Model A

by admin · 14.04.2014

This is an introduction to understaning the structure of socionics Model A from the perspective of Associative Socionics and Butterfly model. The presentation differ from the original one but does not change the concept of the model A (author -A. Augustinavichiute). In fact, the presentation I offer is closer to the concept of C. Jung and 4 mental functions as you can see that 8 socionics functions are presented as channels of Jungian fucntions ( thinking, feeling, sensing and intuition). It is also much easer to grasp, remember and draw.
The 8 functions are divided by 2 dichotomies introversion – extraversion and rationality– irrationality (judgement -perception) in 4 pairs of functions: Ego (Fe,Te) ; Id (Se, Ne), Superego (Fi, Ti); Superid (Ni, Si). Each pair of functions define the TPE group: Ego-, Id- types, Superego-types and Superid-types. The concept of TPE refers to the personality concepts of S. Freud, C. Jung and the psychic energy. By TPE is meant the the type of psychic energy, which is the differentiating factor for the types and their preferences in music, art and more. For example, Ego – music, Superego – art and etc.

What have different TPE groups in common?
Superego& Ego are rational. Superid & Id are irrational.
Superego& Superid are introverts. Ego& Id are extroverts.
Ego & Superid are dynamic. Superego& Id are static.

Picture 1. Associative Butterfly model of human psyche.

Each TPE combines the 2 pairs of functions which are associated with the colour of the rainbow:
TPE Ego is extroverted, rational, dynamic. Ego-functions are Fe (feeling-ethics, red) and Te (thinking-logics, orange).
TPE Superid is introverted, irrational, dynamic. Superidfunctions are Ni (intuition, green-blue) and Si (sensing, dark-blue).
TPE Id is extroverted, irrational, static. Id functions are Se (sensing, yellow) and Ne (intuition,green).
TPE Superego is introverted, rational, static. Superegofunctions are Ti (-thinking-logics, violet) and Fi (feeling – ethics, purple/pink).

Butterfly model is a general model for the differentiation of the types at the level of TPE groups based on the 3 basic dichotomies: extroversion- introversion, rationality –irrationality and statics- dynamics.

Models A for each of the 16 types
In the model A functions are grouped together by the static – dynamic dichotomy into two blocks “mental” (conscious) and “vital” (subconscious). Each block consists of 4 functions either static or dynamic:

Static functions – Fi, Ti, Se, Ne
Dynamic functions – Fe, Te, Si, Ni,

If you learn how to draw the mental part of the model A, you will easily draw the vital part because the parts are symmetrical. Alternatively use black and white symbols for functions instead of MBTI abbreviations which you can find on the picture of the Butterfly model.

The mental blocks of the model A for 4 Ego-types look like that:
1. Program – Fe or Te
2.Creative – Ni or Si
3. Vulnerable – Ni or Si
4. Role – Fe or Te

The mental blocks of the model A for 4 Superid – types look like that:
1. Program – Si or Ni
2. Creative – Te or Fe
3. Vulnerable – Te or Fe
4. Role – Si or Ni

The mental blocks of the model A for 4 Superego – types look like that:
1. Program – Ti or Fi
2. Creative – Se or Ne
3. Vulnerable – Se or Ne
4. Role – Ti or Fi

The mental blocks of the model A for 4 Id –types look like that:
1. Program – Ne or Se
2.Creative – Ti or Fi
3. Vulnerable – Ti or Fi
4. Role – Ne or Se

How to read the name of the type from the model A structure?
Note that Model A provides the justification for the type names. The socionic name is leading-creative-extra/introversion. For example the ILE is intuitive leading with a logical creative function and is extroverted. The ESI has leading ethics with secondary sensing and is introverted. Interesting facts: The types in socionics are associated with celebrities and famous literature heroes from the past to make it easier for you to memorise and use the typology. Plus each types has a role-name (e.g. the guardian, the artisan and etc.). – similar to MBTI.

Nature of functional positions – (from Wikipedia):
“Leading, program, primary, base, or dominant function. This is the strongest conscious function, and the most utilized function of the psyche. A person’s outlook and role in life is largely determined by the nature of this function. One is generally very confident in the use of this function, and may defend it when challenged.
Creative or secondary function, is second in influence only to the dominant function. It assists the dominant function in achieving its essence. One is generally less confident with the use of this function than with his dominant function. As a result, the creative function is sometimes less instrumental when a person is challenged or threatened, or when dealing with new and complex tasks and data.
Vulnerable function, or place of least resistance, is a weak and conscious function, in addition to being the most sensitive function of the psyche. Tactful assistance is required from someone else’s strong function (preferably the function to overcome the problems associated with this function.
Role function, is a weak but conscious function. One generally tries to be at least adequate in areas where use of the role function is necessary. Moreover, one generally uses it in situations of social adaptation (e.g. introducing themselves to an unknown person). However, generally one has very little control or confidence over the role function, and criticism is painfully acknowledged with respect to it. Tactful assistance is required from someone else’s strong function to overcome the problems associated with the role function.
Suggestive function, is a weak and unconscious function which is largely lacked. One requires assistance from somebody confident in this function in order to overcome the difficulties it presents. When left to ones own devices, the suggestive function goes unnoticed. People must be careful not to become subject of manipulation because of misuse of this function. Discussing aspects of this function makes person happy and trustful. (That’s why it’s called suggestive.)
Mobilizing function. This is a weak and unconscious function which one often understands poorly. Nonetheless, this function has a strong influence over one’s actions. Individuals requires assistance from someone who uses it confidently in order to understand it. Often an individual is only aware that they are totally unaware of how to use this function.
Demonstrative or background function. The background (strong, vital, productive) function does the job without unnecessary words, automatically, without focusing its attention on the details. A person knows what is expected of him and does the minimum that is necessary for the situation. This function is not expert, but its work may well satisfy an unassuming person.
Hamlet does not tend to ponder over these or those possibilities for a long time or discuss them with friends. He evaluates them automatically and acts. Able to quickly make a decision and find a way out of a difficult situation. As a rule, he uses good relations and seeks the help of friends and acquaintances to expand his circle of opportunities. If Hamlet faces a serious choice, he will gladly listen to the opinions of others, but he will make the final decision. This function is so deeply rooted into the psyche that one is usually not consciously aware of its existence or utilisation. It tends to act silently to protect the weakest point of the dual person (see below).
Observing or ignoring, or restricting function, the function of personal knowledge. This is a strong but unconscious function. One generally has a good grasp of this function, but attempts to limit its use considerably. Individuals will disregard this function when an argument calls for restraint or when it will be difficult to indulge in its essence. At the same time one uses this function to restrict somebody’s intervention to their privacy or territory, or other unsolicited interaction”.

Ego-types are rational, dynamic extroverts. They have Ego functions Fe & Te as a role and program function. Ego-functions are associated with red, orange, crimson colours.

Hamlet – EIE – ENFJ. The Performer. The ethical intuitive extravert.
Program – Fe Fi – Restricting
Creative – Ni Ne – Background
Vulnerable – Si Se – Mobilizing
Role – Te Ti – Suggestive

Victor Hugo -ESE- ESFJ. The Enthusiast. The ethical sensing extravert.
Program – Fe Fi – Restricting
Creative – Si Se – Background
Vulnerable – Ni Ne – Mobilizing
Role – Te Ti – Suggestive

Jack London – LIE – ENTJ. The Entrepreneur. The logical intuitive extravert.
Program – Te – Ti – Restricting
Creative – Ni Ne – Background
Vulnerable -Si Se – Mobilizing
Role – Fe Fi – Suggestive

Max Otto von Stierlitz -LSE – ESTJ. The Administrator. The logical sensing extravert.
Program – Te Ti – Restricting
Creative – Si Se – Background
Vulnerable – Ni Ne – Mobilizing
Role – Fe Fi- Suggestive

Superid-types are irrational, dynamic introverts. Superid functions are Si ++ Ni. Superid associated with dark colours, blue and black.

Jean Gabin – SLI – ISTP. The Artisan. The sensing logical introvert.
Program – Si Se – Restricting
Creative – Te Ti- Background
Vulnerable – Fe Fi – Mobilizing
Role – Ni Ne – Suggestive

Honoré de Balzac – ILI – INTP. The Critic. The intuitive logical introvert.
Program – Ni Ne – Restricting
Creative – Te Ti – Background
Vulnerable – Fe Fi – Mobilizing
Role – Si Se – Suggestive

Alexandre Dumas– SEI – ISFP. The Hedonist. The sensing ethical introvert.
Program – Si Se- Restricting
Creative – Fe Fi – Background
Vulnerable -Te Ti- Mobilizing
Role – Ni Ne – Suggestive

Sergei Yesenin – IEI – INFP. The Dreamer. The intuitive ethical introvert.
Program – Ni Ne – Restricting
Creative – Fe Fi – Background
Vulnerable -Te Ti – Mobilizing
Role – Si Se – Suggestive

Id-types are irrational, static extraverts. Id functions are Ne + Se. Id is associated with green and yellow colours.

Aldous Huxley – IEE – ENFP. The Mentor. The intuitive ethical extravert.
Program – Ne Ni – Restricting
Creative – Fi Fe – Background
Vulnerable -Ti Te – Mobilizing
Role – Se Si – Suggestive

Napoleon Bonaparte – SEE- ESFP. The Ambassador. The sensing ethical extravert.
Program – Se Si – Restricting
Creative – Fi Fe – Background
Vulnerable – Ti Te – Mobilizing
Role – Ne Ni – Suggestive

Don Quixote -ILE- ENTP. The Innovator. The intuitive logical extravert.
Program – Ne Ni – Restricting
Creative – Ti Te – Background
Vulnerable – Fi Fe – Mobilizing
Role – Se Si – Suggestive

Georgy Zhukov – SLE – ESTP. The Marshall. The sensing logical extravert.
Program – Se Si – Restricting
Creative – Ti Te – Background
Vulnerable – Fi Fe – Mobilizing
Role – Ne Ni – Suggestive

Superego – types are rational, static introverts. Superego functions are Ti and Fi. TPE Superego is associated with light, pastel colours and also pink, purple, violet and white colours.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky – EII – INFJ. The Humanist. The ethical intuitive introvert
Program – Fi Fe – Restricting
Creative – Ne Ni – Background
Vulnerable – Se Si – Mobilizing
Role – Ti Te – Suggestive Role – Ti Te – Suggestive

Theodore Dreiser – ESI – ISFJ. The Guardian. The ethical sensing introvert
Program – Fi Fe – Restricting
Creative – Se Si – Background
Vulnerable – Ne Ni – Mobilizing

INTJ, The Analyst , The logical intuitive introvert
Program – Ti Te – Restricting
Creative – Ne Ni- Background
Vulnerable – Se Si- Mobilizing
Role – Fi Fe – Suggestive

Maxim Gorky – LSI – ISTJ, The Inspector, The logical sensing introvert
Program – Ti Te – Restricting
Creative – Se Si – Background
Vulnerable – Ne Ni- Mobilizing
Role – Fi Fe – Suggestive