Steven Kessler is a psychotherapist and author who developed a theory of five personality patterns, which he believes are based on the theories of Wilhelm Reich, a psychoanalyst and student of Sigmund Freud. According to Kessler, these five patterns are related to five distinct body types that correspond to five different personality patterns. According to Reich, the human body and psyche are interconnected, and emotional and psychological issues can manifest physically in the body.
It All Starts in Early Childhood
According to Steven Kessler’s theory of five personality patterns, each of the patterns is related to specific emotional and psychological issues that a person may have experienced in childhood. He believes that these issues can manifest physically in the body and that the way in which a person holds themselves, their posture, and muscle tone can indicate the presence of certain emotional and psychological issues.
In order to understand this map, the basic principle is that “all children have problems”; every single child had difficulties and had to figure out a way to deal with them; there were events that were upsetting, frustrating, painful, scary, sad, overwhelming, the body gets upset.
What Can a Child Do in Those Moments When Feeling Unsafe?
The child applies the ability he has; if we see a certain strategy, we will copy it; most of what children learn is from copying; what works for us, we will continue doing; what don’t, we won’t adopt.
The problem is, as infants, they don’t have many options; if you’re ten months old, you can barely respond and cannot fight back, can’t jump or walk away; all the infant has is the ability to shift energy through the body from one place to another, and where you put your attention, the classic principle of energy and awareness is energy goes where you put your attention.
If you are a year-old or one-month-old or even still in the womb, and something is shocking you, one of the few tools you have is to move your awareness and attention so it doesn’t feel so bad.
The Different Shifts of Energy Options Are the Different Body Types
Kessler’s theory suggests that the five personality patterns are formed as a way of coping with and adapting to childhood experiences. For example, the Leaving pattern may be formed in response to a childhood that was marked by rejection or abandonment. The child may develop a tendency to avoid intimacy and commitment as a way of protecting themselves from further hurt and rejection. Similarly, the Merging pattern may be formed in response to a childhood that was marked by emotional enmeshment with a parent or caregiver. The child may develop a tendency to become emotionally enmeshed with others and to have difficulty maintaining boundaries as a way of coping with their childhood experiences.
The 5 Personality Patterns are based on Characterology
What is Characterology by Wilhelm Reich
According to Reich, emotional and psychological issues can manifest physically in the body, and he believed that the way in which a person holds themselves, their posture, and muscle tone can indicate the presence of certain emotional and psychological issues. Reich believed that there were several character types, each with its own distinct physical characteristics and emotional tendencies. He believed that these character types were formed in response to specific emotional and psychological issues in childhood. The five character types that Reich identified were:
- The Schizoid Character is characterized by a withdrawn and detached personality and is associated with a tendency to avoid intimacy and commitment.
- The Oral Character is characterized by a round, soft physique and associated with a tendency to become emotionally enmeshed with others and to have difficulty maintaining boundaries.
- The Rigid Character is characterized by a thin, bony physique and associated with a tendency to be inflexible, perfectionistic, and to have difficulty relaxing.
- The Masochistic Character is characterized by a sturdy, muscular physique and associated with a tendency to suppress emotions and to be stoic and self-reliant.
- The Narcissistic Character is characterized by a large, imposing physique and is associated with a tendency to be dominant, controlling and forceful.
Kessler’s Theory Uses the Same Body Types but With a Different Interpretation
Let us take a closer look at these interpretations.
Leaving Pattern
The energy is going away from the person, “it hurts in the body, but I’m not there.” When it hurts, this type will leave the body or leave the room (leave the situation).
It is characterized by a thin, angular physique and associated with a tendency to avoid intimacy and commitment. People with this pattern may have difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships, as they may feel that they need to protect themselves from being hurt or rejected. They may also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may suppress them.
- Origin: It arises from early experiences where the world seemed overwhelming, causing the individual to withdraw or “leave” their body.
- Characteristics: People with this pattern often feel disconnected from the world and from their own bodies. They might be described as “spacey,” “not present,” or “in their head.”
- Belief System: They tend to believe that the world is not safe and that they’re better off retreating from it.
- Challenges: Difficulties in staying grounded or present, especially during stress. They might also struggle with focus and consistency.
- Strengths: Intuition, creativity, and an ability to see the bigger picture. More spiritual, more psychic, a healer, and a highly sensitive person who has not developed a strong, energetic boundary, so the incoming stimuli from the external senses are too much.
Merging Pattern
Energy goes towards another person standing next to him, “It hurts, but I want you to fix it for me.”.
Characterized by a round, soft physique and associated with a tendency to become emotionally enmeshed with others and to have difficulty maintaining boundaries. People with this pattern may find it difficult to separate their feelings from those of others and may have a hard time setting limits. They may also have a fear of rejection and may compromise their own needs to please others.
- Origin: It develops from an early environment where the child’s needs are met inconsistently. The child learns to merge with a caregiver to feel safe.
- Characteristics: Individuals with this pattern may often feel incomplete when alone and can be overly accommodating to avoid abandonment. They often prioritize others’ needs above their own.
- Belief System: The belief that they’re not whole by themselves and need others to feel complete.
- Challenges: Codependency, lack of clear boundaries, and a tendency to lose themselves in relationships.
- Strengths: Empathy, nurturing, and a strong ability to connect with others. Noticing other people (high agreeableness), very good caregivers.
Enduring Pattern
Energy pulling inside and down, “It hurts, so I’ll hide.” This usually happens when the child loses fights with the parents or the other environment; losing the fights repeatedly makes you come to the conclusion that “I can’t win!, I’m too small; they’re too big; they will hurt me until I give in.” What can you do? Pull the energy down and in to regress your self-expression, so there’s very little energy in the system because it was the original trigger of pain. Often called the strong silent type, their thought and behavior are “you cannot make me,” but in a passive way so there won’t be a fight.
Characterized by a sturdy, muscular physique and associated with a tendency to suppress emotions and to be stoic and self-reliant. People with this pattern may have difficulty expressing their emotions and may have a tendency to bottle them up. They may also be inclined to be independent and avoid asking for help.
- Origin: Arises from an early environment where the child’s needs were often not met and they had to wait or endure hardship.
- Characteristics: People with this pattern often suppress their own needs, have a high tolerance for discomfort, and can seem stoic or passive.
- Belief System: The belief that they must endure hardship without complaint and that their needs are not important.
- Challenges: Difficulty recognizing or voicing their needs and desires. They may struggle with resentment.
- Strengths: Patience, resilience, a high threshold for enduring challenges, and a strong capacity for grounding; grounding means a felt sense of connection to the earth.
Ideally, our bodies feel an energetic and emotional connection to the earth; we feel supported, we feel nurtured, and we feel a relationship with the earth. If we are in distress, we can say, “Help me,” “Send me strength,” “Send me courage,” or “Send me what I need,” and it comes the connection to the un-ending flow of energy, strength, love, and support we need.
Aggressive Pattern
Energy goes up, out, and forward, “It hurts so I’ll fight back.” A child 10, 12, or 15 years old who figures out that he is “bigger and stronger” than his parents is a terrifying situation because he understands he has to handle it all by himself.
Characterized by a large, imposing physique and associated with a tendency to be dominant, controlling, and forceful. People with this pattern may have a tendency to be bossy and may have difficulty cooperating with others. They may also be inclined to be competitive and may have difficulty acknowledging the feelings and needs of others.
- Origin: This pattern often develops in an environment where the child has felt the need to fight or assert control to get their needs met.
- Characteristics: Individuals with this pattern can be assertive and confrontational and may have a need to be in control. They’re driven by a need to push through obstacles.
- Belief System: The world is a challenging place where they have to assert and prove themselves.
- Challenges: Impatience, anger issues, and potential difficulties in relationships due to a need for control.
- Strengths: Drive, determination, and the ability to get things done. Manifestation in the world, let’s make something happen, often charismatic, a leader, energetic, to bring high energy up and do something with it in the world.
Rigid Pattern
The energy comes from down and goes up while being constricted; they dampen the experience, “It hurts so I’ll constrict the pain.” This is the oldest pattern to form, constricted inside so you feel less.
He will be disconnected from who he “really is”, his wishes and desires, and will act according to what is expected of him.
Characterized by a thin, bony physique and associated with a tendency to be inflexible, perfectionistic, and to have difficulty relaxing. People with this pattern may be inclined to be rigid in their thinking and may have a hard time adapting to change. They may also have difficulty letting go of control and may be prone to anxiety and stress.
- Origin: Comes from an early environment where there were strict rules, or there was a high value placed on performance.
- Characteristics: Individuals with this pattern often strive for perfection and have high standards for themselves and others. They value structure and order.
- Belief System: They must be perfect, follow the rules, and meet high standards to be loved or valued.
- Challenges: Perfectionism, difficulty relaxing or being spontaneous, and a fear of making mistakes.
- Strengths: Reliability, precision, and a strong sense of duty, order, organization, attention to form and structure, having a place for everything and everything in its place, and learning the form of doing things.
The Similarities in the Personality Types Between Steven Kessler’s and Characterology
According to Steven Kessler’s theory of five personality patterns, each pattern he identified overlaps with one of Wilhelm Reich’s character types. The five personality patterns identified by Kessler are:
- Leaving pattern: which overlaps with Reich’s Schizoid character type.
- Merging pattern: which overlaps with Reich’s Oral character type.
- Enduring pattern: which overlaps with Reich’s Masochistic character type.
- Aggressive pattern: which overlaps with Reich’s Narcissistic character type.
- Rigid pattern: which overlaps with Reich’s Rigid character type.
Ken Dychtwald’s Body Type Theory in His “Bodymind” Book
Ken Dychtwald’s theory of body types in his book “Bodymind” is similar to Steven Kessler’s theory in that both propose that there is a connection between a person’s physical appearance and their personality or emotional tendencies. Both theories also propose that there are distinct body types that correspond to different personality patterns.
Ken Dychtwald’s “Bodymind” Body Types
Body Splits
Dychtwald discusses different “body splits” – ways in which people might unconsciously divide their bodies into parts, often as a psychological coping mechanism or due to cultural influences. These splits can lead to imbalances in how people perceive and use different parts of their bodies. Here are some of the major body splits he describes:
Left/Right Split
his split refers to how people may favor one side of their body over the other. It’s common in most cultures to have a preference for using the right hand (right-handedness). This preference can create imbalances in the body and might reflect a split in the person’s psychological or emotional processing.
Top/Bottom Split
This involves the division between the upper and lower parts of the body. Often, there’s a cultural and psychological emphasis on the functions of the upper body (thinking, speaking, seeing), while the lower body (movement, sexuality) can be undervalued or ignored.
Front/Back Split
This split relates to the difference in how people present themselves (front) and what they keep hidden or protected (back). The front of the body is often associated with social interaction and presentation, while the back can represent aspects of the self that are private or repressed.
Head/Body Split
This is one of the most significant splits discussed by Dychtwald. It refers to the tendency in modern culture to prioritize cognitive, intellectual functions (associated with the head) over bodily functions and sensations. This split can lead to a disconnection from physical sensations and emotions.
Inner/Outer Split
This refers to the division between a person’s internal experience and the external world. People may focus either too much inward (leading to self-absorption) or too much outward (leading to a lack of self-awareness).
Each of these splits has variations and can manifest in different ways depending on the individual’s experiences, cultural background, and psychological makeup. For instance, someone with a pronounced head/body split might struggle with being in touch with their physical needs and emotions, while a person with a strong left/right split might develop physical imbalances due to favoring one side of their body.
Body Types
Dychtwald, in his book “Bodymind,” also describes several body types and the characteristics that are associated with each one. The body types he describes include:
- The Apollonian: a tall and lean build, with long limbs and a refined appearance. People with this body type are often considered elegant and graceful, with a strong sense of self-discipline and self-control. They tend to be independent, analytical, and reserved.
- The Dionysian: a more rounded and fleshy build, with shorter limbs and a more sensual appearance. People with this body type are often considered warm, outgoing, and sociable, with a strong sense of feeling and intuition. They tend to be more emotional and expressive and to value close relationships and social connections.
- The Vulcanian: a strong, muscular build, with broad shoulders and a powerful appearance. People with this body type are often considered assertive, ambitious, and competitive, with a strong sense of determination and willpower. They tend to be practical and logical and to value achievement and success.
- The Saturnian: a shorter, stockier build, with a rounder appearance and less defined muscles. People with this body type are often considered stable, reliable, and loyal, with a strong sense of tradition and security. They tend to be more cautious and conservative and value stability and security.
- The Mercurian: a slender, agile build, with a light and energetic appearance. People with this body type are often considered clever, curious, and adaptable, with a strong sense of humor and wit. They tend to be more inquisitive, open-minded, and to value innovation and change.
Similarities in the Personality Types Between Ken Dychtwald’s “Bodymind” and Steven Kessler’s Personality Patterns?
Ken Dychtwald’s theory of body types in his book “Bodymind” is different from Steven Kessler’s theory of five personality patterns, although they share some similarities in that they both propose that there is a connection between a person’s physical appearance and their personality or emotional tendencies. Both theories also propose that there are distinct body types that correspond to different personality patterns.
It’s difficult to make a direct comparison between Ken Dychtwald’s body types and Steven Kessler’s body types, as they are described differently and the characteristics associated with each are also different. However, one could make some similarities, for instance:
- The Apollonian is related to the Leaving pattern, as both suggest a tendency to avoid intimacy and commitment.
- The Dionysian is related to the Merging pattern, as both suggest a tendency to become emotionally enmeshed with others and to have difficulty maintaining boundaries.
- The Vulcanian is related to the Aggressive pattern, as both suggest a tendency to be dominant, controlling and forceful.
- The Saturnian is related to the Enduring pattern, as both suggest a tendency to suppress emotions and to be stoic and self-reliant.
- The Mercurian is related to the Rigid pattern in Kessler’s theory.
Both Kessler and Dychtwald Are Students of Reich
Both Steven Kessler and Ken Dychtwald have acknowledged the influence of Wilhelm Reich’s theories on their own work. Reich, a psychoanalyst and student of Sigmund Freud, developed a method called Characterology, which suggests that emotional and psychological issues can manifest physically in the body. He believed that the way in which a person holds themselves, their posture, and muscle tone can indicate the presence of certain emotional and psychological issues. He identified five character types, each with its own distinct physical characteristics and emotional tendencies, which he believed were formed in response to specific emotional and psychological issues in childhood.
Steven Kessler, in his theory of five personality patterns, states that his theory is based on Reich’s characterology. He believes that the five body types he identified directly relate to the five character types that Reich identified and that each personality pattern is related to specific emotional and psychological issues that a person may have experienced in childhood.
Ken Dychtwald, in his book “Bodymind,” also refers to Reich’s theory of characterology as an inspiration for his own theory of body types and their corresponding characteristics. He suggests that by understanding the body, we can understand the mind, and by understanding the mind, we can understand the body. He also states that Reich’s character types were an inspiration for his own body types, although he describes them differently.
It’s important to note that while both Kessler’s and Dychtwald’s theories are based on Reich’s characterology, it’s not widely accepted in the scientific community and it has not been supported by scientific research. Additionally, the relationship between a person’s physical appearance and their personality or emotional tendencies is complex and multifaceted, and it’s important to consult with a qualified professional in the field of psychology for a formal diagnosis and treatment of any mental health concerns.
Steven Kessler’s Body Types in Relation to “The Big Five” Model
It’s possible to see some similarities between Steven Kessler’s five personality patterns and the Big Five personality trait model, but it’s important to note that these frameworks are not directly related and have different origins and purposes.
The Big Five personality trait model describes five broad dimensions of personality, whereas Kessler’s five patterns describe different ways that people may cope with stress and manage their emotions.
For example, in terms of the Big Five personality trait model:
The leaving body pattern may be associated with high levels of Openness, as individuals who tend to dissociate or detach from their physical body and surroundings may also be open to new experiences and perspectives.
The merging body pattern may be associated with high levels of Agreeableness, as individuals who tend to merge with or become overly identified with others may also be more likely to be cooperative and conform to the expectations of others.
The enduring body pattern, may be high in conscientiousness as they are able to tolerate their physical sensations and stay present in difficult situations, they may also be high in emotional stability and low in neuroticism, as they are able to manage their emotions well during stress. They may also be high in agreeableness as they are able to be empathetic and understanding of their own and others’ needs.
The rigid body pattern may be associated with high levels of Conscientiousness, as individuals who tend to suppress or repress their emotions and needs may also be more disciplined and responsible.
The aggressive body pattern may be associated with low levels of Agreeableness, as individuals who tend to express their emotions and assert their needs may also be less likely to be cooperative and conform to the expectations of others.
However, it’s important to note that these are just some possible associations, and it’s not accurate to say that these patterns are directly related to the five traits of the Big Five personality trait model. Additionally, it’s also important to consider that an individual can present a combination of these patterns, and it’s not black and white. These are just a way to understand the coping mechanisms of an individual in certain situations.
Additional Personality Models
There are several other personality models that are similar to Wilhelm Reich’s Characterology, Steven Kessler’s theory of body types, and Ken Dychtwald’s “Bodymind” body types, as well as the Big Five model in that they all aim to provide a framework for understanding individual differences in personality.
The Enneagram of Personality
The Enneagram of Personality is a model of human personality that proposes nine distinct types, each associated with a specific set of characteristics, motivations, and coping strategies. The Enneagram is based on the idea that all individuals have a dominant personality type that shapes their behavior and interactions with the world. The theory suggests that individuals can move between the different types depending on their level of self-awareness and personal growth.
The origins of the Enneagram are somewhat shrouded in mystery, and it’s difficult to trace its exact origins. Some sources suggest that it has roots in the teachings of ancient spiritual traditions, such as Sufism, while others propose a more recent origin. The modern version of the Enneagram as a personality typology was developed by Oscar Ichazo in the late 1960s, and later popularized by George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, a spiritual teacher who taught in the early 20th century and by Claudio Naranjo a Chilean-born psychiatrist, and spiritual teacher who studied with Ichazo.
The Enneagram consists of nine points that form a circle and a triangle. Each point represents one of the nine personality types, and the triangle represents the connection between the three main centers of intelligence: the head, heart, and gut. The Enneagram suggests that individuals have a dominant center of intelligence that influences their personality type.
The Nine Types Are:
- The Perfectionist (Type 1)
- The Helper (Type 2)
- The Achiever (Type 3)
- The Individualist (Type 4)
- The Investigator (Type 5)
- The Loyalist (Type 6)
- The Enthusiast (Type 7)
- The Challenger (Type 8)
- The Peacemaker (Type 9)
Each type is associated with a specific set of characteristics, motivations, and coping strategies. For example, the Perfectionist is described as being perfectionistic, organized, and principled, while the Helper is described as being supportive, empathetic, and nurturing. The Enneagram suggests that individuals can move between the different types depending on their level of self-awareness and personal growth.
The Enneagram of Personality theory is widely used in personal development and in the field of psychology, it is used as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth. However, it’s important to note that the Enneagram is not a scientifically validated tool and its validity and reliability have been widely debated among researchers. Therefore, it’s important to take the results of any Enneagram assessment with a grain of salt and not to use it as a definitive or sole indicator of someone’s personality.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
This model proposes 16 distinct personality types based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. The MBTI assesses an individual’s preferences in four areas: extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, and judging vs. perceiving.
The Trait Theory
This model suggests that individual differences in personality can be described in terms of a small number of basic traits, such as extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness.
The trait theory of personality is closely related to “the Big Five model.” They both suggest that individual differences in personality can be described in terms of a small number of basic traits. The Big Five model is considered a comprehensive framework for understanding individual differences in personality that emerged from the trait theory. The Big Five model is based on factor analysis of self-report personality questionnaires and ratings of individuals by observers who knew them well. The Big Five model includes five broad dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). Each dimension is composed of several facets or sub-traits that are thought to capture the variation within the dimension. So, you can consider the Big Five model as an updated and improved version of the trait theory of personality that has been widely used and accepted by researchers and practitioners.
The Social-Cognitive Perspective
This model proposes that personality is a product of an interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors.
This model of personality proposes that personality is a product of an interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors. This perspective suggests that individuals develop personality through their experiences and the way they interpret them. The Social-Cognitive Perspective emphasizes the role of social learning, observation, and self-reflection in the development of personality.
The Social-Cognitive Perspective has its roots in the work of Albert Bandura, who is considered one of the founders of this perspective. In the 1960s, Bandura proposed the concept of “self-efficacy,” which refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to influence events and achieve goals. He also proposed the concept of “reciprocal determinism,” which suggests that behavior, environment, and personal factors all interact and influence one another.
The Social-Cognitive Perspective is based on the idea that individuals learn and develop through their interactions with their environment and through the observation of others. It proposes that individuals can acquire new behaviors, attitudes, and personality traits through observation, imitation, and modeling of others. According to this perspective, personality is not fixed and can be changed through learning experiences and self-reflection.
The Social-Cognitive Perspective is considered a dynamic perspective that emphasizes the role of cognition and self-regulation in shaping personality. It also stresses the importance of the environment and social context in shaping personality development.
The Humanistic Perspective
This model proposes that individuals have an innate tendency to develop their full potential and that self-actualization is the ultimate goal of personality development. This perspective is associated with humanistic psychology and figures like Maslow and Rogers.
All of these models have their own strengths and limitations and can provide valuable insights into individual differences in personality. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no single model can fully capture the complexity of human personality and behavior, and multiple perspectives can be used to understand an individual.
