How to Read Human Nature Part 2

BALANCED TEMPERAMENTS

The best authorities agree in the belief that the Balanced Temperament is the most desirable. That is, the condition in which the three temperaments balance each other perfectly, so that the weak points of each are remedied by the strong points of the others, and the extremes of each are neutralized and held in check by the influence of the others. Prof. O. S. Fowler, the veteran phrenologist says upon this point: "A well balanced organism, with all the temperaments large and in about equal proportion, is by far the best and most favorable for both enjoyment and efficiency; to general genius and real greatness; to strength along with perfection of character; to consistency and power throughout. The Motive large, with the Mental deficient, gives power with sluggishness, so that the powers lie dormant; adding large Vital gives great physical power and enjoyment, with too little of the Mental and the moral, along with coa.r.s.eness; while the Mental in excess creates too much mind for body, too much exquisiteness and sentimentality for the stamina, along with a green-house precocity most destructive of life's powers and pleasures; whereas their equal balance gives abundance of vital force, physical stamina, and mental power and susceptibility.

They may be compared to the several parts of a steamboat and its appurtenances. The Vital is the steam-power; the Motive, the hulk or framework; the Mental, the freight or pa.s.sengers. Predominant Vital generates more vital energy than can well be worked off, which causes restlessness, excessive pa.s.sion, and a pressure which endangers outbursts and overt actions; predominant Motive gives too much frame or hulk, moves slowly, and with weak Mental, is too light-freighted to secure the great ends of life, predominant Mental overloads, and endangers sinking; but all equally balanced and powerful, carry great loads rapidly and well, and accomplish wonders. Such persons unite cool judgments with intense and well-governed feelings; great force of character and intellect with perfect consistency; scholars.h.i.+p with sound common sense; far seeing sagacity with brilliancy; and have the highest order of both physiology and mentality."

Professor Nelson Sizer, another high authority said: "In nature the temperaments exist in combination, one being, however, the most conspicuous. So rarely do we find examples of an even mixture or balance, that it may be said that they who possess it are marvellous exceptions in the current of human society. Such an even mixture would indicate a most extraordinary heritage; it would be const.i.tutional perfection. But, once in a while, a person is met in whom there is a close approach to this balance, and we are accustomed to speak of it as a _balanced_ temperament, it being difficult to determine which element is in predominance."

MIXED TEMPERAMENTS

The experience of the older phrenologists, which is verified by the investigations of the later authorities, was that in the majority of persons _two_ of the temperaments are well developed, the third remaining comparatively undeveloped. Of the two active temperaments, _one_ is usually found to be predominant, although in many the two are found to be almost equally developed. But even in the last mentioned instance one of the two seems to have been more actively called forth by the environment of the person, and may therefore be regarded as the ruling temperament. Arising from this fact we find the several cla.s.ses of Mixed Temperament, known, respectively, as: the Vital-Motive; the Motive-Vital; the Motive-Mental; the Mental-Motive; the Vital-Mental; and the Mental-Vital. In these cla.s.ses the name of the predominant, or most active temperament appears first, the second name indicating the temperament relatively undeveloped or inactive.

The _Vital-Motive_ and the _Motive-Vital_ temperaments give the combination in which is manifested physical activity and strong vitality. Those of these temperaments are adapted to out-of-door work, such as farming, out-of-door trades, mechanics, soldiers and sailors, and other occupations requiring strong vital power and muscular strength and activity. The physical characteristics are the prominent bones and strong muscles of the Motive, and well-rounded limbs and "stout" forms of the Vital. When the Vital predominates, there is apt to be more flesh; when the Motive predominates there is apt to be more ruggedness and muscular development.

The _Motive-Mental_ and _Mental-Motive_ temperaments give the combination in which is manifested the physical activity of the Motive and the mental activity of the Motive and the mental activity of the Mental--the physical and mental characteristics of the Vital being absent. The Mental element relieves the Motive of some of its crudeness and roughness, while the Motive relieves the Mental of its tendency to get away from the practical side of things. The strong frame and muscles are balanced by the brain-development. Those of this temperament make good practical business men, physicians, lawyers, scientists, explorers, and others who have to work and think at the same time. These people often manifest great executive ability. When the Motive predominates, the tendency is toward out-of-door occupations in which the brain is used in connection with bodily activity. When the Mental predominates there is a tendency toward in-door occupations in which active brain work is required. These people have well-developed heads, together with wiry, strong bodies. Some of the most successful men have come from this cla.s.s.

The _Vital-Mental_ and _Mental-Vital_ temperaments give the combination in which is manifested many attractive traits which render their possessor agreeable, companionable, and at the same time bright and intelligent. The Vital element gives a plumpness to the form, while the Mental imparts a brightness to the mind. This is the temperament of many attractive women. The Mental activity tends to counterbalance the Vital tendency toward physical ease and comfort. These people make good orators, after dinner speakers, and agreeable society men and women, actors, artists, poets, and popular literary men. The respective predominance of the Mental or the Vital, in this combination, gives to this cla.s.s somewhat of a variety, but a little observation will soon enable one to recognize the individuals belonging to it. A certain combination in this cla.s.s produces the trait of "emotionality," or superficial feeling and sympathy.

The student of Human Nature should pay much attention to Temperament and the outward indications of each cla.s.s and sub-cla.s.s, for Temperament gives us much of our best information regarding character and disposition, in fact Character Reading depends materially upon the interpretation of Temperament.

CHAPTER V

THE MENTAL QUALITIES

We now approach the subject of the several particular mental qualities, and the groups thereof, both in the phase of their inner states and that of their outer form. In the consideration of both of these phases we must avail ourselves of the investigations and researches of the old phrenologists who cleared a path for all who follow. Although many of the phrenological theories are rejected by modern psychologists and biologists, nevertheless their work established a firm foundation for the science of the study of the brain and its functions. And to Gall and his followers we are indebted for the discovery and teaching that the activity and development of the several mental qualities or faculties manifest in outer form in the shape of the skull.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 1 THE MENTAL QUALITIES]

The general principles of phrenology may be briefly stated as follows:

I. The Brain is the organ of the mind.

II. The mind is not a single ent.i.ty or power, but has several faculties, stronger or weaker, which determine the character of the individual.

III. That each faculty or propensity has a special organ in the brain.

IV. The size of the brain (the quality being equal) is the true measure of power.

V. There are several groups of faculties, and each group is represented by organs located in the same region of the brain.

VI. The relative size of each organ results from the activity of its appropriate faculty.

VII. The size of the organ is indicated by the appearance and size of the skull immediately over the region of the organ.

VIII. The Quality and Temperament of the organization determine the degree of vigor, activity, and endurance of the mental powers.

Modern psychology and biology claim to have disproven many of the phrenological contentions, while other lines of investigation have given us other theories to account for the phenomena first noted by the phrenologists. Some investigators of brain development and action hold that while certain mental states manifest in outer form on portions of the skull, the phenomenon is due to the action of the _cranial muscles_ rather than to the fact of the localization of special faculties--that each mental state is a.s.sociated with certain actions on the part of certain cranial muscles which in turn exert a modifying effect upon the shape and size of the skull.

As Erbes states it "the effect the scheme of cranial muscles have had and still have upon the conformation of the skull, and, consequently, had in determining the location of those areas and in giving brain and mind a character approximately identical from end to end of the scale of living things possessing the cerebro-spinal nervous system. In so far as the neural matter is dependent upon the cranial muscles--aside from the sensory stimuli--so far, likewise are the psychic manifestations, through tongue or limb, modified by variations in those muscles that, after their creative task is done, a.s.sume a vasomotor control over their respective areas." The same writer also says: "The cerebral ma.s.s owes its location and subsequent expansion, moreover, in a measure that mind owes its character, primarily to the action of the muscles attached to and lying upon its peripheral covering, the skull; these same muscles thereafter, through exercising a cerebral vasomotor control, act in the nature of keys for calling the evolved dependent brain areas into play, singly and en ma.s.se."

Others have held that the development of certain areas of the surface of the skull is due to peculiar neural or nervous, activities having their seat in certain parts of the brain adjacent to their appropriate area of the skull, but these theories fail to explain the nature of the relation between the mind, brain and the "nerve centres" aforesaid.

These several authorities, and others, however, agree upon the fact that certain areas of the brain are a.s.sociated in some way with certain mental states; and that these brain areas register their relative activity upon the areas of the skull adjacent thereto; and that the _activity_ and _power_ of each brain area, or faculty, is denoted by the _size_ of the a.s.sociated skull-area. Thus, the outward facts claimed by phrenology are admitted, while their theories of cause are disputed.

In this book we shall rest content with these "outward facts" of phrenology, and shall not concern ourselves with the various theories which seek to explain them, preferring to leave that task for others. In considering the subject of the Outer Form a.s.sociated with the Inner State of Human Nature, we shall merely claim that _mental states manifest in outer form in the shape and size of the head; and that certain areas of the skull are thus a.s.sociated with certain mental states, the size and shape of the former denoting the degree of activity of the latter_.

The general scheme of cla.s.sification of the various mental "faculties"

of the phrenologists, and the names given thereto by the old phrenologists, have in the main been adhered to in this book. In a number of cases, however, we have seen fit to re-arrange the groups in accordance with the later ideas of the New Psychology, and have given to some of the "faculties" names considered more appropriate to the later cla.s.sification, and understanding of the mental state. Moreover, in order to avoid the phrenological theories attaching thereto, we have decided not to use the terms, "faculties," "propensities," and "sentiments," in referring to the several mental states; and shall therefore use the term "_Qualities_" in the place thereof. The term "quality," while denoting "the condition of being such or such; nature relatively considered," does not carry with it the theory attached to the phrenological term "faculty." But the _locality_ of the several qualities of "faculties" has not been disturbed or changed--the _place_ where each quality _manifests in outer form_, as a.s.signed in this book, agrees with that a.s.signed by the old phrenologists, time having served to establish the truth of the same, rather than to disprove it.

The following is the cla.s.sification and terminology adopted by us in this book in the consideration of the Mental Qualities. (See Fig. 1.)

I. THE EGOISTIC QUALITIES: Self-Esteem; and Approbativeness.

II. THE MOTIVE QUALITIES: Combativeness; Destructiveness; Cunning; Cautiousness; Acquisitiveness; and Constructiveness.

III. THE VITATIVE QUALITIES: Vitativeness; Alimentativeness; and Bibativeness.

IV. THE EMOTIVE QUALITIES: Amativeness; Conjugality; Parental Love; Sociability and Home-Love.

V. THE APPLICATIVE QUALITIES: Firmness; and Continuity.

VI. THE MODIFICATIVE QUALITIES: Ideality; Infinity; and Humor.

VII. THE RELATIVE QUALITIES: Human Nature; Suavity; Sympathy; and Imitation.

VIII. THE PERCEPTIVE QUALITIES: Observation; Form; Size; Weight; Color; Order; Calculation; Tune; Time; Locality; Eventuality; and Words.

IX. THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES: a.n.a.lysis; and Logic.

X. THE RELIGIO-MORAL QUALITIES: Reverence; Mysticism; Optimism; and Conscientiousness.

In the following several chapters we shall consider each group, in turn, together with the particular Qualities of each group. _It must be remembered that the power of each Quality is modified by the influence of the other Qualities. Therefore in judging the character of an individual, each and every Quality must be taken into consideration._

CHAPTER VI

THE EGOISTIC QUALITIES

The first group of Qualities is that known as the Egoistic Qualities, which is composed of two particular Qualities, known, respectively, as _Self-Esteem_; and _Approbativeness_. This group manifests outer form immediately at the "crown" of the head, and on the sides directly beneath or "side of" the crown. (See Fig. 2.) It is the seat of the consciousness of Individuality and Personality, and the tendencies arising directly therefrom.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 2 THE EGOISTIC QUALITIES]