The Seven Types Of Inner Critics

The Inner Critic is the part of you that judges you, demeans you, and pushes you to do things. It lowers your self-esteem and makes you feel bad about yourself. This is one of the most difficult and tenacious issues that people face. The Inner Critic is actually not a single part of you; there can be a number of critical parts that judge you in different ways or for different reasons. In our study of the Inner Critic, we have identified seven types of Inner Critics that people are troubled by.

Perfectionist
This Critic tries to get you to do things perfectly. It has very high standards for behavior, performance, and production. Sometimes it prevents you from creating anything for fear it won’t be good enough. Sometimes it makes you work forever trying to perfect something.

Inner Controller
This Critic tries to control impulsive behavior that might not be good for you or others, or might be dangerous. It tends to be harsh and shaming when you slip up.

Taskmaster
This Critic tries to get you to work hard or be disciplined in order to be successful or to avoid being mediocre. It can cause over-striving and workaholism.

Underminer
This Critic tries to undermine your self-confidence and self-esteem so you won’t take risks that might be dangerous, or so you won’t try and fail, or so you won’t get to big or powerful or visible and therefore be attacked or rejected. It makes you feel worthless.

Destroyer
This Critic makes pervasive attacks on your fundamental self-worth. It shames you deeply. It believes you shouldn’t exist.

Guilt-Tripper
This Critic attacks you for some specific action you have taken or not taken in the past or for repeated behavior that has been harmful to others or violates a deeply-help value. It makes you feel guilty and will never forgive you.

Molder
This Critic tries to get you to fit a certain mold or be a certain way that comes from your family or culture—e.g. caring, aggressive, polite. It attacks you when you aren’t and praises you when you are. If the mold doesn’t fit who you are, it constantly makes you feel inadequate.

Despite the pain they cause, each type of Inner Critic is actually trying to help you or protect you from pain, in its own distorted way. By determining which types of Inner Critics you have, you can more easily get to know them and find out what they are trying to do for you. This makes it possible to develop a cooperative relationship with the Critic and transform it into a positive resource for you.

By: Jay Earley, Ph.D.

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Jay Earley, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice who teaches classes and workshops on the Inner Critic and IFS. He is the author of Self-Therapy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Inner Wholeness Using IFS. See his website, www.personal-growth-programs.com. There you can take a questionnaire to determine which types of Critics may be a problem for you and read reports on them.