The Schizoid Component in the Type 8

What is the Schizoid Component in relation to the type 8?

In psychology, the term schizoid is used to denote a certain denial and detachment from the sensoric, in classical terms, this is in complete opposition to the type 8, here however the term schizoid is used to denote a certain component in the 8 that is hidden and discrete, the term schizoid in relation to the 8 defines a certain psychological aspect and not a behavioral one, it is not the withdrawal from life like classical manifestations but it is rather a certain mechanism that is present in the psyche of the 8 and is displayed in a certain expression of emotionality and personality.

The term shizoid in the type 8 refers to the innate hidden layer that the type possesses, it is more of a psychological phenomena than a behavioural one in the type 8, this “schizoid component” is the direct line of relation between the type 8 and type 5, in concepts such as integration/disintegration, a certain comparison is made between these two types and in the works of Naranjo, subtypes of the type 8 are compared with the type 5, these correlations touch specifically on the concept we are explaining, this line of relation can be labeled as the schizoid component in the type 8.

How does this component manifest?

This component, as mentioned before, manifests in a certain disposition and cognition, it can be explained in the following. The type 8 essentially exhibits two layers, an overt layer and and a covert layer, what is seen and observed in the type relates to the overt layer, it can be called the psychopathic layer, beneath this overt layer lies the covert one which is the domain of the schizoid component, beneath the ego.

The psychopathic layer is home to lust, excess and vengeance, the majority of the trait structure lies here, along with the individual’s awareness of the world and self perception, it is the actionable and tangible layer, that in which the type maneuvers life, this layer is a vehicle and is the line of contact with the sensoric world. In other terms, it is the ego, the main aspect of personality, this overt layer is what the type 8 is usually thought of.

The schizoid or covert layer denotes a secondary aspect of personality, it is a component that is as present and significant as the overt layer, however hidden and discrete, it directs personality in a way that is nonetheless significant and influential, this layer, like the first one, protects the individual and is a second line of defense (first line being the overt layer). This discrete layer influences social orientation, social stance and attachment styles, it is responsible for the relation of the individual with the external world and is the filter that filters emotionality and the innate needs, it is solely responsible for social extroversion/introversion and is responsible for the position the type occupies within society. The covert layer is nonetheless crucial to understand in relation to the type 8 and it explains the motivations for a lot of the type’s behaviours and personality.

So how does this covert layer manifest?

This schizoid component manifests in several ways, firstly, it dictates the individual’s social extroversion and introversion. Type 8s with the exception of the SO8 tend to be more socially introverted as opposed to what some might believe, with the exception of high assertiveness and superficial social confidence, they either move against or move away from, this is expressed in the SP8 in its solitary nature and expressed in the SX8’s hidden social phobia (mentioned by Naranjo) alongside its selective nature. This means that the type 8 tends to be socially introverted yet many exceptions are possible, of course with the exception of the countertype. The type 8 does not move towards the other and exhibit an aspect of social alienation, this is not due to their unsociable nature however, it is rather done by volition. Both SP8s and SX8s undergo a subconscious anxiety around others, this is exhibited in the body and is counteracted by withdrawal in the case of the SP8 and by intensity and conflict in the SX8, in the case of the SX8, all of the intense expression is a direct overcompensation to social phobia, if they are loud and intense, this will ward off their feelings of alienation and their social anxieties, this is essential to understanding the SX8. While they are cognitively focused externally, they are socially introverted and only display extroversion as a coping mechanism through the overt layer.

Secondly, the social stance of the type is always in conflict with greater society, they are either rebellious in the case of the SX8 or solitary in the case of the SP8, the position in which they occupy is never congruent with greater society but rather, at odds, an example of this is seen in early life, the type 8 usually occupies a rebellious and oppositional attitude towards their peers and authority, they walk a path of delinquency, drug abuse and rebelliousness which further exacerbates their conflicted social stance. This is stark when one compares the type 8 with the type 6, the latter occupies a hyper congruent and “with the grain” social stance, while the type 8 occupies an antisocial and conflicting stance.

Thirdly, the type usually exhibits a dismissive avoidant interpersonal style or an insecure one, which sees the individual at odds even in their intimate relations, this “going away from” is present potently in the SP8 yet it can be less pronounced in the other subtypes, hence the term the most 5ish 8.

Fourthly, it is extremely evident in the affective aspect of the individual, in reminiscence to classical schizoid traits, the type 8 exhibits a classical manifestation of schizoid emotionality, an affective aspect that is detached, still and void, comparable 1 to 1 with classical schizoid manifestations, it is the psychological mechanism behind inner deadness and emotional anesthesia, this dissociative aspect is a byproduct of the self forgetting and affectively dead aspect in classical schizoid traits.

The causes and interplay behind the overt and covert layer

In psychological terms, the schizoid layer is needed and necessitated, its the secondary layer that protects the psyche and insures the minimization of traumatic experience, by minimizing the social aspect, the individual can insure safety from the other, it is an unconscious fear that denotes the inner turbulence of the type, as these two layers insure protection as a primary motivation.

Both the psychopathic and schizoid layers are formed as a reaction to trauma, the psychopathic deviation that is exhibited in the type is a trauma response, in essence, to counter oppression with oppression. The psychology of the antisocial necessitates the schizoid element, they are two sides of the same coin. The schizoid layer following the same note is a strategic withdrawal from unwanted dependencies and affiliations, while the psychopathic layer attacks the external, the schizoid layer withdraws from it. Both sharing the same underlying directive, that of protection.

The portrait of the type 8 arises not as a narcissistic or vain personality at the core, but rather a defensive and reactive personality, that is hinged upon the element of protection rather than social affirmation or image centered focus, all subtraits of exhibitionism and narcissism are only a byproduct of the former, distinguishing the type from other constellations of personality such as the heart triad, which exhibits true narcissism and vanity, since their domain does not hinge on protection and dominance, but rather social acceptance and status.

From what was discussed, we can truly understand the machinations of the type 8, it is composed of an overt psychopathic layer and a covert schizoid one, this is what distinguishes type 8 from the rest of the types. The SX6 exhibits a particularly similar dynamic, their domain however focuses on the abstract idea of certainty and uncertainty, rather than a purely tangible oriented worldview, it is more of a conceptual and cerebral orientation. Simply, as the 8 orients towards the purely somatic and sensoric concept of dominance, the SX6 exhibits the conceptual interpretation of danger, thus they build an ego oriented on logic, methodology and ideology to counterattack uncertainty IT IS ABSTRACT IN NATURE, while the type 8 builds their ego around the concept of psychopathic dominance to counter tangible oppression, it is psychosomatic in nature, hence why the bodily straits are often mentioned for the type 8, IT IS BODY CENTRIC, this is what truly separates these two types.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the interplay between these two layers shed light on the overall portrait of the type 8, since they are made up of a one dimensional psychology but rather a layered and nuanced personality, understanding this concept will shed light on the truth of the motivations of the type and helps us understand the true mechanisms behind their behaviour.

These traits in particular is what distinguishes the subtypes from the countertype as well, since the SO8 exhibits an inverted social stance, oppositional to the other subtypes, it is not necessarily the superficial traits that distinguishes the countertype, but it is rather their cognition around their social stance, moving towards instead of moving against or away from.