What characteristics of the REALIST mate attract the ANALYST, and vice-versa? Perhaps they share a favored mode of thinking. Perhaps they share their extraversion or introversion. Perhaps they are both perceptives. But, for the sake of this discussion, let's look selectively at their basic temperaments, as Keirsey recommends: intuition plus thinking vs. sensing and perception.
An excited ANALYST, working feverishly on life's latest (greatest) idea looks remarkably like a REALIST type immersed in an all-absorbing pet project. Both of them may decide to work until three in the morning.
What's the difference? The ANALYST gets absorbed by an idea, a theory, or a concept, while the REALIST is more often attracted by a thing, a device, a process, a physical project, or a here-and-now problem to solve by a hands-on-approach.
And both the REALIST and the ANALYST may experience occasional ``let downs'' in their work.
With the ANALYST, life is an up and down process punctuated by periodic bursts and burn-outs of creative energy: that inconstant intuitive fire. With the REALIST type, the work impulse simply fades now and then, and energy gets directed elsewhere.
But there the resemblance ends. The ``worked-out'' ANALYST may be a miserable creature during the slack period feeling guilty, useless, stupid. Sometimes the ANALYST refuses to take any responsibility for the cyclic pattern, blames others for the inertia, gets sick, becomes morbid or depressed, complains, makes excuses, eats too much, or engages in other varieties of self-destructive behavior.
The REALIST is a different breed. More so than the ANALYST, this type enjoys not working. To the REALIST, work is OK when it can be translated into challenging, self-selected play. But, when work is work (necessary and boring), it's tolerated only as a means to create time and money for play!
It's been said that the run-of-the-mill ANALYST type doesn't know how to play, how not to work.
So, when ANALYST and REALIST pair up, you can bet that this difference in their attitudes about WORK AND PLAY may loom large in the relationship's problems.
The ANALYST'S work is life but, even beyond that, it's often the ANALYST'S identity. The amount of time, thought, conversation and energy that the ANALYST spends dealing with work-related issues may be totally baffling to the REALIST, especially if the REALIST is a feeler. The REALIST may eventually accuse the ANALYST of being a drudge, a drone and a workaholic. And, needless to say, that accusation won't be too far off base!
If the REALIST is a thinker-type, both mates may slip into a workaholic mode, but even then there will be predictable differences in the two attitudes toward work.
The ANALYST mate will be an uncomfortable resident of the REALIST type's spontaneous, ``here and now'' reality.
The REALIST type will get bored with the ANALYST's obsession with what everything means, how everything works, why things are as they are. Analysis, analysis!
At times, the ANALYST may accuse the REALIST of having no vision, imagination or mission in life. And the REALIST may retort that the ANALYST is living in a fantasy world, with no appreciation of what is sensible and real.
Compared with the ANALYST, The REALIST type may seem more materialistic although not necessarily in the sense of amassing a fortune. Rather, the REALIST sees nothing wrong with concentrating energy and attention on just making money not to save it, but to spend it, taking vacations and buying toys and trinkets to enjoy today.
The ANALYST usually finds it easier to spend money on purchases related to work or to intellectual development books, seminars or extension courses, or a home computer, for example) than on good times, nice clothes or jewelry, vacations, and other grown-up treats and ``toys''.
In sum, differing attitudes about MONEY will probably come into conflict when these two temperamental types match up.
The ANALYST is an intellectual, and let's face it sometimes an intellectual snob. That ANALYST fascination with life-long education may be totally beyond the REALIST's comprehension. The REALIST may find it totally baffling that the ANALYST might want to read a text book or take a college extension course for fun!
The REALIST isn't against learning, you understand. This type can get excited about a scuba diving course, sailing or skiing lessons, a golf ``clinic'', or a real estate or stock market seminar. REALISTs just want the learning to be about something real. And REALISTs do enjoy reading, but usually about business, money, sports, adventure, travel or cars.
The ANALYST may not be shy about telling the REALIST that those activities aren't intellectual, or even worthwhile.
The ANALYST's fascination for serious reading, music listening, film watching, concert-going, museum browsing, or the like may convince the REALIST mate that this partner doesn't want to live life, just find out about it!
The ANALYST's circle of friends, selected reflexively for their intelligence, competence and knowledge, will probably bore the REALIST, who will wonder: ``All these people ever do is talk. Don't they ever just do something?''
There may be no love lost in reverse, either. The REALIST's circle of friends, selected reflexively for their ``go get 'em'' participation in common activities, will probably impress the ANALYST partner as ``not very bright or serious.'' ``They never discuss anything significant,'' the ANALYST may say critically.
Follow the links below to learn more about each Mating Type.
Follow these links to learn more about how different Mating Types interact.
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