortunate
for a life of pleasure and comfortpersonal misfortunesbelieve that they are just as good as anyone else and as entitled to the best things in lifevoices exaggerated and persistent complaints of personal misfortune
to be free to do as ones pleases, but also to be taken care ofbeing restricted; alienating those they depend onfeel free to proceed in their own direction, yet do not like to risk important relationshipsalternate between hostile defiance and contrition


The irrational needs of the Leisurely type are based on particular false values.



Serious Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 366-67)
Personality Disorder




to see current circumstances, themselves, and the future as worse than they are
maintain a sober demeanor; are solemn and not given to emotional expressionusual mood is dominated by dejection, gloominess, cheerlessness, joylessness, and unhappiness
to have a negative view of themselves
are realistically aware of their own capabilities, but are also aware of their limitations; they are not tempted by vanity or self-importanceself-concept centers around beliefs of inadequacy, worthlessness, and low self-esteem
to see themselves as bad
hold themselves responsible for their actions; will not soft-pedal their own faults and do not let themselves off the hookis critical, blaming, and derogatory toward self

bad things happening in the futureare thinkers, analyzers, evaluators, ruminators; will always play things over in their own minds before they actis brooding and give to worry
to see others and their behavior as bad
are sharp appraisers of others; have ability to critique and evaluate other peopleis negativistic, critical, and judgmental toward others

bad things happening in the futureanticipate problems and when the worst happens, they're prepared to deal with itis pessimistic
to see things that they have done in the past as bad
suffer greatly when they realize they've been thoughtless or impolite to othersis prone to feeling guilty or remorseful


The irrational needs of the Serious type are based on particular false values.



Self-Sacrificing Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 319-20)
Not well correlated
Personality Disorder




situations that lead to disappointment, failure, or mistreatment
accepting; are nonjudgmental, tolerant of others foibles, and never harshly reproving; stick with you through thick and thinchooses people and situations that lead to disappointment, failure, or mistreatment

attempts by others to help themserving; prime directive is to be helpful to othersrejects or renders ineffective the attempts of others to help them

positive personal eventslong suffering; prefer to shoulder their own burden in lifefollowing positive events, responds with depression, guilt, or a behavior that produces pain
to be hurt, defeated, or humiliated
humble; are neither boastful nor proud and are uncomfortable being fussed over; do not like being the center of attention; are uneasy in the limelightincites angry or rejecting responses from others and then feels hurt, defeated, or humiliated

opportunities for pleasure, or acknowledging enjoying themselvesenduring; have much patience and a high tolerance for discomfortrejects opportunities for pleasure, or is reluctant to acknowledge enjoying themselves
to sacrifice accomplishing their personal objectives
out of deference to others, are noncompetitive and unambitious, comfortable coming in second, even lastfails to accomplish tasks crucial to their personal objectives despite demonstrated ability to do so
people who consistently treat them badlypeople who consistently treat them wellare always considerate in their dealings with others; are ethical, honest, and trustworthyis uninterested in or rejects people who consistently treat them well
self-sacrificetaking care of their own appropriate needsgenerous; will give you the shirt off their back if you need it; do not wait to be askedengages excessive self-sacrifice that is unsolicited by the recipient of the sacrifice


The irrational needs of the Self-Sacrificing type are based on particular false values.



Devoted Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pg. 109)
Personality Disorder




for others to make everyday decisions for them; advice and reassurance from othershaving to make everyday decisions; having to rely solely on their own judgmentwhen making decisions, are happy to seek out others' opinions and to follow their advicehas difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others
for others to assume responsibiluty for major areas of their liveshaving to be responsible for themselvesassumes the less dominant, more passive caretaking role; prefer to rely on the judgment of the central person in their livesneeds others to assume responsibility for most major areas of their lives
support and approval from otherslosing the support or approval of othersare careful to promote good feelings between themselves and the important people in their lives; to promote harmony, tend to be polite, agreeable, and tactfulhas difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval
to follow the lead of othersinitiating projects or doing things on their ownwould rather follow than lead; are cooperative and respectful of authority and institutions; easily rely on others, and take direction wellhas difficulty initiating projects or doing things on their own
nurturance and supportbeing without nurturance and supportare thoughtful of others and good at pleasing them; will endure personal discomfort to do a good turn for the key people in their livesgoes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant
for a significant otherbeing alone; not being taken care ofprefer the company of one or more people to being alonefeels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fear of being unable to care for themselves
relationships: care and supportnot having a relationship with a significant otherrelationships provide life's meaning for them; even after a painful loss of someone around whom their life was centered, they are able to form new meaningful bondsurgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends
to be taken care of: advice, reassurance, and supportbeing left to care for themselvesthoroughly dedicated to relationships in their lives; place the highest value on sustained relationships; respect the institution of marriage, as well as unofficial avowals of commitment; and work hard to keep their relationships goingis unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of themselves
praise and approvalcriticism and disapproval, especially from significant othersfeel personally responsible for things that go wrong in a relationship; take it upon themselves to make things betteris easily hurt by criticism or disapproval


The irrational needs of the Devoted type are based on particular false values.



Self-Confident Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pg. 86)
Personality Disorder




achievement; recognition of talent; importance
identify with people of high rank and statushas a grandiose sense of self-importance
success, power, brilliance, beauty, and ideal love
are able to visualize themselves as the hero, star, the best in their role, or the most accomplished in their fieldis preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
to be "special" and unique; association with other "special" or high-status people (or institutions)
believe in themselves and in their abilities; have no doubt that they are unique and special and that there is a reason for their being on the planetbelieve that they are "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high status people or institutions
to be the object of admiration
accept compliments, praise, and admiration gracefully and with self-possessionrequires excessive admiration
favorable treatment and automatic compliance with their expectations
expect others to treat them well at all timeshas a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations
to use others to achieve their own ends
are able to take advantage of the strengths and abilities of other people in order to achieve their goals, and are shrewd in their dealings with othersis interpersonally exploitive, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve their own ends

empathizing with others; consideration of the feelings and needs of othershave a keen awareness of their thoughts and feelings and their overall inner state of beinglacks empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
to be envied by others; to have what others have
are able competitors; they love getting to the top, and they enjoy staying thereis often envious of others or believes that others are envious of them
for importance, high status, and prestige
are unabashedly open about their aspirations and possibilitiesshows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes


The irrational needs of the Self-Confident type are based on particular false values.



Adventurous Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 227-28)
Personality Disorder




to live by their own internal code of valuesbeing influenced by others or by the norms of societylive by their own internal code of values; are not strongly influenced by other people or by the norms of societyfailure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
to engage in high risk activitiesboredomdaring; love the thrill of risk and routinely engage in high-risk activitiesreckless disregard for safety of self and others
to take advantage of the weaknesses of othersconsideration of othersdo not worry much about others because they expect each human being to be responsible for themselveslack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
to persuade people to do what they want them to dobeing deceived, manipulated, or exploited by othersare silver-tongued, gifted in the gentle art of winning friends and influencing peopledeceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
for sexual varietybeing tied down in a monogamous relationshiprelish sex; have a strong sex drive and enjoy numerous sexual experiences with different partnershave never sustained a totally monogamous relationship for more than one year
to keep moving and exploringsettling downlove to keep moving, settling down only to have the urge to pick up and go explore, move out, move onwanderlust
to earn an independent free-lance living by talent, skills, ingenuity and witthe nine-to-five worldavoid the nine-to-five world; prefer to earn an independent free-lance living; do not worry about finding work; live well by their talents, skills, ingenuity, and witsis unable to sustain consistent work behavior as indicated by...
to spend money
are easy and generous with money, believing that money should be spent and that more will turn up somewhererepeatedly fails to honor financial obligations, as indicated by defaulting on debts or failure to provide child support or support for...
to raise hell and make mischief
were usually high-spirited hell-raisers and mischief makers(conduct disorder as child or adolescent)
to be physically bold and toughbeing exploited or taken advantage ofare courageous, physically bold, and tough; will stand up to anyone who dares to try to take advantage of themirritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
to live without concern for consequencesconcern for consequenceslive in the present; do not feel guilty about the past or anxious about the future; life is meant to be experienced nowimpulsivity or failure to plan ahead


The irrational needs of the Adventurous type are based on particular false values.



Mercurial Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized Image
(Oldham, pp. 293-94)
Personality Disorder




for an intimate relationshipabandonmentmust always be deeply involved in a romantic relationship with one personfrantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
to alternately idealize and devalue the other in relationship
experience a passionate, focused attachment in all their relationships; nothing that goes on between them and other people is trivial, nothing taken lightlya pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extreme idealization and devaluation
to alternately idealize or devalue the self
are imaginative and curious, willing to experience and experiment with other cultures, roles, and value systems, and to follow new pathsidentity disturbances; markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self
to shop and spend money; for sex; for mind and mood altering substances; for fast driving and other exciting activities; for food
are uninhibited, spontaneous, fun-loving, and undaunted by riskimpulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating)
to cause themselves pain or to harm themselves, or to make gestures or to threaten to harm themselves
will go to great lengths to attain calmness and inner peacerecurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
to react to events in an unregulated expression of passion
show what they feel; are emotionally active and reactive; put their hearts into everything affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety
the love, protection, and companionship of a nurturing, thoroughly good person (pg. 313)feelings of emptinessunlimited appreciation of the other in relationshipschronic feelings of emptiness
to frequently express anger
energetic; are lively, creative, busy, and engaging; show initiative and can stir others to activityinappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
to distance or distract themselves from reality
are skilled at distancing or distracting themselves from reality when it is painful or harshtransient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms


The irrational needs of the Mercurial type are based on particular false values



Exuberant Vices

Irrational NeedIrrational Need to AvoidIdealized ImagePersonality Disorder




pleasurepain

intense emotional experiences


constant activity


pleasurable experiences


a positive view of past achievement


social situations to be good, and to work out well


to be able to go without sleep


to see oneself as good


to have a high level of creativity


a high level of productivity, and to produce high quality work


for people and sex


for one's activity, whatever one is doing, to be good


money


romance and sex


for the stimulation or relaxation of alcohol and/or drugs


for current experiences to be good


for new residences and new geographic locations to be good


for knowledge, skill, expertise, and mastery in certain selected areas of interest


self-confidence, sensuality, creativity, and efficiency


creative work



The irrational needs of the Exuberant type are based on particular false values.




John M. Oldham and Lois B. Morris (1995). The New Personality Self-Portrait: Why You Think, Work, Love and Act the Way You Do. New York: Bantam.




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Copyright © 2010 Dave Kelly
ptypes@yahoo.com


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