Erich Fromm, in his theory of character orientation, suggests that we relate to the world in two key ways: one is by acquiring and using things (which is called assimilation), and the other is by relating to ourselves and others (called socialization).
He believed these interactions could be either nonproductive or productive, identifying five main orientations that form a person’s character.
Four of those are considered nonproductive: the Receptive orientation describes people who passively sit and wait for others to provide for them.
The Exploitative orientation is for those who aggressively take whatever they want from others.
The Hoarding orientation applies to those people who save everything they’ve got, from possessions to feelings.
And the last nonproductive orientation, the Marketing orientation, is for people who see themselves as a product to be sold. These people’s value is based on their ability to market themselves.
The fifth and final orientation is the only productive orientation that represents a healthy personality. People with this orientation embrace freedom and responsibility: they don’t hide behind a “mask.”
While an individual’s character is a blend of these orientations, one is typically more dominant than the others.
Online Resources
- Character orientation / Wikipedia
- Erich Fromm / Wikipedia
Please Note: This is my personal summary of the topic, shared both for my own records and in the hope it may be helpful to you. AI was used in parts to assist with the process.