The following article was kindly written and contributed by Cassie Steele.
In the 1930s and 40s, psychologists Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers identified 16 fundamental personality types and developed a questionnaire for determining one’s personality. It has become one of the most popular personality tests in the world. Essentially a science-based Horoscope, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator provides confirmation and disconfirmation for people looking for one or the other, and can disclose details about mental health that they hadn’t yet considered. What will your personality type reveal about you?
Extroverted Personalities
The Myers-Briggs personality types are separated by introversion and extroversion. Extroverts therefore have their pick of several categories. ENFJ is a type whose chief characteristic is an affinity for other people. ENFPs are typecast as free spirits. ESTP is the “doer” personality – suitable for fixers and problem solvers. ESFPs are entertainers by nature. ESFJ is the classic extroversion category, defined by agreeableness, sociability, and planning skills. ESTJs are honest and helpful leaders. While the E in these acronyms is obvious, N stands for iNtuition, S for Sensing, T for Thinking, P for Perceiving, and J for Judging.
PersonalityPerfect.com paired each personality type with a one-word relatable identity. For ENFJ, the website chose “giver’; ENFP, “champion”; ESTP’s pairing has already been mentioned; ESFP, “performer”; ESFJ, “provider”; and ESTJ's is “supervisor.” Although every extroverted personality type is painted in a positive light, each has its drawbacks. For instance, ENFPs can follow their dreams so far that they mismanage expectations, ESFPs can be overindulgent, and ESTJs can be arrogant.
Rare Personalities
INFJ is applicable to 1.5 percent of the global population, making it the rarest of all personality types. Oddly enough, INFJs are three times more common in Australia. Deemed the “counselor” personality by PersonalityPerfect.com, INFJ is characterised by a diversity of feeling and thought. INFJs are insightful, creative, passionate, and strong-minded, facilitating an outside-of-the-box personality. ENTJ is another rare personality type. People who fall into this category are introspective and like to be in charge. They are strong and pragmatic leaders, which is why “commander” is the identity partnered with this personality type.
INTJ, the third introverted personality type, is theory-oriented. These personalities tend to devote much of their time to researching subjects that interest them, but doing so in a way that precludes collaboration. INTJs are truly independent thinkers – or “masterminds.” Lastly, there's ENTP, the final rare personality type that is notoriously hard to define. It’s a “visionary” type, which means that its characteristics should only ring true to visionaries — people who are highly imaginative and analytical. One might refer to this personality as extroverted introversion.
Introverted Personalities
Finally, there's the introverted personality types. People who match with the ISFP personality tend to be quiet and introspective but still friendly and cooperative (“composer”). INTPs are intelligent and extremely logical (“thinker”). ISFJs are thoughtful and caring (“nurturer”). ISTP is a hybrid type, whose adherents are rational yet spontaneous (“craftsman”). ISTJs are traditional and determined (“inspector”). INFPs are imaginative and moral (“idealist”). However, there are obvious disadvantages to introversion. Alienation, anxiety, and weakened social skills are possible consequences of people with the above personalities. Extroverts can be victims of these same negative symptoms.
So, what’s the verdict? Which personality type best describes you? And what is the most surprising trait associated with your personality?
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