Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine ( the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
Before we get to the second installment of our series, ‘the Wakefield Doctrine and Effective Pair-Bonding Strategies in the Workplace/Personal Time Environment‘ a brief word about gender.
We maintain that the Wakefield Doctrine is gender (and culture) neutral. We’re good with this because the thing that makes the Wakefield Doctrine such a unique and useful and fun perspective on behavior is its simplicity.
There seems to be a part of human nature that, when we have a desire to appreciate and/or understand something (or someone), our first impulse is to break it down into smaller and smaller elements. Trying to understand the whole by counting the parts.
We are not saying that this is necessarily a bad, inappropriate or otherwise non-productive approach. It is the only approach for those engaged in matters involving engineering and accounting and chemistry and other of the more…rogerian of endeavors.*
In the simplest of terms, the Wakefield Doctrine proposes to explain why humans behave the way that they do based on an appreciation of their personal realities. Three characteristic personal realities (‘worldviews’) that define how the individual relates themselves to the world (and life) at large. Emphasis on ‘human’. Gender happens afterwards, (from the Doctrine perspective). A scott, by virtue of living in a reality characterized as that of ‘the predator’, is aggressive, guardedly inquisitive, impulsive and quick to react. When we add gender to this perspective, we have to allow for the differences in the allowable strategies and patterns of behavior (allowable both by physiology and the culture in which the individual finds themselves).
Still a scott.
You can see this person, (male or female), and by observing their behavior, infer that they are responding within the worldview that we designate as being that of predator/prey. And so with the clarks and the rogers. It is all about inferring the reality that the individual is experiencing that makes the Wakefield Doctrine such an effective tool.
We’ll catch-up with our clark and scott and the roger as they arrive at the Calypso Club for the party, but before we do that, a little supporting information/backstory to make the remainder of the series more enjoyable and ‘educational.
The three characters are meant to illustrate the 3 predominant worldviews. We are trying to maintain a gender neutral view in order to allow the Reader to focus on seeing what they (the characters) see, to better appreciate the worldview they are experiencing in this intertwined story.
Having said that, proper names are useful, if only to allow the dialogue to flow a bit more smoothly. So, lets give these three some names!
- the clark (who, to his/her credit) has gone against their natural inclination to retreat from (potentially) fear inducing situations and is pulling into the club parking lot (being sure to park in a spot that can’t possibly be blocked by another car arriving later in the evening) lets call this person: Sam
- the scott …now here is the most interesting of the 3 examples, in the sense that it will be nearly impossible to avoid gender issues. The unavoidable fact is that in most cultures, direct and overtly aggressive behavior is discouraged in women, while a (male) scott can pat backs, punch arms in a jocular fashion, even stand too close in an effort to physically intimidate, female scotts must rely on other forms of expressing their totally natural, and clearly predatory-like aggressiveness. So, if you think that our scott is female, lets call her (and her male predator manifestation): Alex
- the roger, Mel to his or her friends, is always there, always helpful. He/She is un-stinting in pursuit of providing whatever assistance or aid or resources or materials are necessary so that whatever you are trying to do, you will do it right…the way it is supposed to be done…exactly…and her/his standards are not so hard to meet, once you allow him and/or her to show you the proper way to do things
* we have said, not partially, in defense of the rogerian worldview, I wouldn’t want to fly cross-country on a jet designed and built by scotts or clarks!
If it were left to a scott, the plane would have at least 5 jet engines with no noise suppression whatsoever, the landing gear would be in a fixed ‘wheels down’ position, so that the pilot could ‘stop real quick and get a drink on the way‘ and the window on the pilot’s side of the cockpit would open so that (the pilot) could lean out the window and scream stuff at other passing jets and
if a clark had a hand in design, there would be 8 or 10 lavatories, a bookcase for each row of seats and there would be a section in the back, where there would be couches instead of single seats, but the plane would always be late because the couches (with corduroy quilts) would slide around if the pilot tried to bank too extremely.
About clarkscottroger
I think it is interesting that Scotts are always viewed more as males, because males are usually the more aggressive and dominant personalities. That said, I can’t say I find that one entirely true, because between my husband and I, I am more the aggressive and dominant personality. I am the talker and the one that will never shut up no matter where we go, lol!! That said I love learning new things everyday here about the different personality types.
@Janine
“…interesting that Scotts are always viewed more as males, because males are usually the more aggressive and dominant personalities.”
That (as today’s Post alludes to) is a constant challenge here, because it is easy (hell, try to ignore) the aggressiveness of the scottian personality type as manifested by the male versions!
Having said that, and speaking personally from the ‘Y side of the fence’, scottian females have an intensity (and aggressiveness) that would put a lot of guys to shame (to use one of the many possibly appropriate terms).
Oh yeah! Today is Wednesday so at 4:00 EST the Wakefield Doctrine 30 Minute Radio Hour will be on BlogTalkRadio I’ll post to ‘the Facebook’ a link. If you find you need a break from the rountine, stop in and listen.
The “clark” plane sounds dreamy to me…who cares if we’re late? I hate air travel in general because of the lack of comfort and personal space. Looking forward to hearing what happens at the party…
@Amy
…doesn’t it? lol (Writing about what a clark would design sort of came easy, being one) did I mention that there wouold be private cabins and regular kitchens (where you could fix your own snacks).
As to the gender issue and scotts, you will always, without uncertainty, be able to identify a scottian female. Our eyes, the way we dress and the manner in which we carry ourselves. And of course, almost always a sexuality exuded. Slight to extreme depending in the situation.
@Jennifer
(visual: small cobbler shop in Medieval Times, “I said 5 inch on the heels!! I don’t care who says poulaines don’t have heels!! Make them for me now!_
My husband would love the clark jet… I, on the other hand, am all about point A to point B — as quickly as possible. He hates travel, while I love it — it is probably the point we disagree most on.
He is always talking about modifying a school bus, so we could travel with a bathroom, kitchenette, wood stove and a comfortable place to sleep. Me? Put an extra gas tank or two in it, so we don’t have to stop as often and safety nets to keep the luggage confined.
@Molly
lol I totally enjoy travelling, but hate the sit in one spot for 3 or more hours and you can’t get up and do anything fun, unless standing in line for a bathroom that 200 plus other people are staring at is your idea of fun.
Another great and interesting post! Btw, I finally made a visit to the post office yesterday and was so happily surprised to find my Wakefield Doctrine shirt in my box!! Thank you so much!
@Cari
You are totally welcome!
If you would like to join the others on the Fashion Center (page in the blog), especially if you have a cool local landmark to get in the photo. ( like FOTD Jenny in front of the Cavern club in Liverpool) send it on in.
I kind of like the Clark view of designing a plane, but you’re right, I wouldn’t want to fly in a plane designed by either a Clark or a Scott! Still looking forward to hearing what happens at the Calypso Club!
@Emily
yeah, I know what you mean (“Flight 67? You are cleared for take-off! Will you be leaving anytime soon, or do you need a little more time to decide where you are going?”) or (“Flight 88 This is the Tower, please do not buzz the tower anymore! You must hold your position until the the planes in front of you have landed!”)
I think it is so right, the Rogers ( I imagine women with maternal instincts) love to see things exactly right. I am a little like that, though not obsessively so. Guess a lot of influence comes from the environment as well! Thanks for sharing, and will pop in to read and understand more.
@Michelle
You are correct, rogerian women are totally the homemakers who strive to create the perfect environment. And to say, ‘not obsessively so’ fits right in with what we say at the Doctrine, ‘people are mostly one type (the predominant worldview) but often have shadings and influences of the other two (secondary and tertiary aspects). Thanks for coming by!
Wow. I don’t think I’d be afraid of flying if I were to fly in a plane designed by a Clark. Considering that there were seat belts and all the usual safety equipment of course! Now that’s something more airlines should have on board – reading material! I suppose having a lot of books would add to the weight of the plane, so not very practical. But the airline magazines are so boring! Great post!
@Melanie
Totally agree! And the Flight attendants, they would all dress like Ward and June Cleaver*! walking around the cabin, suggesting a nap to some passengers, bring milk and cookies to others…
On the rogerian plane…
All passengers will be firmly strapped into their seats, with eyes toothpicked open ala ” A Clockwork Orange”, the better to view the in-flight movie with. Ken Burns Civil War, of course. And there will be a quiz.
It’s incredibly interesting to see the reactions of everyone “at the party.” I’m also finding out so much about myself. Keep up the awesome work, Clark!
@Cyndi
…and people’s preferences when travelling lol