Pokemon Personality Quirks?

[Uii]

As many may know, many types follow trends in their physical attributes that are common or expected for that type. For example, water types are typically fish, amphibians, and aquatic, especially since their real world counterparts are surrounded in water (this is not to imply that this thread is geared towards this topic) . Likewise, ice types associate themselves with snow, frost, and polar regions (Though I never quite understood why Sneasel was part Ice).

So I wonder, do these trends follow into the personality traits within these types? Like dark types tend towards a more sinister behavior, although not all are necessarily malicious or malevolent. Do steel types seem to appear more stubborn or detached from reality? Some seem robotic or artificial, and others utilize their metallic shell to create a distance between them and their weakness. With ghost types, do they mourn their status as a ghost? Some are filled with malice and some with bitter sorrow. I think this links to their type, but I wonder what really ties them together overall.

For example:
Spiritomb- 108 actual spirits make this. Sealed away for who knows how long, they seem vengeful.

Froslass- Yuki-onna inspired, I think it would be deceptive, caring, beautiful, and ruthless.

Mismagius- A clear representation of witchcraft and the superstitions. It seems to be able to drive others insane, all the same able to bring about happiness. It could be that it decides on if someone is worthy or not to be happy.

Gengar- It is a doppelganger. Mischievious, tricky, but not intentionally cruel or malicious.

Dusknoir- It seems to embody the depth and abyss of the spirit world, in my opinion. I think it looks a bit serious, careful to keep the balance between our world and the other.

Rotom- Its a gremlin of sorts, creating havoc for its own entertainment.

Overall, ghosts seem to be mysterious tricksters, much like fairies and imps. Some carry emotional burdens like real-world ghosts tend to do.

What are your opinions? Whether or not the types matter in an individual species' behavioral patterns, I don't mind creative interpretations on it. And at that, if a party,rescue team, etc of a single type were to exist, which members would seem to get along best? Like, Gyarados and Milotic seem to be opposites in terms of their dispositions and the emotion they bring in their presence, despite the fact that they come from quite similar weak fish forms.

 

[Pkmn Breeder Jack]

I would guess it has more to do with instinct than personality. Sure, pokemon are depicted as more intelligent than animals, and some have near human intelligence, but most of their behaviors probably come from instinct.

Personality can make this different though, and I myself like seeing this idea explored in fanfiction, where you could encounter a shy and timid Gengar or a ADD Magneton.

 

[Uii]

Instinct makes plenty of sense. Understanding that, I am assuming from the hypothetical perspective of a person seeing these behaviors in nature and anthropomorphizing those behaviors into human traits. But your point is totally valid. Dark types seem to be more wild and instinctive, something we would see as animalistic, impulsive, and aggressive. Psychic types tend towards humanlike qualities because they are able to communicate and are able to learn more easily, so interacting in a way that is on par with humans seem more likely.

Oh! In the fanfic universe sounds fun. Your ADD Magneton reminds me of a Magneton I've named Paperclips. fanfics do allow for more human-like expression because we can enter the mind of the creatures as well as imbue them with human intellect and mannerisms.

 

[BynineB]

I think it would depend more on the Pokemon itself rather than the type.

 

[LudicoloGuy]

Very interesting theory/observation/whatever.

However, this doesn't really apply to every pokémon. Some of them are random animals mixed into an unfitting type(s). For example, Chimchar.

 

[Uii]

I think it would depend more on the Pokemon itself rather than the type.

That's true. I had been asking what, if any trends exist between the type. I understand that the pokemon themselves dictate traits more than anything.

 

[Uii]

Very interesting theory/observation/whatever.

However, this doesn't really apply to every pokémon. Some of them are random animals mixed into an unfitting type(s). For example, Chimchar.

That's true. But it is interesting to wonder what the majority of the pokemon in the type share a trait. Just as how not all water types don't have the same physical characteristics with one another, there are commonalities among large groups of them.

 

[shadow wolf]

Hey, that's awsome. I got a question, why don't we make a list of personality matching type.

 

[Uii]

Well, its going to take some thought, but it should be lots of fun. I've already guessed steel.

 

[LudicoloGuy]

Umm..... Bug I guess? All of them are bugs.......?

And the same with dragons.

 

[Uii]

What do you mean?

 

[WhereIsMyWonderland]

Would this count as 'nature vs nurture' among types? (Just wondering.)

Here's some I've found as obvious:
Fire = Passionate
Rock = Rigid (I can't think of a better synonym...)

But I've noticed that the Normal types are varied, most likely depending on their upbringing and/or environment.

 

[derekkoch]

sure, every species has their own instincts (which kind of show as a personality in pokemon) and then individual experiences would change them, for better or worse.

 

[MetalFlygon08]

Fire always made me think Hotheaded, quick to act, not to think, Probally due to Ash's Charizard...

 

[Uii]

It works really well, nature provides the personality within the instinct for the type, and nurture makes specific distinctions within species?

 

[Cutty]

I think type like race (for us humans) make their personalities too.
Like Steel should tend to have strong character. Nature also influences. So it doesn't necessarily make the steel pokemon tough.

 

[Uii]

True. I think we're dealing with two terms of 'nature'. One is the nature given in games, like Quirky, Hardy, etc, and the other is the 'nature' of the type.

 

[WhereIsMyWonderland]

I think I also once heard that a pokémon's DNA structure, or specific differences in said DNA when compared to others, determined their type. Can't exactly remember my source, though. I don't read fanfiction, so you've no worries about that. Hm..

EDIT: I also don't write fanfiction.

 

[Uii]

That would make sense too, I suppose.

 

[pokefooleycooley]

ive always seen (most) water types as all calm and collected