Type 3: The Performer

As a Performer, you believe that your worth is based on how you look in the eyes of others and on what you do and accomplish. Therefore you must alter your image, energy and actions to produce the desired response. When this altering of image works, you become the characteristics of the role, thus shifting your presentation to make people like you. In the process you deceive or fool yourself, sometimes to the extent that you are unable to distinguish your own feelings from those that accompany the role. This active go-ahead emotional energy of deceit plays out in the instinctual subtype behaviors.

Self-preservation: Material Security

With the self-presentation instinct of material security, your image energy gets channeled into material things, position and possessions. Sometimes this means endlessly working very hard to earn money far beyond what you really need. You manifest self-deception or deceit by identifying your self-survival with externals such as wealth, assets, occupation, and even simply “doing.” You feel reassured when you are busy, active, moving up, succeeding and aligning with the company goals. You gain material status that you believe will assure you and important others survival and satisfaction. Your success also must match your image of approval and therefore may take a modest form, such as having an older, inexpensive car because it’s the “right” kind of automobile. At your worst, there is no end to activity directed at both acquiring objects and completing projects that you believe will bring security. Others can become obstacles that elicit your impatience and anger.

Social: Prestige

If you are oriented toward the social subtype, called prestige, then your run of active, striving energy is linked to your need for recognition. You must receive public honors, titles, influential connections, and/or appreciation for what you accomplish, and look good in the process. You have to be a “somebody” in the eyes of others or you’re a “nobody” inside yourself. You manifest your energy of deceit by projecting the appropriate persona, and taking on the appropriate thoughts and feelings for the group situation. You gain social status to assure acceptance and love. Therefore, your drive for success and recognition can become quite political to assure productivity. Whether very genuine or self-serving, it is directed toward winning social approval and achieving power in social institutions, such as the government, businesses or community groups. At your worst, your drive for recognition can be ruthless, accompanied by outright dishonesty without being aware of your own deceit.

One-to-One: Masculine or Feminine Image

In important one-to-one relationships, the Performer automatically adopts the masculine or feminine image of maximum “star” appeal. You manifest deceit by altering yourself to look good and have charisma. As a “human doing,” you automatically perform the required role to get the result. Your life depends upon winning respect in special business or love relationships, as measured by the approval and personal attention you get for your efforts. You gain status in an intimate relationship by adopting a role with the characteristics that your partner finds appealing. This also may result in uncertainty about your own genuine feelings and sexuality. At your worst, your significant other may feel that you are disingenuous and don’t truly care.

Instinctual subtype descriptions: