Types of Personality Simplified

Personality is an individual’s distinct characteristics and qualities that set them apart from the rest. The way someone feels, behaves, walks and talks are all integral parts of his/her character and psyche. Humans have always enjoyed being defined, described and put into a group based on their one common personality trait. Zodiacs are one shining example of just that. 

In the 1960s, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) based on the Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung's Psychology Types and it attempts to explain and classify all the different varieties of people that walk the earth.

The 16 personality types and the famous 16 Personality Test sparring from it are the fine-tuned by-product of the MBTI. It implies that there are four major aspects of human character, the permutation and combination of which make the 16 distinct types of personalities. Let's take a look at these four aspects first -

● Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)?

Extraversion implies the element in an individual's characteristic that makes them outgoing, talkative, naturally sociable, lively and active. On the other hand, Introversion would determine the quiet, reserved, shy, passive, calm and rigid nature of someone.

● Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)?

Sensing depends exclusively on the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch) of humans and the sensory details received by them. Intuition on the other hand, depends more on instinct or sixth sense than anything else which is rather unexplainable most of the time.

● Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)?

Thinking is when the brain is at work and logic is sifted out by putting the mind to the test. Feeling, on the other hand, is more the matter of the heart where the vibes and perhaps, the nonverbal cues become the priority.

● Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)?

Judging is an aspect of human nature that begets structure, organization and careful calibration but may not always depend on reason and rationality. Perceiving types bank on observation, spontaneity and flexibility, and so they are not big fans of routine and structure.

 

The Analysts

Intuitive and Thinking individuals are analysts by nature. They are the ambassadors of rationality, impartiality and intellectual excellence that stems from their analyzing nature or vice-versa. 

1.   Architect - INTJ

Introverted, intuitive, thinking and judging personalities are often deemed similar to architects by profession and masterminds in nature. They are solvers of complex problems and are not so comfortable with the uncertainty and unpredictability of other people’s actions and emotions.

2.   Logician - INTP

Introverted, intuitive, thinking and perceiving personalities are often deemed similar to logicians or enthusiasts of logic by nature. They are the philosophical innovators and logical analysts who are fascinated by the complexity of design and systems as they seek to understand them in all the complexity and intertwined discrepancies they come with.

3.   Commander - ENTJ

Extroverted, intuitive, thinking and judging personalities are often deemed similar to commanders or the ones to throw out orders. They are analytical and objective-oriented people by nature who love identifying flaws in the system and enjoy the process of fixing them even more so.

4.   Debater - ENTP

Extroverted, intuitive, thinking and perceiving personalities are often deemed similar to debaters and visionaries. They are open-minded and unconventional people who practice the art of formal argument based on facts and logic. They also like to understand and analyze others so that they can influence their decisions with their logic.

 

The Diplomats

Intuitive and Feeling individuals are diplomats by nature. They are big on empathy, diplomatic skills and passionate idealisms that stem from their diplomatic nature.

5.   Counselor - INFJ

Introverted, intuitive, feeling and judging personalities are often deemed similar to advocates or counselors by profession. They are creative and dedicated people with a natural talent for helping others with original solutions.

6.   Healer - INFP

Introverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving personalities are often deemed as mediators or healers of the world and they love peace and like all conflicts resolved. They are sensitive, caring, and compassionate people who care for the well-being of others.

7.   Protagonist - ENFJ

Extroverted, intuitive, feeling and judging personalities are often deemed similar to protagonists in nature or teachers by profession. They are often the center of everything that happens around them and they would be best equipped to guide the others with required knowledge and logic.

8.   Champion - ENFP

Extroverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving personalities are often deemed as campaigners and champions by nature as they have a firm goal and they keep working to achieve it following the structure already in place. These people are agile and expressive communicators who are full of wit and humor.

 

The Keepers

Sensing and Judging individuals are keepers by nature. They are fans of practicality and focus on order, security and stability and hence the label “sentinels or keepers” given to them.

9.   Inspector - ISTJ

Introverted, sensing, thinking and judging personalities are often deemed similar to logisticians or inspectors who are experts in logistics by nature. They have a natural pull towards inspecting the discrepancies in the system as they tend to uphold traditions and follow regulations in general.

10.  Defender - ISFJ

Introverted, sensing, feeling and judging personalities are often deemed as defenders or protectors by nature. They are naturally conventional and enjoy serving the already established systems of the society in their conscientious, methodical and persistent ways.

11.   Executive - ESTJ

Extroverted, sensing, thinking and judging personalities are often deemed similar to executives or supervisors as they are the ones who execute plans. They get things done and like the systemic and methodical ways of the world.

12.  Consul - ESFJ

Extroverted, sensing, feeling and judging personalities are often deemed similar to consuls by profession or providers by nature. They are cordial helpers who are fond of the sense of harmony. They are eager to please, provide and cooperate for the sake of others and the general integrity of society.

 

The Explorers

Sensing and Perceiving individuals are explorers by nature. Spontaneity, ingenuity and flexibility come naturally to them as they set out for new explorations.

13.   Craftsman - ISTP

Introverted, sensing, thinking and perceiving personalities are often deemed similar to virtuosos or craftsmen who are expert creatives and artists by nature. They are expert and passionate artisans who understand the mechanics of complex logic and take the creative liberty to create something new and beautiful.

14.   Adventurer - ISFP

Introverted, sensing, feeling and perceiving personalities are often deemed as adventurers who are not afraid of exploring and living on the edge and composers who possess an acute sense of beauty and aesthetics in the most common surroundings.

15.  Entrepreneur - ESTP

Extroverted, sensing, thinking and perceiving personalities are often deemed as entrepreneurs as they like to take initiatives and see them through to success. They are also referred to as dynamos as they are energetic thrill seekers that bring a subtle sense of dynamic energy when they interact with people in general.

16.  Entertainer - ESFP

Extroverted, sensing, feeling and perceiving personalities are often deemed entertainers or performers by profession. They are warm and expressive in their artistic expressions and their enthusiasm for living and life itself is rather contagious.