Introduction to Personality Types

Throughout the ages various personality models have been developed in order to help people better understand each other. One such model is the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI), which this article aims at delivering a basic outline for. It has been written for the benefit of anyone who has heard people discussing personality types and gives a starting point in understanding the model. We will look first at the basic functions, how they interact and Keirseys Temperaments before finishing with a couple of it's applications.

Functions

These are the tools people employ to interact with the rest of the world. Split into two fundamentally opposite pairs, people can use both sets but not at the same time. Thus a preference is developed and over the years this becomes more pronounced.

Introverted/Extroverted
This is the way in which one interacts with the world around them. Introverts tend to get their energy from within whereas extroverts tend to get their energy from the outside world. A good way in which to identify this is to ask a question. If they go quiet and think about their answer before speaking then the chances are good that they are introverted. However if they talk through their thought process then they are probably extroverted.

iNtuitive/Sensing
Intuitive and sensing describes the tools preferred in measuring reality. A sensor tends to use his or her five main senses in which to gather information and facts whereas intuitives tend to use their sixth sense, seeing the ideas and possibilities around them. This can result in intuitives seeming dreamy, clumsy and not quite so bothered about their appearance. Sensors on the other hand tend to be sensible, focus on their appearance and more rooted in reality. Basically, a sensor will see the trees whilst an intuitive sees the wood.

Thinking/Feeling
We now look at the resources people use to form their decisions. Thinkers tend to base themselves on logic and consistency whereas feelers tend to look towards their personal feelings and values. This means feelers prefer to project themselves into the issue asking, how would I feel about this, whilst thinkers prefer to take a step back from the situation and view it on an impersonal level.

Judging/Perceiving
How one organises the world around them is expressed through this function. Judgers seek closure and prefer to have things decided upon whereas perceivers would rather leave their options open and look out for new openings. Thus judgers tend to work to schedules and arrive quickly at decisions while perceivers tend to start more than they finish and can appear indecisive in their search for more choices.

It is important to note with the functions that no one is purely one extreme or the other (for example introverted or extroverted). It is only a preference, in much the same way that you may prefer to write with your right hand but you can still use your left hand even though it might not feel quite as natural. The more you practice writing with your left hand the more adept you can become at using it.

For ease of use, each function can be shortened to a single letter:

• The first letter is either I (Introverted) or E (Extroverted)
• The second letter is either N (iNtuitive) or S (Sensing)
• The third letter is either T (Thinking) or F (Feeling)
• The forth letter is either J (Judging) or P (Perceiving)

These letters are then grouped to form one of sixteen models. For example if they speak their thoughts out loud, are focused on solid facts, personalise their decisions and seek out new experiences the letters ESFP could be used as a model. Alternatively someone who keeps their thoughts to themselves, pays more attention to ideas than reality, makes impersonal decisions and strives for closure could be modelled through INTJ.

Temperaments

Commonalities appear between certain personality types which allow them to be sub-categorised into four general groups. People of the same group can demonstrate related traits and tend to see the world in a similar way. These similarities happen in personality types which have specific two letter combinations present in their four-letter acronym:

• NT Rational
• NF Idealist
• SJ Guardian
• SP Artisan

Rationals (INTJ, ENTJ, INTP, ENTP)
Independent
Rationals value competence, both in themselves and others and because of this they can appear very sure of themselves. They have the ability to see a situation from many different angles, helping them to spot flaws and imagine new alternatives.

Idealists (INFJ, ENFJ, INFP, ENFP)
Empathic
What idealists prize highly is being true to themselves and maintaining their personal integrity. They value uniqueness, originality and are natural peacemakers, preferring to exist in a harmonious environment. Their extreme perception and sensitivity to others helps maintain such an environment.

Guardians (ISTJ, ESTJ, ISFJ, ESFJ)
Responsible
Guardians value responsibility, duty and make every effort to ensure whatever needs doing gets done, priding themselves on being dependable, reliable and thorough. They trust and respect authority, finding comfort through structure, hierarchy and organisation.

Artisans (ISTP, ESTP, ISFP, ESFP)
Free-spirited
Artisans are playful experience seekers, spontaneous in their actions they enjoy taking life as it comes. As natural risk takers they are not averse to braking rules if it allows them to satisfy their curiosity or impulses.

Application of Personality Types

Knowing how people prefer to interact with the world around them is a powerful tool, which can allow ideas to be expressed in a way more readily accepted. The following examples cover two cases, basic communication and teaching.

When passing on ideas to Guardians it's best to stick to the specifics, what you are after, the expected result and (importantly) highlight any previous experiences with the situation.
Teaching Rationals can be tricky as they will challenge both the competence of the instructor and themselves, yet given a problem to sink their teeth into and they'll rush off to generate their own answers.

Understanding people can also assist harmony in the environment, aiding comprehension as to why he isn't as organised as he should be, why she just wont stop talking or why they don't get their head out of that book and LIVE!

Summary

We've quickly looked at the MBTI functions and Keirsey's temperaments, briefly touching on how they can employed to improve harmony and communication. The most important aspect to remember is that identifying and employing personality types is not about placing people in rigid containers, telling people how they will behave or even mind control! It's about comprehending why people behave in strange ways and adapting yourself to help them understand you just that little bit more. Enjoy.

Recommended reading

Please Understand Me II
David Keirsey

Type Talk at Work
Otto Kroeger with Janet M. Thuesen & Hile Rutledge

The Art of Speed Reading People
Paul D. Tieger & Barbara Barron-Tieger