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Quadras


The socion (all 16 types) breaks up into four quadras of four types apiece. Each quadra consists of two dual pairs and contains the same four intertype relations — identity, duality, activation, and mirror. Each type within a quadra has the same four information elements in its ego and super-id blocks. This means that people from the same quadra share many of the same unspoken values. They can let down their guard around each other and be themselves without worrying that others will think poorly of them.

Individuals of the same quadra strive for a world where their four leading information elements are brought to the forefront and given the greatest freedom of expression while the other four are subdued and made to serve the leading four.

Informal small groups — such as friends that do something together regularly — tend to gravitate around a certain quadra that the greatest number of group members belong to. It is common to have "stragglers" — one or more people from other quadras that come along because they share a common interest and are willing to be a bit peripheral.

In the chart below, the order of elements is not significant. Note that all adjacent quadras share two dominant elements, while opposing quadras (1 and 3; 2 and 4) share no dominant elements. Click on the links to read descriptions of each quadra below.

quadra types
(see type chart)		 dominant
elements 		subdued
elements
1. Alpha ILE, SEI, ESE, LII extraverted intuition extraverted ethics introverted sensing introverted logic extraverted sensing extraverted logic introverted intuition introverted ethics
2. Beta EIE, LSI, SLE, IEI extraverted ethics extraverted sensing introverted logic introverted intuition extraverted logic extraverted intuition introverted ethics introverted sensing
3. Gamma SEE, ILI, LIE, ESI extraverted sensing extraverted logic introverted intuition introverted ethics extraverted intuition extraverted ethics introverted sensing introverted logic
4. Delta LSE, EII, IEE, SLI extraverted logic extraverted intuition introverted ethics introverted sensing extraverted ethics extraverted sensing introverted logic introverted intuition

The descriptions below are meant to hold true for all types within the quadra, not just those that have the elements shown as their first or second function. The phrase "X blocked with Y" means that two elements are always found in the same block of the socionic model of the psyche, implying that these aspects of reality are interconnected in the given quadra.

1. Alpha Quadra [top]

extraverted intuition blocked with introverted logic:
Types from the Alpha Quadra enjoy freely exchanging new ideas and theories as a form of intellectual leisure. They like to systematize knowledge and create new categories and speculative hypotheses without necessarily intending to see their theories tested or implemented (subdued extraverted logic).

extraverted ethics blocked with introverted sensing:
This quadra enjoys carefree emotional expression and sensory delights and is able to derive never-ending pleasure from simple things — funny stories, exotic dishes, family picnics and group outings, and visual and performing arts.

Subdued elements:
The Alpha Quadra is especially sensitive to and critical of mercantilistic views, ostentatious displays of wealth and status symbols, rude and aggressive behavior, moral criticism, and people who suggest they are wasting their time on unproductive things.

Typical Alpha quadra group behavior:
Spontaneous, disorganized activities "for the fun of it." Light-hearted, non-serious atmosphere with very few "heavy" moments. Skipping from topic to topic without focusing on the implementation of conclusions reached.

2. Beta Quadra [top]

extraverted ethics blocked with introverted intuition:
This quadra encourages dramatic self-expression with elements of theatricism and melodrama. They enjoy finding artistic means to express romantic, abstract ideals and feelings.

extraverted sensing blocked with introverted logic:
Types from the Beta Quadra are drawn to hierarchical structures that increase their personal power. They like to see convictions and beliefs materialized physically in the real world. They are often starkly blunt in their views and like "strong" humor.

Subdued elements:
The Beta Quadra is especially sensitive to and critical of earthiness, pronounced pragmatism, emotional indifference, and people who analyze their psychology and motives behind their backs.

Typical Beta quadra group behavior:
Lengthy, theatrical monologues. Loud, hearty laughter. Importance given to group rituals such as those related to food and drink. Displays of great generosity and inclusion, but with the demand of emotional involvement in group. Rowdiness. Generally theatrical atmosphere, but with periodic moments of "dead seriousness."

3. Gamma Quadra [top]

extraverted sensing blocked with introverted ethics:
Types from the Gamma Quadra have a realistic, materialistic outlook on life, relationships, and society and tend to view life as a marketplace where forcefulness, positive thinking, social maneuvering, hustle and bustle, and direct humor get you where you need to go.

extraverted logic blocked with introverted intuition:
This quadra believes that ideas and fortuitous events should be turned into something profitable and marketable — something that does some kind of work for people. The Gamma Quadra values self-sacrifice in the name of serving society.

Subdued elements:
The Gamma Quadra looks down on indulging in self-centered pleasures and in engaging in activities unrelated to society's needs.

Typical Gamma quadra group behavior:
Trading jokes on materialistic topics (money, sex, winning and losing). Rowdiness and drivenness. Prefer socializing in smaller groups (about six people or less) and planning and carrying out productive activities together.

4. Delta Quadra [top]

extraverted logic blocked with introverted sensing:
Types from the Delta Quadra value pragmatism, hard work, beautifully functional items, and earthy humor and enjoy "productive" relationships where people do projects together. They are usually emotionally subdued and like to discuss topics seriously with the intention of implementing their conclusions.

extraverted intuition blocked with introverted ethics:
Types of this quadra enjoy discussing people, internal motivation, and self-development. They believe in peaceful self-government without coercion and in the inherent potential of each human being for personal fulfillment.

Subdued elements:
The Delta Quadra doesn't appreciate high ideals or abstractions that don't relate well to real life. They also don't like large institutions or power systems that do not take into consideration the interests of separate individuals.

Typical Delta quadra group behavior:
Discussion of interesting facts about people and places. Enjoy group outdoor activities. "Live and let live" attitude. Engage only in "productive" activities and discussions. Prefer smaller groups. Emotionally subdued; generally serious, but with periodic funny moments.



07/29/2006 Aaron Brown
I like this section on quadras. I had not noticed the details of relationship between types of this group although I knew about activation/activity, duality and partial-duality.  People in these groups get along better than most. This article is very good.
11/02/2006 Expat
I find the typical quadra group behavior spot-on, except for Gamma. What I have observed is that Gammas prefer smaller, one-to-one interactions rather than the real group behavior as described, very accurately, for Alpha and Beta. This is perhaps what leads to the impression of male or female "packs" as you observed, but I see it as a preference for smaller groups generally. When Gammas do meet in larger groups, their behavior is similar to what you described for Delta.
11/16/2006 Author
Thanks, I've modified it a bit.
03/06/2007 Gilligan
Just an observation I'd like to throw out there: I've noticed a very specific difference between extraverted ethics and introverted ethics valuing quadra social behavior in small groups. introverted ethics types tend to have smaller social circles, and when they interact in larger groups, they stick together, and often appear to bounce off of one another, using their specific group terminology or colloquialisms when around one another, even when people outside of their circle are present. extraverted ethics types have these same small circles of friends, but in a larger group, they tend to disperse and rely on their relationships or personal interest as a jumping point for interactions with people outside their circle, and will rarely, if ever, use "circle" colloquialisms out of context. extraverted ethics types tend to interact either with only people in their circle, or one or more people outside of it.
03/06/2007 Gilligan
I also feel that this,

"Skipping from topic to topic *without reaching any permanent conclusions*."

is slightly derogatory, and not really true, IME.
03/07/2007 Author
Thanks for the editing help. I've changed it to "Skipping from topic to topic without focusing on the implementation of conclusions reached."
03/08/2007 Gilligan
On more observation: I think the emphasis on "group rituals" is present in both Beta and Delta; such, at least, has been my experience.
03/08/2007 Author
You're right. I wrote these a year ago, and they need some clarification. People from every quadra have "rituals." I guess what I was getting at is that traditions look like "rituals" in Beta quadra, and look like "traditions" in Delta. The word "ritual" suggests some additional significance and weightiness that is rarely present in Delta traditions, which are done "because they are good traditions that we all enjoy and that bring people together."
03/23/2007 Joy
Where the Gamma description mentions "society", I think "humanity" might be more fitting. It's about the big picture as it applies to people. It's about how people, as individuals, will be affected by events.

The word "society" sounds like it's about tradition, culture, patriotism, social classes, etc. Gamma's concerns are not with what is socially accepted or what is considered proper by the masses, it's about what's good for everyone.