The 'Tactics-Strategy' Characteristic in Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Practice

The presented work is a logical continuation of the study on the 'Emotivism–Constructivism' characteristic in psychological and psychotherapeutic practice. The Emotivism–Constructivism characteristic is closely related to the Tactics–Strategy characteristic, meaning that within Model A, both characteristics are linked to the distribution of informational aspects in the inert and contact blocks of the model’s functions. However, while the Emotivism–Constructivism characteristic deals with rational aspects such as logic and ethics, the Tactics–Strategy characteristic involves the irrational aspects of intuition and sensing.

While Emotivism–Constructivism focuses on the cognitive-emotional side of life, Tactics–Strategy addresses the organization of a person’s entire life path.

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The Inert and Contact Blocks of Model A

To begin, it is useful to recall the distinction between the inert and contact blocks of Model A. The inert block consists of the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 7th functions, while the contact block consists of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 8th functions.

The specificity of the inert block is that, within the aspects of these functions, a person forms stable informational constructs that serve as the backbone of their worldview and perception. The aspects of the inert block are the domain of forming anchors, dependencies, fixations, as well as strength, stability, and literal inertia. Once a belief is formed within the inert block, a person is not inclined to change it easily; they rely on it as a foundational belief. These constructs are only revised in extreme cases, typically associated with crises.

In contrast, the contact block is characterized by a constant flow of information through its functions. Here, the value lies in the exchange and novelty of information, with the person oriented toward seeking this flow—seeking news, experimenting, etc. The absence of informational flow in the contact block is felt as boredom and may be interpreted as a loss of connection with the external world. Within the aspects of the contact block, a person is open to engaging with others’ perspectives, trying out new viewpoints, and easily replacing acquired information with something new. The value here lies in the novelty of the information itself, and the lack of attachment to it results in an easy separation from it without feelings of loss.

Understanding the Tactics–Strategy Characteristic

The Tactics–Strategy characteristic is connected to the distribution of the aspects of intuition and sensing within the inert and contact blocks of Model A.

Strategy is associated with the presence of sensory aspects in the inert block and intuitive aspects in the contact block. This corresponds to rational intuitives (NJ in MBTI) and irrational sensors (SP in MBTI).

Tactics, on the other hand, involves the presence of intuitive aspects in the inert block and sensory aspects in the contact block. This corresponds to rational sensors (SJ in MBTI) and irrational intuitives (NP in MBTI).

Sensing and Intuition in Tactics–Strategy

When connecting the sensing-intuition dichotomy to informational aspects, the concepts of space and time are used, respectively.

Sensing corresponds to information about space, received through bodily sensations. In a literal sense, it is the perception of space by the body and the body within space, which we typically describe in terms of shape, boundaries, and distances, as well as physical and physiological sensations.

The key point is that a spatial object, both literally and metaphorically, has form and location. For example, in the literal sense, this could be a designated conservation area, and in the metaphorical sense, it could refer to a zone of influence of a law or a person. This information is concrete and often objectified, filled with specific physical sensations for the individual.

A sensory anchor formed within the inert block of Model A represents a well-defined, often concrete or even material image to which a person is committed and strives toward.

The transit of sensory information within the functions of the contact block, however, involves the active acquisition of spatial experience, new forms, and sensations. It represents a sensory exploration of reality, whether in the external physical space or the internal bodily space.

Intuition, on the other hand, corresponds to information about time, which is essentially about change. Intuition conveys information about changes in any informational entities—whether material, energetic, or spatial components of perceived reality.

The object of change is an event. It is embedded within an event framework and sequence, and it is characterized using the semantics of time, speed, rhythm, potential (for change), and possibility (for a specific direction of change). Events can be sudden or anticipated, routine or unique.

The key point is that an intuitive object is intangible, an abstraction without a definite form. It has no place in space but exists at a moment in time and carries a concentration of possibilities for change.

It is difficult to grasp the essence of an intuitive anchor formed within the inert block of Model A, but we can say that the key lies in a commitment to the call of the moment. One of the basic attitudes of such a person is the need for rapid response to changes.

The transit of intuitive information within the functions of the contact block is characterized by curiosity and the exploration of changes, active observation of events, and a need to stay informed of current changes for the sake of process and broadening one's horizons.

Summarizing Tactics–Strategy

Strategy is a psychological orientation in which the subject is conservative and stable in their concrete-material constructs of worldview, committed to anchors that have a defined material image, which can be described in terms of space and physical sensations. Information about changes in reality is an area of active interest and curiosity for the subject. The subject tends to track and explore information about events and possibilities, expanding their horizons.

Tactics, on the other hand, represents a psychological orientation where the subject is conservative and stable in their abstract-temporal constructs of worldview, committed to anchors that have an abstract, non-material image, describable in terms of time and potential for change. Information about the material aspects of reality is an area of exploratory excitement for the subject, prompting them to expand their physical experience by exploring new spaces and new bodily sensations.

These psychological orientations ultimately determine the algorithm by which an individual organizes their life. The orientations of the inert block, being essentially anchors, form the driving force, while the transit of information through the contact block brings movement to realize these drives.

Principles of Action

Here, we can observe a different principle of causality in the actions of strategists and tacticians.

Strategists are tied to a specific image of the outcome and strive toward it, using changes and event opportunities. A strategist's movement is “toward” something, and the cause of action is “why” (for what purpose—to achieve the result).

Tacticians, on the other hand, follow the call of the moment, committed to change. The specific outcome is variable, reflecting the tactician’s readiness to accept an unexpected result, which, in any case, contributes to expanding physical experience. A tactician’s movement is “away” from something, and the cause of action is “because” (due to the current circumstances).

Conclusion

In summary, analyzing the Tactics–Strategy characteristic through Model A allows for a deeper understanding of its essence and manifestations, while also opening new avenues for its application. This characteristic, combined with the Emotivism–Constructivism characteristic, provides a novel method for analyzing the psychophysiology of the subject, allowing for an evaluation of their state in a new light and facilitating the selection of more effective methods for correcting their condition. This offers a multitude of perspectives for psychotherapeutic work and should also be considered when selecting personnel and building teams.