MBTI: How to type

[Image from Art.com]


This is the most important, but often one of the more difficult, things to do. Unless you know your actual type nothing else you try to do with the MBTI will work because it won’t be for you. It’s not easy; if this is new to you there’s a lot to learn. Even for someone like me, an INTP who loves figuring things out, it’s taken years. Luckily for you, though, I’ve done a lot of the work... but none of that will matter unless you do your part. Figuring out your type isn't easy, but most things that are worthwhile aren't.

If you still want easy though you can always take a free test. There are plenty of MBTI tests online - I've linked some of the better ones below - but there are problems. The main one is that many, if not most, of these tests were created by people who explicitly reject Jung and his ideas because they're trying to make the MBTI more acceptable to the scientific community. But when you cut the MBTI off from it's roots all you're left with is a cheap personality quiz that isn't much better than the “Which Harry Potter character are you” type quizzes your cousin loves to post on FaceBook.

When you cut the Jungian foundation off the MBTI what you're left with is a trait sorter. But there's a serious problem with this; the same trait can be caused by many different things. For example, many different shapes can cast the same shadow, but to know anything about the shape itself you need to know more than just the shadow. Knowing the volume and surface area will allow you to figure out the shape, with a little bit of work. In a similar way, knowing the functions and the function roles will give you the information you need to figure out your psychological “shape.” For this reason, even if you do decide to just take the test it's still necessary to confirm your results by making sure that the functions and roles of that type are actually your functions and roles.

[Original image from Commack School District, concept from Linda Berens [1]]

The biggest problem with trait based tests, in my opinion, is that people of different levels of psychological health exhibit very different, even opposite, traits. For example, unhealthy INFPs can be unproductive, pessimistic complainers... but healthy INFPs are self-reliant, committed, dedicated, and effective forces for good. In other words, they start looking like their antipodal type, in their case a really chill ESTJ. So, this person who exhibits the traits of both a healthy INFP and a healthy ESTJ, are they an INFP? Or an ESTJ?

The only way you can really tell is by looking at the cognitive functions and the core complexes; no matter how healthy they are an INFP is always going to be confident about being in their INFP, and nervous about being in their ESTJ, and vice versa. Why is this even important though? Because the INFPs path to growth is completely different from every other type, even their sister type the ENFP; their weak spot is completely different, their area of hypocrisy that they need to work on is completely different, everything is different. Each type is unique.


So what's your type?

“Science, when it’s done the way it’s supposed to be, simply means learning about reality and changing it by investigating it, accumulating evidence by interacting with reality, identifying the patterns in reality, and then moving to change it on that basis. That’s all science is! Not something more mysterious or frightening.”

- Bob Avakian [2]

When trying to figure out your own psychology it’s vital that you look at what you actually do, not what you think you is the “right” answer, or what you wish you were like. Everyone wants to think well of themselves! It's totally natural! It's really hard to have the level of self-awareness that's required; and even if you are totally honest, you can't know about things you don't know. There's going to be new stuff here, things you never thought about until someone else tells you. This is why it might be beneficial to have someone who knows you well (and will be honest with you) as a sounding board. It's almost always easier to see others clearly than it is to see yourself, you have less at stake.

The best way to type yourself and others, and to understand them when you do type them, is to have a solid Jungian foundation. This means the functions, the function roles, and the core complexes. Not only will you type yourself and others accurately, you will be able to take what you have learned and help yourself, and maybe even others, grow and develop. Once you come to understand your type, your strengths, your weaknesses, you will be able to figure out what it is that you need to do.

Jung always insisted that what he was doing was science. I'm not sure exactly what he meant by it, but to me this simply means; is it true or not? Is this something that actually exists? That's all that this process is; what are your observations? What's the pattern? Does the pattern hold when you test it? How can I apply this pattern to the world? What further things do I learn when I do so? What you are going to be doing here is exactly this. It's not something to be nervous about, it's just something we humans have been doing for as long as we've been human.

If you'd like some help with the process I will, at some time in the (near!) future, be offering coaching. I'd like to get certified first (to give you Te types something you can trust). And of course I need to complete this series on the fundamentals of the MBTI as well. But once I do I will be offering coaching for those who are interested.


The process

[Image from Sarah & Bendrix]

Overview

1. What's your house? Which attitude of each root function is in your consciousness? Ni or Ne? Ti or Te? Si or Se? Fi or Fe?
2. What are your strongest and weakest functions? Which of the root functions (intuition, thinking, sensation, or feeling) are your strongest? Which two are your weakest? This will tell you which side of the house you're on (e.g. INFP/ENFP or ISTJ/ESTJ in Rowan).
3. What type are you? After narrowing it down to two sister types, look at which cognitive function is in which function role.
4. Confirm that this is actually your type.

What's your house?

The first step is to figure out which of the psychological functions are in your consciousness; this is what a house is, the types that share the same four conscious functions. For each pair of branch functions - Si/Se, Ni/Ne, Fi/Fe, and Ti/Te - one of them will be in your conscious and the other in your unconscious. Read the descriptions of the functions. Choose the ones that seem better, more correct, more accurate, more true; and which one seems off the mark, not really that important or just not as important as the other.

Some roles - the hero/ine and especially the anima/us - will be obvious. The mirroring nemesis and the daimon functions feel wrong, especially the nemesis. The daimon can feel wrong, or it can feel like it simply doesn't matter. The parent and the child, however, tend to be less clear than the hero/ine and anima/us, especially the parent. When looking at the parent and child functions it might be better to look the mirroring critic and trickster functions as they're generally more obvious. The critic and trickster functions are in one's unconscious however, so the other function is the one that's in your consciousness (e.g. if your critic is Ni and your trickster is Se, then the two conscious functions will be Ne and Si.)

Make sure the functions are in their proper function axes (plural of axis). Each branch function (Si, Te, etc.) is always connected with it's antipodal (opposite) function; opposite judging or perceiving, and opposite attitude. If you have introverted sensation, you must also have extroverted intuition. Intuition is the opposite perceiving function as sensation, and extroversion is the opposite attitude as introversion. The same holds for the two judging functions, feeling and thinking.

A useful way to think of the function axes is if the judging and perceiving functions were 2 seesaws. Let's use the perceiving axis as an example; if one side of the seesaw (sensation) is down then the other side (intuition) will be up, and vice versa. If one side is introverted then the other will be extroverted. The same holds for the judging functions (thinking and feeling). This will always be the case and is why you can use it as a test; is one side of the axis is introverted and the other extroverted?

If one half of the axis (Si) is in your consciousness then the opposite end (Ne) will be as well. The two ends are attached to each other. So if you don't have Si and Ne, if you have Si and Ni instead, then one of them is wrong and is actually in your unconscious. Same with the other axis. In that case go back and look at the functions again. If you're still unsure just pick the one that seems best and continue on but keep the other function in mind. When you get to the stage of looking at the function roles, see which one fits better. Examining the functions in their roles will confirm (or not) your choice.

These are the four function axes:

Once you have your functions and function axes you know your house. Read the description of the house. Does this sound like you? Note any feelings that come up, whether of affirmation or rejection and what specifically it is that you're affirming or rejecting. If you need to go back because you were unable to confirm your type this will give you an idea of what to look for. And even if you get your type right the first time, knowing these things about yourself will help you better understand yourself, and what direction you may need to look when working on yourself.

Function axes and houses

The cognitive functions
The houses
House Ash
House Yew
House Oak
House Rowan


Example: Mr. X

Mr. X is interested in figuring out his MBTI type. He's read the posts on the psychological functions and the function roles and he has an idea of what his hero and anima functions are because he immediately felt that Te was very important to him. He reads over the descriptions of the functions again. Again, Te is is a very strong “yes” for him; he really despises wasting time trying to figure every little thing out (Ti), it's much more important to him to just get stuff done. He looks at the opposite root function of thinking, which is feeling. If Te is in his consciousness then Fi should as well. This means he should reject Fi's mirror, Fe. He skims the description of Fe and sure enough, it's a strong “no” from him; he couldn't give a flying flip what others think of him. However, the thought that he might be a bad, immoral person (Fi) makes him want to run away. This means that Fi probably is in his consciousness (in the role of his anima), while Fe's probably in his unconscious as his daimon.

Next he turns to the two other functions, sensation and intuition. He's not so sure of them. He cares about looking nice and having a pleasant physical environment (Se) and about being conscientious and careful (Si). Same with intuition; he actually has a fun-loving side (Ne) though few people would believe it. And he thinks he knows what he wants (Ni). Everyone knows what they want, right??

Since he's stuck, he thinks about which of the four functions could be his critic; where is he the harshest and most judgmental? He looks over the descriptions of the four branch functions and decides that it's probably Se; there's nothing he hates more than seeing someone wearing sloppy, dirty clothing, or obviously not taking care of themselves. He takes the time needed to make sure he looks professional and presentable, why can't everyone else???? People should stop being so lazy!! So Se is probably his critic function. That means that Ni should be his trickster. He thinks back; he does have a really hard time making up his mind about things he wants, something his close friends have teased him about on more than one occasion. He decides that this seems right to him.

Since his critic is Se and his trickster is Ni, two roles that are in his unconscious, their mirror opposites, Si and Ne, should be in his conscious. As he's already decided that Te and Fi are in his conscious that means that his house is Rowan (Te/Fi and Si/Ne axes).

[Image from Dark Horse Comics]

What are your strongest and weakest functions? 

Which two root functions (sensation or intuition? thinking or feeling?) are you strong at, and which two are you weak at? You will have one strong judging function, and one weaker one, the same for perceiving. The weaker two functions are generally very easy - glaringly easy - to spot. Especially the inferior anima/us function, which is always painful and intimidating even when integrated. The child function is weak but you don't really care, but the anima/us function is our place of shame and deep pain. It's pretty hard to miss.

Doing this will tell you which “side” of the house you're on. Each house has a split where two types are good at the same two functions, and the other two are good at the other two functions. In House Ash, for instance, the split is between sensation/feeling (ESFJ and ISFJ) and intuition/thinking (ENTP and INTP). In the example from earlier ("is the person in question an INFP or an ESTJ?"), this will tell you which one you are since the two types are on opposite ends of House Rowan. If you have absolutely no idea, though, it will at least narrow it down to the two sister types (e.g. INFP/ENFP). Below are the splits within each of the houses:

Ash
Sensation/Feeling is ISFJ & ESFJ
Intuition/Thinking is ENTP & INTP

Oak
Sensation/Feeling is ESFP & ISFP
Intuition/Thinking is INTJ & ENTJ

Yew
Sensation/Thinking is ESTP & ISTP
Intuition/Feeling is INFJ & ENFJ

Rowan
Sensation/Thinking is ISTJ & ESTJ
Intuition/Feeling is ENFP & INFP

This will also help with any confusion you may have had in the previous step; if you're not really sure which branch function is your parent and which is your child, the parent will be one of the two stronger functions and the child will be one of the two weaker functions.

Example: Mr. X

Mr. X looks at the four root functions; sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking. He knows that he's confident in his thinking, and that he's extremely lacking in confidence in his feeling. Of the two perceiving functions, he decides that, while he really enjoys his little adventures traveling the world and driving his muscle cars (Ne), he's actually much better at being careful, thoughtful, and contentious (Si), though he sometimes pays less attention to this part of life than he probably should. He has a tendency to charge ahead without taking the time necessary to think things through carefully. But he feels more confident in this area of his life, so his stronger functions are probably thinking and sensation, and his weaker ones are intuition and feeling. This means he's either an ESTJ or an ISTJ.


What type are you? 

After narrowing it down to two sister types, compare the roles of the functions for the types. The easiest ones to spot are the anima/us and trickster; it's very hard to hide those. After those two roles the heroine, nemesis, critic, child, parent, and daimon are the easiest to figure out, in approximately this order. All you really need are two or three function roles, once you have them you can figure where everything else falls, but the rest of the roles should corroborate your type.

In the example of INFP/ENFP, an INFP will have Te animus and Se trickster, while ENFPs have Si animus and Ti trickster. This means that if you really worry that you are ineffective and will die without having done anything good or important, and you tend to struggle with physical reality (tripping, running into things, stuff like that) you're probably an INFP. But if you struggle with the everyday grind - the boring, daily drudgery - and you worry that you're kind of dumb, or others have told you that you're a real airhead, you're probably an ENFP (this isn't to say that ENFPs are dumb, far from it, but that they don't have logic in their thinking, it's aaaalll about effectiveness; in other words, “truth is just a concept, everyone has their own 'truth,' what matters is whether or not you get stuff done.”) The child function can also be very useful; do you really enjoy farting around, doing a whole lotta nothing? You probably have Si child, making you an INFP. Or do you prefer to be active, specifically do you really enjoy organizing things, and maximizing efficiency (Te)? In that case, you're probably an ENFP.

MBTI types and functions

This is the stage where, if we struggled to figure out our conscious functions in the first step, we confirm or reject our choices in that step. The parent in particular can be a bit of a challenge as its often the function that we actively run away from having to use. This is a sign of psychological immaturity; many, probably most, people try to do an “end run around” the uncomfortable parent function. However, we usually glory in wielding our critic function, beating others over the head with it like a cudgel. The difficulty comes from differentiating the critic from the parent. In my experience, the parent & critic, more than the other three relationships (hero/ine & nemesis, child & trickster, and anima/us & daimon), appear to be fused. In all four relationships the unconscious role seems to act through the conscious role, but none more so than the critic.

If you're still struggling another option is to triangulate the parent by looking at the critic, child, and trickster functions, which are usually much more obvious. The trickster is one of the first functions you want to look at. If you think you know which one is the trickster, look at it's mirror function (Se if your trickster is Si, Te if your trickster is Ti, etc.) Does this sound like the child to you? Do you feel that it's something you're not that good at but you really enjoy doing, especially when you want to relax and feel good? In the posts linked to below, “The function roles” are descriptions of the roles, while the post “Functions + roles” are brief sketches of each cognitive function in the 8 different roles.

One very important thing to keep in mind: just because you think something is important doesn't make it your dominant (hero/ine) function. I think being a good person, and kind to others, is the most important thing in the world but that doesn't make me an Fe type. What it means is that I've integrated my Fe animus function. A similar thing happens with the parent function sometimes; when I was first trying to figure out my own type I wasn't sure if if my heroine was thinking or intuition. I knew that they were my two strongest functions, and that sensation and feeling were my two weakest, but not which one was which. The clincher was the animus; while I knew I was bad at sensation and was kind of embarrassed sometimes I was absolutely terrified of making a social faux pas, and absolutely devastated when I invariably did so.

As we move around the circle of our personality we integrate the functions, and as we integrate the various functions we live that function with all it's strengths and weaknesses. As we move into each of the complexes we think and feel like the type of that complex. But this doesn't change our fundamental personality; our strengths and weaknesses, our areas of hypocrisy, where we love to nurture and where we want to be nurtured. It doesn't change our spiritual task. In order for us to fulfill our purposes as human beings - to bloom into the astonishing, unique flower that we were meant to be - we need to know what our actual path is.

The function roles
Functions + roles
Integrating the four functions

Example: Mr. X

Mr. X already thinks he knows his type - ESTJ - because it's pretty clear to him that of his two strongest functions, Te and Si, Te is the strongest. He knows this because of how easy it was for him to identify Te and Fi as his hero and anima functions; Fi is definitely his anima function, he has no doubt. And the description of Te describes him... to a "T" (lol). This would naturally make him either an ESTJ or an ENTJ, the two types that have dominant Te. He's in House Rowan, though, so that should make him an ESTJ. He needs to look at the rest of the functions in their roles to confirm this.

He reads over the descriptions of the functions + roles: parent Si, child Ne, nemesis Ti, critic Se, trickster Ni, and daimon Fe. The critic, nemesis, and trickster functions ring true for him. He's not so sure about the daimon though but that's not surprising as it's very hard role to see in ourselves. That fact in and of itself validates putting Fe in the daimon role. The type that has Te hero, Fi anima, Si parent, and Ne child is ESTJ. Now he needs to confirm that that's actually his type (step 4, the next step). He reads the description of his type, including the core complexes of his sodality. After reading this he decides that his choice is correct, he is an ESTJ.

Confirm that this is actually your type

Go and read the description of the type. Look at the core complexes for the type; one thing to remember with types is that we can “live” in any of our core complexes. You can have a very INFP INFP, or you can have an INFP who lives in their ESTJ a lot. They still have their core INFP ego but they are extremely practical and concerned with security. This is actually a quite common. In fact, I'd say that most people of average or even low-average psychological maturity usually integrate their P2 anima/us complex by mid-life, sometimes even earlier. If someone lives in a core complex other than their P1 ego this will make it more difficult to type them simply based on their personality traits. This is why it's so important to look at the functions.

So look at the functions and the core complexes for the type you think you are. Does this sound like you? Do other people think this sounds like you? If it doesn't go back and see where you might have gone wrong. Even when you get things wrong, though, it's not a waste. If you're atypical of your type, why might that be? Is there something you need to work on? Or is this showing an area of health in your psyche? Every piece of information is valuable, everything tells you something. If it does sound like you... CONGRATULATIONS! You can now get to work. 😀

The core complexes


One final thing: the MBTI's four letter code

I wasn't sure where to put this, but this post seems the most logical. What do the four letter of the MBTI types mean? This is actually something that I didn't understand for years, lol. It seems pretty obvious; the first letter is whether the person is introverted or extroverted. The second letter is whether sensation or intuition are stronger. The third letter tells you whether thinking or feeling are stronger (remember two of the root functions will be stronger - one judging and one perceiving - and the other two will be weaker.)  It's the last one that's confusing, the J or the P. What does “being a judger or perceiver” actually mean?

There's a lot of stuff in the MBTI-sphere about the difference between “judgers and perceivers;” judgers are organized on the outside and disorganized on the inside, while perceivers are more organized on the inside, and disorganized on the outside. Judgers tend to easily lose track of their thoughts and have a hard time finding an idea again if they've been distracted. Perceivers, on the other hand, are able to find things quickly in their minds, as if they had an mental filing cabinet. On the outside, however, it's the judgers who have everything neat and tidy, with “a place for everything and everything in it's place,” while perceivers are generally more casual and indifferent.

But what makes a “J-type” a J? Or a P-type a P? For example, ISTP's have introverted thinking - a judging function - as their dominant function. Why aren't they ISTJs?? Same with ISTJs, their dominant function is a perceiving function, introverted sensation. In fact, it's the same for all introverted types; if a type is introverted the P or J at the end of their type doesn't refer to their dominant function. What's going on here???

Let's start with something easy; ESTP, an extroverted type:

E:   Dominant extroversion
ST: Their dominant perceiving function is sensation, dominant judging is thinking
P:   Of the two dominant functions - sensation and thinking - sensation, the perceiving function,
      is extroverted

So, in an ESTP extroverted sensation is the dominant (hero/ine); introverted thinking is the secondary function (parent); the tertiary function is the opposite judging function, feeling (the child); and the last function, opposite the hero/ine, is introverted intuition (anima/us).

How about ESTJ, the other extroverted type with dominant sensing and thinking?:

E:   Dominant extroversion
ST: Their dominant perceiving function is sensation, dominant judging is thinking
J:   Of the two dominant functions - sensation and thinking - thinking, the judging function,
      is extroverted

In an ESTJ extroverted thinking, the judging function, is the dominant (hero/ine); introverted sensation is the secondary function (parent); the tertiary function is intuition (the child), and the last function is introverted feeling (anima/us).

As you can see extroverted types are pretty straightforward. The problem is the introverted types. The thing you have to remember is that the final letter doesn't refer to the the hero/ine function. The final letter indicates which of the two dominant functions is extroverted. Let's take a look at the ESTPs sister type, the ISTP.

I:    Dominant introversion
ST: Their dominant perceiving function is sensation, dominant judging is thinking... just like the
       ESTP
P:   Of the two dominant functions - sensation and thinking - sensation, the perceiving function,
      is extroverted... also just like the ESTP

As you can see, the ISTP is very similar to ESTP; both have dominant extroverted sensation and introverted thinking. But which of the two functions is the hero/ine? The introverted function; (“I.”) That means that introverted thinking is the dominant (hero/ine); extroverted sensation is the secondary function (parent); the tertiary function is intuition (the child), and the last function is extroverted feeling (anima/us).

It was John Betts excellent podcast on Jungian psychology that finally clarified things for me. He describes the hero/ine function as the captain of a ship, and the secondary parent function as the captain's first mate. In an extrovert the captain is very friendly and outgoing; she's extroverted. She spends most of her time mingling with people, maybe even invites you to her table for dinner. If you need to talk with her for some reason she meets with you directly. This is why what you see in an extroverted person is exactly what they are; you see their dominant function. In the case of the ESTP, you meet her dominant extroverted sensation.

An introverted person is different; with them, you never directly meet the captain. The captain, the dominant heroine function, is introverted. Therefore, whenever she needs to interact with the passengers she always sends out her first mate to run interference for her. In the ISTP this would also be extroverted sensation. However, Se is the ISTP's secondary function, their parent function. It's not really who they are, it's not their ego. When you interact with an introvert you aren't seeing who the person actually is as their hero/ine function is turned inwards. This can make introverted types seem a bit more awkward than extroverted types as what you're really dealing with is their second strongest function.

This is the reasoning behind the MBTI's naming convention. Although its confusing initially it's actually a more accurate way of referring to the types as it clearly shows the connection between the sister types (ESTP/ISTP, ESTJ/ISTJ, etc.) The two are very similar and can look very similar to an outside observer, especially if they've done some maturing and have integrated their parent function.

Antonia Dodge, “What is a 'Judger,' and What is a 'Perceiver?'” (Personality Hacker)
John Betts, “Type1,” “Type2,” and “Type3” (The Jung Podcast, episodes 11, 12, & 13)
     John gives the metaphor of the hero/ine as a captain in “Type3” (ep. 13)


So now you should know your type! Figuring out one's type is often a long, complex process, with many challenges. However, as it's crucial to get your type right it's a necessary and worthwhile endeavor. The absolute best way is to study the fundamentals of the theory, fundamentals that come from some really brilliant, deep thinkers, like John Beebe and CG Jung. In fact, the process of figuring out one's type is itself one of the very best ways to learn the MBTI.

Allow this to be an amazing learning experience, one where you not only explore this fascinating, important area of the human mind and soul, but also to learn about yourself, as well as those who are important to you. Let this be something that makes you a better, more complete person.

Links

The Cognitive Functions
The Function Roles
Functions + roles
The Houses
The Core Complexes
Working with the MBTI
My MBTI story


Tests

HumanMetrics
IDR Labs
Personality Hacker


Other resources

CS Joseph (YouTube)
Michael Pierce, Function Axes playlist (YouTube)
Michael Pierce, The Sixteen Types playlist (YouTube)
Michael Pierce, The Types Revisited (YouTube)
Or go to the Resources page for more


References

1. Linda Berens, The Sixteen Personality Types (Telos Publications, 1999)
2. Bob Avakian, “Science and the New Communism, Prisons and COVID-19” (YouTube)

MBTI: The Houses

[Image from Reveal]


There are several different ways to organize the types - look up socionics to see them - but there are two that, in my opinion, are the most important for personal growth. Let’s look at the first one, a type of grouping that I’ve come to call “houses;" socionics calls them “quadras." I’m including some socionics in these posts even though I don’t agree with a lot of it because there are some useful things to be learned, mainly thanks to their extensive observations of the types.

A house is made up of the types that share the same four conscious functions. There are four houses, with four types in each, and they are as follows:

The first house (socionics' "Alpha Quadra") is made up of the four types with the Fe/Ti and Si/Ne functions. These types are ENTP, INTP, ESFJ, and ISFJ. I’ve named this house Ash.

The second ("Beta Quadra”) is made up of the types with Fe/Ti and Se/Ni functions; the ENFJ, INFJ, ESTP, and ISTP types. This house is Yew.

The third (“Gamma Quadra”) is made up of the types with Fi/Te and Se/Ni functions; the ENTJ, INTJ, ESFP, and ISFP types. This house is Oak.

The fourth (“Delta Quadra”) is made up of the types with Fi/Te and Si/Ne functions; the ENFP, INFP, ESTJ, and ISTJ types. This house is Rowan.

I decided to name the groups after trees because I was looking for something fairly neutral; I didn’t want to run into the same problem that we have with the MBTI types where everyone uses their own terms (e.g. ISFP is called the Architect, Adventurer, Composer, Artist, or Peacemaker depending on who you ask). I also didn’t want to go with socionics’ naming convention which, although it’s descriptively neutral, is hierarchical (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta). Using different terms also avoids any association with incel nonsense as well, an added bonus. Also, I really like the idea of naming one grouping, this one, after trees and the other one after animals (which will be a later post.) Trees and animals are both fairly neutral and much more memorable than numbers or letters. Maybe someone else can come up with a better naming convention but for now this is what I’m going with. It’s been a lot of fun to research, too!

We can think of a house as our home, our tribe so to speak. People of the same house understand each other; even when they appear to be very different they all “speak the same language.” Take the fourth house, for example, House Rowan. The types in Rowan are: ESTJ, ISTJ, ENFP, and INFP, four very different types. ESTJ may be similar to ISTJ, as they share the same two top and bottom functions – same with the ENFPs and INFPs – but what could they all possibly have in common? The answer is, they share the same functions (Si, Ne, Fi, and Te). This means they think, feel, sense, and intuit in the same ways. So, even though each one has a different strength and weakness they all share a similar worldview and value system, and this makes them similar on a deep level. The same obviously goes for all the houses.

This underlying commonality especially holds true for types which are opposite each other; even though they may seem to have nothing in common they’re actually united on a deep level. In Rowan the two paired types are ESTJ/INFP and ISTJ/ENFP. One way this union shows itself is how we more and more value and more and more express characteristics of our opposite as we mature (if we mature that is). For example, “dreamy” INFPs are, in my experience, some of the most practical, down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. Their ESTJ shadow makes them concerned with safety and security, and to value and seek to bring about meaningful, practical change in the world. An INFP friend of mine – a woman who’s been an activist for her entire life – always says that if you’re not doing something concrete with your ideals, what use are they? Each type, if they’re able to successfully integrate their opposite, brings the best qualities of their opposite into their conscious personality, enlarging it and making it more complete.

One way to figure out the type opposite ours is simply by reversing each letter in the type: E↔I, S↔N, F↔T, and J↔P. Let’s take ISTP as an example:

The opposite of I (introversion) is E (extroversion)
The opposite of S (sensation) is N (intuition)
The opposite of T (thinking) is F (feeling)
The opposite of P (perception) is J (judging)

Therefore, the opposite of ISTP (Introverted Sensation Thinking Perceiver) is ENFJ (Extroverted iNtuitive Feeling Judger). Go here if you're interested in learning about these four dichotomies. If you're more visual I've made an easy graphic below; find your type and look to the opposite side of the wheel for its opposite. For example, you can see that ISTP's opposite is ENFJ.

People often reject the MBTI because they feel that it’s too shallow and restrictive which, if you’re limiting yourself to mainstream MBTI theory, is true. Our psyches are much more complex than just one type. An understanding of these opposites shows one facet of the many that exist in all of us.

The following are short description of the each of the four houses. I’ll be posting more in-depth explorations of them quite soon. Below is an alphabetical list of types and their houses for easy reference:

Ash

Connection, Wisdom, Surrender

[Image by Marguerite Dabaie]

The members of Ash are the types with the Fe/Ti and Si/Ne functions (ENTP, INTP, ESFJ, and ISFJ). My name for the people of this house is the Philosophers, and their home is the Academy. House Ash’s patron is the great magician and trickster hero Gwydion. In socionics this the Alpha quadra. The philosophers are characterized by a drive to discover the truth for the good of humanity, along with a cheerful curiosity. They know that truth is truth, it can be understood, and ought to be used to make the world a better place for all. The gift of Ash is Wisdom

All things have spirit. We are not separate, but perhaps are part of something bigger and more unfathomable than we could ever imagine.

- Shanon Sinn, Nuin (Ash) (Living Library)



Yew

Transference, Passage, Illusion

[Image by Marguerite Dabaie]

The members of Yew are the types with the Fe/Ti and Se/Ni functions (INFJ, ENFJ, ISTP, and, ESTP). I call the people of this house the Cenobites, which means members of a religious order, female or male. The home of the Cenobites is the Monastery. The patron of House Yew is Badb Catha, goddess of life, enlightenment, wisdom, and inspiration. In socionics this is the Beta quadra. They have a conscientious, harmonizing attitude along with a drive to understand the world at its deepest level. The cenobites, similar to the philosophers, are also concerned with wisdom but specifically with the great questions of life and its meaning. The gift of this house is Conviction.

The yew bark holds ages of the trees history and character, all concealed behind an aloof and impassive posture. It exudes serenity and inspires deep and insightful thinking in all that encounter it and channel its energy.

- Leah M. Bostwick, Yew Tree Symbolism (Sun Signs)



Oak

Strength, Stability, Nobility

[Image by Marguerite Dabaie]

The members of Oak are those types with the Fi/Te and Se/Ni functions (INTJ, ENTJ, ISFP, and ESFP). I call these people the Aristocrats, and their home is the Castle. House Oak’s patron is Taranis, the kingly god of Thunder (basically Celtic Zeus). House Oak is characterized by the search for a personal, subjective standard along with a deep commitment to goals. The aristocrats have the power and conviction to reshape the world into one which aligns with their noble vision. The gift of House Oak is Honor.

Duir promises us the strength to speak the truth, to hold our ground, and to live a life braided with courage and honour. Oak is the tree of kings and queens.

- Shanon Sinn, Duir (Oak) (Living Library)



Rowan

Protection, Expression, Connection

[Image by Marguerite Dabaie]

House Rowan is made up of the types with the Fi/Te and Si/Ne functions (ENFP, INFP, ESTJ, and ISTJ). I call these types the Explorers, and their home is the wide, wild World. Their patron is the goddess Brigantia; the fire of creativity, the joy of summer, the flower of the land. Explorers have the same sense of individuality as Aristocrats but with the Philosophers’ questing spirit. They seek to experience and show others the beauty of this blessed world we live in. The gift of this house is Joy.

Rowan is able to flourish higher up on the mountains than most other trees. Closer to the sun and divine inspiration in this extreme environment, it yet retains its grace of form and its potential for healing. Exposed to the elements on solitary crags, it still produces blossom and berries to delight the eye and heal the body, bringing vibrant color and birdsong to the hills.

- Rowan (The Goddess Tree)


So these are the four houses of the MBTI along with some short descriptions - I’ll be doing deep dives into each of the houses in later posts. Each of the houses is a home, the four members of the house forming a kind of family that may look different on the surface but share values and ways of looking at the world. And each has a special, sacred task that they’re asked by the universe to fulfill.



Posts

House Ash
House Yew
House Oak
House Rowan
Meyers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Jungian MBTI


MBTI

The Cognitive Functions
The Function Roles
The Core Complexes
The Sodalities
How to type
Working with the MBTI
My MBTI story


For further reading

The Goddess Tree
Living Library
Michael Pierce
The Present Tree
Sociotype.com

In particular, I recommend checking out Michael Pierce's excellent videos on YouTube, whose work forms the basis of my understanding of the houses. Michael is one of my favorite MBTI people, along with CS Joseph, as the two of them have some of the most insightful understandings of the types I’ve come across. I don’t agree with everything they say but the truths in their videos by far outweighs my minor disagreements. Even with those disagreements they are, in my opinion, far and away the two best, most accurate, and comprehensive resources for this subject that I have yet to find. These men have done tremendous work.

“Right” and “wrong”

(Image from Drake University)


In Jungian psychology there is no right or wrong, it’s always “what’s right for you?” Honesty can be a good thing for someone else, but maybe you need to learn protective deception. Being goal oriented can be a good thing but maybe you need to learn to relax and let go. Or vice versa.

Marie-Louise von Franz said that, in fairy tales, there are no consistent rules. Sometimes you must lie, and sometimes you get punished for lying. Sometimes the hard worker gets rewarded, and sometimes it’s the village idiot who does nothing but sit around scratching his butt. (There’s only one rule in fairy tales: never harm the helpful animal.)

This is a symbolic reflection of life; everyone is different so everyone needs to balance themselves in different ways. Maybe a workaholic needs to relax, but a lazy person probably needs to get to work. What’s medicine for one person is poison for another. So, what is the goal of Jungian analysis? The short answer is: individuation. That is, recovering our lost parts and integrating them into our conscious selves.

Jungian psychology says that our conscious selves, our egos, are in relation to just a small fraction of the totality of who we are. Most of “us” is actually in the unconscious, like an iceberg submerged in the ocean. Our task is to bring as much of that iceberg above the waterline as we can. So, in Jungian psychology “good” is consciousness, and “bad” is unconsciousness.

This actually gives Jungian psychology a very clear, though individualistic, parameter. If you do things that increase consciousness, you are doing the right thing. If, on the other hand, you’re doing things that increase unconsciousness you are doing “bad.” If you lash out at someone with your Demon function, or attack them with your Critic, you are increasing unconsciousness. If, on the other hand, you accept your weakness in the form of your Animus, or go into your Nemesis consciously to balance out your ego’s weakness, you increase consciousness.

If we do something that we think is “getting over someone” – passive aggressive behavior, cheating, unloading our anger on someone – we will increase unconsciousness in ourselves. This is bad for us. We’re not “getting over” anyone; the person we’re cheating, and hurting, most is us. And, at the same time, we’re also making the world a worse place, increasing unconsciousness in everyone around us, unless they are strong enough to avoid getting caught up in our bullshit. The world and everyone around us end up worse because of our existence.

This is the crux of the moral question: do I do the hard, painful, and not fun thing required of me to increase consciousness? Or do I do the easy, fun thing that increases unconsciousness? One of Marie-Louise von Franz’s analysands wanted to use active imagination to beat, stab, and kill someone she didn’t like (in her head, not IRL). MLvF immediately told her that this was a terrible idea; it wasn’t active imagination, it was black magic (misusing the unconscious for selfish and harmful purposes). It would not only have halted growth, this analysand would have gone backwards, i.e. they would have become even more neurotic, as neuroticism is basically psychology-speak for unconsciousness.

Another example is an ESFP I know who likes playing mind games with people who he feels deserve it. Unconscious ESFPs and ENFPs, thanks to their Fe Critic, have this problem where they tend to judge the people around them to be immoral. This, they feel, gives them license to be completely immoral themselves. The irony of their Fe Critic is that it can lead them to being some of the most immoral people of all the types, but every type does something similar, thanks to our hypocritical, sanctimonious Critic function. The problem is, this ESFP is hurting himself far more than he’s hurting anyone else, because he’s making himself more unconscious.

All of us have a similar tendency, all of us need to be vigilant and moral in our own lives. To do any less is cheating… and the only person we’re really cheating… is ourselves.


See also
The 8 function model

Our "underdeveloped countries"

Our conscious realm is like a room with four doors, and it will be the fourth door by which the shadow, the animus, and the anima and the personification of the Self will come in. They will not enter as often through the other doors, which in a way is self-evident, because the inferior function is so close to the unconscious and remains so barbaric and inferior and undeveloped that it is naturally the weak spot in consciousness through which the figures of the unconscious can break in. In consciousness it is experienced as a weak spot, as that disagreeable thing which will never leave you in peace but always causes trouble, for every time you feel you have acquired a certain balance or inner standpoint, something happens from within or without to throw you off again, and it is always through that fourth door, which you cannot shut. You can keep the three doors of your inner room closed, but on the fourth door the lock does not work, and there, when you do not expect it, the unexpected will come in again. Thank God, you can say, for otherwise the whole life process would petrify and stagnate in a wrong kind of consciousness. It is the ever-bleeding wound of the conscious personality, but through it the unconscious can always come in and so enlarge consciousness and bring forth new experience.

As long as you have not developed your other functions, your auxiliary functions, they too will be open doors, so in a person who has only developed one superior function, the two auxiliary functions will operate in the same way and will appear in personifications of the shadow, animus, and anima. It is only when you have succeeded in developed three functions, in locking three of your inner doors, that the problem of the fourth door still remains, for that is the one which is apparently not meant to be locked. There one has to succumb, one has to suffer defeat, in order to develop further. So if you attend to your own dreams, you will see that these inner figures, if they appear personified as real persons, tend to choose such personifications. Another kind of personification, which naturally has to do with the shadow, is that the fourth function is contaminated with personifications from the lower levels of the social strata of the population or by the underdeveloped countries. That is a beautiful expression – the “underdeveloped” countries. It is just marvelous how we Westerners in our superior arrogance look down on the underdeveloped countries and project our inferior functions upon them! The underdeveloped countries are within ourselves, and therefore, naturally, because this is such an obvious symbolism, the inferior function for a white person often appears as a wild Negro or a wild Indian. Frequently also the inferior function is expressed by exotic people of some kind: Chinese, Russian, or whoever may give that quality. The unconscious tries in this way to convey the quality of something unknown to the conscious realm, as if it would say: it is as unknown to you as the Chinese are unknown in your culture. The shadow, animus, and anima appear very often projected onto Asian or African or “primitive” people.

- Marie Louise von Franz, “Psychotherapy”

This is why it's so important to come to terms with the people (and creatures) that live within our unconscious; the "primitive" is within us... the criminal, the underdeveloped, all of it is us. Until more of us start to realize that our prejudices are actually the fear and hatred we have of our own shadow, we will continue marching down the road of violence.

Integrating the Four Functions

“That which we do not bring to consciousness appears in our lives as fate.”
- C.G. Jung


In Jungian psychology knowing what your "type" is isn't enough, you have to move through the functions, integrating them one by one. This is one of the main reasons why it isn't accurate to call these "types"; if one is actually individuating one's personality will change over the course of one's life as we integrate each function. This is, in fact, a large part of the individuation process itself.

Those who have only one function developed will be at the mercy of the unconscious as it comes in the three other "doors" (as Marie Louise von Franz puts it); the unconscious can catch us as it barges in, taking over our consciousness and making us do things that in retrospect may appall us. As we work to develop and differentiate each of the first three functions, we slowly shut the doors as we bring these functions under the control of the conscious ego. This continues on up to the third function. The fourth and final function, the inferior function, can never be brought under the control of the ego, allowing the unconscious a place to enter into our lives.

Below is a re-post of a an article from my previous blog:

The four functions aren't actually "types," unless people get stuck in a particular function. And then the Self will send neuroses in order to poke and prod at us until we get moving and growing. But in order to do so, we have to take a meandering path that snakes from our primary function to our auxiliary function, to the tertiary function, and finally to our inferior function. This whole process takes a very long time (we can finish it by the time we die, if we’re lucky) and it doesn't have to be particularly clear cut or even sequential, either. This is how we move around the circle, integrating the first three functions. When you integrate a function, you live that function, and all its strengths and weaknesses are yours.

The assimilation of functions is such a serious business that people generally spend a very long time in assimilating their auxiliary functions and sometimes, say for at least eight to ten years, become a type which was not their original type. I once, for example, knew a woman who was an introverted feeling type; that is, in the past she had been a feeling type, but in the stage at which we met, she had already switched the process to developing intuition and at that stage had as much trouble with her sensation as if she had been a genuine intuitive... [S]he went through all the crises of having to switch from intuition to sensation which you see with a primarily intuitive type; for example, she became completely inaccurate about facts and had trouble relating to them, exactly as an intuitive does. She then stated with great emphasis that it had always been an error to call her a feeling type, for she was an intuitive, but she was wrong! She was right and wrong for at the stage at which she was, she was exactly like an intuitive, but that was because she was at the stage of living in her second function and was just in the crisis of getting over to the third.

(von Franz, Psychotherapy, p. 131)

What seems to happen is your dominant function gets worn out from overuse; you get tired of using it and life gets sterile, lifeless; it feels meaningless. In my case I had a combination of fascination for things of the intuitive sphere and actual messages from dreams and the Tarot that pretty clearly told me it was time to move on . When we integrate another function we become that function - all of its strengths and weaknesses become ours. A feeling type that starts integrating sensation will have problems with flashes of sinister, and completely unfounded, suspicion. Or, as in my case, a thinking type moves to integrate intuition and can't balance her checkbook or keep her apartment clean if her life depended on it.

- Integrating the Four Functions (from Queen of the Night)


We're usually born with one function that is clearly our best function, along with a secondary function that's also pretty dependable. As we try to succeed in the world, we naturally lean on our strongest function(s), which develops them to a high level. At some point, though, this first function starts becoming fatigued; overuse makes it boring and sterile. Imagine playing the same game over and over, or watching the same movie over and over. It may be a lot of fun the first few times but eventually it's going to get boring and lifeless. In order to keep the juice flowing in our lives we need to start working on a new function. This often takes place during our middle years, when we have (hopefully) accomplished a large part of what had we set out to accomplish.


The Car Model (Personality Hacker)

Personality Hacker uses the image of a car with the driver and three passengers as a way to illustrate the way the four functions operate. The primary function (the "Driver") is the main cognitive function, the one we most strongly identify with, and the one with which we can get into what they call a "flow" state. It's the function in which we have competency that operates unconsciously; we're so good at it that we don't even have to think about it.

The auxiliary function (the "Co-Pilot") is the other function that we have or can develop competency at. We can get good at it but never as good as the Driver function; there will always be an element of conscious attention required when using this function

The tertiary function (the "10 Year Old") is one of our two weak functions. However, we do have a measure of control over it - we can eventually close the door here - therefore we'd say that it's the inferior function that we are conscious of. With conscious attention, we can, with some effort, bring it under the control of the ego.

The last function, the inferior function (the "3 Year Old"), is not and cannot ever be brought under the control of the ego. As with the Driver function, the 3 Year Old is also unconscious, but it's the function in which we have unconscious incompetence. As with a toddler, we can never bring it under our control.

(From Personality Hacker)

When we're still undeveloped our natural tendency is to go to the 10 Year Old, or the tertiary, function as our defense. This will be the function that we run to when we're scared, including when we're trying to avoid our growth function, the Co-Pilot. To develop, we need to move into the Co-Pilot function. Doing this balances out weaknesses in our primary function, while also keeping us from using the tertiary function defensively.

The people at Personality Hacker don't go too much into integrating the third function but, based on what I know of Jungian psychology, the third, or 10 Year Old, function will also eventually need to be integrated in a healthy, non-defensive way. From what I've seen, this seems to involve using the 3rd function as a kind of meditation. For example, an ESFP friend of mine goes to his thinking as a way bring his mind to a calm state. I've found the same thing; when I do physical work, like cooking or cleaning, with attention (my third function; introverted sensation) I find myself going into a meditative state.

The fourth and final function - the 3 Year Old in the Car Model - can never be integrated into consciousness. It will always act up, usually at the worst possible time. It's also the source of life and spontaneity, just like a 3 year old. The fourth function needs time and attention, and love. It will never easy to deal with, but with time, attention, and love, it will bring some of the greatest rewards into our lives.


Integrating the inferior function is, at root, shadow work. One's shadow is represented by the psyche as a person of the same sex as you but with the worst qualities of your inferior function, at least at first. This demonic figure often catches us from behind; when we're sick, tired, or in other states in which the control of our ego is weakened. It causes us to behave in ways we would normally find reprehensible, in the very opposite ways in which we like to view ourselves. Others around us are easily able to see our hypocrisies but they will remain hidden to us because we don't want to see them.

Integrating one's inferior function is about accepting one's own helplessness, weakness, stupidity, selfishness, and all the other human weaknesses that we all have. This is the moral work that that we have to carry out... and this is one of the main reasons why so few people undertake individuation. As you work on integrating the shadow/inferior function, however, this figure often expresses her/his better qualities, and you come to see that the dark adversary is actually an angel of light.

A man who is unconscious of himself acts in a blind, instinctive way and is in addition fooled by all the illusions that arise when he sees everything that he is not conscious of in himself coming to meet him from outside as projections upon his neighbour.

- “The Philosophical Tree” (1945). In CW 13: Alchemical Studies. P.335

The change of character brought about by the uprush of collective forces is amazing. A gentle and reasonable being can be transformed into a maniac or a savage beast. One is always inclined to lay the blame on external circumstances, but nothing could explode in us if it had not been there. As a matter of fact, we are constantly living on the edge of a volcano, and there is, so far as we know, no way of protecting ourselves from a possible outburst that will destroy everybody within reach. It is certainly a good thing to preach reason and common sense, but what if you have a lunatic asylum for an audience or a crowd in a collective frenzy? There is not much difference between them because the madman and the mob are both moved by impersonal, overwhelming forces.

- Psychology and Religion” (1938). In CW 11: Psychology and Religion: West and East. P.25

To confront a person with his shadow is to show him his own light. Once one has experienced a few times what it is like to stand judgingly between the opposites, one begins to understand what is meant by the self. Anyone who perceives his shadow and his light simultaneously sees himself from two sides and thus gets in the middle.

- “Good and Evil in Analytical Psychology” (1959). In CW 10. Civilization in Transition. P.872



Further reading:
The Car Model (Personality Hacker)
When You ALMOST Know Your Personality Type (Personality Hacker)
Integrating the Inferior Function (Personality Junkie)


See also:
Primary function
Auxiliary function
Tertiary function
Inferior function
The shadow

Glossary: The 16 “Types” (MBTI)

The post on the MBTI went on too long so I decided to split it into two parts. The first part of this post is a series of short descriptions of the various types, organized by the primary function. The second half are various methods of finding your type: a table and an alphabetical list.

Check the links below to find tests; each of the sites should have their own personality test. Just be sure to answer what you would typically do in a situation, not what you did that one time that you happen to remember. If you find yourself struggling, take the test with someone who knows you well, and remember to take the results with a grain of salt. The best way to really figure out your type is to understand the various functions and attitudes. There's a link at the end of the post for a very helpful podcast from the ever insightful Personality Hackers to help you figure it out.



The 16 Personalities

The first part of this post is a series of descriptions. Here's the format:

[Attitude] [Primary Function]/[Auxiliary Function] (i.e. an ENFP would be "Extroverted Intuitive/Feeling").


Primary function: Sensation

Introverted sensation/thinking: ISTJ (“The Reliable”)

ISTJ’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion ("memory;" taking in sensory information and integrating that which is meaningful). Their secondary mode is external, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“effectiveness;” wants to get things done, asks “Does this work?” without regard to personal feelings, concerned with practical application). They're comfortable with solitude and reflection; pay attention to facts and details; and have an awareness of their internal experience. Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Decide logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized - their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.

One of the most disciplined of the types; long term oriented marathoners; careful, thoughtful, and detail oriented. They tend to look to the past, to see how things were done. This gives them a starting place, a way to “prime the pump” to get started. BUT it takes them a very long time, and a lot of energy, to get started. Need to ration their energy, and to make sure of a thing before they say “yes” to it… they often never feel ready to say “yes”, though. Their main problem is fear of the unknown; they can’t predict what’s going to happen, or be certain that they’re going to be ready for it. They need to remember that trying and failing is better than never doing anything, and done is better than perfect; no one can ever be 100% ready. However, taking some action, even if it means failing, is how you become more ready the next time you try. Becoming acclimated to the kinds of surprises the world can throw at you is the only real way to be truly prepared. To get motivated, they need to tap into their vision of how things should be in the world; they need to get into their Effectiveness driver; things just need to get done so you just have to get into action. Quietly systematic, factual, organized, logical, detailed, conscientious, analytical, responsible, pragmatic, critical, conservative, decisive, stable, concrete, efficient.


Introverted sensation/feeling: ISFJ (“The Preserver”)

ISFJ’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they takes things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion  ("memory;" taking in sensory information and integrating that which is meaningful). Their secondary mode is external, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit into their personal value system (“harmony;” concerned with meeting the needs of others, connecting with others, asks “What gets everyone’s needs met?”). They're comfortable with solitude and reflection; pay attention to facts and details; and have an awareness of their internal experience. Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Committed and steady in meeting their obligations. Thorough, painstaking, and accurate. Loyal, considerate, notice and remember specifics about people who are important to them, concerned with how others feel. Strive to create an orderly and harmonious environment at work and at home.

One of the most disciplined of the types; long term oriented marathoners; careful, thoughtful, and detail oriented. They tend to look to the past, to see how things were done. This gives them a starting place, a way to “prime the pump” to get started. BUT it takes them a very long time, and a lot of energy, to get started. Need to ration their energy, and to make sure of a thing before they say “yes” to it… they often never feel ready to say “yes”, though. Their main problem is fear of the unknown; they can’t predict what’s going to happen, or be certain that they’re going to be ready for it. They need to remember that trying and failing is better than never doing anything, and done is better than perfect; no one can ever be 100% ready. However, taking some action, even if it means failing, is how you become more ready the next time you try. Becoming acclimated to the kinds of surprises the world can throw at you is the only real way to be truly prepared. To get motivated, they need to tap into their vision of how things should be in the world; they need to get into their Harmony driver. Extroverted feeling is responsive to people's needs; sometimes you just have to get into action to meet those needs. Quietly warm, factual, sympathetic, detailed, dependable, organized, thorough, conscientious, systematic, conservative, realistic, caring, practical, stable, helpful.


Extroverted sensation/thinking: ESTP (“The Dynamo”)

ESTP’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion (“sensation;” uses sense perceptions to learn what can be proven, then immediately acts). Their secondary mode is internal, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“accuracy;” scans for incongruities, seeks truth without judgment). They focus on the external world; pleasure seeking; take great delight in the outer world. Flexible and tolerant, they take a pragmatic approach focused on immediate results. Theories and conceptual explanations bore them - they want to act energetically to solve the problem. Focus on the here-and-now, spontaneous, enjoy each moment that they can be active with others. Enjoy material comforts and style. Learn best through doing.

One of the most energizing of all the types; can generate vast amounts of energy, and are very motivating to others as well as themselves. Excel at starting great projects, not so great at seeing them through to completion; they’re sprinters, not marathoners. Want to stay physical, stay moving; to get the next sensation “hit”.  This means they often don’t reap the benefits of their great ideas. Need to go to their introverted thinking to stay focused; need to ask “What has meaning to me? What is really, actually important to me?” Once they have the answer, then they can find the project that is in line with their deepest values. But this needs to be done before starting the project. Once they get going, they need to do as much as they can, as fast as they can, to get the project completed before running out of steam. Excitement seeking, active, pragmatic, direct, easygoing, observant, concrete, realistic, adaptable, efficient, analytical, troubleshooter, spontaneous, adventurous, experiential.


Extroverted sensation/feeling: ESFP (“The Performer”)

ESFP’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion (“sensation;” uses sense perceptions to learn what can be proven, then immediately acts). Their secondary mode is internal, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit with their personal value system (“authenticity;” concerned with core values and convictions, how events impact them, asks “Does this feel right to me?”). They focus on the external world; pleasure seeking; take great delight in the outer world. Outgoing, friendly, and accepting. Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts. Enjoy working with others to make things happen. Bring common sense and a realistic approach to their work, and make work fun. Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments. Learn best by trying a new skill with other people.

One of the most energizing of all the types; can generate vast amounts of energy, and are very motivating to others as well as themselves. Excel at starting great projects, not so great at seeing them through to completion; they’re sprinters, not marathoners. Want to stay physical, stay moving; to get the next sensation “hit”.  This means they often don’t reap the benefits of their great ideas. Need to go to their introverted feeling to stay focused; need to ask “What has meaning to me? What is really, actually important to me?” Once they have the answer, then they can find the project that is in line with their deepest values. But this needs to be done before starting the project. Once they get going, they need to do as much as they can, as fast as they can, to get the project completed before running out of steam. Energetic, sociable, practical, friendly, caring, expressive, open, enthusiastic, excitement seeking, spontaneous, resourceful, adaptable, observant, hand-on, generous, fun-loving.


Primary function: Intuition

Introverted intuition/thinking: INTJ (“The Mastermind”)

INTJ’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they take things in primarily via intuition (“perspectives;” watches their mind form patterns, gets inside the minds of others, and sees implications far into the future). Their secondary mode is external, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“effectiveness;” wants to get things done, asks “Does this work?” without regard to personal feelings, concerned with practical application). Have mental clarity, accurate interpretations of perceptions, and visionary insight. Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance - for themselves and others.

One of the most disciplined of the types; long term oriented marathoners; careful, thoughtful, and detail oriented. They’re able to “look into the future” and project where things are going, enabling them to make wise choices about where to direct their energy. BUT it takes them a very long time, and a lot of energy, to get started. Need to ration their energy, and to make sure of a thing before they say “yes” to it… they often never feel ready to say “yes”, though. They need to remember that trying and failing is better than never doing anything, and done is better than perfect; no one can ever be 100% ready. However, taking some action, even if it means failing, is how you become more ready the next time you try. Becoming acclimated to the kinds of surprises the world can throw at you is the only real way to be truly prepared. To get motivated, they need to tap into their vision of how things should be in the world; they need to get into their Effectiveness driver; things just need to get done so you just have to get into action. Vision oriented, quietly innovative, insightful, conceptual, logical, seeks understanding, critical, decisive, independent, determined, pursues competence and improvement.


Introverted intuition/feeling: INFJ (“The Counselor”)

INFJ’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they take things in primarily via intuition (“perspectives;” watches their mind form patterns, gets inside the minds of others, and sees implications far into the future). Their secondary mode is external, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit with their personal value system (“harmony;” concerned with meeting the needs of others, connecting with others, asks “What gets everyone’s needs met?”). Have mental clarity, accurate interpretations of perceptions, and visionary insight. Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.

One of the most disciplined of the types; long term oriented marathoners; careful, thoughtful, and detail oriented. They’re able to “look into the future” and project where things are going, enabling them to make wise choices about where to direct their energy. BUT it takes them a very long time, and a lot of energy, to get started. Need to ration their energy, and to make sure of a thing before they say “yes” to it… they often never feel ready to say “yes”, though. They need to remember that trying and failing is better than never doing anything, and done is better than perfect; no one can ever be 100% ready. However, taking some action, even if it means failing, is how you become more ready the next time you try. Becoming acclimated to the kinds of surprises the world can throw at you is the only real way to be truly prepared. To get motivated, they need to tap into their vision of how things should be in the world; they need to get into their Harmony driver. Extroverted feeling is responsive to people's needs; sometimes you just have to get into action to meet those needs. Vision and meaning oriented, quietly intense, insightful, creative, sensitive, seeks harmony and growth, serious, loves language and symbols, persevering, inspiring.


Extroverted intuition/thinking: ENTP (“The Visionary”)

ENTP’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they take things in primarily via their intuition (“exploration;” figures things out and tests in the moment, asks “What If?”, seeks to understand the patterns). Their secondary mode is internal, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“accuracy;” scans for incongruities, seeks truth without judgment). Comfortably inattentive to sensory data; flexible, adaptable, risk-taking; optimistic about the future. Quick, ingenious, stimulating, alert, and outspoken. Resourceful in solving new and challenging problems. Adept at generating conceptual possibilities and then analyzing them strategically. Good at reading other people. Bored by routine, will seldom do the same thing the same way, apt to turn to one new interest after another. One of the most energizing of all the types; can generate vast amounts of energy, and are very motivating to others as well as themselves.

Excel at starting great projects, not so great at seeing them through to completion; they’re sprinters, not marathoners. Lose motivation because they want to move on the next new, fresh, fun thing. This means they often don’t reap the benefits of their great ideas. Need to go to their secondary function, Accuracy, to stay focused; need to ask “What has meaning to me? What is really, actually important to me?” Once they have the answer, then they can find the project that is in line with their deepest values. But this needs to be done before starting the project. Once they get going, they need to do as much as they can, as fast as they can, to get the project completed before running out of steam. Energetic, inventive, enthusiastic, abstract, logical, theoretical, analytical, complex, ingenious, verbal, novelty seeking, change oriented, global, independent, adaptable.


Extroverted intuition/feeling: ENFP (“The Inspirer”)

ENFP’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they take things in primarily via their intuition (“exploration;” figures things out and tests in the moment, asks “What If?”, seeks to understand the patterns). Their secondary mode is internal, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system (“authenticity;” concerned with core values and convictions, how events impact them, asks “Does this feel right to me?”). Comfortably inattentive to sensory data; flexible, adaptable, risk-taking; optimistic about the future. Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency.  One of the most energizing of all the types; can generate vast amounts of energy, and are very motivating to others as well as themselves.

Excel at starting great projects, not so great at seeing them through to completion; they’re sprinters, not marathoners. Lose motivation because they want to move on the next new, fresh, fun thing. This means they often don’t reap the benefits of their great ideas. Need to go to their secondary function, Authenticity, to stay focused; need to ask “What has meaning to me? What is really, actually important to me?” Once they have the answer, then they can find the project that is in line with their deepest values. But this needs to be done before starting the project. Once they get going, they need to do as much as they can, as fast as they can, to get the project completed before running out of steam. Enthusiastic, imaginative, energetic, creative, warm, future-oriented, individualistic, insightful, caring, optimistic, possibility focused, open, novelty seeking, spontaneous, playful.


Primary function: Thinking

Introverted thinking/sensation: ISTP (“The Engineer”)

ISTP’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“accuracy;” scans for incongruities, seeks truth without judgment). Their secondary mode is external, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion (“sensation;” uses sense perceptions to learn what can be proven, then immediately acts). Able to dispassionately criticize and logically analyze; concerned with the search for truth and accuracy. Tolerant and flexible, quiet observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. Analyze what makes things work and readily get through large amounts of data to isolate the core of practical problems. Interested in cause and effect, organize facts using logical principles, value efficiency.

One of the most relentless, motivated, and convicted of all the types; unstoppable when they make up their minds to do something. BUT they need the motivation. It’s like they only have two states; On, and Off. When they’re “on” they’re unstoppable. When they’re “off”, they can’t get anything done. They have a tendency to vegetate in their comfort zone; nothing robs them of motivation faster than that. They need to get out of their comfort zone and into the world; inspiration can only “strike” when you’re out in the world. It may feel good to stay in your comfort zone, but the only way to get into a space where you can make things happen is to force yourself out of there and get into action, get physical. They need to remember how exciting the world is; to get that adrenaline rush, get out there and get in their body. It makes them want to do stuff; makes them say “Look at all the cool things we could do!” Motivation comes from action; never the other way around. Logical, quietly analytical, practical, adaptable, curious, cool, observer, problem-solver, exact, realistic, troubleshooter, hands-on, enjoys variety, adventurous, independent.


Introverted thinking/intuition: INTP (“The Thinker”)

INTP’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“accuracy;” scans for incongruities, seeks truth without judgment). Their secondary mode is external, where they take things in primarily via their intuition (“exploration;” figures things out and tests in the moment, asks “What If?”, seeks to understand the patterns). Able to dispassionately criticize and logically analyze; concerned with the search for truth and accuracy. Seek to develop logical explanations for everything that interests them. Theoretical and abstract, interested more in ideas than in social interaction. Quiet, contained, flexible, and adaptable. Have unusual ability to focus in depth to solve problems in their area of interest. Skeptical, sometimes critical, always analytical.

One of the most relentless, motivated, and convicted of all the types; unstoppable when they make up their minds to do something. BUT they need the motivation. It’s like they only have two states; On, and Off. When they’re “on” they’re unstoppable. When they’re “off”, they can’t get anything done. They have a tendency to vegetate in their comfort zone; nothing robs them of motivation faster than that. They need to get out of their comfort zone and into the world; inspiration can only “strike” when you’re out in the world. It may feel good to stay in your comfort zone, but the only way to get into a space where you can make things happen is to force yourself out of there and get into the space of experiencing new and exciting things, having great “what if” conversations. It makes them want to do stuff; makes them say “Look at all the cool things we could do!” Motivation comes from action; never the other way around.  Logical, conceptual, analytical, objective, detached, ingenious, complex, intellectually curious, loves ideas, pursues understanding, questioning, adaptable, independent, egalitarian.


Extroverted thinking/sensation: ESTJ (“The Supervisor”)

ESTJ’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“effectiveness;” wants to get things done, asks “Does this work?” without regard to personal feelings, concerned with practical application). Their secondary mode is internal, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion  ("memory;" taking in sensory information and integrating that which is meaningful). Competent; decisive; active; focused on truth and accuracy. Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact. Decisive, quickly move to implement decisions. Organize projects and people to get things done, focus on getting results in the most efficient way possible. Take care of routine details. Have a clear set of logical standards, systematically follow them and want others to also. Forceful in implementing their plans.

One of the most naturally industrious types; very motivated to get things done, but needs to make sure that the things getting done are working towards their larger goals. Excel at knowing what needs to be done, how to do it, and how to bring (or drag) others along with them, but need to slow down and check in with others and with their deeper selves; otherwise, their “solutions” often end up creating more problems. They need to be sure they are checking in with their team, and they understand why they’re doing what they’re doing to get full buy-in. Active organizer, logical, assertive, fact minded, decisive, practical, results oriented, analytical, systematic, concrete, critical, responsible, take charge, common sense.


Extroverted thinking/intuition: ENTJ (“The Executive”)

ENTJ’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they deal with things rationally and logically (“effectiveness;” wants to get things done, asks “Does this work?” without regard to personal feelings, concerned with practical application). Their secondary mode is internal, where they take things in primarily via their intuition  (“perspectives;” watches their mind form patterns, gets inside the minds of others, and sees implications far into the future). Competent; decisive; active; focused on truth and accuracy. Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others. Forceful in presenting their ideas.

One of the most naturally industrious types; very motivated to get things done, but needs to make sure that the things getting done are working towards their larger goals. Excel at knowing what needs to be done, how to do it, and how to bring (or drag) others along with them, but need to slow down and check in with others and with their deeper selves; otherwise, their “solutions” often end up creating more problems. They need to be sure they are checking in with their team, and they understand why they’re doing what they’re doing to get full buy-in. Driven, organizer, planner, vision focused, decisive, initiating, conceptual, strategic, systematic, assertive, critical, logical, organized, pursues improvement and achievement.


Primary function: Feeling

Introverted feeling/sensation: ISFP (“The Artist”)

ISFP’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit into their value system (“authenticity;” concerned with core values and convictions, how events impact them, asks “Does this feel right to me?”). Their secondary mode is external, where they take things in via their five sense in a literal, concrete fashion (“sensation;” uses sense perceptions to learn what can be proven, then immediately acts). Have inner balance and harmony; nonjudgmental, understanding, and forgiving; affirming of authenticity and individuality, both in themselves and others. Quiet, friendly, sensitive, and kind. Enjoy the present moment, what's going on around them. Like to have their own space and to work within their own time frame. Loyal and committed to their values and to people who are important to them. Dislike disagreements and conflicts, do not force their opinions or values on others.

One of the most relentless, motivated, and convicted of all the types; unstoppable when they make up their minds to do something. BUT they need the motivation. It’s like they only have two states; On, and Off. When they’re “on” they’re unstoppable. When they’re “off”, they can’t get anything done. They have a tendency to vegetate in their comfort zone; nothing robs them of motivation faster than that. They need to get out of their comfort zone and into the world; inspiration can only “strike” when you’re out in the world. It may feel good to stay in your comfort zone, but the only way to get into a space where you can make things happen is to force yourself out of there and get into action, get physical. They need to remember how exciting the world is; to get that adrenaline rush, get out there and get in their body. It makes them want to do stuff; makes them say “Look at all the cool things we could do!” Motivation comes from action; never the other way around. Gentle, quietly caring, compassionate, adaptable, modest, aesthetic, idealistic, observant, loyal, helpful, realistic, patient with details, spontaneous, joy in action.


Introverted feeling/intuition: INFP (“The Healer”)

INFP’s primary mode of living is focused internally, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit into their personal value system (“authenticity;” concerned with core values and convictions, how events impact them, asks “Does this feel right to me?”). Their secondary mode is external, where they take things in primarily via their intuition (“exploration;” figures things out and tests in the moment, asks “What If?”, seeks to understand the patterns). Have inner balance and harmony; nonjudgmental, understanding, and forgiving; affirming of authenticity and individuality, both in themselves and others. Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.

One of the most relentless, motivated, and convicted of all the types; unstoppable when they make up their minds to do something. BUT they need the motivation. It’s like they only have two states; On, and Off. When they’re “on” they’re unstoppable. When they’re “off”, they can’t get anything done. They have a tendency to vegetate in their comfort zone; nothing robs them of motivation faster than that. They need to get out of their comfort zone and into the world; inspiration can only “strike” when you’re out in the world. It may feel good to stay in your comfort zone, but the only way to get into a space where you can make things happen is to force yourself out of there and get into the space of experiencing new and exciting things, having great “what if” conversations. It makes them want to do stuff; makes them say “Look at all the cool things we could do!” Motivation comes from action; never the other way around. Deep-felt valuing, quietly caring, compassionate, pursues meaning, harmony, creative, idealistic, empathic helpers, inquisitive, enjoys ideas, language, writing, independent, adaptable.


Extroverted feeling/sensation: ESFJ (“The Caregiver”)

ESFJ’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit in with their personal value system (“harmony;” concerned with meeting the needs of others, connecting with others, asks “What gets everyone’s needs met?”). Their secondary mode is internal, where they take things in via their five senses in a literal, concrete fashion ("memory;" taking in sensory information and integrating that which is meaningful). Comfortable inattention to logic; sensitive to others' happiness; positive in general, but in particular about human beings. Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute.

One of the most naturally industrious types; very motivated to get things done, but needs to make sure that the things getting done are working towards their larger goals. Excel at knowing what needs to be done, how to do it, and how to bring (or drag) others along with them, but need to slow down and check in with others and with their deeper selves; otherwise, their “solutions” often end up creating more problems. They need to make sure they’re not getting sucked into meeting everyone’s needs; need to slow down and see the larger picture. Actively sociable, warm, harmonizer, caring, enthusiastic, empathic, people-oriented, practical, responsible, concrete, orderly, conscientious, cooperative, appreciative, loyal.


Extroverted feeling/intuition: ENFJ (“The Giver”)

ENFJ’s primary mode of living is focused externally, where they deal with things according to how they feel about them, or how they fit into their personal value system (“harmony;” concerned with meeting the needs of others, connecting with others, asks “What gets everyone’s needs met?”). Their secondary mode is internal, where they take things in primarily via their intuition (“perspectives;” watches their mind form patterns, gets inside the minds of others, and sees implications far into the future). Comfortable inattention to logic; sensitive to others' happiness; positive in general, but in particular about human beings. Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership.

One of the most naturally industrious types; very motivated to get things done, but needs to make sure that the things getting done are working towards their larger goals. Excel at knowing what needs to be done, how to do it, and how to bring (or drag) others along with them, but need to slow down and check in with others and with their deeper selves; otherwise, their “solutions” often end up creating more problems. They need to make sure they’re not getting sucked into meeting everyone’s needs; need to slow down and see the larger picture. Actively sociable, enthusiastic, harmonizer, expressive, warm, idealistic, empathic, possibility-oriented, insightful, cooperative, imaginative, conscientious, appreciative, tactful.




Table

 

Note: remember that the MBTI organizes the types by the main extroverted function. For extroverts this is easy; just look for the category of your primary function (feeling and thinking are rational/judging functions; sensation and intuition are irrational/perceiving functions). Introverts are trickier because the main function they extrovert with is their second function; if you’re an introvert, look for the category of your secondary function.

Alphabetical list:

ENFJ: Extroverted feeling/intuition (2% of the population)
ENFP: Extroverted intuition/feeling (7% of the population)
ENTJ: Extroverted thinking/intuition (3% of the population)
ENTP: Extroverted intuition/thinking (4% of the population)
ESFJ: Extroverted feeling/sensation (12% of the population)
ESFP: Extroverted sensation/feeling (6% of the population)
ESTJ: Extroverted thinking/sensation (11% of the population)
ESTP: Extroverted sensation/thinking (6% of the population)
INFJ: Introverted intuition/feeling (1% of the population)
INFP: Introverted feeling/intuition (4% of the population)
INTJ: Introverted intuition/thinking (2% of the population)
INTP: Introverted thinking/intuition (3% of the population)
ISFJ: Introverted sensation/feeling (13% of the population)
ISFP: Introverted feeling/sensation (8% of the population)
ISTJ: Introverted sensation/thinking (13% of the population)
ISTP: Introverted thinking/sensation (5% of the population)



Links:
Podcast: How To Figure Out Your Personality (Personality Hacker)
Article: "How Each Meyers-Briggs Type Reacts to Stress (and How to Help!)" (Personality Junkie)


Resources to further explore your “type”:
Personality Junkie
Personality Hacker
16 Personalities
Truity
Human Metrics
Personality Page


See also:
Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Nutshell descriptions of the 16 types