Personality Types (A comprehensive Guide)

In this guide, the personality types will be discussed along with types of personality based on the theory of Carl Jung.

Every person has an idea of their own type of personality, either reserved or bubbly, thick-skinned or sensitive.

Psychologists who seek to figure out the nature of who we describe personality as individual differences in people’s way of thought, acting, and behaving.

personality types refers to different types of people being psychologically classified into groups.

Types of personality are distinct from characteristics of personality that come in various degrees. There are 3 main types of personalities, Type A, Type B and Type C.

There are many types of personality theories, but each theory contains a number of sub-theories, sometimes even more.

A “personality theory” built by any given psychologist will contain multiple related theories or sub-theories that will often expand as more psychologists explore the theory.

There are two types of people, introverts and extroverts, for example, according to type some theorists.

Introversion and extroversion are part of a continuous dimension with a lot of people in the middle, according to trait theories.

Carl Jung’s theoretical work originated the idea of psychological types.

Based on Jung’s writings and experiences during the Second World War, Isabel Briggs Myers and her sister, Katharine C. Briggs, delineated the types of personality by building the Myers – Briggs type indicator.

Dichotomies

According to the psychological type’s theory of Carl G. Jung [Jung, 1971], individuals can be characterized by their general attitude preference:

• Extraverted or Introverted

There are two functions of perception, one of which become their preference:

• Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N),

Then there are two types of judging that affect their preference:

• Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

According to Jung, there are three preferences areas which are dichotomies, i.e. bipolar dimensions where each pole is different.

Jung also stated that one of the four above functions is dominant in a person, either a perception function or a judgment function.

Isabel Briggs Myers, a Jung philosophy investigator and practitioner attempted to see the relationship between judging and perceiving as a fourth dichotomy affecting the personality.

• Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

Extraversion – Introversion, the first criterion, implies the origin and direction of the expression of the energy of an individual.

The origin and direction of energy expression of an extravert is primarily in the outside world, whereas an introvert has an energy source primarily in his own inner world.

Sensing–Intuition, the second criterion, is the method of perceiving information.

Sensing means a person believes solely in knowledge that he or she gets directly from the outside world.

Intuition means that a person mainly believes in information that he or she receives from the imaginative or internal world.

Thinking – Feeling, the third criterion, is how the information is processed by a person.

Thinking means that, primarily through logic, a person makes a decision. Feeling means making a decision based on emotion, meaning, on what they feel they should be doing.

Judging–Perceiving, The fourth criterion, reflects how the information he or she has processed is implemented by a person.

Judging means a person is organizing all events in his life and, as a rule, sticking to his plans.

Perceiving means he or she is likely to improvise and explore alternative possibilities.

Types of Personality types

All possible combinations of preferences in the above 4 dichotomies produce 16 different kinds or types of personality, representing which of the two poles dominates in each of the four dichotomies in a person, thus defining 16 different types of personality.

A 4 letter acronym of the corresponding combination of preferences can be assigned to each type of personality.

Labelling

The first letter in the acronym of the personality types refers to the first letter of the general attitude preference, E “for extraversion and” I “for introversion.

The second letter in the acronym of the personality types corresponds to the inclination within the dimension of sensing-intuition: “S” refers to sensing and “N” refers to intuition.

The third letter in the name of the personality types corresponds to the inclination within the pair of thought-feeling: “T” refers to thinking and “F” refers to feeling.

The fourth letter in the acronym for personality types refers to the inclination of a person within the pair of judge-perceiving: “J” for judgement and “P” for interpretation.

The famous book/film, Harry Potter has characters that fit the MBTI personality types mentioned below.

ISTJ – The Inspector

ISTJs may seem intimidating at first sight. They seem to be serious, formal and appropriate.

They enjoy the traditions and values of old schools that promote discipline, hard work, respect, and obligation to society and culture.

They’re simple, quiet, and upright, and reserved. The mixture of I, S, T, and J, a form of personality that is often misunderstood.

ISTJs are logical, bright, and intelligent people who are very straightforward, the most important to them are true and facts

• They tend to accumulate a great deal of information in their minds because of their love for facts
• In many different environments, their emphasis on clear facts and data makes them outstanding analysts
• With their exemplary commitment to their responsibility, ISTJs are respected
• Their accuracy, endurance and concentration skills make them perfect workers in many fields

ISTP – The Mechanic

ISTPs are enigmatic individuals, typically very logical and rational, but unpredictable and passionate as well.

They are often able to observe the world around them with humorously insight.

Their personality traits are less easily recognizable than those of other types, and their reactions cannot always be anticipated by even people who know them well.

Deep down, individuals with the type of ISTP personality are spontaneous, unpredictable individuals, but often very successfully hide those traits from the outside world.

• ISTPs are positive and compassionate and believe it is important to be fair and equal
• They have a relentless desire to learn how things work
• They are excellent at logical analysis, they are action-oriented and they enjoy practical utilization
• They are able to adapt and have good technical expertise in general
• ISTPs have a strong drive to learn how things work
• They are good at logical analysis and they like to use it for practical purposes
• They like to separate parts of things and see how they work

ISFJ – The Nurturer

ISFJs tend naturally to be hard-working and are often thorough to perfectionism.

ISFJs take personal interest in their work, goals and responsibilities, consistently going beyond and above, doing everything they can not only to fulfil but to surpass all standards.

If you have this type of personality, you can find career options specific to ISFJs very easily.

ISFP – The Artist

ISFPs are introverts not seeming to be introverts. It’s mostly because though they have difficulty at first communicating with other people but they gradually become friendly, open, and polite.

They are fun to be with and very spontaneous, making them the perfect friend to tag in any activity, whether planned or unplanned.

Those with the sort of ISFP personality want to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy the moment, so they are always on their way to exploring new ideas and discovering new experiences.

INFJ – The Counselor

INFJs are intellectuals and idealists who ooze brilliant ideas and creative imagination.

They have a different way of looking at the world, and usually in a deeper way.

They have a meaning and complexity to their way of thinking, they never take anything at surface level or accept things as they are.

Others may sometimes perceive individuals with INFJ personality types as strange or amusing due to their different life outlook.

• INFJs are people who are sweet, compassionate, complex and very intuitive
• They live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities, they are both artistic and creative
• Although putting great importance on order, they can also be unpredictable and they understand things intuitively without being able to identify why, which makes INFJs less organized and structured than other forms of decision.

INFP – The Idealist

INFPs are quiet and reserved, like most introverts. They prefer not to talk about themselves, particularly in their first encounter with strangers.

They like to spend time in quiet places, where they can make sense of what’s going on around them.

Those with the INFP personality types tend to interpret signs and symbols and see them as metaphors for profound life-related implications.

Through their imagination and daydreams, they become lost in their emotions, ideas and fantasies.

INTJ – The Scientist

INTJs are quiet, reserved, and comfortable being alone as introverts.

Usually, they are self-sufficient and would prefer to work alone rather than in a group.

Socializing drains the energy of an introvert, which requires them to recharge.

• They are interested in theories and ideas
• They always question why things happen the way they do when they look at the world
• They excel in planning and developing strategies, and they do not like uncertainty
• To understand new ideas, they are informative and simple
• They value knowledge, intelligence and competence

INTP – The Thinker

Usually, the INTP is highly independent, original and unorthodox.

It is unlikely that they will place quite enough value on traditional goals like security and popularity.

Typically they have complex characters, and they seem to be nervous and stubborn.

They are extremely innovative and have unusual modes of thinking that allow them to explore ideas in new ways.

ESTP – The Doer

ESTPs have a personality that is extravert, sensing, thinking, and perceptive.

The need for social interaction, feelings and emotions, logical processes and reasoning, together with the need for freedom, governs ESTPs.

Theory and abstracts do not hold the attention for a long time of ESTP.

Those with the sort of ESTP attitude jump before they look, correcting their errors as they go, instead of sitting idle or making contingency plans.

ESTJ – The Guardian

Individuals with the sort of ESTJ personality are structured, trustworthy, committed, respectable, conventional, and strong believers in doing what they think is socially acceptable and right.

While the journeys to “good” and “right” are daunting, they are happy to take their place as pack leaders. ⠀

ESFP – The Performer

ESFPs have a personality that is Extraverted, Observant, Feeling and Perceiving and are generally known as Entertainers.

• ESFPs are conscientious seekers who want to know and share with others what they learn
• The ESFP personality types are made in a way that wants to be in front of others and be in the spotlight
• They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the focus of attention
• ESFPs are people with strong interpersonal skills
• They are compassionate, warm, polite, supportive and caring about the well-being of other people

ESFJ – The Caregiver

The stereotypical extroverts are individuals with the type of personality called ESFJ.

They are social butterflies, and they generally become famous by communicating with others and making people happy.

• The ESFJ usually tends to be the high school and college cheerleader or sports hero
• They continue to thrive in the spotlight later in life, focusing primarily on planning social events for their parents, friends, and neighbourhoods
• This is a type of personality that is common and many people love.

ENFP – The Inspirer

ENFPs are extraverted, creative, receptive and perceiving. The type of personality of ENFP is highly individualistic and Champions strive to create their own methods, actions, looks, ideas, and habits. 

• They don’t like people who are cunning and hate when they are forced to live in a box
• They love to be around other people and, when it comes to themselves and others, has a good intuitive nature
• Most of the time, they operate from their feelings and are highly perceptive and thoughtful.

ENFJ – The Giver

ENFJs are individuals that are focused on people.

They are extroverted, idealistic, optimistic, open-minded, extremely conscientious and moral, and are typically able to connect with others regardless of their background or temperament.

• They tend to live in their minds rather than in the real world, focusing mainly on intuition and feelings
• Rather than focusing on living in the “now” and what is happening at the moment, the personality types of the ENFJ tends to focus on the abstract and what might happen in the future

ENTP – The Visionary

Those with the nature of the ENTP are some of the world’s rarest, which is fully understandable.

They do not like small talk, although they are extroverts, and may not excel in many social settings, especially when it involves individuals who are too different from the ENTP.

ENTPs are smart and need to be constantly stimulated mentally.

ENTJ – The Executive

The main way of life of an ENTJ is based on external issues and all things are done rationally and logically.

A secondary mode of operation is internal, with the influence of instinct and logic.

• ENTJs are born leaders and like to be in charge
• They live in a world of opportunities and always see challenges and obstacles as great chances of pushing themselves forward
• The personality of the ENTJ appears to have a natural gift for leadership, decision making, and quickly yet carefully considering options and ideas
• These are people that like to “take charge” rather than sitting idle.

Conclusion

This guide covered the 16 personality types based on the theory of Carl Jung. personality types are actually the combination of 6 basic traits, namely, extravert and introvert, thoughts and feelings, judging and perceiving.

If you’ve enjoyed the ”Personality Types” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”MBTI most likely to be depressed” too.

Frequently Asked Questions for personality types

Please use the comment section below if you have any questions.

References

Personality Page

Human Metrics

Team Technology

Recommended Readings

Type Talk: The 16 Personality Types That Determine How We Live, Love, and Work

My True Type: Clarifying Your Personality Type, Preferences & Functions

Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type

Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job