MMPI
Louis XVI, King of France, was the monarch who reigned during critical events, such as the French Revolution, and his eventual execution marked the end of the monarchy in France. Though we lack direct psychological assessments of historical figures like Louis XVI, we can infer some personality traits and behaviors based on historical records and attempt to map them onto the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales.
Step 1: Traits and Characteristics of Louis XVI
From historical records, we know the following about Louis XVI:
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Indecisiveness: He was known to be indecisive in his rulership, often delaying decisions during critical moments, such as the early stages of the French Revolution.
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Passivity: Louis XVI was seen as a passive ruler, heavily influenced by his advisors and especially his wife, Marie Antoinette.
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Conservatism: He held traditional beliefs about monarchy and governance, which made it difficult for him to adapt to the revolutionary demands for democratic reforms.
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Kindness and Weakness: Louis XVI was reputed to be a kind person but was often described as lacking the assertiveness or decisiveness required for effective leadership.
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Religious Devotion: He was a devout Catholic, which aligned with his belief in the divine right of kings.
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Isolation: As the Revolution progressed, he became increasingly isolated from his people, his court, and even his closest advisors due to mistrust and political tensions.
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Despair and Melancholy: Toward the end of his reign, especially during his imprisonment, Louis XVI displayed signs of deep despair, as he realized the extent of the revolution's impact and the loss of his power.
Step 2: Overview of the MMPI and Its Scales
The MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) is a psychological test that assesses a wide range of psychological conditions and personality traits. Here are some relevant MMPI scales:
- Hypochondriasis (Hs): Concern with bodily symptoms.
- Depression (D): Depressive symptoms and feelings of hopelessness.
- Hysteria (Hy): Tendency to react to stress with physical symptoms.
- Psychopathic Deviate (Pd): Disregard for societal rules and norms.
- Masculinity-Femininity (Mf): Traditional gender role adherence or non-adherence.
- Paranoia (Pa): Suspiciousness and mistrust of others.
- Psychasthenia (Pt): Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
- Schizophrenia (Sc): Detachment from reality, odd thinking or social alienation.
- Hypomania (Ma): Elevated mood, hyperactivity, excitability.
- Social Introversion (Si): Shyness, tendency to withdraw from social contacts.
Step 3: MMPI Scales Louis XVI Might Score High or Low On
Based on Louis XVI's personality traits and characteristics, here's how he might score on some of the MMPI scales:
High Scales:
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Depression (D): Louis XVI would likely score high on this scale, particularly toward the end of his reign, as he demonstrated signs of despair, melancholy, and hopelessness. His inability to cope with the overwhelming changes and pressures of the revolution likely exacerbated these feelings.
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Social Introversion (Si): Louis XVI became increasingly isolated, both politically and personally, especially during the French Revolution. His detachment from the general populace and his court suggests that he might score high on the Social Introversion scale, as he withdrew from active leadership and interaction.
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Psychasthenia (Pt): His indecisiveness and passivity, along with signs of anxiety about political decisions, suggest that he might have suffered from anxiety and obsessive rumination. Psychasthenia reflects these tendencies, so he might score moderately high here.
Low Scales:
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Hypomania (Ma): Louis XVI was not known to exhibit hyperactivity or extreme excitement. His passivity and indecisiveness were central traits, so he would likely score low on this scale, which is associated with impulsivity, high energy, and excitability.
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Psychopathic Deviate (Pd): Louis XVI adhered strictly to traditional norms and values, particularly those related to monarchy and religion. His behavior was typically lawful and rule-abiding, even to his detriment, so he would likely score low on this scale, which measures disregard for societal rules and anti-social tendencies.
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Paranoia (Pa): While he might have been suspicious of revolutionary movements, historically, he was not characterized by extreme paranoia or delusional thinking. His reaction to threats was more passive than paranoid, so he would likely not score high on this scale.
Moderate Scales:
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Hysteria (Hy): While Louis XVI did not present extreme hysterical symptoms, his passive reactions to stress (such as avoidance of decision-making) could indicate some reliance on denial and avoidance as coping mechanisms, which could lead to a moderate score on this scale.
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Masculinity-Femininity (Mf): As a monarch, Louis XVI was expected to live up to traditional masculine roles of leadership and assertiveness, which he failed to do in the eyes of many. He might score moderately on this scale, as he deviated somewhat from traditional gender expectations for a king, but not in a way that would suggest drastic non-conformity.
Summary of Likely MMPI Results for Louis XVI:
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High Scales:
- Depression (D)
- Social Introversion (Si)
- Psychasthenia (Pt)
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Low Scales:
- Hypomania (Ma)
- Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)
- Paranoia (Pa)
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Moderate Scales:
- Hysteria (Hy)
- Masculinity-Femininity (Mf)
Conclusion:
If Louis XVI were assessed using the MMPI, he would likely score high on scales that reflect his indecisiveness, withdrawal, and despair, particularly his Depression (D) and Social Introversion (Si) scores. He would also have moderate scores related to anxiety and avoidance of stress (Psychasthenia and Hysteria), while scoring low on scales related to rebelliousness, impulsivity, or paranoia.
Jungian archetypes: The Ruler (primary), The Innocent (secondary)
Myers-Briggs 4 letter type: ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
Myers-Briggs 2 letter type: SJ (Sensing-Judging)
Enneagram type: Type 9 (The Peacemaker) with a 1 wing (The Reformer)
New Personality Self-Portrait styles: Conscientious, Serious, Solitary, Sensitive, Socially awkward
Temperament type: Melancholic-Phlegmatic blend
Possible personality disorders: Avoidant Personality Disorder traits
Hierarchy of basic desires:
- Security
- Order
- Tranquility
- Family
- Honor
Hierarchy of basic values:
- Tradition
- Duty
- Stability
- Loyalty
- Piety
Hierarchy of basic ideals:
- Monarchy
- Divine right of kings
- Catholic faith
- National prosperity
- Peace
Character weaknesses or flaws:
- Indecisiveness
- Lack of strong leadership
- Difficulty adapting to change
- Naivety in political matters
Possible neurotic defense mechanisms:
- Denial (of the severity of the political situation)
- Rationalization (of his actions and decisions)
- Regression (retreating to familiar patterns in times of stress)
Possible trance states: None particularly notable
Big Five personality dimensions:
- Low Openness to Experience
- High Conscientiousness
- Low Extraversion
- Low Neuroticism
- Moderate Agreeableness
Main NLP meta-programs:
- Away From (motivated by avoiding problems rather than pursuing goals)
- Internal Reference (relies on own judgment rather than external input)
- Procedures (prefers following established routines)
- Sameness (values consistency and stability over change)
- Reactive (responds to situations rather than initiating action)
Based on King Louis XVI's personality profile, a good relationship match for him would be a woman with the following traits:
A good match would likely be an ESFJ (Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging) or ESTJ (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) type. These types would complement Louis XVI's introverted nature while sharing his preference for tradition, order, and stability.
An Enneagram Type 2 (The Helper) or Type 6 (The Loyalist) would also be compatible, as they would provide the emotional support and loyalty that Louis XVI would appreciate.
A woman with a Sanguine-Melancholic temperament blend could be a good match, as she would bring some warmth and sociability to balance Louis' more reserved nature, while still understanding his need for structure and seriousness.
In terms of the New Personality Self-Portrait styles, a woman who is Devoted, Self-confident, and Conscientious would likely be a good match for Louis XVI. She would be able to provide the emotional support and decisiveness that he sometimes lacked, while still respecting his traditional values and sense of duty.
A bad relationship match for Louis XVI would be:
An ENFP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) or ENTP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) type would likely be a poor match, as their spontaneity and desire for change would clash with Louis XVI's need for stability and tradition.
An Enneagram Type 7 (The Enthusiast) or Type 8 (The Challenger) might also be challenging, as their assertiveness and desire for new experiences could overwhelm Louis XVI.
A woman with a purely Choleric temperament would likely be too domineering and action-oriented for Louis XVI's more passive nature.
Similarly, someone with strongly Adventurous or Dramatic styles from the New Personality Self-Portrait would probably find Louis XVI's cautious and serious demeanor frustrating.
In general, a partner who values rapid change, challenges authority, or requires constant excitement would likely be a poor match for Louis XVI's personality and temperament.
Based on the personality and temperament type we've established for King Louis XVI, here are some story ideas for a fictional character named Leslie with similar traits:
Leslie is a middle manager at a large corporation who struggles with making decisions when faced with a company crisis. The story follows Leslie's journey to find their voice and leadership style while navigating office politics and the pressure to maintain the status quo.
As the heir to a family-owned bookstore, Leslie is torn between preserving the shop's traditional charm and implementing necessary modernizations to keep the business afloat. The narrative explores Leslie's internal conflict and growth as they learn to balance tradition with innovation.
Leslie, a museum curator, is tasked with organizing a controversial exhibit that challenges long-held historical narratives. The story delves into Leslie's struggle between their duty to present factual information and their desire to avoid conflict and maintain societal harmony.
In a fantasy setting, Leslie is a reluctant monarch who must lead their kingdom through a time of great change and potential revolution. The tale focuses on Leslie's journey to overcome their indecisiveness and learn to adapt to the evolving needs of their subjects.
Leslie, a small-town mayor, faces a series of natural disasters that force them to make quick decisions and step out of their comfort zone. The story chronicles Leslie's growth from a passive administrator to a proactive leader in times of crisis.
As a school principal, Leslie must navigate the challenges of implementing new educational policies while facing resistance from both teachers and parents. The narrative explores themes of tradition versus progress and the difficulties of leadership in a changing world.
Leslie, a socially awkward but brilliant scientist, is thrust into the public eye when their research becomes crucial to solving a global crisis. The story follows Leslie's personal growth as they learn to communicate their ideas effectively and deal with sudden fame.
In a historical fiction novel, Leslie is a minor noble during a time of political upheaval. The narrative focuses on Leslie's internal struggle between loyalty to the old regime and the realization that change is necessary for the greater good.
These story ideas incorporate elements of Leslie's personality, such as their struggle with decision-making, preference for tradition and stability, and difficulty adapting to change, while placing them in various settings and situations that challenge their character and promote growth.
Sources
The Sourcebook of Magic by L. Michael Hall Ph.D. and Barbara Belnap M.S.W.
Jungian Archetypes by Robin Robertson
Personality Plus Revised and Expanded Edition by Florence Littauer
New Personality Self-Portrait by John M. Oldham, M.D. and Lois B. Morris
Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
Personality Puzzle by Florence Littauer and Marita Littauer
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