On January 13, 2011, our featured speaker was the prolific psychological type author and member of TC-APT, Jean Kummerow .   The topic, Type and Stress, outlined the typical stress patterns associated with each of the 16 psychological types.    The information was divided into 8 profiles based on the dominant function of each type.

For example, an exaggerated use of dominant introverted intuition (INFJ, INTJ) is likely to manifest in the individual coming up with an an all-encompassing theory that explains everything coupled with an insistence that this theory is the only correct one.  When in the inferior function, the tendency is to focus on irrelevant details or overindulge in sensory pleasures with little discernment.  Kummerow shared several real life examples of stress reactions for each type.  Her father, who happens to have preferences for INTJ, checks his blood pressure every ten minutes when he is under stress.

Usually the way out of a stress reaction (also known as the grip) is to focus on using the auxiliary or tertiary functions for each personality type.  The theory behind this strategy is that the dominant function, which is usually an individual’s “go to” strength is operating in an exaggerated form.  The inferior function, the least developed and used function is also gone awry.  The other two functions may be less affected and can therefore be called upon to restore balance to the personality.

The presentation closed with recommendations on how to ameliorate your personal stress reactions and what to do when someone you know is having a stress reaction.   One example is to know when you are beginning to fall into caricature or grip-like behaviors.  Take a break and calmly analyze the situation.

If someone else is having a stress reaction, reasoning with them is probably more of an irritant than a anything else.   Humor isn’t likely to help until the crisis has passed.  Suggest a break but let the individual work it out.  It is through this process that personal insight is gained which is truly the silver lining when the dark clouds of stress have passed.

Written by:  Ann Holm (TC-APT member/www.annholm.net/)