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One of the best models in which to understand social dynamics within groups is to study Timothy Leary's early work. Dr. Leary addressed group dynamics with a model called the interpersonal circumplex, or personality compass, which is still used today within group therapy contexts.

Developed in 1957³⁶ the circumplex is a circular continuum of personality formed from the intersection of two base axes. By understanding where each individual falls on the circumplex, and relating the whole group of individuals to each other via this model, the outcome of any relationship within that group can be predicted.

This model was used primarily in developing group therapy approaches, but it can be repurposed for use in any interpersonal situation to predict how individuals will react to various attitudes or orientations of others. Because this compass maps out relational behaviors, people move around a lot more in Leary's personality compass system, as opposed to in personality typing systems such as Socionics or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory structure. A person stakes their position on the compass in contradistinction to the other participants in a given social situation, the two dimensions being cooperation-opposition and dominance-submission. Bearing in mind that one's position is expressed in body language and tonality as much or more than linguistically, a skilled analyst or leader can easily predict and restructure group dynamics.

One final note to those who object to this characterization of memes as fundamentally tied to emotions; we would like to direct attention to the powerful emotional charge associated with being "right".