People like to categorize things since it gives them nice, limited items that they can understand better. And when we talk about something as complex as emotions, it is easy to understand why psychologists have always wanted to classify them. Even though it was developed back in the 1960s, the 16-type personality model by Myers and Briggs is still relevant.
Personality typing
Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Briggs, her mother, built upon the work of Carl Jung to create the four dimensions of the human personality
- Introversion vs. Extraversion (I/E)
- Sensing vs. Intuition (S/N)
- Thinking vs. Feeling (T/F)
- Judging vs. Perceiving (J/P)
Each of the pairs is a dichotomy, i.e., a choice between one or the other that an individual prefers in their everyday activities. According to their theory, your preference in each of the category should be in line with predictable patterns in your thoughts and behavior. Each personality type is accorded four letters, one for every preference, and there are 16 combinations in total.
The 16 Personality Types
ISTJ – Inspector: Appears serious and formal, loves tradition and responsibility and is often reserved
INFJ – Counselor: Idealists and creative people that are characterized by deep and critical thought
INTJ – Mastermind: Often quiet and reserved and like to work alone; do not like uncertainties
ENFJ – Giver: Charismatic and people-oriented, they pay a lot of attention to feelings, intuition and abstract thought
ISTP – Craftsman: They like logic, but are also characterized by spontaneity and enthusiasm
ESFJ – Provider: Usually very extroverted and popular, they like to interact with others and make them happy
INFP – Idealist: Quiet and reserved, always looking for deeper meaning in the signs around them
ESFP – Performer: They are often seen as entertainers due to their extroversion and love of the spotlight
ENFP – Champion: They are individualistic and like to create their own methods or ideas and think outside the box
ESTP – Doer: They are extroverts in need of freedom, interested in practical and hands-on things
ESTJ – Supervisor: They believe in righteousness, and like to be leaders in this respect and give advice
ENTJ – Commander: Born leaders and decision-makers that see problems as a way to grow
INTP – Thinker: Excellent theorizers, prefer patterns, and are not interested in everyday trivial activities
ISFJ – Nurturer: They love people and like to be generous, are kind-hearted
ENTP – Visionary: Their powerful intellect needs to be stimulated, are logical and objective
ISFP – Composer: Warm and friendly even though they are introverts, want to discover new experiences
Which personality type do you belong to?