Where did DISC come from?

DISC is a four quadrant behavioral model, based on the work of William Moulton Marston PhD (1893–1947), that examines the behavior of individuals in their environment or within a specific situation.  The model first looked at how people perceived their environment (favorable or unfavorable) and how they perceived themselves in the environment (whether they had control or no control).  The four combinations make up the four DISC Styles.

High Dominant people believe the environment is generally UNFAVORABLE but they believe they have CONTROL over it.
(Subsequent traits: aggressive, bold, competitive)

High Influence people believe the environment is generally FAVORABLE and they believe they have CONTROL over it.
(Subsequent traits: optimistic, friendly, confident)

High Steadiness people believe the environment is generally FAVORABLE but they believe they have NO CONTROL over it.
(Subsequent traits: shy, passive, deliberate)

High Compliant people believe the environment is generally UNFAVORABLE and they believe they have NO CONTROL over it.
(Subsequent traits: cautious, analytical, detail-oriented)

As you can see, knowing how people perceive their environment and themselves in it is extremely useful in understanding their behavior.
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Have you heard this one?

So there are four pastors in a church trying to figure out how to divide the money from Sunday services.

The High C pastor says, “I think we should each take a small stipend and produce a weekly cash flow projection for the congregation.

The High I pastor says, “I think we should draw a line on the ground, throw all the money up in the air. What lands on the left, we give to God. What lands on the right, we keep for ourselves.”

The High S pastor says, “I think we should do it a little different. Draw a line on the ground, throw all the money up in the air. What lands on the right, we give to God. What lands on the left, we keep for ourselves.”

The High D pastor says, “We should do it differently. Let’s throw all the money up in the air. Whatever God wants, he keeps. Whatever lands on the ground is ours.”