Nov 7, 2021
There are 16 types of People in this World…
Which one are you?
Ever walked into a room full of unknown people and still felt comfortable? Ever worked on a class project as part of a team whose members were so different from each other that you almost didn’t know where to begin? Do you often rank people to be ‘your kind’ and ‘not your kind’ only to realize later that you are doing this segregation on a gut feel and no scientific formula?
Well, you will be happy to know — that there is a science that defines this. There is a method to this madness of classifying people according to their inherent characteristics, behavioural patterns and the way they process information. This science-based on a theory by a mother-daughter duo in the early-mid-20th century is called the MBTI personality assessment.
“Personality has the power to uplift, power to depress, power to curse, and power to bless.”
Paul Harris.
They say our personality is like a mirror, which gives others a reflection of how we are individuals — our actions, our body language, our thought process and even the way we shake hands make an impression on the minds of others. While each one of us is unique, there are common overlays that help behavioural psychologists draw patterns and bring in predictability to various processes. Just imagine — if the HR interviewing you for a role already has a personality type in mind. Wouldn’t it help her define the ‘Ideal candidate’ better and make her recruitment process faster?
Or even better, imagine if you had your ‘ideal partner’ defined by a personality type. Wouldn’t it save you a dozen heartbreaks before you stumble upon ‘The One’?
Recently, ‘V’ from the famous Korean boy-band group ‘BTS’ updated his MBTI type on Weverse. He revealed his personality type has changed. Previously he was an ENFP and now he has transformed into an INFP. While the ARMY rejoiced, the ‘aam junta’ was bewildered at the acronyms suddenly thrown at them!!
We mean what are these ENFP, INFP personality types? How many such are there? And most importantly — What is our own personality type and how do we find that out? Don’t you worry — we got you covered. We bring you a just-what-you-need-to-know on all things Personality Type. Take your pick on what you want to retain and maybe later even take the test to find out more about your own self. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of MBTI!!
What is the MBTI?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test popularly known as the MBTI assessment tool is a personality test designed to determine which of its 16 personality types an individual falls into. More than 2 million people are said to have completed it every year and it is seeing its popularity soar by the year, perhaps thanks to its near-accurate assessments and predictive analysis.
The theory is credited in parts to Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers who started a project to understand human temperament. During their study, they came across publishings from Carl G Jung whose work was better placed but under-propagated. They spent 20 years developing the right kind of questions to be asked to an individual before his/her/their personality type can be determined. The study was finally published with the MBTI tool in 1962.
Of course, there are a bunch of free sites that offer the test in its various forms. But the Myers-Briggs Company and The Center for Applications of Psychological Type are the ones that come straight from the authors. It takes up to 45 minutes to answer the test and the official site does charge a fee for those who want to take it seriously.
How does the MBTI assess people?
Carl Jung’s theory of psychological type indicates personality preferences in four dimensions –
Number 1: Where do you Focus your energies — Extraversion or Introversion?
While those who take actions seriously over thoughts are said to prefer extraversion, those who think and reflect before every action or spoken word are said to be introverted as per the study.
Number 2: How does information affect you — Sensing or Intuition?
Personalities who prefer sensing believe in hard facts over hunches — for them data is everything. Those trusting intuitions are less dependent upon senses and believe in the possibilities of the future.
Number 3: How you make decisions — Thinking or Feeling?
Are you detached and logical while making decisions or do you tend to empathize with the situation and try to come to the best solution possible for everyone involved while making a decision? The answer to that or shall we say answers around that dimension of the test helps determine your personality.
Number 4: How you deal with the world — Judging or Perception?
For those who judge, they are said to like structure, plans, rules and for those who perceive, they seem more open and flexible than the others. Either way, this is a part of their personality type and determines who they are in the study.
While the above types look as clear as black and white, human beings are often not that simple to understand. Our shades of grey across each of these dimensions make this study and its outcomes complicated and comprehensive both.
What are the outcomes? The 16 personality types!
Various questions are spread across the above scales to gradually form a personality picture — one that can help you and others understand yourself better. Here are the 16 slots in which the study places human beings:
INFP (The Mediator): The introvert, the idealist, the creator, the one who is driven by high values — The INFP is a creature of his own values. Often seen to enjoy devising creative solutions to large problems, they enjoy helping others grow to their full potential.
INFJ (The Advocate) — If you often feel misunderstood, are logical, analytical, driven by emotions as well as creativity and perfectionism, then my friend, welcome to the INFJ category of personalities, which by the way, is also the rarest kind of personality type making only 1–3% of the population.
Stefan Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries) and Severus Snape (The Harry Potter Series) have the INTJ personality respectively.
INTJ (The Architect) — Remember Severus Snape from Harry Potter or Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries? Highly analytical, logical, and creative, the INTJ personality type has a strategic long term vision. They may come across as cold and calculative but they are also the ones the world turns to when something needs to be built.
INTP (The Logician) — Often seen enjoying your own company and struggling to work in teams? You might just be the INFT personality who loves thinking about how things work and coming up with solutions to problems, all often while working alone rather than with those they deem unfocused.
ISTP (The Crafter) — Is ‘Every day is full of new experiences’ your mantra? Do your eyes often seek action and yet you often are the most patient when it comes to handling a crisis? This is the key characteristic of an ISTP! As fiercely independent as they are, they also love the freedom to work at their own pace and of course, the occasional ‘ME time’!
ISFP (The Artist) — Sensitive, happy-go-lucky, gentle and empathetic — do those qualities define you as a person? Then you could be the ISFP. Not known for making prompt or tough decisions, this personality type is often a good teammate and an even better friend.
ISTJ (The Inspector) — Reserved, practical, quiet, enjoying order and organization in all areas of life like Captain Raymond Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine is how the study defines the ISTJ personality type (okay, minus the Capt. Holt example). Sometimes seen as rigid and reserved, ISTJs have clearly defined goals and set methods of working — management and administrative positions often see a lot of these individuals serving organizations for years together.
ISFJ (The Protector) — The one family member who is your go-to person when you are going through something and need that warm protective cover — the ISFJ could be that person. Warm-hearted, considerate, patient and loyal, the ISFJs are perhaps the sweetest personality type there is!
ENFP (The Champion) — If you have that ‘Do or Die’ attitude and nothing else matters to you when it comes to winning, the ENFP squad is the place you fit. Energetic, inspiring, that one leader who pushes forward an entire team to achieve its goals –the ENFP personality type individual could make a charismatic leader or a formidable coach.
ENFJ (The Giver) — Often wonder what personality type your mom is? Warm, sensitive, caring, motivational but gets disappointed when others don’t put in the same amount of effort as much as they do when they are executing/talking about something, ENFJs are the givers on the personality grid.
ENTJ (The Commander) — Driven, organized, social animals, born leaders — the ENTJ is the alpha of the pack — not by force but by nature!! People with this personality type enjoy spending time with other people. They have strong verbal skills and interacting with others helps them feel energized.
ESTP (The Persuader) — Drama runs in your blood, you are out-going and your life needs some dose of action every day — then ESTP personality is exactly which you fall into. The ESTPs do not just live their own lives in a logical and systematic way but also often motivate others to bring fire into their own actions. Persuaders, that they are!
ESFP (The Performer) — Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is your spirit animal? You firmly believe the world revolves around you and you think you deserve every ounce of attention there is?? Yes and yes — then hold on to that ESTP personality because you are the born entertainer! Spontaneity is the ESFP’s natural skill, so distractions are an obvious by-product.
ESTJ (The Director) — If ENFJ is the mom, ever wondered what personality dad is? We take the guess for you — perhaps the ESTJ! Class Monitors, typical Dads, long-serving leaders — all have one thing in common — they take charge, are assertive and are very concerned with making sure that things run smoothly and according to the rules. The Amitabh Bachchan in Mohabbatein is your typical ESTJ!
ESFJ (The Caregiver) — The ESFJ is another warm and sociable personality on the grid! Fondly known as the caregivers, ESFJs are known to be outgoing, loyal, organised, and tender-hearted. They draw their life energy from their social interactions and often make good nurses, teachers and even, NGO workers.
ENTP (The Debator) — Remember that kid from your class who always used to question the normal or conventional path of everything? That kid might be an ENTP personality — clever, innovative, and not hesitant to express himself! ENTPs are Idea- oriented and are often categorized as visionaries.
So many personalities — so little time! The fact that there are 16 types of people that exist around us is fascinating enough and then when popular stars like V, rock the boat further by saying their personality type has changed… it makes itself even more intriguing. The Myers-Briggs type indicator is known to help an individual’s sense of herself — one problem which seems immensely simple yet is deeply complicated.
In 1859, in his famous Cooper Union speech, Abraham Lincoln had once stated: “Human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature cannot be changed.”
The personality type indicator is an extension and perhaps utilization of this thought. When we know that some traits of our personality are what we are born with and some get developed during our early years, assessing one’s persona may provide a deeper insight one needs into one’s own behavioural patterns. This might help in making decision making simpler at crucial points in a human’s life — getting married to the right person, finding the right first job, choosing the right mentor and so on.
While the test is still considered an auxiliary to standard procedures, it can certainly be recognized as pseudoscience for those who wish to explore.
For those who wish to take the test: Click Here to begin your exploration. For those who came around exploring — we hope this brings answers to your quest. All the best.
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