Other Characteristic Traits and Psychodynamic Considerations

Dependent

Of the three subtypes, this one is the most dependent, although it presents a facade of being self-sufficient and independent. They distance themselves from their family with the idea that this will reduce their dependence, but it doesn't, as they compulsively form

dependent relationships to ensure their protection and survival. They are chameleon-like, and their great intuitive ability allows them to captivate others.

They seek to connect with strong-willed individuals to compensate for their insecurity, but this causes them to lose their freedom, clinging to the role of being loved for their cheerful demeanor. They project aggression, as they do not connect with the anger that would allow them to set boundaries, as they live trying to please everyone.

Shy

Shyness is a very noticeable trait in this childlike character. Shyness is related to the fear of exposing oneself if there is no certainty of recognition.

The passion for privilege hides a search for confirmation and a deep lack of self-esteem. Since this character doesn't want to acknowledge that they have limits, and doesn't confront this low self-esteem, they hide if they are not sure of success. They prefer to hide behind "I don't know," "I don't want to," or "I can't," in a childish manner, rather than admitting that they don’t feel up to par. Shyness and shame are also used as a seductive charm to avoid confrontations.

Victim

They tend to project blame, as seduction attempts to show only what others want to see. The "crazy idea" behind this is: "To be accepted, you have to hide the bad." Therefore, they blame the world for their difficulties and problems, because otherwise, they would have to take responsibility for their actions and change. It’s easy for them to act like a victim when they don’t feel understood or appreciated, although most of the time, they prefer to close the chapter and abandon the relationship.

Idealizer

When one is a child and depends on adults for everything, they idealize them, seeing them as big, decisive, capable, protective, independent, and determined. If the adults around them don't give them time to digest what is happening and make their own decisions, the Self-Preservation 2 learns to leave those decisions in the hands of the adults.

The conflict is that they reach maturity with an idealized image of what it means to be an adult, assuming that when they reach adulthood, get married, have children, or start working, the characteristics of an adult will automatically and magically emerge in them.

Comparing Themselves to Others

This type of E2 has an excessively high standard of competence, meaning a perfectionistic and obsessive ideal self, which is what drives them. This stems from a feeling of inferiority due to not feeling loved and, on the contrary, feeling expendable. The difference with E4 is that they use pride to gain love and avoid being abandoned. The conflict is that they constantly compare themselves, both disadvantageously and advantageously, to everyone. This fosters a disdainful attitude (nose held high), like someone from royalty looking down on others.

Being Needed

The underlying theme for the Self-Preservation 2 is that they don't feel valuable enough or deserving of love. They do things for others, seeking to be needed, as they assume this will prevent abandonment and ensure that others will protect them. They don’t realize that they end up feeling overwhelmed and angry when they’re asked for something. And since they don't know how to set boundaries, they do so with rejection and annoyance, appearing more like a child throwing a tantrum.

Fantasy-Prone

Many Self-Preservation 2s read avidly from a young age, seeking to fuel their emotional world. Claudio Naranjo defines them in his workshops as "constrained adventurers," meaning they long to feel free, travel, and be capable of doing whatever they want, and when they can't, they read. They especially enjoy novels that allow them to break with the taboos and duties that they feel "bind" them. They feel that their reality is very narrow, and in fantasy, they accomplish things they wouldn't otherwise.

“I was about ten years old when I started reading Salgari. It was wonderful to become the protagonist of his novels and face tigers with Sandokan or be part of his pirate crew or become Captain Storm. Soon after, I devoured the Genesis of the Bible, The Divine Comedy, and many other books; stories I recreated again and again, being the protagonist. It made

me feel alive, powerful, and, most of all, that I didn’t have to ask anyone for permission.” — Roxana Rosas

Tomboy Girls

Physically, they tend to look younger than their actual age. Women use little to no makeup and relate better with men than with women, behaving in a sexless manner with them.

"My friends, at twelve, had already transitioned from girls to women, but I hadn’t... They started liking boys, while I was still into my childhood games.” — Roxana Rosas

Condescending

Since the Self-Preservation 2 believes that they are only loved when they are nice and good, they tend to be condescending (saying yes to everything), without thinking about whether they actually want to. This leads them to accept commitments that later weigh on them, fulfilling them reluctantly or abandoning them without prior notice.

In their condescension, there is a trace of disdain towards others, as they view them as inferior beings who need support and affection. Sometimes, this is mixed with humor, producing mockery, sarcasm, or cynicism.

Hypersensitive to Criticism

The difficulty in self-criticism and in receiving criticism from those around them triggers the core of devaluation they carry inside. This manifests as irritability, crying, and feelings of misunderstanding and anger, as it awakens the fear of not being accepted, and thus, not being loved.

It’s difficult for a Self-Preservation 2 to accept their mistakes. Even if they know they are incompetent or express it, it is far from tolerating being pointed out for their flaws. This is visible in their outbursts and anger, which can lead to emotional explosions full of complaints directed at the person who criticizes them.

Envious / Fear of Envy

The Self-Preservation 2 doesn’t appear to experience envy at first glance, as they compensate for their downward comparisons by showing an attitude of abundance and superiority. However, envy, being human and inevitable, is hidden as a way to cover up deficiencies and avoid a competitive disadvantage. They may secretly experience envy, showing lapses of indifference and apathy toward those they envy.

The person with this character not only hides envy from themselves and others but also fears being envied, as they feel vulnerable. Feeling others’ envy exposes them as powerful and possessing something others want. They fear aggression from others. Being envied could make them the target of rejection, criticism, and lack of love, so they will flatter and disguise their privileges or most desired qualities, even showing anti-pride to stay safe.

Tender

The term "tender" refers to someone affectionate, loving, and kind. It is often linked to childhood, explaining a delicate and docile way of being due to their age and lack of experience. The Self-Preservation 2 is someone who highlights these traits, inviting such soft and gentle experiences. This characteristic, which they exhibit with great naturalness, is a way of attracting protection, of being cared for, which guarantees they stay untouched and away from the roughness of life and relationships.

Possessive

The possessiveness of the Self-Preservation 2 arises from the desire to merge with the other, seeking the security of knowing the other is always available, ensuring they won’t experience abandonment or the protection and satisfaction of their basic needs.

Possessiveness also has to do with the difficulty in seeing people as “other,” different and independent. For this character, this would be a threatening mirror of their fear of emotional independence. In the end, the other becomes an object upon which to exercise power.

Jealous

Jealousy, typical of emotional characters, is connected in the Self-Preservation 2 with the neurotic need to be the only one in the privileged place, in the heart and life of the other. It also stems from the triangulation experienced as a child when the father or mother involved them in their jealous competition against each other.

Arrogant and Egocentric

The proud arrogance of this character is most evident in the belief that what they want or think should always be taken into account and confirmed. It’s not that they think they are right intellectually; it’s more of an arrogance from someone demanding the top spot, a capricious haughtiness.

Sadistic

The sadism of the Self-Preservation 2 seems contradictory to their tenderness and condescension. It becomes evident when they feel unsatisfied or betrayed (in the sense of not getting what they want). If the other is not at their service or paying attention to them, they can easily become an object of raw rage and mistreatment, reinforced by the intuitive ability of this character to "find" the other’s weak side.

Their sadism also manifests in the way they hurt coldly and leave the other with no possibility of rescue.

Paranoid and Controlling

Paranoia arises obsessively and emotionally blind when the Self-Preservation 2 projects onto others the manipulative dynamics they themselves practice when they want to please or conquer the privileged position. When they feel that someone isn’t supporting them unconditionally, or they have to face someone they consider superior in some way, they immediately see them as a rival or enemy that could take their place. From there, they deploy their aggressive and controlling tactics with the crazy idea of having the right to attack anyone who threatens them, even fantasizing about conspiracies.

Castrating and Vengeful

If someone disappoints them or feels like a competitor, they are very skilled at humiliating and attacking them until they are left as an innocuous rival. This manifests mostly in relationships with partners or siblings, as if they feel entitled to have the other pay the price for being submissive to their orders or whims. But it also happens if they feel offended,

criticized, or abandoned. Taking the power from the other is a way to get revenge and restore their preeminence.

Self-Indulgent

As a character that relies on the idealization of themselves, the Self-Preservation 2 forgives themselves for everything. This self-forgiveness reveals their intolerance to limits and reinforces their childish attitude, where everything must be allowed. They compensate for frustration or contact with low self-esteem, hidden behind the permissiveness given to a child. It is a trait that short-circuits their fear of becoming an adult.

Inconsistent

The Self-Preservation 2 is intolerant of discipline; any task that involves effort or sacrifice is experienced as something impossible to sustain. Clearly, they justify it with lies or devalue the goal. They also solve obstacles by delegating the task. This dynamic is fundamental to remaining dependent on others and feeding their pride, unaware of how this intolerance prevents them from creating internal security as an adult person.