the Wakefield Doctrine ( a series of brief discussions about how to use this personality theory) | the Wakefield Doctrine the Wakefield Doctrine ( a series of brief discussions about how to use this personality theory) | the Wakefield Doctrine

the Wakefield Doctrine ( a series of brief discussions about how to use this personality theory)

The three personality types of the Wakefield Doctrine are not really ‘personality types’. They are more, what we call, ‘characteristic worldviews’ and once they are determined (for a given person) everything else just falls into place. In fact, you might say that one of the real big differences between the Wakefield Doctrine and all other personality-type systems, is that we are more concerned with the reality that the individual is experiencing than we are the individual. At least at first.

Lets put it this way: you at the house of a friend, and it being Saturday, you are hanging out in his garage.  You look around the garage, seems pretty well-kept, kind of tidy and you notice that not only does he have a peg board on the wall, by his workbench, but there are outlines drawn on the pegboard in the shape of the tools.  Most personality systems would have you asking your friend  a bunch of questions about what he likes and hates and favorite colors… If you understand the principles of the Wakefield Doctrine then more likely you are standing in the garage, looking at the peg board and thinking, “hmmm a little rogerian with the tool shapes?” You continue to look around the garage, noticing the oil drip pan on the spotless, painted floor (not a drop of oil in the pan, of course).

You are on your way to knowing more about your friend than he knows about himself!

Of course, your work has just begun. Like all good theories, you must test your assumption (that your friend is a roger).  You begin with your assumption that he is a roger. You look at his behavior in the context of the worldview of rogers, does it make sense? Is the way this person behaves and reacts and acts consistent with (your understanding of) the worldview of rogers? If it seems that the overly-neat garage is the only thing that fits the rogerian worldview, then try the other two (worldviews) clarks or scotts. Which one of the three seems right the majority of the time.*

This is why we say that we are more concerned with recognizing the reality that the person is living in, than we are trying to list their ‘personality traits’. Despite this initial focus on the reality (as opposed to the individual), once we have determined which of the three personality types our friend is, we are able to understand him in ways that are simply amazing. The Pages of this blog go into more detail about the three worldviews, go there and read about them.

Remember! The first thing to do when applying the Wakefield Doctrine, is to infer the worldview of the person. Once you think you have it, test it! See if their behavior is consistent with the description of the worldview. If it is not consistent, try one of the other two worldviews. Repeat until you find the best fit.
Once you have what you feel is the correct worldview, sit back and watch the fun. We guarantee that your friend will act so consistently with the Wakefield Doctrine description that you will be tempted to ask them, “Hey! Did you read about the Wakefield Doctrine? Stop it!”

* remember! the Wakefield Doctrine says that we all have the capacity to act as any of the three personality types, it is about the predominant, most-of-the-time behavior that we are concerned with… most people, when they first try out the Wakefield Doctrine, come back and say, “Hey! I think I am a roger, but sometimes I know I am a scott! What’s the deal? Your theory is flawed!” And we smile and say back to them, “No, you are perfectly right! Most of the time we are one but there are times when the other two personality types will popup. Now go away, roger!”

Share

clarkscottroger About clarkscottroger
Well, what exactly do you want to know? Whether I am a clark or a scott or roger? If you have to ask, then you need to keep reading the Posts for two reasons: a)to get a clear enough understanding to be able to make the determination of which type I am and 2) to realize that by definition I am all three.* *which is true for you as well, all three...but mostly one

Comments

  1. Downspring#1 says:

    Taking the basic premise of the Doctrine – re: 3 predominant worldviews – does it not allow for a much more simple explanation of an individual’s behavior, allow for easier understanding of an individual’s motivation? Stepping aside of oneself and seeing the world as another. Is that not what the saying (and I paraquote/phrase) “do not judge a man/woman or child until you have walked a mile in his/her shoes”?
    Had the author of that quote said ” if you detemine whether a man/woman or child is a clark, scott or roger, then you will never need to borrow his/her shoes” then we wouldn’t all be here at this blog. Would we?
    So who is up for a Wakefield Doctrine Saturday Night Call In Show at 8:00pm EST tonight? We do occasionally talk footwear. LOL
    Alright – hear ya then!!