Humanitarian Socionics

Central and peripheral in socionics

In a general sense, the sign "centrality" means the potential readiness (as well as an unconscious craving) of the psyche for pushing itself to limits in conditions of fierce competition (or forced cooperation). "Peripherality", respectively, characterizes the opposite pole — a predisposition to moderate loads and a preference for voluntary cooperation over competition.

1. Intellectual level. Central and peripheral in socionics

The "centrality" sign forms a unipolar picture of the world. It is based on the belief that someone is more right than the other. Central intellectuals tend to have more (especially secret) knowledge than others, and claim to have a deeper understanding of things. They are characterized by attempts to deduce all the consequences from one beginning. Knowledge is primarily a tool of influence: a way to achieve competitive advantages. A peripheral intellectual is quickly slowed down and displaced if it gets into a forced mode and is forced to compete for a place in the hierarchy. He is a stranger to hierarchy and ambition.

2. At the social level. Central and peripheral in socionics

Centrality controls the ability to seize or retain power in one way or another (from authoritarianism to sophisticated technologies for manipulating elections). The central types predominate over the peripheral ones in the lists of rulers, businessmen, cultural figures and other celebrities.

Peripheral types themselves do not seize power and are not able to retain it. If they find themselves at the top of formal structures (for example, the state machine), it is only as satellites or allies of the central types.

3. On a psychological level. Central and peripheral in socionics

Between the central and peripheral there is a contrast in the values of life. The aggressive-victim value complex characterizes the central ones. It is realized through the possession of intimidating power (its use is not necessary) or through the need to feel like a victim. The caring-infantile complex characterizes the peripheral ones. This complex acts as a need to take care of someone who is poorly adapted to the material world, or to adequately accept such care (not to take the caring one for granted).

4. On the physical level. Central and peripheral in socionics

The central ones have a tendency to use doping agents to spur the body when overloading occurs. We are talking not only about smoking and alcohol, but also about the use of any other substances that have tonic or hallucinogenic characteristics. For the central ones, periodic checks of their competitiveness are vital: training in extreme situations, long hikes and other attempts to find the limit, conquer the top, prove that I can, etc. The peripheral ones are born for a more relaxed life without shocks and the need for excessive stimulation.