The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a psychological assessment tool used to compartmentalize the varieties of human personality into 16 different types. The test was developed by Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. Although neither woman was a psychologist, Katherine Briggs did work as a school teacher at a time when it was commonly believed that too much education was harmful to a woman’s reproductive health.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.
– Carl Jung
The Myers Briggs test is based on the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. It uses a four factor model system featuring 4 slots or ‘functions’ arranged in order of importance; the Dominant function, Auxiliary function, tertiary function and inferior function, respectively. The first slot indicates attitude preference: extroversion (E)/introversion (I). The second slot indicates how we take in and perceive information: intuitive (N)/sensing (S). The third slot indicates how we process and judge information: thinking (T)/feeling (F). The fourth slot indicates how we apply action: perceiving (P)/ judging (J).
There are 8 different cognitive functions forming 16 different personality combinations. How the function stacks work together differs depending on the cognitive theory used. The most common model assigns an alternating sequence of extroversion and introversion across the function stack where if the dominant and tertiary are extroverted, then the auxiliary and inferior functions will be introverted.
Cognitive theory dictates how the functions are paired and ordered in the stack. IxxP types for example, while being perceivers, have a judging trait (thinking or Feeling which sit in the 3rd slot) as their dominant function. The dominant function would be either introverted thinking or introverted feeling which means that this function serves as the primary and strongest developed cognitive characteristic of that personality type. In the case of a IxxJ type, then the dominant function will be formed by a perceiving trait (sensing or intuition).
The Rationals
INTP – Architect
INTJ – Mastermind
ENTP – Inventor
ENTJ – Visionary
The Diplomats
INFP – Poet
INFJ – Counselor
ENFP – Campaigner
ENFJ – Captain
The Guardians
ISTJ – Pragmatist
ISFJ – Defender
ESTJ – Director
ESFJ – Caregiver
The Artisans
ISTP – Craftsman
ISFP – Artist
ESTP – Pioneer
ESFP – Performer
Myers-Briggs related posts:
Each of the 16 Myers Briggs personality types represent a package of cognitive functions that together form a portrait of a conscious ego identity. The functions that constitute our MBTI type encapsulate the conscious preferences and perspectives that help explain and inform our behavior and tendencies. There is also an ...
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According to Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, The Shadow represents the unconscious part of our mind that is host to the repressed and largely negative aspects of our personality. The Shadow encompasses qualities and traits we try to alienate from our conscious ego and it can often become a blind spot ...
The shadow is a concept introduced by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. The shadow represents what Jung believed to be the unconscious and repressed aspects of our personality that operate beneath our conscious awareness. The shadow stands in contrast to the conscious ego represented by our Myers-Briggs personality type. Although the ...
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Reserved, audacious, tactile and tough-minded, the ISTP male or female is an introvert who is not afraid to get their hands dirty. They are emotionally restrained yet driven by their impulses. ISTPs communicate in concrete terms and can become very adept in their use of tools and techniques. Often quiet ...
Decisive, orderly and dependable, the ESTJ is a pragmatic extrovert with an interest in logistics and technical systems. They are type A personalities who believe in doing things by the book and toeing the line. They seek to be seen as respectable and tough but morally sound. Male ESTJs tend ...
The ESFP personality is described as the “tactical Performer” by MBTI analyst David Keirsey. Spontaneous, playful, enthusiastic and highly expressive, the ESFP male or female is an extrovert who is full of vitality and passion for life. They prize freedom and seek to live life according to their terms and ...
In the MBTI, there is no right or wrong pairing when it comes to matchmaking. However, it stands to reason that some types will get along more easily than others. Type differences can create certain challenges that may possibly be remedied or mitigated by fostering better understanding and awareness of ...
Clever, inventive, novelty seeking and persuasive, the ENTP is an extrovert who engages with the world in a creative, intellectually curious and adaptable manner. Restless and prone to boredom, ENTPs crave variety and are always scanning for possibilities, new ideas and mentally stimulating activities to preoccupy themselves with. ENTPs have ...
The INFJ is one of 16 Myers Briggs personality types. They are described as the “advocate” and “diplomatic counselor”. These terms hint at the humane and supportive nature of this type. At roughly 1% of the population, INFJs are also the least common MBTI type. INFJs are introverts, but because ...
The ISFP is one of the 16 MBTI personality types and form part of the “Artisan” temperament group along with the ESFP, ESTP and ISTP. Sensitive, observant and creative, the ISFP person is an introvert who displays an openness to new experiences and adventures. They have been dubbed as the ...
Warm, cheerful, conscientious and social, the ESFJ is an extravert who seeks to help others and be a valuable contributor. Estimated at around 10% of the population, ESFJs are relatively common but more so among women than men. They promote harmony, inclusion and cooperation between people. For them, the preservation ...
The ISTJ personality type has been dubbed as the “logistical Inspector” and “logistician”. Estimated at around 10% of the population, they are among the more common personality types in the MBTI —and thankfully so. People of this type are the salt of the earth. Duty-bound and earnest, these individuals are ...
