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FIFTEEN LENSES · LE MUSÉE

Positivist / Negativist
One axis. Two ways of seeing.

Faced with the same event, people do not always notice the same information, place judgment in the same way, or move forward in the same order. A Trait is a lens for observing that difference without ranking it.

HOW TO READ

What becomes visible through this lens?

The two poles do not describe good and bad personalities or higher and lower ability. They describe different perspectives that may come naturally. Seeing both sides expands the choices available for dialogue and collaboration.

PositivistNegativist
VIEWPOINT · 01

Positivist

Positivist types perceive the world in terms of what exists and what has been achieved,
Cognitive and Expressive Tendencies
• Perceives things in terms of "what exists" and "what has been accomplished"
• Seeks to optimize and polish what is already in place
• Relatively open and positive in approach when meeting new people
• Uses affirmative expressions more than negative ones ("can do," "there is," etc.)
• Even when pointing out problems, adds a complementary positive note: "this exists, but so does that"

Examples (Affirmative Framing)
• "This glass is half full"
• "We've alread
VIEWPOINT · 02

Negativist

Negativist types perceive the world in terms of what is missing or lacking, naturally i
Cognitive and Expressive Tendencies
• Perceives things in terms of "what is missing" and "what is lacking"
• Tends to identify problems and deficiencies, driven to resolve them
• Initially keeps some distance with new acquaintances, making cautious assessments
• Uses negative expressions more than positive ones ("it's not...," "I wouldn't...")
• When presenting an issue, leads with the negative perspective: "this is good, but this is missing"

Examples (Negative Framing)
• "This glass is half e