Personality Types and Temperaments
Including
A Brief Introduction to Personality Typing;
A Shortcut to Typewatching: The Four Temperaments; and
Brief Sketches of the Sixteen MBTI Personality Types
The information in this collection about personality types is taken almost verbatim (yes, plagiarized!) from the books Please Understand Me, by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates; Type Talk and Type Talk at Work, by Otto Kroeger and Janet Theusen; Influencing People Using Myers Briggs, by Steven Myers; People Types & Tiger Stripes, by Gordon Lawrence; Psychological Type: An Introduction, by Alan W. Brownsword; Jung’s Typology in Perspective, by Angelo Spoto; Are You My Type? Or Why Aren’t You More Like Me? by Claudine G. Wirths and Mary Bowman-Kruhm; and The Type Reporter, edited by Susan Scanlon. Some information is also from the TypeWorks web site:
The brief sketches of each of the sixteen MBTI types are taken from LifeTypes, by Sandra Hirsh & Jean Kummerow; Influencing People Using Myers Briggs; Isabel Briggs-Meyer’s type descriptions; People Types & Tiger Stripes;Type Talk at Work; I’m Not Crazy I’m Just Not You, by Roger R. Pearman & Sarah C. Albritton; and The Type Reporter.
For help in determining your MBTI letters, see the test at the end of this document or
take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, an online personality test at
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This Collection of MBTI Personality Type Information Was Prepared by
Carolyne J. Butler
May 1998
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPE?
The great Swiss physician-psychologist, C. G. Jung, developed one of the most comprehensive of current theories to explain human personality. Where other observers saw people’s behavior as random, Jung saw patterns. What he called “psychological types” are patterns in the way people prefer to perceive and make judgments.
In Jung’s theory, all conscious mental activity can be classified into four mental processes or functions. The two perception processes (that is, awareness, taking in data) are Sensing (S) and Intuition (N). The two judgment processes (that is, making decisions about what has come into awareness) are Thinking (T) and Feeling (F). What one perceives, that is, what comes into consciousness, moment by moment, comes either through the senses or through intuition. To remain in consciousness, sensing or intuitive perceptions must be used—sorted, weighed, analyzed, evaluated—by the judgment processes, thinking and feeling.
Perception (S and N) and Judgment (T and F) are truly basic in the human condition. Our troubles come from faulty perception and poor judgment, and our progress certainly comes from clear perception and sound judgment. We may not think about it often, but the quality of any human activity—caring for a child, building a house, fighting a fire, running a business, playing tennis, preparing a meal, etc.—depends on the quality of perception and judgment that goes into them. Jung saw that the ways we go about perceiving and judging differ, and the differences come in patterns. Understanding the patterns is what Personality Typing is all about.
DOESN’T TYPE FENCE YOU IN?
Not if you understand it. An understanding of type frees you in several ways.
It gives you confidence in your own direction of development—the areas in which you can become excellent with the most ease and pleasure.
It can also reduce the guilt many people feel at not being able to do everything in life equally well.
Acknowledging your own preferences opens the possibility of finding constructive values instead of conflicts in the differences you encounter with someone whose preferences are opposite yours.
As Isabel Myers puts it: “For most people, really understanding their own type in particular, and other people’s types in general, is a releasing experience rather than a restricting one. It sets one free to recognize one’s own natural bent and to trust one’s own potential for growth and excellence, with no obligation to copy anyone else, however admirable that person may be in his or her own different way.”
KEY TO THE MBTI LETTERS
The MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) is one of the most widely used personality tests given today. It has four scales corresponding to the four dimensions of type theory. The MBTI uses a shorthand designation for eight personality characteristics: E for Extraversion and I for Introversion; S for Sensing and N for Intuition; T for Thinking and F for Feeling; J for Judgment and P for Perception. The combinations of one’s preferences allow for sixteen basic personality types.
Refer to the literature on personality types for in-depth descriptions of each of the sixteen types. For more details about what characteristics each of the eight MBTI letters encompass, see the short test at the end of this document.
Attitude: Extraversion and Introversion.
Does your interest flow mainly to ...
(E) the outer world of actions, objects, and persons? or
(I) the inner world of concepts and ideas?
Perceptive Process: Sensing and Intuiting.
Do you prefer to perceive ...
(S) the immediate, real, practical facts of experience and life? or
(N) the possibilities, relationships, and meanings of experiences?
Judging Process: Thinking and Feeling.
Do you prefer to make judgments or decisions ...
(T) objectively, impersonally, considering causes of events and where decisions may lead? or
(F) subjectively and personally, weighing values of choices and how they matter to others?
Life-style Orientation: Judging and Perceiving.
Do you prefer mostly to live ...
(J) in a decisive, planned, and orderly way, aiming to regulate and control events? or
(P) in a spontaneous, flexible way, aiming to understand life and adapt to it?
THE MENTAL PROCESSES (FUNCTIONS)
The four processes or functions—Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, and Feeling—are gifts that all people are born with. The processes are at each person’s disposal to develop and use in dealing with the present and shaping the future. It is up to each person to recognize his or her true preferences—between Sensing and Intuition, between Thinking and Feeling, and so on. The most preferred function is called the Dominant (or sometimes Superior) function, the second most preferred is called the Auxiliary, the third is called the Tertiary, and the least preferred is called the Inferior.
Full development of type involves getting to be expertly skilled with one of the four processes, the Dominant process, which actually bosses the other three processes and sets the major goals in life. Type development also depends on skilled use of the Auxiliary process, which is vital for balance, because it supplies judgment if the dominant is perceptive, or perception if the dominant is judging. Finally, full type development requires learning to use the two less-favored and less-developed processes (Tertiary and Inferior functions) appropriately.
Even though one might have a preference for one process over the other, when people realize that Sensing works better than Intuition for gathering facts, but Intuition is better for seeing possibilities, or that Thinking is better suited to organizing work, but Feeling is better in human relations, they have the key to more effective use of all their gifts, each in its own field.
PERCEIVING PROCESSES: Sensing and Intuition
Sensing and Intuition are called the functions of perception. They are the mental processes we use to collect and generate information.
Sensing (S) is the term used for perception of the observable by way of the senses. Sensing is the direct perception of realities through sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
Intuition (N) is the term used for the indirect perception of things beyond the reach of the senses, such as meanings, relationships, and possibilities by way of insight.
SENSING (S) types use both Sensing and Intuition, but prefer, and therefore develop, Sensing. With good type development, the expertise in Sensing can lead to a differentiated awareness of present experience, acute powers of observation, a memory for facts and detail, and a capacity for realism, for seeing the world as it is. Traits characteristically developed as a consequence of a preference for sensing include a reliance on experience rather than theory, a trust of the conventional and customary way of doing things, a preference for beginning with what is known and real, and then moving systematically, step by step, tying each new fact to past experience and testing it for its relevance in practical use. To most Sensing types, “real intelligence” is characterized as soundness, accuracy, and common sense.
Sensing is needed for pursuing or even casually observing hard facts; it is equally essential to enjoying the moment of a sunrise, the crash of surf on a beach, the exhilaration of speed, and the smooth working of one’s body.
Sensing types are attracted to careers and settings where skillful application of well-learned knowledge is more important than developing new solutions, where working with tangibles is more important than using theory and insight, and where dealing with the immediate situation and using sound, conventional wisdom is more important than making bold breakthroughs. If people prefer Sensing, they use it more and become expert at noticing and remembering all the observable facts. Because of their ever-growing fund of experience and knowledge of reality, Sensing types tend to become realistic, practical, observant, fun-loving, and good at working with a great number of facts.
INTUITIVE (N) types use both Sensing and Intuition, but prefer, and therefore develop, Intuition. With good type development, Intuition provides insight into complexity, an ability to see abstract, symbolic, and theoretical relationships, and a capacity to see future possibilities, often creative ones. Attitudes characteristically developed as a result of a preference for Intuition include a reliance on inspiration rather than on past experience, an interest in the new and untried, and a preference for learning new materials through an intuitive grasp of meanings and relationships. To most Intuitive types, “real intelligence” is shown by insight in grasping complexities, and by flashes of imagination or creativity.
Intuition translates words into meaning and meaning into words whenever people read, write, talk, or listen; people use Intuition when they invite the unknown into their conscious minds or wait expectantly for a possibility, a solution, or an inspiration. Intuition works best for seeing how situations might be handled. A thought that starts “I wonder if” is probably Intuition. The declaration “I see!” is a flash of Intuition, and the thought “Aha!” indicates that Intuition has brought to mind something enlightening and delightful.
Intuitive types are attracted to careers and settings where it is more important to find the pattern in complex systems than it is to deal with practical details, where creating new knowledge is more important than applying existing knowledge, where working with theory and imagination is more important than dealing with tangibles, and where intellectual challenge is more important than the enjoyment of the pleasures of everyday events. People who prefer Intuition tend to become skilled at seeing possibilities. They learn that a possibility will come to them if they confidently seek it. Valuing imagination and inspirations, Intuitive types become good at new ideas, projects, and problem-solving.
JUDGMENT PROCESSES: Thinking and Feeling
Thinking and Feeling are called the functions of judgment. They are the mental processes we use to make decisions and form judgments.
Thinking (T) is the term used for a logical decision-making process, aimed at an impersonal finding. Thinking analyzes in terms of cause and effect, and it distinguishes between true and false.
Feeling (F) is a term for a process of appreciation, making judgments in terms of a system of subjective, personal values. Feeling is intentionally personal and is based on personal values. It distinguishes between valued and not valued and between more valued and less valued, and it guards whatever the feeling type values most.
Both Thinking and Feeling are considered rational processes because they use reasoning to arrive at conclusions or decisions. Do not confuse the judgment process of Thinking with the mental act of using intelligence, and do not confuse the judgment process of Feeling with having emotions. All types who use Thinking in their decision-making process also feel emotions. All types who use Feeling in their decision-making process also use their intelligence.
THINKING (T) types use both Thinking and Feeling but prefer to use Thinking for making judgments. With good type development, expertise in Thinking leads to powers of analysis and an ability to weigh facts objectively, including consequences, unintended as well as intended. Attitudes typically developed from a preference for Thinking include objectivity, impartiality, a sense of fairness and justice, and skill in applying logical analysis. They are inclined to make decisions by analyzing and weighing the facts, including the unpleasant ones. Thinking types are attracted to areas where tough-mindedness and technical skills are needed. (Note: More males than females prefer Thinking judgment.)
FEELING (F) types use Thinking and Feeling but prefer to reach judgments through Feeling. With good type development, Feeling leads to development of values and standards, and a knowledge of what matters most to themselves and other people. Attitudes typically resulting from a preference for Feeling include an understanding of people and a wish to affiliate with them, a desire for harmony, and a capacity for warmth, empathy, and compassion. Feeling types are attracted to areas where understanding and communication with people are needed, and find the interpersonal skills more interesting than the technical skills. (Note: More females than males prefer Feeling judgment.)
THE THIRD DIMENSION: Extraversion and Introversion
Jung identified a third dimension of personality structure: Extraversion-Introversion. He invented these terms. Extraverting means outward-turning and Introverting means inward-turning. We all do both regularly, every day. We turn outside of ourselves to act in the world, and we turn into ourselves to reflect. Of course, action without reflection is blind and may be fruitless; and reflection that does not lead to action may be futile. Both Extraverting-action and Introverting-reflection are essential. However, each person is not equally “at home” in action and reflection. Those who prefer Extraverting often say, “When in doubt, act.” Those who prefer Introverting are more likely to say, “When in doubt, reflect on the matter more deeply.”
To Extravert is to think out loud, to reveal half-thought ideas, to process one’s experiences outwardly, as a means of doing one’s best mental work. To Introvert is to keep ideas inside, where the best mental work goes on, and polish the ideas until they are ready to be exposed. So people who prefer Extraverting, whom we call Extraverts, are seen as more outgoing, and those who prefer inner processing, whom we call Introverts, are seen as reserved. Extraverting means looking outward for interests, values, and stimulation. Introverting means looking inward for these.
Extraverting and Introverting also refer to how the dominant process—S, N, T, or F—is used. A person whose preference is for Extraversion most often uses the dominant mental process outwardly, where it is visible to others. A person whose preference is for Introversion most often uses the dominant process inwardly, privately. It is no surprise that people who prefer Extraverting are easier to get to know; they show their dominant process most readily. It takes longer to get to know the ones who favor Introverting, who reserve their dominant for the inner life.
THE FOURTH DIMENSION: Judging and Perceiving
Briggs and Myers elaborated Jung’s ideas of psychological type and showed a fourth dimension that is present, but not highlighted in the descriptions already given. The fourth dimension is the attitude taken toward the outer world.
When a judgment process (T or F) is used in running one’s outer life, the natural drive is to have things decided, judged, settled, planned, organized, and managed according to plan. In this personality pattern, the drive is always toward closure, toward having a settled system in place. This is the Judging attitude toward the outer world, represented by the letter J as the fourth letter of the type designation, for example ESFJ or INTJ.
When a perception process (S or N) is used to run one’s outer life, the natural drive is toward keeping things open to new perceptions. The person wants to stay flexible, so as to adapt to changing circumstances, and to experience life as widely as possible. In this personality pattern, the drive is always toward keeping plans and organization to a necessary minimum so that one can respond to new perceptions and adapt flexibly to new circumstances. This is the Perceiving attitude toward the outer world, represented by the letter P as the fourth letter of the type designation, for example ESFP or INTP.