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THE ASPIRING AND GOVERNING GROUP.
Are Four in Number, Consisting of Firmness, Self-Reliance, Approbativeness and Continuity.
FIRMNESS. - This faculty was localized by Dr. Gall. It lies between veneration and self-reliance. Persons and nations in which this faculty is strong, manifest tenacity of purpose, steadfastness, perseverance, resolution and stability. Those in whom this faculty is sustained by intelligence, conscience, inhabitinness and caution, are unwavering in their devotion to convictions and ideals.
Excess and Perversion of firmness, lead to domineering obstinacy and wilfulness. This is particularly true of the incorrigible child and youthful delinquent. Great harm may be done in such cases, by arbitrary and coercive treatment.
Restrain by appeals to reason, affection, patriotism and caution. These appeals seldom fail when the character is otherwise normal.
Deficiency of this faculty manifests in general instability and indecision in thought and action.
Cultivate by being more positive, determined and unyielding in spite of obstacles.
SELF-RELIANCE. - Was localized by Dr. Gall. It lies between firmness and continuity. When functioning normally, its possessor is endowed with self respect, dignity and a sense of superiority and authority. Dr. Gall explains the difference between approbativeness and self-reliance as follows:
The proud man is imbued with a sense of his own superior merit, and from the summit of his grandeur treats all other mortals with indifference or contempt; while the young man attaches the utmost importance to the opinions entertained of him by others, and eagerly seeks their approbation. The proud man expects others to come to him and find out his merits; while the vain man knocks at evel-Y door to attract attention and supplicates for trifling honors. The proud man despises these marks of distinction which confer the utmost delight upon the vain. The proud man is disgusted with indiscreet eulogiums; while the vain man inhales with ecstasy the incense of flattery, however awkwardly offered. The proud man never stoops, even in urgent necessities: the vain, to gain praise, will humble himself, even to crawling. Pride and thirst for dominion exist in few, whilst vanity and self love are universal. Pride and vanity are very different fundamental qualities, so that we must admit a primitive organ for each.
Excess and Perversion of this faculty, result in egotism, haughtiness, arrogance and presumption. Good general intelligence and active humanitarian faculties have a chastening and counteracting influence; but where these are lacking the overbearing and arbitrary spirit frequently antagonizes and estranges strong characters who refuse to be dominated; and crushes out the self confidence and initiative of milder associates. This is often manifested in family and community life.
Parents especially should insist upon authority being vested only in themselves and even they should carefully avoid the dictatorial or intolerant attitude, according to each individual whether child or grownup, a respectful hearing and opportunity for development and self expression.
To Restrain, consider the rights of others to self expression and the fact that only the supreme egoist imagines himself right all the time.
Deficiency of this faculty produces self depreciation, lack of faith in one's own talents and opinions.
Cultivate. - Children lacking this important attribute should early be taught to take responsibility and be in every way encouraged by calling attention to their success and accomplishments, rather than discouraged by emphasizing their failures, while grownups in whom it is deficient, will find it helpful to take a self inventory and make the most of such assets and virtues as they find. Auto-suggest power, will-power, self esteem and sustain this self appreciative attitude by setting a worthwhile goal for yourself.
APPROBATIYENESS. - This faculty was localized by Dr. Gall. It lies between caution and self reliance. So complex is it in its nature that many authorities agree to divide it into two or three distinct centers. L. N. Fowler teaches that the portion bordering on self esteem, gives ambition, sense of pride in family, reputation and position in society, while that part bordering on conscience creates a desire that the good we do shall be known and approved of all men; and that portion bordering on caution gives sensitiveness to blame and ridicule.
Gall, Spurzheim and Combe have all written at length on this faculty and all agree as to its great importance. All agree, however, that functioning normally, it manifests in pride, ambition and and sensitiveness to praise or blame.
Excess and Perversion result m vanity, affectation, foolish display and ostentation.
Restrain by fixing the mind on actual mental and moral values and the beauty of simplicity.
Deficiency leads to contempt for the opinions of others, carelessness of reputation, personal appearance, etc., according to prevailing characteristics.
Cultivate by striving to realize the practical importance of the approval of the best. Stimulate ambition by considering the inevitable consequences of carelessness and neglect. The following statement from Dr. Gall may act as a healthy stimulant to any who sense in themselves a lack of this faculty:
Vanity, ambition, love of glory, are modifications of the same fundamental quality. *** It is as common as beneficial to individuals and society; for it is one of the most powerful, laudable and disinterested motives to action. *** For my part, I like ambition and a sense of honor in my shoemaker for it induces him to make good shoes: and in my gardner for it gives me the nicest fruits. *** I like the native vanity of that young girl; it will some day inspire her with ambition to become an excellent wife and mother. *** Rectify this pretended weakness and society will always be the better for it than for the apathy and indifference of those philosophers who pretend to despise it.
CONTINUITY. - This faculty was localized by Dr. Combe. About the time of its discovery, Dr. Solly of England, demonstrated the associated fibers connecting the different portions of the brain, showing that the region in which Dr. Combe located this center for continuity is connected with all other parts of the cerebral substance.
This center lies between self reliance and inhabitiveness. It' gives constancy, application, constructiveness and connectedness of thought and emotion.
Excess and Perversion result in prolixity, tiresome repetitions, excessive amplification and tediousness.
Restrain by cultivating brevity of expression and diversity of interests.
Deficiency results in constant changing and scattering of effort. When firmness and self reliance are weak, there is a tendency to give way too easily before adverse circumstances.
Some years ago a young man told me that he was about to give up his position because the head of his department was unbeftrable. I pointed out to him the fact that wherever he went he must expect to find some drawbacks; and that every time he changed positions he was giving way to his besetting sin of changeablesness. He thought it over, realized that he had given up previously, two positions under similar circumstances. . He finally decided that since both changes had been downward instead of upward, he had better face about before he landed at the bottom.
Cultivate by making an absolute rule in life to make no change except when reason and practical judgment see actual benefit and advantage in the outcome.
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