Finding Your Personality Type
Personality tests are designed to reveal the details of our personalities, including our motivations, behavioral tendencies, emotional tendencies, how we think, and how we interact with others. Personality tests serve many practical functions, including helping hiring managers find ideal candidates or acting as a tool for therapists to help clients explore their personalities.
Personality-type assessments come in many forms, from interviews to observer evaluations. The most popular is in the form of a questionnaire; the subject answers a series of questions regarding their situational preferences, level of agreement with a provided statement, and more. There are several personality quizzes available online, as well as professionally administered self-report inventories like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and The Big 5 Personality Test.
It's important to remember that the personality descriptions within a personality type test are not meant to be absolute they only provide a broad overview of typical traits. People have dynamic, multifaceted personalities that may change with time and circumstances. Given this reality, you may receive some results from a personality test that seem completely accurate and perhaps others that aren’t.
What is a personality type?
The American Psychological Association defines personality type as “any of the specific categories into which human beings may be classified on the basis of personality traits, attitudes, behavior patterns, physique, or other outstanding characteristics.”
Personality types are often grouped into opposing categories for example, psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of the introvert versus extrovert. While these traits are categorized as opposing, people rarely fit squarely into one camp or the other but at a point on the spectrum.
The Myers-Briggs personality type indicator
Perhaps the most popular personality test, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator categorizes personality types into four core sets of opposite traits. The traits are then combined to provide a more comprehensive personality profile. The four primary sets of traits include:
Thinking/Feeling
Sensing/Intuiting
Judging/Perceiving
Introversion/Extroversion
The 16 personality types referenced in the MBTI are labeled according to their combination of the eight basic traits above. Each personality type exists within a spectrum and has different strengths and limitations. Knowing the types that represent your personality can guide you in practical ways, such as with making large decisions or resolving relationship conflicts.
The following are the 16 comprehensive types of personality in the Myers-Briggs system. It bears repeating that these are not definitive; each person has unique personality traits that may fit into these categories and some that may not. The personality types listed here are meant to act as a generalized model, not absolutes.
ENTJ - Extroversion, intuiting, thinking, judging
According to the ENTJ model, individuals who fall into this category are decisive and frank adapting to leadership roles easily. They uncover inefficiencies and illogical thinking, replacing them with problem-solving systems. ENTJs prefer to focus on long-range goals. They love ideas and enjoy learning and teaching others.
ENFJ - Extroversion, intuiting, feeling, judging
An ENFJ is likely to be empathetic and warm. They care about the emotional needs of others. They're sociable and interested in helping people meet their highest potential. ENFJs may tend to respond to criticism and praise with appropriate actions. They are referred to as the protagonist personality type.
ESFJ - Extroversion, sensing, feeling, judging
ESFJs are also warm but also very conscientious. They're accurate and prompt in their work. They're often quick to notice others' needs and just as quick to respond with help. They like working with others and prefer a harmonious environment.
ESTJ - Extroversion, sensing, thinking, judging
If you have an ESTJ personality, you are realistic and practical. You're decisive, organized, efficient, and focused on results. Routine details are important to you, and you take care of them reliably. You're logical, using that logic in systematic ways to accomplish tasks.
ENTP - Extroversion, intuiting, thinking, perceiving
As an ENTP, you're quick, alert, resourceful, and outspoken. You're good at solving tough challenges and dealing with concepts. You read people well. A boring routine doesn’t suit you, so you look for new ways to do ordinary, repetitive things.
ENFP - Extroversion, intuiting, feeling, perceiving
People with the ENFP personality type are warm and enthusiastic. If this is your personality type, you may likely notice the patterns in events and act on them. You may like to be recognized for your accomplishments, but you're also quick to notice the accomplishments of others. You're spontaneous and enjoy improvising.
ESFP - Extroversion, sensing, feeling, perceiving
With their outgoing and friendly manner, ESFPs love life, people, and comfort. They work with other people to create change. They're high in common sense and practicality, yet they like to have fun at work. They're spontaneous and adaptable. They like to learn in group situations.
ESTP - Extroversion, sensing, thinking, perceiving
If you're an ESTP, you are likely very tolerant of others. You're flexible but pragmatic. You stay focused on short-term goals. You'd rather solve immediate problems than grapple with concepts and theories. You're spontaneous and focused on the present. You like to learn by doing.
INTP - Introversion, intuiting, thinking, perceiving
You like to find logical explanations if you're an INTP. Your thinking is generally analytical, but you also favor theories and concepts. You're quiet but also flexible. You may be skeptical or critical, and you can maintain a deep focus.
INFP - Introversion, intuiting, feeling, perceiving
As an INFP, you have a high degree of idealism. Your values are important to you. You're a loyal friend. You're also curious and adept at turning ideas into action. You try to understand those around you and enjoy helping them reach their personal best. You're adaptable and flexible, except when it comes to sticking to your values.
ISFP - Introversion, sensing, feeling, perceiving
ISFPs are quiet and sensitive, yet they're also friendly. If your personality type is ISFP, you stay in tune with the here and now. You like to work alone and on your timetable. You're loyal and value-oriented. You dislike conflict and avoid pushing your views on others.
ISTP - Introversion, sensing, thinking, perceiving
If you're an ISTP, you're tolerant and flexible. You observe problems as they arise and act quickly to solve them. You're fascinated by cause-and-effect relationships. You're also well-organized, efficient, and logical.
INTJ - Introversion, intuiting, thinking, judging
As an INTJ, you're an original. You enjoy putting your ideas into action and reaching your goals. You can see the long-range picture easily. When you decide to do something, you commit to the long term, organizing the project and following it through to its conclusion. You're highly independent. You expect a lot from yourself and others regarding performance.
INFJ - Introversion, intuiting, feeling, judging
Meaning is extremely important to you if you're an INFJ. You want to understand people's motivations. You're conscientious and committed to your values, and you want to do what's best for everyone. You're likely organized and decisive.
ISFJ - Introversion, sensing, feeling, judging
As an ISFJ, you're quiet, responsible, and conscientious. You honor your commitments. You're thorough and accurate in your work. In relationships, you're loyal and considerate. You truly care how others feel. It's important to you that your environment is peaceful and harmonious.
ISTJ - Introversion, sensing, thinking, judging
An ISTJ is quiet and serious. If you fit this personality type, you work hard to achieve success through dependability and responsibility. You're practical and realistic. You work steadily towards the logical solution you envision. You like things to be well-organized. You value tradition.
The Big Five personality factors test
Another popular personality type test, The Big Five operates on the idea that there are five main categories of personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Each category is measured on a spectrum.
The Big Five personality factors are sometimes used by managers making hiring decisions. People who are high in conscientiousness and agreeableness tend to do well in their careers, or at least they have a great capacity to do so. Extroversion is helpful in certain careers, and openness to experience is a good type of trait to have if you're in a creative career field. Recent research has shown that the MBTI may be somewhat flawed, and critics say that some of the personality types may be better understood using the Five-Factor model of personality.
Whether you’re taking a personality test because you’re having difficulties in life or you’re simply curious, the results of your test can be misinterpreted. That’s why it’s important to talk about your personality test results with a counselor who can interpret them for you and help you understand how they apply to you and any concerns you may have.
With the help of a trained professional, you may discuss how your personality will play into your career choices and relationship decisions. Analyzing your personality type in comparison with others, like a partner or family you may have difficulty with, can also help a professional examine your personality type compatibility. The results of your test can also provide insight into how you handle the areas in life you may be struggling with so that you can function better in situations that are uncomfortable for you.
Takeaway
What is my INTP personality type?
INTP (or introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving) is one of the sixteen personality types provided by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Individuals with this personality type tend to be analytical and innovative and can often show an interest in the systems that govern their environments. In some cases, INTP types will seek out novel solutions to problems and show skepticism when encountering commonly accepted procedures. INTPs can be seen as reserved or lost in their own thoughts, but internally, they are often thinking in an abstract manner or focusing on the big picture of a situation.
How do I know my actual personality type?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What personality type am I?” There are a number of tests you can take that may help you answer this question. One of these tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, which is designed to identify the components of a person's personality by asking them to complete a series of questions. While the official version of the MBTI does require a purchase, there is a free personality test that takes inspiration from the MBTI: the 16 personality test.
Depending on which test you choose, the results of the questionnaire will place you in one of 16 categories. These categories include:
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However, personality tests may not be able to provide you with a precise description of your true personality. In some cases, it may be helpful to practice introspection in order to discover more about your identity. If you are struggling with an identity crisis, it may also be helpful to talk to a therapist or counselor.
What is the I in the MBTI?
The I in MBTI stands for indicator, with the full acronym being “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.” Created by Isabel Briggs Meyers and her mother, Katherine Cook Briggs, the MBTI is built upon the philosophy of psychiatrist Carl Jung. This test is designed to assess a person's strengths, weaknesses, and preferences through a series of questions, with the ultimate goal being to place them in one of 16 categories. The way it accomplishes this is by assessing someone based on scales centering around four different pairs of attributes: Extraversion-Introversion, Sensing-Intuition, Thinking-Feeling, and Judging-Perceiving.
How rare is an INTJ?
While the precise numbers may not be known, some estimates may place INTJs as one of the more rare personality types with total percentages as low as 2.1% of the population. However, it is difficult to find information that supports these claims. In addition, one study indicated that 12.1% of participants were placed in the INTJ category, which may call the rarity of these personalities into question.
The INTJ (introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging) personality type is also known as “The Architect.” These individuals are typically introverted, confident in themselves, and hard workers. They often prefer to look at the big picture and may lean towards perfectionism. As a result, it's possible for INTJ individuals to disagree with others and come off as mean or insensitive. Those with the INTJ also prefer to avoid looking at the emotional aspects of a situation, choosing instead to focus on logic and objective fact.
Is INTP rare in females?
While estimates vary, it can be rare for women to identify as INTP (or introverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving) personality types. Individuals with this personality type, known as “The Logician”, tend to prefer to spend time alone, looking at situations based on logic and details rather than associated emotions, and acting in a spontaneous manner. INTP individuals may also be inventive, with a tendency to look for unconventional solutions to the problems they encounter. While they are typically insightful and can thrive in careers that involve analysis, INTPs may also perform well in occupations that require more creativity.
Am I really an INTP or INFP?
While each individual can be unique, there are a few primary ways you can tell an INTP personality type apart from an INFP personality type. These differences can be separated into three categories: emotions, socializing, and decision-making.
- Emotions: Because INTPs are more adept at analysis and logic, they may have difficulty understanding the emotional side of situations. In addition, INTPs may have trouble showing their affection for those they care for. INFPs, on the other hand, are often more empathetic, taking the feelings of their team or loved ones into consideration when making a plan or engaging in a specific action. In addition, INFPs will openly show their love for those they care about.
- Socializing: While both INTPs and INFPs are introverted, INFPs' greater sense of empathy often allows them to make stronger social connections. INTPs are typically content spending time alone or with close friends, while INFPs (despite disliking large groups) may get outside their comfort zone to meet new friends.
- Decision-making: When it comes to making decisions, INTPs will place more significance on the logic and facts of a situation, while INFPs may consider how emotions come into play. This can have advantages and disadvantages. For example, an INTP may miss out on a solution due to their lack of empathy, while an INFP may make a poor decision by not taking a more analytical approach.
What is the rarest MBTI type?
According to Ball State University, one of the rarest MBTI personality types is INFJ. With only 1.5% of the U.S. population identifying as this type, INFJs (or introverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging) are often reflective, strategically-minded, and empathetic towards others. In many cases, they place an emphasis on creative pursuits, though they are also often willing to listen to their loved one’s struggles and offer solutions. INFJs can be viewed as intelligent and gentle, though due to their introversion, they may also be seen as withdrawn by new people or those who don’t know them well.
What is the most common MBTI?
While estimates can vary, it is believed that one of the most common Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality types is ISFJ, or introverted, sensing, feeling, and judging. ISFJs tend to be adept at organization and paying attention to small details. These individuals can also be sensitive and empathetic towards the emotions of others, often creating healthy partnerships through dependability and strong communication. The way an ISFJ describes a particular problem may focus primarily on the concrete information involved while also considering social aspects that other personality types may ignore.
What MBTI is 4?
While the Enneagram and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator are two separate personality systems, MBTI types that fit into Enneagram 4 would typically include INFP and INFJ. There are several key differences between the description of the Enneagram and MBTI, starting with the number of types these systems provide; the Enneagram is separated into 9 types with 27 subtypes, while the MBTI places individuals into one of 16 possible personalities. In addition, the Enneagram tends to focus on the factors that motivate an individual and what their overall objectives are in life. The MBTI, on the other hand, focuses on interpersonal interactions and how a person can unlock or interpret information.
Can your MBTI type change?
While it may be possible for certain aspects of your personality to change, some believe that the foundation of your personality is set for life. Psychiatrist Carl Jung (whose work the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator system is based on) believed that human personality was built upon archetypes, which could serve as a reference point for how a person would view the world. While this does not necessarily mean that your MBTI type can’t change, it could indicate there are fundamental components of our personalities that may remain immutable throughout our lives.
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