Basics:
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a system of personality type classification.
It uses an arrangement of four preferences (abbreviated E/I, S/N, T/F, J/P) to make
up one’s personality type (e.g. ENFP, ISTJ). Each type also uses a series of
four cognitive functions arranged in order of strength.
So,
to make up your type, you have four sets of
alternatives—Extroversion/Introversion, Sensing/iNtuition (abbreviated with an
N to avoid confusion with Introversion), Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perceiving.
Since I prefer Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging, this means my type
is ISFJ. Someone who uses the opposite preferences would be an ENTP. There are
sixteen possible combinations of these preferences and therefore sixteen types,
which are:
ENFP,
INFP, ENFJ, INFJ
ESTJ,
ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ
ENTP,
INTP, ENTJ, INTJ
ESTP,
ISTP, ESFP, ISFP
We
call these sets of options between preferences the four dichotomies, which
means they’re an either-or decision. There is no such thing as being borderline
between two preferences; either you are or you aren’t. Often people (Introverts
in particular) have learned to adopt behavior associated with preferences other
than their own in order to survive in society, but the MBTI is not concerned with
learned behavior. It is a matter of what your natural preference is, what comes
most easily to you.
Extroversion/Introversion
determines one’s source of energy—being around other people or being in one’s
own head.
Extroversion
- Energized
by people, the outer world, socialization
- Outgoing,
“people person”
- Vocal,
more talkative
- Speak
first, then think
- Open
with information, easy to get to know
- Many
friends
- Would
rather work with other people, like group activity
- Often
think aloud
Introversion
- Energized
by their own thoughts and inner world, need some time alone
- Tend
to be reserved and often labeled “shy” regardless of whether they actually
are
- Quieter
- Need
time to think before communicating
- Keep
to themselves, more hesitant to share information
- A
few close friends
- Would
rather work alone or in small, trusted groups
- Internalize
ideas and spend a lot of time in their heads
Note:
Society tends to be prejudiced against Introverts. I’ve heard them accusing of
being everything from self-centered to antisocial to mentally ill. But there’s
no shame in being an Introvert. Just because someone is more reflective and
needs time alone to recharge is no indication that one hates people or has a
problem. It just means one energizes differently. So, humanity in general, don’t
ridicule people for being quiet. Don’t call attention to it as if it’s their
own personality trait. Be polite and treat them like any other human being.
Sensing/iNtuition
determines how one takes in information—concretely or abstractly.
Sensing
- The
here-and-now
- Concrete
and physical
- Facts
- Details
- Practical
use before theory
- Learn
through doing/experience
- Use
their five senses
- Realistic,
more concerned with “what is”
- See
what is directly in front of them
- Traditional
iNtuition
- The
future
- Abstract
and mental (as in, “dealing with the mind”)
- Patterns,
possibilities
- Symbols,
impressions
- Theoretical
- Learn
through thinking or reading
- Use
their impressions and read between the lines
- Visionary,
more concerned with “what could be”
- See
the big picture, underlying meanings
- Innovative
Note:
Sensing/iNtuition has nothing to do with whether one follows the rules or not.
SJs are indeed very concerned with adhering to establishing procedures, but SPs
are more carefree. The real difference is a matter of experience versus innovation.
Neither does iNtuition necessarily mean that one is “idealistic,” “imaginative”
(vague terms), or “understands people/situations intuitively” (which could
easily apply to preferences like Feeling). Also, I have observed that some
iNtuitives tend to look down on Sensors as more common and less intelligent
than they. Remember, all the preferences play an important role in our world,
and none are more important or better than another. Sensors are not
unintelligent; they just have different gifts than iNtuitives. We need
representatives of both preferences to balance each other out, not compete.
Thinking/Feeling
determines how one makes decisions—based on logic or values.
Thinking
- Decide
based on logic
- Objective
- Concerned
with truth
- Rational
- Spot
inconsistencies in logic
- Want
solutions to make sense
- Head
before heart
- Truth
before tact
- Justice
before mercy
- Impersonal
- Can
ignore the human side of problems
- Can
come across as cold and heartless
Feeling
- Decide
based on values
- Subjective
- Concerned
with harmony
- In
touch with emotions
- Spot
potentials for conflict and disharmony
- Want
solutions to be what is best for someone (self or others)
- Heart
before head
- Tact
before truth
- Mercy
before justice
- Personal
- Can
ignore reasoning and “hard truth”
- Can
come across as over-sensitive and irrational
Note:
Thinkers do have emotions, and Feelers are capable of thought. It’s a matter of
what takes the higher priority to them. Also, whether or not one readily
expresses feelings does not necessarily indicate whether one is a Thinker or
Feeler. Feelers who also happen to be Introverts can find it hard to share
their emotions. Remember, this is about decision-making.
Judging/Perceiving
determines how one orders one’s outer world—with decisiveness and control or
adaptability and spontaneity.
Judging
- Planning
and order
- Organization
- Like
things settled definitely
- Feels
better when their mind is made up
- Like
to keep life under control
- Tend
to follow projects through to completion
- Steady
worker, no last-minute rushing
- May
decide before considering all information
- Like
routine and schedules
- Tend
to be more serious
- Hard-working
- May
not always enjoy surprises
- Responsible
- Stand
firmly by their decisions
Perceiving
- Flexibility
and spontaneity
- Adapts
rather than organizes
- Like
to keep options open
- Feels
better when taking in new information
- Like
to keep life relaxed
- Prefer
starting projects to finishing them
- Work
in bursts of energy fueled by nearing deadlines
- May
put off making a decision for too long
- Prefer
to be unpredictable and not plan ahead
- Tend
to be more carefree
- Leisurely
- Love
surprises and the unexpected
- May
be irresponsible
- Can
change their mind at the last minute
Note:
Being a Judger does not mean that one is judgmental any more than being a
Perceiver makes one more perceptive. These are just the terms the MBTI happens
to use. Having a goal and focusing a task may not necessarily make one a
Judger. It all depends on how one gets there.
Links
for further information on the dichotomies:
Beyond
the four preferences, types have another, deeper layer, cognitive functions, in
which the preferences come together and interact with each other.
These
eight possible functions are as follows:
Extroverted
Sensing (Se): Taking in sensory information, “here and now” mentality, taking
immediate action, interacting with one’s immediate environment, living in the
moment, thrill-seeking.
Introverted
Sensing (Si): Recalling past experiences, maintaining traditions, storing
detailed information, linking and comparing what one knows to situations in the
present, following established customs and procedures, valuing stability and
the tried-and-true.
Extroverted
iNtuition (Ne): Exploring possibilities, developing multiple ideas and trying
as many as possible, innovating, being creative, initiating concepts for
projects, looking for new options, picking up on hidden meanings and
interpreting them, brainstorming and strategizing from here-and-now.
Introverted
iNtuition (Ni): Connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, system-building,
strategizing toward one definite outcome, reading between the lines, using
insight, expressing through symbols/analogies, long-term planning, expecting
outcomes not based on external data, having a vision for the future and a plan
to get there.
Extroverted
Thinking (Te): Making sure procedures are efficient, less concerned with
precision than clarity, finding practical/pragmatic solutions, aiming for
achievement and success, using external data to prove a point, planning and
organizing to achieve a definite goal, using orderly logic in clear steps.
Introverted
Thinking (Ti): Developing personal understanding of information, less concerned
with whether something works and more concerned with how something works, analyzing,
aiming for precision, examining for inconsistency, categorizing, figuring out
how and why something functions, checking for adherence to a model/principle.
Extroverted
Feeling (Fe): Focusing on group values/emotions, being influenced by the
emotional atmosphere, basing decisions on societal norms/others’ feelings,
seeking connection and harmony with others, “people pleasing,” anticipating
others’ needs/wants and seeking what is best for them, using tact.
Introverted
Feeling (Fi): Focusing on personal/individual values, experiencing intense
emotions which are not directly expressed and may be concealed, expressing
feelings indirectly, understanding and defining personal feelings/values and
likes and dislikes, determining what is worthy of being valued and stood up
for, balancing peace and conflict, striving for consistency of values.
Each
type has four functions, one each of either of the Sensing, iNtuition,
Thinking, and Feeling pairs. The first function is dominant, the second auxiliary,
the third tertiary, and the fourth inferior.
Dominant:
What one is best at, the default setting, what is easiest and most natural for
one to use, and what one automatically falls back on.
Auxiliary:
Assists and balances the dominant function, used when one helps or mentors
someone.
Tertiary:
The area where one seeks guidance and accepts help, where one is either
childish or childlike, where one is vulnerable, but can be a source of relief,
a means of unwinding, or how one expresses creativity.
Inferior:
The area one is at one’s weakest in and least comfortable using, something one
might aspire to but not be able to use well, can emerge in times of great
stress as a negative version of itself.
The
functions for each of the types are as follows.
ENFP:
Ne, Fi, Te, Si
INFP:
Fi, Ne, Si, Te
ENFJ:
Fe, Ni, Se, Ti
INFJ:
Ni, Fe, Ti, Se
ESTJ:
Te, Si, Ne, Fi
ISTJ:
Si, Te, Fi, Ne
ESFJ:
Fe, Si, Ne, Ti
ISFJ:
Si, Fe, Ti, Ne
ENTP:
Ne, Ti, Fe, Si
INTP:
Ti, Ne, Si, Fe
ENTJ:
Te, Ni, Se, Fi
INTJ:
Ni, Te, Fi, Se
ESTP:
Se, Ti, Fe, Ni
ISTP:
Ti, Se, Ni, Fe
ESFP:
Se, Fi, Te, Ni
ISFP:
Fi, Se, Ni, Te
To
determine the functions in one’s type:
- Extroverted
types have an Extroverted dominant function, and Introverted types have an
Introverted dominant function.
- Extroverted
types have an Introverted auxiliary function, and Introverted types have
an Extroverted auxiliary function.
- If
the dominant function is Sensing or iNtuition, the auxiliary will be
Thinking or Feeling, and vice versa.
- The
tertiary function is the opposite of the auxiliary.
- The
inferior function is the opposite of the dominant.
- If
Si or Ni is the dominant or auxiliary function, the type uses Judging.
- If
Te or Fe is the dominant or auxiliary function, the type uses Judging.
- If
Se or Ne is the dominant or auxiliary function, the type uses Perceiving.
- If
Ti or Fi is the dominant or auxiliary function, the type uses Perceiving.
Or
you could just use the handy list above and not bother with all this. If it
sounds extremely complicated, don’t panic. You don’t need to memorize this. As
you become more familiar with the functions, these patterns become easier to
remember.
Links
for further information on the functions:
If
any of this is all confusing or unclear, please, please ask questions. I would
be glad to clarify anything.
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