KEIRSEY & the MBTI KEIRSEY & the MBTI
THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI), one of today's most prevalent personality tests, was created in the 1950's by Isabel Myers and her mother Katheryn Briggs. It uses Jung's type theory as a basis for developing sixteen (instead of Jung's eight) types. However, the sixteen types could also be broken neatly into four different temperments.
The MBTI is capable of determining an individual's prefence in four different categories: Where their focus lies, how they absorb information, how they process information or make decisions, and how they order or react to their environment. These "either-or" slots were based directly on Jung's type theory.
Extroverts focus on the outer world and seem to recharge by spending time with other people. They are generally sociable and extensive, with many surface-level relationships, and expend energy. Introverts focus on the inner personal world and seem to recharge through solitude. They are generally territorial and intensive, with a few very deep relationships, and conserve their energy.
Sensors are usually very practical. They focus on facts and experiences, and are firmly "grounded in reality" -- living in the present and sometimes venerating the past. Intuitives are usually very innovative. They focus on concepts and possibilities, are often called dreamers, and many times find themselves looking ahead to the future rather than living in the present.
Thinkers are more interested in being objective and logical. They analyze things from the impersonal level, and unconsciously give truth more credence than relationship when it comes to making decisions. Feelers are more interested in being personal and humane. They appreciate sympathy and harmony more than critiques or justice.
Judging types take control of their environment and prefer closure when possible. They like things to be decided and not left hanging, and are often orderly in arranging their surroundings. Perceiving types prefer to remain open-ended and reactive to the environment, so as to not miss possible opportunities. They tend to be more relaxed in regards to their surroundings -- often seen as more chaotic to judging types.
(Note: These categories are not exclusive. For example, being a thinker doesn't mean that one does not have feelings, just as much as being a feeler doesn't mean that one cannot logically puzzle through a situation. Similarly, extroverts can still sometimes enjoy solitude as much as introverts can enjoy a good party. What these categories describe are general personal tendencies when a person is faced with incoming data or upcoming decisions -- tendencies that color how experiences are perceived and analyzed. In a very real sense, these tendencies contribute to what is commonly known as a person's personal perspective.)
The MBTI determines the subject's preference in each category, resulting in a 4-letter keycode (such as ESFJ, which represents an extroverted, sensing, feeling, judgement-oriented person). The sixteen possible combinations each suggest common traits and inclinations among people in each type.
___Keirsey's Temperments_________
Temperment theory had been practiced even in ancient Greece, where Hippocrates had divided humanity into the four humours: choleric, sanguine, melancholy, and phlegmatic. Other 20th-century psychologists had done similar things to Jung. In 1907, Adickes broke humanity into four worldviews: dogmatic, agnostic, traditional, and innovative. In 1920, Kretschmer broke abnormal behavior into hyperesthetic, anesthetic, melancholic, and hypomanic. Around the same time, Adler claimed that agitated people pursue four differing goals of recognition, power, service, or revenge. Spranger developed the four human values of religion, theory, economy, or artistry.
Using Jung's theory, and synthesizing usable ideas from the other predominant type theories mentioned, psychologist David Keirsey developed four basic temperment sorts and described them in terms of the four ancient greek gods Apollo (spirit), Prometheus (science), Epimethius (duty), and Dionysus (release).
Jung's intuitives (N) seem to equate to Kretschmer's schizothym type, which chooses between self-actualization (F) or powers (T). In Keirsey's eyes, Jung's sensors (S) seem to equate to Kretschmer's cyclothymics, who choose between freedom to act (P) or duty (J). As an alternate support for this idea, I suggest that intuitives break easily into two categories depending on how they react to their abstract perceptions (feeling or thinking), while sensors break easily into two categories depending on how they choose to react their environment (the "real" world). In either case, this leads to four temperments, defined by the MBTI code letters as follows:
Artisans (SP) impulsive, because it makes them feel alive. They live to DO, and are often restless to some degree. They excel at crises, have an affinity for tools, and desire to be free spirits. They can adjust to life and live spontaneously without much care, often described as optimistic and energetic. They often become experts in their endeavors because of constant (and unplanned) practice. Even work is play for an artisan, and they have trouble "working" at things that they do not enjoy.
Guardians (SJ) desire to belong. They are givers, not takers, and work to cement themselves as part of their myriad groups. They have a strong sense of responsibility and work ethic. They establish and maintain organizations, and save resources. They are often rooted in tradition and status quo issues, having a strong inner sense of what they believe is right and wrong. To a guardian, work is work, and play is play; there is an appropriate time for everything.
Rationals (NT) desire power over nature -- to "understand, control, predict, and explain realities." Intelligence to a rational means competence; the word "stupid" is often the worst possible insult. Self-critical and obsessed with building competencies, rationals are often indifferent to credentials and only respect ideas that can stand on their own merits, no matter whose ideas they happen to be. Often haunted by a sense of impending failure, rationals sometimes seem arrogant, condescending, or detached. To a rational, both play and work is actual work, to build up one's skills. They are often innovative and future-directed, enjoying complexity of thought or skill.
Idealists (NF) desire to place themselves or others on the path of becoming. While rationals uncover the secrets of the universe, idealists uncover the secrets of the inner person(s). They search to become real by self-actualization, to become true to the real self. The search for meaning demands that all actions have deep meaningful significance. They enjoy communication with others and often work with words (speech or writing). They are often empathic and passionate.
Main source: Please Understand Me: Character & Temperment Types, 5th Edition, by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, 1985.
