The Harry Potter books are distributed in over 200 territories, are translated into 68 languages and have sold over 400 million copies worldwide – Scholastic.com. Who doesn’t love Harry Potter right? Well as it turns out, we also have some Harry Potter nerds in the TRACOM office. While re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling to her son, Client Relations Specialist, Michelle Appleton, found a remarkable coincidence. The traits of the four Hogwarts Houses parallel those of the four SOCIAL STYLEs.
Apparently The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was aware of SOCIAL STYLE too, as the infamous sorting hat detects the Styles of each member and places them in a house that matches their Style.
A deep analysis of the sorting hat system was done by Pottermore Sorting: Sorting Hat Analysis and Meta which describes each house in-depth. Read the article here.
This blog will compare the similarities of the four SOCIAL STYLEs to the four Houses as described in the PotterMore Sorting: Sorting Hat Analysis and Meta. All descriptions of Houses below came from this article.
Hufflepuff = Amiable
Image by Karen Roe @Flickr
Hufflepuffs are defined by their love of family, comfort, and living things first and foremost. They care deeply for people and enjoy the company of others. Ultimately, Hufflepuffs are interested in helping both people and animals, and are much less confrontational or daring than Gryffindors. They’re the least likely to care about individual achievement or House points, and most likely to focus on their relationships to others rather than things they personally have done. Hufflepuff is a House of teamwork; it’s very group-oriented. Puffs want to be loved/think of loved ones rather than any sort of greater scheme or accomplishment. They’re creatures of comfort, and go for something that’s familiar and home-y rather than something strange or mysterious. They’re the sort who’d rather do something that’s safe and reliable than flashy or risky – which is one of the major dividing lines between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Puffs prefer to avoid danger; they’re not risk-takers by nature, and prefer to avoid physical discomfort. Like Ravenclaw, they prefer to avoid confrontation. Hufflepuffs are the most likely to simply avoid conflict, even if it means a miscarriage of justice. (They’ll feel deeply unhappy and conflicted about it, but ultimately, they don’t want to betray the trust of a friend or run the risk of being disliked. This is a bit of a division between Puffs: there are Puffs who do put honesty first, but JKR’s quiz favors the friendship-over-fairness interpretation.) Hufflepuffs value tradition and the past (though not as much as Slytherin.) As the Sorting Hat says, they are loyal, just, and true; tolerant; and very much a humble, decent sort of House. All descriptions of Hufflepuff came from this article. Famous Hufflepuffs include: Helga Hufflepuff, Pomona Sprout, The Fat Friar, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones
Likewise, Amiable Style people are the most “people-oriented” of the Styles. Amiable Style individuals value people as people, and they do not see others as a means to achieve results or recognitions. He or she prefers cooperating and collaborating with others rather than competing with them. Amiable Style people are most motivated when they can work as a part of a group. Amiable Style people tend to be most comfortable with what is known, and they can be slow to make decisions. Typically, these people seek the recommendations and personal support of others, and readily accept advice from friendly co-workers who take the initiative to treat them as real individuals. In order to avoid confrontation, this Style of person can be “too quick” to reach agreement, but apprehensions and concerns may become apparent later when the Amiable Style withholds full cooperation and support, despite his or her earlier agreement. These individuals are not risk-takers and attempt to reduce risk by ensuring that any actions taken will not damage ongoing personal relationships. Amiable Style people are likely to be seen by others as empathetic, caring, understanding, friendly, loyal and humble.
Ravenclaw = Analytical
Photography by Karen Roe @Flickr
Ravenclaws are defined by curiosity and the love of learning. A Ravenclaw will always seek knowledge; they want to know the why of everything. Ravenclaws tend to focus on the future over the past: the possibilities excite a Ravenclaw, and they tend to be deeply interested in the what-ifs of a situation. The past is only useful to the extent that people can learn from it: ancient things may excite them, but only if they possess something interesting. Ravenclaws do care for humanity, but are generally much more cerebral or introverted than Gryffs and Puffs. Ravenclaws have no problems with being by themselves, because they can always occupy themselves with books or theories or thoughts, but when they want to talk, they’ll be upset if no one listens. As much as they try to not care about what others think, they are going to hate it if people ridicule them for their beliefs, if only because they’ve thought about them so much. Ravenclaws tend to avoid conflict whenever possible, seeking creative solutions to avoid a fight. They would rather rely on their wits than their wands, and unlike Gryffindors they are much more likely to stop and review a situation before charging forward. Ravenclaws despise ignorance. They’re happy to help a person learn – but they have no patience with the close-minded. All descriptions of Ravenclaw came from this article. Famous Ravenclaws include: Filius Flitwick, Helena Ravenclaw, Garrick Ollivander, Professor Quirinus Quirrell, and Penelope Clearwater.
Similarly, Analytical Style individuals tend to make decisions based on knowledge (facts and verifiable information). Co-workers must provide proof that what they say can be backed by relevant facts. This Style of individual needs this evidence to be tangible, realistic, and convincing – not someone’s opinion. However, because the Analytical Style tends to avoid risks, he or she may continue to display caution and deliberateness. These people tend to be cautious about extending friendships or personal warmth, and initially will be more concerned with how to do things without the need for personal involvements. Paradoxically, people and friendships may be very important, even though they may not seem to be at first. The Analytical Style person appreciates co-workers who support his or her principles and thoughtful approach. People of this Style seek assurance that their decisions are “right” and based on accurate data. This Style of person also has a “show me” attitude. He or she tends to be suspicious of power and will avoid becoming involved with others who have power or leverage until he or she sees a system or a predictable pattern in the way power is used.
Curious to know how Slytherin and Gryffindor match up? View “Even Wizards and Witches Have SOCIAL STYLEs® Part 2” to learn how the Houses of Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter himself align with the remaining SOCIAL STYLEs.
Do you think the houses align with the four SOCIAL STYLEs? What house would you belong to?
Click here to learn more about the four SOCIAL STYLEs
Photography by Karen Roe @Flickr
