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:
If you are an INTJ, it means that you are an introvert who is analytical, structured and very strategic. You go about life in a very purposeful and deliberate way. You are someone who thinks ahead and always has a plan for what you intend to do. Surveys show that ...
If you are an INTP, it means you are an introvert driven by both creative and intellectual urges. You are inquisitive, logical, and above all, deeply contemplative. It is your nature to try and figure out the logic behind everything. You do this because you have a tireless desire to ...
Each of the 16 personality types have a way of life and perspective that is meaningful to them on account of their cognitive preferences. These cognitive preferences can likely be distilled into different philosophies that each MBTI type implicitly follows. Here is a look at the school of philosophy that ...
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Each MBTI type has a type opposite comprised of all the same functions but in reverse order. This opposite type is likely to pose the greatest difficulty for getting along harmoniously. Misunderstandings and clashes are likely to arise whenever these types encounter one another. Here is a look at the ...
ENTP forms one of the 4 MBTI types in the temperament group known as the Rationals. Being an ENTP encompasses a number of strengths that prove advantageous to them. Here is a look at 7 strengths associated with being an ENTP ...
As a type, the INTP’s core personality strengths center around their dominant Ti and auxiliary Ne. These two functions, in this particular order of preference, engenders a highly introspective and analytical mind that draws from the external world, a breadth of inspiring novelties, possibilities and meanings. Here is a look ...
In the MBTI, perceiver types are, by definition, more adaptable than judging types. However, perceivers can be inflexible about certain things and judgers can more pliant about other things. Here is a look at how adaptable each MBTI type is ...
The ESTJ is one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. They are one of the 4 types comprising the guardian temperament group, along with ISTJ, ESFJ and ISFJ. They have been dubbed as, "The Logistical supervisor", "the Guardians", and "the executive". Among their strengths is their reliability and diligence, organization ...
ESTP is one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. They comprise part of the temperament group known as "The Artisans" along with ISFP, ISTP, ESFP. ESTPs have been referred as such things as "the entrepreneur", "the tactical promoter", and "the doer". They possess a number of positive attributes including a ...
Courage is a virtue we all value. It is also an asset some of us have in more abundance than others. Courage comes in various forms and we need it to deal with everyday life. Here's a look at the type of courage that is most characteristic of each of ...
The ESFP is one of the 16 MBTI personality types and is grouped along with the ESTP, ISTP, and ISFP as part of the "Artisan" temperament group. ESFPs have been referred to as such things as "the performers", "the Tactical performer", and "the Entertainer". Among their positive traits is their ...
ISFP is one of the 16 MBTI personalities and forms part of the temperament group known as the “artisans” along with ESFP, ESTP and ISTP. The ISFP has been described as a “tactical composer”, “artist” and “adventurer”. Among their strengths is the ability to adapt and improvise, creative expression, and ...
ENTJ is one of the 16 MBTI personality types and is grouped alongside the INTJ, INTP and ENTP as part of the temperament group known as “the Rationals”. ENTJs have been referred as “the executive”, “strategic fieldmarshal” and “commander”. Their strengths include an ability to devise effective plans and strategies, ...
The ISFJ is one of the 16 MBTI personalities and is grouped along with the ESFJ, ESTJ and ISTJ as part of the temperament group known as the Guardians. The ISFJ has been dubbed as a number of things such as “defender”, “logistical protector” and “nurturer”. The strengths of this ...
