Spranger Passions In Relationships

Knowledge

Reasoned Evidence
Task-Oriented

Finding and using evidence that is
consistent with reality

 

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…recognize the value of my knowledge.

…help me discover new sources of information.

 

…help me find ways to express my knowledge as an authority.

…introduce me to people with similar knowledge and research goals.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…reject reality.

…counter my evidence with opinions or beliefs.

 

…doubt the truth of my research.

…reject my theories, explanations or solutions without considering them.

.

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…prevent me from gaining knowledge.

…deny or make fun of my knowledge.

 

…deny my expertise.

…prevent me from connecting with people who share my knowledge and research goals.

 

Usefulness

Highest Return
Task-Oriented

Getting the greatest return from the least amount of
time, money, and energy

 

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…respect my need for self-preservation and comfort.

…help me satisfy my self-preservation needs and desires.

 

…help me find ways to express my knowledge as an authority.

…introduce me to people with similar knowledge and research goals.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…waste my time, money, energy, or resources.

…force me into issues or activities that cause me discomfort.

 

…ask me to share my wealth while offering nothing I value in return.

…disrupt my efficiency.

.

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…disrupt my systems for self-preservation.

…take resources away from me.

 

…create continuing discomfort for me.

…threaten my wealth.

 

Harmony

Inner Peace
Task-Oriented

Creating inner harmony through
fulfilling individual and social experiences

 

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…respect my passion for developing myself and creating harmony in my life.

…help me nurture and use all of my talents.

 

…allow me to express my feelings, moods, and impulses.

…admire my individuality.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…disrupt the harmony and balance in my life.

…use only logical evidence with me.

 

…prevent me from enjoying easygoing social relationships.

…make me think about events I find unpleasant.

.

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…sabotage my self-development.

…destroy my expressions of harmony.

 

…expose me to ugliness and discomfort.

…prevent me from expressing my experiences.

 

Belief

Righteousness
Task-Oriented

Living their highest values and
working to spread their values to others

 

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…respect my belief.

…include references to my belief in our conversations.

 

…accept my need to follow the tradition of my belief.

…respect my need to work for causes that express my belief.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…question the validity of my belief.

…question my belief values.

 

…question my need to define my experiences according to my belief.

…question my inner revelations.

 

.

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…prevent me from living my belief.

…laugh at the highest values of my belief.

 

…laugh at the traditions of my belief.

…prevent me from working for causes that express my belief.

 

Helping

Righteousness
Task-Oriented

Living their highest values and
working to spread their values to others

 

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…respect my need to help other people.

…point me towards opportunities to help people in need.

 

…identify resources I can use to help people in need.

…express admiration for what I do to help people in need.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…stereotype people in need negatively.

…focus only on the bottom line.

 

…make fun of causes that help people in need.

…stereotype causes that help people in need.

.

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…create rules and procedures that harm people in need.

…make decisions that are insensitive to pain and need.

 

…take actions that are insensitive to pain and need.

…hinder my ability to create a system of lasting ties.

 

Position

High Status
People-Oriented

Advancing individual position and status for
personal gain

Opening Doors
We can have a good relationship if you…

…respect my need to lead.

…point me toward opportunities to improve my position.

 

…accept my leadership.

…respect my beneficial alliances.

 

Closing Doors
We will have a poor relationship if you…

…question my superiority.

…threaten my position and power.

 

…prevent me from advancing.

…disrespect the chain of command.

 

Slamming Doors
We will have little chance of any relationship if you…

…sabotage my strategies to advance.

…sabotage my position and power.

 

…sabotage my beneficial alliances.

…expose my pretenses.

 

© Paula M. Kramer, 2020 to the present.
All rights reserved.
Updated December 4, 2025.