PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 176, 27 June 1932, Page 2

PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY CLUB

An address on “Types of Personality,” by Mr A. Montague Lasceiles, D. 0., was listened to with interest by a large number of members and friends of the local Practical Psychology- Club on Friday. The cliair was occupied by the president, Mr C. F. Spooner. The speaker by way of introduction remarked that psychology which helped us to understand others was good, but that which helped us to understand ourselves was best of all. It was easy to analyse others, but we kicked when the surgeon’s knife was applied to our own emotions. “Intellectually we are what we are by virtue of heredity. Genius springs only from the stock of genius. Environment adds nothing except in the shape of emotional reactions.”

The first type dealt with was the criminal Al. Capone, it was stated, was typical of the American criminal—a great egotist, with absolute self-con-fidence. This type obtained the highest satisfaction in life by “putting it across” his neighbour, was cruel, strong and actually boasted of his crimes. The true criminal was incapable of reformation. He was non-re-pentant because he had no sense of guilt. The inadequate type was the next great problem. He was not necessarily subnormal mentally; indeed, was frequently brilliant, but was over sensitive and unequal to the burden of life’s pressure. He was without ambition and when lie obtained a job was unable to hold it down. By nature he was proud and strongly negative. Another typo was the person who imagined himself particularly good and complained of everything. He fancied the foreman was down on him, being jealous of his ability, and afraid of being done for his job. Allied to this type was the psychopathic who found it hard to make group adjustments and difficult to mix. Such persons might become hurt at work purposely in order to gain sympathy. Though not deliberate liars, they were given to romancing, making the experience of others their own to satisfy their ego. Among other types described was the gay chatterbox, who was like the babbling brook, and the quiet humourist, who got a lot of solid satisfaction out of life. There was a practical energetic type which combined the effervescence of the chatterbox with good nature which made the best of life and met things wjtli a smile. This type was rare. There was the polite, sensitive man who suffered torments from public criticism, and opposed to him was the cold masterful egotist who often made the successful businoss man. In discovering ourselves among all these, we found ourselves wondering what to do. It was impossible to overcome an emotional condition by saying: “I won’t.” AVe had to know ourselves and why we acted in a particular way so as to recondition ourselves into another type of personality. _ A discussion followed and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Lasceiles for his interesting address.