Socionics

8.7. Model-A


Before presenting the types we have in Socionics (namely, sociotypes), I also need to show so-called Model-A. The letter “A” stands for the first letter of the surname of the founder of Socionics, that is, Aušra Augustinavičiute.

Model-A uses in practice the concept of information metabolism, by which, among others, Aušra Augustinavičiute was inspired, when she was creating Socionics. Let me remind that Antoni Kępiński was the creator of the concept of information elements.

In my opinion, Model-A is an unusual and impressive theory. For me personally, it is a difficult theory, and it seems to me that I am still far from its deeper understanding. However, Model-A, like all Socionics, is a unique theory. And it is a fact, indeed, that Socionics has a very valuable contribution to discovering the secrets of human personalities.


To define what the Model-A is, I will use a quote from the website:
http://socjonika.net/#!Budowa_psychiki


In the thinking of every human being, we can find all information elements — we can conclude that their processing is similar for all people. Significant differences from the Socionics’ point of view lie in the interdependence and the way of cooperation between processes which are responsible for processing the individual elements. These types of relationships present Model-A.

In Model-A, each element has assigned a certain function (role), which it plays in the process of information metabolism. It is easy to see that there must be 8 possible roles. We often talk about the action (mode of action) of the function itself, that is, how the element associated with it is manifested in the mental processes of a person. Function as such do not reflect the actions and decisions of people, but only the way people perceive information that will then be the basis for taking actions and decisions.

On the common pool of information we receive, operate all 8 functions. They work all the time simultaneously, but the intensity of these activities is variable. The intensity of the functions is regulated by their subsequent stimulation in two rings, corresponding to mental and vital functions. The direction of the flow of stimulation in the ring matches the numbering of the functions. Function 1 is considered to be the beginning of the mental ring, and function 5 – vital ring. As we can see, the used concepts of rings not only represent a certain division of functions but also illustrate the effects of more complicated relationships associated with them.




Model-A structure


In the Model-A, there are four horizontal blocks: Ego, Super-ego, super-id, and id. Their names mainly reflect the way we realize the work of a given pair of functions.

Ego Block—the sphere of conscious aspects of strengths, related to the contribution that a given person brings to the lives of other people.

Super-Ego Block—the sphere of conscious aspects of weaknesses, related to the elaborate conservative and defensive behavior in response to negative experiences.

Super-Id Block—the sphere of unconscious aspects of weaknesses, related to the accumulation of positive contributions of others.

Id Block—the sphere of unconscious aspects of strengths, related to involuntary acquired personal habits.

Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Budowa_psychiki

In the above quote, we can read that—“In Model-A, each element has assigned a certain function (role), which it plays in the process of information metabolism”.

I present what these functions (roles) are in the next diagram.



Summarizing, Socionics’ Model-A uses 8 information elements that I talked about earlier. Let me remind that these are:

  • I—Intuition of potentialities (opportunities), or
    Ne—Extratic (Extraverted) Intuition
  • T—Intuition of time, or
    Ni— Introtic (Introverted) Intuition
  • F—Force Sensorics (or volitional Sensorics), or
    Se—Extratic Sensorics (Extraverted Sensation)
  • S—Perceptive Sensorics (Comfort Sensation), or
    Si—Introtic Sensorics (Introverted Sensation)
  • P—Practical (business, pragmatic) Logic, or
    Te—Extratic Logic (Extraverted Thinking)
  • L—Structural Logic, or
    Ti—Introtic Logic (Introverted Thinking)
  • E—Emotional Ethics, or
    Fe—Extratic Ethics (Extraverted Feeling)
  • R—Ethics of relations, or
    Fi—Introtic Ethics (Introverted Feeling)

The above eight information elements, when we place it on the Model-A, they become functions (or roles, modes of action, ways of manifesting themselves, and so on). For example:
— when we put the T (Ni) element—Intuition of time in place 1 of Model-A,
then element T (Ni) becomes—program function.
— when we put the P (Te) element—Practical (business, pragmatic) Logic in the place 2 of Model-A,
then element P (Te) becomes—creative function.
— etc.

On the Model-A, the 8 information elements are arranged differently for each type (sociotype). Thanks to that, the functions of Model-A are different for each sociotype. In other words, in the Model-A is created a specific model of information metabolism for each of the 16 sociotypes. I will present these models in the next chapter.


As we can see in the diagram above, we have the following Model-A functions:

  1. program (also called, base or leading),
  2. creative (also called, implementation),
  3. role,
  4. vulnerable (also called, painful or place of least resistance),
  5. suggestive (also called, dual-seeking),
  6. activating (also called, mobilizing),
  7. ignoring (also called, limiting, restricting, observant),
  8. demonstrative (also called, background function).

In the diagram above we can also see that we have the following divisions of functions in the Model-A:
— strong (functions: 1, 2, 7 and 8),
— weak (functions: 3, 4, 5 and 6),
and
— accepting (function: 1, 3, 5 and 7),
— producing (functions: 2, 4, 6 and 8)
and
— mental (functions belong to mental ring), (functions 1, 2, 3 and 4),
— vital (functions belong to vital ring), (functions 5, 6, 7 and 8).

In addition to the three mentioned above most relevant divisions of functions in the Model-A, we can also distinguish other divisions, which I will talk about later in this chapter.


To describe the above functions of the Model-A, I will use descriptions from the Polish website:
http://socjonika.net/#!Funkcje

We can also find descriptions of these functions on the website:
http://www.wikisocion.net/en/index.php?title=Function_dichotomies

Also, to these descriptions, I added my diagrams.


Strong accepting functions



Program function (1)—The basic method of receiving information from the world, focused on the most effective processing of them. The innate way a person looks at reality, which is the framework of their natural thinking language about it. Point of strength: a person does not have to rely on experience in this area, being able to solve all issues on an ongoing basis.


Ignoring function (7)—Reflective operation of the second aspect of information handled by program function. The person subconsciously completes the information from the program function with these types of data and is able to efficiently process individual ones, but the management of their entirety leaves to the program function—the whole is seen from its perspective. The comfort of receiving this type of information may vary. It depends on whether it is easy to generate information of program function, which will become the framework for the ignoring completions created by the function. Information too complex in this regard, for which it is difficult to build this framework, is perceived as boring and irritating. Such a perspective also causes that within field connected with this function, more easily and more willingly are indicated errors of others than it is performing its own activity.

Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Funkcje

Strong producing functions



Creative function (2)—Supplementing information with additional aspects and creating the references for the program function—information processed in this way is both easier to verify and use. Filling the natural framework of thinking language about the world. The point of easy and quick learning. It strives for the best possible approach to this field, constantly improves and corrects it. It enriches the information from the program function with an element of individual interpretation, approach, ideas, and experiences.


Demonstrative function (8)—Reflective operation of the second aspect of information from the creative function, consisting in supplementing the information from the creative function with the references in its field. These references are created on an ongoing basis when the need arises, which, from a broader perspective, makes the operation of the function a bit chaotic. The person reacts with misunderstanding to information of this type, which does not relate to information from his creative function. Usually, he demonstrates his reluctance to such an approach in areas connected to the area of competence of his creative function, proving the senselessness of such action and showing the superiority of his solutions.

Źródło:
http://socjonika.net/#!Funkcje


Weak accepting functions



Role function (3)—Conscious operation of the second aspect of information from the suggestive function; because of its connection with this aspect, considerable attention is paid to it, but it has quite superficial character. It provides a convenient and flexible tool for interpersonal contacts; however, it is overwhelmed by the program function. A point of learning when the need arises—it learns only enough to perform its tasks in the simplest, sometimes even too simplistic way.


Suggestive function (5)—The subconscious way of receiving information from the environment, which complements the scope of information processed by the program function—a person can perfectly adopt to any amount of it and react to it very comfortably. The person does not always consciously pay attention to this type of information, but subconsciously looks for it in the environment.

Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Funkcje


Weak producing functions



Sensitive function (4)—Conscious operation of the second aspect of information from the activation function, mainly under the influence of the role function, mostly creating the negative valuing. Point of weaknesses—a person is never sure of his judgment in this matter.


Activating functions (6)—The subconscious way of receiving information, mainly under the influence of the suggestive function. The person does not understand this type of information but responds well to it. The very fact of their occurrence is a complement to the creative function, and it can be used to verify its conclusions. It is resulting in the activity of this function from minimal to excessive.




FUNCTION DICHOTOMIES


Mental and vital functions
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8



Mental functions are associated with conscious reactions and considerations of reality. While vital functions are responsible for less conscious responses to a given situation at the giving moment. It can also be said that mental functions are related to the process of organizing information. While vital functions are related to what is happening around and beyond, or to the mechanisms of correcting and ordering.
Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji

Accepting and producing functions
1, 3, 5, 7 and 2, 4, 6, 8



Accepting functions characterize the reception and processing of information in longer, more stable stages, associated with so-called stable states of mind. Producing functions receive and process information based on the effects of processing of first ones. They are working in the form of short, fast steps, supplementing the previously created context. They are associated with changes in states of mind. Due to operating in the context created by the accepting functions, the producing functions do not reflect reality directly but create its individualized image.
Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji

Strong and weak functions
1, 2, 7, 8 and 3, 4, 5, 6



Strong functions independently and actively process information, taking into account their full complexity. While weak functions tend to simplify them—they are better adapted to reacting to information of a given type without showing initiative in their processing.
Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji


Inert and contact functions
1, 4, 6, 7 and 2, 3, 5, 8



Inert functions perceive information less critically, so these functions can be overloaded. While contact functions can adapt the reception of information to the given situation, thanks to which they can approach the reception of information much more freely. Looking from the perspective of states of mind, inert functions are associated with active data processing in a stable state (the risk of continuous increasing of processing) or reactions to information in the form of change of state (inability to prevent a sudden change). While in the case of contact functions, active processing is associated with state changes (active control of the occurrence of further changes), and reacting with stable states (the ability to regulate reactions).
Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji


Valued and subdued functions
1, 2, 5, 6 and 3, 4, 7, 8



The valued functions are in the front part of the rings. The processing of related to them information drives the entire ring, providing comfortable processing with the participation of all its functions. The subdued functions are at the end of the rings and they are not able to drive them. Processing information related to them is uncomfortable—only part of the ring is involved in it (as far as the ring is not simultaneously driven by the valued information). In other words, valued functions correspond to those parts of information metabolism, which activities regulate its work in a more optimal direction. While the subdued functions correspond to those parts of information metabolism, which should be subject to regulation because their operation without its appropriate level worsens the effectiveness of the processing of information.
Source:
http://socjonika.net/#!Dychotomie_funkcji


Evaluatory and situational functions
1, 4, 5, 8 and 2, 3, 6, 7



In the areas related to evaluatory functions are made assessments that affect the approach to these areas as a whole. They are at the beginning and the end of the rings. And they serve as input filters to evaluate information, or they derive from the final conclusions.

On the other hand, assessments in situational functions relate only directly to this, based on what they were created. They are in the center of the ring, and they deal with working conclusions. This effect is related to the predisposition of a given function to operate over a longer period of time, and it is transferred into the scope of its influence.

It is worth noting that within elements related to the same Jungian function, one of the elements and its associated scope is often created from the other element and its scope.


Now, I think it is worth asking, whether are there some analogies between the Socionics’ Model-A and the Mandala of Characters?

To show this, let me remind the diagram of Model-A.



I think there are some analogies between the Model-A and the symbolic model of the psyche, which I use in the Mandala of Characters.



At first glance, it is difficult to find an analogy between the Model-A and the above symbolic model of the psyche from the Mandala.

However, if we move the elements of Model-A a little, we can do it, for example, in the way that I show in the diagram below.



Now, I think that such an arrangement of Model-A parts in a way as above can give us associations with the symbolic model of the psyche that I use in the Mandala.

Why?

I think that the analogies between the Socionics’ Model-A, and the symbolic model of the psyche in the Mandala I will present using a table.


Analogies between the Model-A in Socionics and the symbolic model of the psyche in the Mandala of Characters.
Socionics
Model-A 		Mandala of Characters
symbolic model of the psyche
mental ring (conscious) Conscious Triangle
vital ring (unconscious) Unconscious Triangle
program function, and
creative function 		Conscious State
ignoring function, and
demonstrative function 		Unconscious State
vulnerable function, and
activating function 		first point:
Strong of Soft Self-Esteem State
(Power or Vulnerable State)
role function, and
suggestive function 		second point:
Strong of Soft Self-Esteem State
(Power or Vulnerable State)
Ego block Conscious State
Id block Unconscious State
Super-Ego block, and
Super-Id block 		Area between and around the points:
Strong and Soft Self-Esteem States
(Power or Vulnerable States)

Thus, we have many analogies between Model-A and symbolic model of the psyche in the Mandala.

Personally, I am very happy that the above analogies can be found. Thanks to them, I will be able to draw a lot of inspiration from Socionics.


I think that now, after showing the analogies between Socionics and Mandala of Characters. I can show how the Socionics types (namely, sociotypes) look like on the Mandala of Characters.


Please note that texts and images created by me (that is Jacek Błach) in the chapters describing the theory of Mandala of Characters (The Mandala of Characters — Theory) are marked with:
CC0 1.0 Universal
To other texts and images that I used as quotes, additional terms may apply.