Posted by Amanda :) on June 26, 1999 at 15:44:24:
In Reply to: Re: Does dysfunction mask type? posted by Ryan on June 26, 1999 at 11:41:48:
>
> > I'm short on time, but I will try to give you some later. But, please get to the EXACT point you're trying to make. Obviously you have a situation you're trying to resolve, I'd rather focus on that , as it will be more valuable.
> Testy, aren't you Dave.
> He doesn't have to tell you the exact point he's trying to resolve. That's his personal business. He just wants a good answer to his good question, and you are refusing to give him one because of the mumbo-jumbo that you believe. It doesn't seem like he's agreeing with what you say about "all types being dysfunctional" and if you want your answers to make any sense to him then you're going have to sell him on this idea first.
> Ryan
It sounds to me like you're the testy one here Ryan!
Reading back, you'll find that Dave has, in fact, answered some of Pseudo's questions straight out (albeit, without any clarification). He also stated that he didn't have much time to devote to a fuller response and will get back later. I also think that his question was reasonble enough. Sure, I agree that Pseudo is under no obligation to divulge any information that may be private - no one is. But in the interests of clarity, sometimes being more specific about a particular issue (without filling in all the personal details) can narrow down the search for a more concise answer, which is presumably what Pseudo is after. It's infinitely preferrable to what could be a lengthy and unnecessary process of elimination.
Hey Pseudo....have you seen Riso's chapter on 'misidentifying types' in his book 'Understanding Personality'? It is, by no means, an exhaustive take on the subject - it doesn't even cover every possible combination - but worth a glance at least.
My own take is that the motivations *underlying* the dysfunction will point you towards your type, more so than the dysfunction itself. Having said that, I would echo Dave's point that some clarification of the term 'dysfunction' would be useful here. Are we talking 'fixations' or 'compulsions' or some other kind of phenomenon altogether?
It's an interesting question though, Pseudo - I hope you find the answers you're looking for - and that we can all learn something along the way:)
smiles
Amanda :)