Relational Modalities
A wellness-based way to understand personality
People respond to challenges in different ways. Some people are more comfortable as leaders, some are more comfortable being supportive. Relational modalities are a classification system for conceptualizing how we relate interpersonally, but also how to process information internally.
The Four Wellness Diagnostic Categories
The four characters walking the Yellow Brick Road: Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man depict the four relational modalities, the wellness personality diagnoses. The RMES is a personality inventory that is used to identify one’s own personality. Though the Wizard of Oz characters are presented as problematic, needing the magical intervention of a wizard, we recognize them as referencing wellness psychological diagnoses. Their features are constellations of emotions and behaviors. They are different from the current diagnostic categories that are based on illness as opposed to wellness. The four relational modalities vary along the axes of power/ powerlessness and cooperation / antagonism. It is important to know them because they may decompensate and manifest with different symptom patterns. The Oz heroes’ characteristic strengths and weaknesses help to chart the path to first, understand oneself, and secondly, to modify the emotional sequence by either lessening power, the state of activity or increasing it, reversing antagonism to cooperation and finding healthy stance of mutual respect versus alienation.
Dominant Cooperative
Like the Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy, people who are Dominant Cooperative are social leaders and enjoy positive relationships, but can at times be competitive, domineering, and self-centered.
Dominant Antagonistic
Like the Wizard of Oz’s Cowardly Lion, people who are Dominant Antagonistic are determined and strong-willed, confident in themselves but suspicious of others.
Submissive Cooperative
Like the Wizard of Oz’s Scarecrow, people who are Submissive Cooperative are dedicated, trustworthy, and likable, but are more comfortable being helpers than taking charge.
