General Lew Wallace: Personality/temperament profile

 

General Lew Wallace: A Multifaceted Personality

General Lew Wallace (1827–1905) was a historical figure best known as a Union general during the American Civil War, a diplomat, a lawyer, and the author of the famous novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Step 1: Traits and Characteristics of Lew Wallace

Positive Traits

• Creativity: As the author of Ben-Hur, Wallace displayed extraordinary creativity and imagination. The novel was a massive success and blended religious, historical, and fictional elements.
• Perseverance: Despite considerable criticism during his lifetime (particularly over his Civil War career), Wallace pushed forward and achieved recognition in both his military and literary endeavors.
• Intellect and Curiosity: Wallace was known to have a deep interest in history, religion, and law. His extensive research for Ben-Hur demonstrated intellectual dedication.
• Diplomatic Skills: As a diplomat to the Ottoman Empire, Wallace showed tact and cultural sensitivity.

Flaws and Challenges

• Controversial Military Career: Wallace's Civil War career was marked by a mixed reputation. He was blamed for delays during the Battle of Shiloh and faced significant criticism, though modern historians have re-evaluated his role more favorably.
• Stubbornness: Wallace was known for being strong-willed and at times inflexible, traits that may have alienated his peers.
• Insecurity: Some of his writings and actions suggest a man who was concerned about his legacy and public perception, particularly after his military career.

Mental/Physical/Legal Challenges

• Mental Challenges: Wallace may have struggled with feelings of inadequacy or the need to prove himself, particularly after being scapegoated during the Civil War.
• Physical Health: There are no significant records of chronic illnesses or physical disabilities during his lifetime.
• Legal Issues: Wallace practiced law and was involved in legal work, but there are no notable legal problems in his personal life.

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Step 2: Overview of the MMPI and Its Scales

The MMPI is a psychological assessment tool used to measure personality traits and psychopathologies. The main clinical scales are:

1. Hs (Hypochondriasis): Concern with physical health and bodily functions.
2. D (Depression): Symptoms of depression, including hopelessness and dissatisfaction.
3. Hy (Hysteria): Emotionality and physical symptoms as a way of reacting to stress.
4. Pd (Psychopathic Deviate): Disregard for societal norms and rules, impulsivity.
5. Mf (Masculinity-Femininity): Interests and behaviors traditionally associated with gender roles.
6. Pa (Paranoia): Suspiciousness, feelings of persecution, or mistrust.
7. Pt (Psychasthenia): Anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions.
8. Sc (Schizophrenia): Disorganized thinking, social alienation, or unconventional behavior.
9. Ma (Hypomania): High energy, impulsivity, and grandiosity.
10. Si (Social Introversion): Shyness, social withdrawal, and discomfort in social situations.

There are also validity scales (e.g., L, F, K) that measure a person's approach to the test (e.g., truthfulness, defensiveness).

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Step 3: Hypothetical MMPI Scores for Lew Wallace

Based on Wallace’s traits, here's how he might score on the MMPI:

Scales He Might Score High On

1. D (Depression): Wallace's insecurity and feelings of being scapegoated during the Civil War could contribute to higher depressive tendencies or dissatisfaction.
2. Pt (Psychasthenia): His deep intellectual curiosity and potential for overthinking might correlate with higher scores on anxiety or obsessive tendencies.
3. Pa (Paranoia): His concern about his legacy and mistrust of some peers (e.g., during the Civil War) may lead to a moderate-to-high score here.
4. Si (Social Introversion): While Wallace was capable in diplomacy, he may have preferred introspection and solitude, as evidenced by his literary work.

Scales He Might Score Low On

1. Hs (Hypochondriasis): There is no indication that Wallace was overly preoccupied with his physical health.
2. Hy (Hysteria): Wallace seemed to deal with stress through rational thought and creativity rather than emotional outbursts.
3. Pd (Psychopathic Deviate): Wallace adhered to societal norms and rules, as demonstrated by his careers in law, military service, and diplomacy.
4. Ma (Hypomania): Despite being creative and hardworking, there’s no evidence of impulsivity or grandiosity in his behavior.

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Summary Table of MMPI Scores

Scale	Estimated Score	Reasoning
Hs (Hypochondriasis)	Low	No evidence of excessive health concerns.
D (Depression)	Moderate-High	Feelings of inadequacy and scapegoating during his military career.
Hy (Hysteria)	Low	Wallace managed stress through creative and intellectual outlets.
Pd (Psychopathic Deviate)	Low	Wallace adhered to societal norms and was law-abiding.
Mf (Masculinity-Femininity)	Moderate	Balanced interests in intellectual and artistic domains.
Pa (Paranoia)	Moderate	Mistrust of peers and concern for legacy.
Pt (Psychasthenia)	Moderate-High	Intellectual overthinking and possible anxiety.
Sc (Schizophrenia)	Low	No signs of disorganized thinking or social alienation.
Ma (Hypomania)	Low	No evidence of impulsivity or heightened energy.
Si (Social Introversion)	High	Preference for introspection and solitary intellectual work.

Jungian Archetypes:

• The Warrior: Wallace's military career and his portrayal of historical battles in his writings suggest a strong warrior archetype. He was courageous, decisive, and skilled in combat [doc_1, doc_4].
• The Creator: His literary achievements, including the renowned novel "Ben-Hur," demonstrate a creative spirit. He possessed a vivid imagination and the ability to craft compelling narratives [doc_2, doc_5].
• The Ruler: Wallace's political career and leadership roles in various organizations indicate a natural inclination towards leadership. He was a capable administrator and a respected figure in society [doc_3, doc_6].

Myers-Briggs Types:

• 4-letter type: Based on the available information, it is difficult to definitively determine Wallace's 4-letter Myers-Briggs type. However, considering his decisiveness, leadership qualities, and creative pursuits, he could potentially be an ESTJ (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) or an ENTJ (Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging).
• 2-letter type: Wallace's personality seems to lean towards the "ST" (Sensing-Thinking) category. He was likely a practical and analytical individual who valued facts and logic over abstract ideas or emotions.

Enneagram Types:

• Possible types: Based on his achievements and leadership roles, Wallace could potentially be an Enneagram type 3 (The Achiever) or an Enneagram type 8 (The Challenger). Both types are ambitious, driven, and assertive, characteristics that align with Wallace's personality.

"New Personality Self-Portrait" Styles:

• Dominant styles: Wallace likely exhibited several dominant styles, including:
  • Conscientious: He was meticulous and organized, as evidenced by his detailed historical research and disciplined writing habits [doc_2, doc_5].
  • Self-confident: His accomplishments and leadership positions suggest a strong sense of self-belief and confidence in his abilities.
  • Devoted: He was deeply committed to his family, his country, and his artistic pursuits.
  • Vigilant: His military background and political involvement likely instilled a sense of vigilance and awareness of potential threats.

4-Temperament Theory:

• Possible temperament: Wallace's personality seems to encompass elements of both the Choleric and the Melancholic temperaments. He was likely energetic, ambitious, and decisive (Choleric traits), while also being introspective, analytical, and detail-oriented (Melancholic traits).

Possible Personality Disorders:

• No evidence: Based on the available information, there is no evidence to suggest that Wallace suffered from any personality disorders.

Hierarchy of Basic Desires, Values, and Ideals:

• Desires: Wallace likely desired recognition, achievement, and a sense of purpose. His military and literary accomplishments suggest a strong drive for success and impact.
• Values: He likely valued integrity, loyalty, and justice. His actions and writings demonstrate a commitment to these values.
• Ideals: Wallace likely held ideals of freedom, equality, and progress. His involvement in the Civil War and his literary works suggest a belief in these ideals.

Character Weaknesses or Flaws:

• Possible weaknesses: Based on the available information, it is difficult to pinpoint specific character weaknesses or flaws. However, some potential weaknesses could include:
  • Stubbornness: His strong convictions and determination could sometimes lead to inflexibility.
  • Impatience: His desire for action and results could sometimes lead to impatience with others.

Possible Neurotic Defense Mechanisms:

• No evidence: Based on the available information, there is no evidence to suggest that Wallace relied on any specific neurotic defense mechanisms.

Possible Trance States:

• No evidence: Based on the available information, there is no evidence to suggest that Wallace experienced any specific trance states.

Big Five Personality Dimensions:

• Possible traits: Based on the available information, Wallace likely scored high on the following Big Five personality dimensions:
  • Openness to experience: His creative pursuits and intellectual curiosity suggest a high level of openness.
  • Conscientiousness: His meticulousness and organization suggest a high level of conscientiousness.
  • Extraversion: His leadership roles and social engagements suggest a moderate level of extraversion.
  • Agreeableness: His commitment to values and justice suggests a moderate level of agreeableness.
  • Neuroticism: It is difficult to determine his level of neuroticism based on the available information.

Main NLP Meta-Programs:

• Possible meta-programs: Based on the available information, Wallace likely exhibited the following NLP meta-programs:
  • Internal/External: He likely had a balance between internal and external focus, drawing inspiration from both his inner world and the external environment.
  • Matching/Mismatching: He likely preferred to match his communication style to the other person's style to build rapport and understanding.
  • Towards/Away: He likely had a strong "towards" orientation, focusing on achieving goals and moving forward.

Conclusion:

General Lew Wallace was a complex and multifaceted individual who exhibited a blend of personality traits, values, and motivations. His achievements in various fields and his commitment to his ideals make him a fascinating figure worthy of further study and analysis.