Character and personality types
16 Personality Types Overview | Free Access
Complete overview of the 16 Personality Types. Free in-depth and practical information on the 16 personality types, including careers, relationships, and core values. Enjoy and share with your friends!
What’s your personality type? Take our free personality test ->
The Inspector – ISTJ Personality
At first glance, ISTJs are intimidating. They appear serious, formal, and proper. They also love traditions and old-school values that uphold patience, hard work, honor, and social and cultural responsibility. They are reserved, calm, quiet, and upright. These traits result from the combination of I, S, T, and J, a personality type that is often misunderstood.
The Counselor – INFJ Personality
INFJs are visionaries and idealists who ooze creative imagination and brilliant ideas. They have a different, and usually more profound, way of looking at the world. They have a substance and depth in the way they think, never taking anything at surface level or accepting things the way they are. Others may sometimes perceive them as weird or amusing because of their different outlook on life.
The Mastermind – INTJ Personality
INTJs, as introverts, are quiet, reserved, and comfortable being alone. They are usually self-sufficient and would rather work alone than in a group. Socializing drains an introvert’s energy, causing them to need to recharge. INTJs are interested in ideas and theories. When observing the world they are always questioning why things happen the way they do. They excel at developing plans and strategies, and don’t like uncertainty.
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The Giver – ENFJ Personality
ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They are extroverted, idealistic, charismatic, outspoken, highly principled and ethical, and usually know how to connect with others no matter their background or personality. Mainly relying on intuition and feelings, they tend to live in their imagination rather than in the real world. Instead of focusing on living in the “now” and what is currently happening, ENFJs tend to concentrate on the abstract and what could possibly happen in the future.
The Craftsman – ISTP Personality
ISTPs are mysterious people who are usually very rational and logical, but also quite spontaneous and enthusiastic. Their personality traits are less easily recognizable than those of other types, and even people who know them well can’t always anticipate their reactions. Deep down, ISTPs are spontaneous, unpredictable individuals, but they hide those traits from the outside world, often very successfully.
The Provider – ESFJ Personality
ESFJs are the stereotypical extroverts. They are social butterflies, and their need to interact with others and make people happy usually ends up making them popular. The ESFJ usually tends to be the cheerleader or sports hero in high school and college. Later on in life, they continue to revel in the spotlight, and are primarily focused on organizing social events for their families, friends and communities. ESFJ is a common personality type and one that is liked by many people.
The Idealist – INFP Personality
INFPs, like most introverts, are quiet and reserved. They prefer not to talk about themselves, especially in the first encounter with a new person. They like spending time alone in quiet places where they can make sense of what is happening around them. They love analyzing signs and symbols, and consider them to be metaphors that have deeper meanings related to life.
They are lost in their imagination and daydreams, always drowned in the depth of their thoughts, fantasies, and ideas.
The Performer – ESFP Personality
ESFPs have an Extraverted, Observant, Feeling and Perceiving personality, and are commonly seen as Entertainers. Born to be in front of others and to capture the stage, ESFPs love the spotlight. ESFPs are thoughtful explorers who love learning and sharing what they learn with others. ESFPs are “people people” with strong interpersonal skills. They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the center of attention. They are warm, generous, and friendly, sympathetic and concerned for other people’s well-being.
The Champion – ENFP Personality
ENFPs have an Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving personality. This personality type is highly individualistic and Champions strive toward creating their own methods, looks, actions, habits, and ideas — they do not like cookie cutter people and hate when they are forced to live inside a box.
They like to be around other people and have a strong intuitive nature when it comes to themselves and others. They operate from their feelings most of the time, and they are highly perceptive and thoughtful.
The Doer – ESTP Personality
ESTPs have an Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceptive personality. ESTPs are governed by the need for social interaction, feelings and emotions, logical processes and reasoning, along with a need for freedom. Theory and abstracts don’t keep ESTP’s interested for long. ESTPs leap before they look, fixing their mistakes as they go, rather than sitting idle or preparing contingency plans.
The Supervisor – ESTJ Personality
ESTJs are organized, honest, dedicated, dignified, traditional, and are great believers of doing what they believe is right and socially acceptable. Though the paths towards “good” and “right” are difficult, they are glad to take their place as the leaders of the pack.
They are the epitome of good citizenry. People look to ESTJs for guidance and counsel, and ESTJs are always happy that they are approached for help.
The Commander – ENTJ Personality
An ENTJ’s primary mode of living focuses on external aspects and all things are dealt with rationally and logically. Their secondary mode of operation is internal, where intuition and reasoning take effect. ENTJs are natural born leaders among the 16 personality types and like being in charge. They live in a world of possibilities and they often see challenges and obstacles as great opportunities to push themselves. They seem to have a natural gift for leadership, making decisions, and considering options and ideas quickly yet carefully. They are “take charge” people who do not like to sit still.
The Thinker – INTP Personality
INTPs are well known for their brilliant theories and unrelenting logic, which makes sense since they are arguably the most logical minded of all the personality types.
They love patterns, have a keen eye for picking up on discrepancies, and a good ability to read people, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP. People of this personality type aren’t interested in practical, day-to-day activities and maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution.
The Nurturer – ISFJ Personality
ISFJs are philanthropists and they are always ready to give back and return generosity with even more generosity. The people and things they believe in will be upheld and supported with enthusiasm and unselfishness. ISFJs are warm and kind-hearted. They value harmony and cooperation, and are likely to be very sensitive to other people’s feelings. People value the ISFJ for their consideration and awareness, and their ability to bring out the best in others.
The Visionary – ENTP Personality
Those with the ENTP personality are some of the rarest in the world, which is completely understandable.
Although they are extroverts, they don’t enjoy small talk and may not thrive in many social situations, especially those that involve people who are too different from the ENTP. ENTPs are intelligent and knowledgeable need to be constantly mentally stimulated. They have the ability to discuss theories and facts in extensive detail. They are logical, rational, and objective in their approach to information and arguments.
The Composer – ISFP Personality
ISFPs are introverts that do not seem like introverts. It is because even if they have difficulties connecting to other people at first, they become warm, approachable, and friendly eventually. They are fun to be with and very spontaneous, which makes them the perfect friend to tag along in whatever activity, regardless if planned or unplanned. ISFPs want to live their life to the fullest and embrace the present, so they make sure they are always out to explore new things and discover new experiences.
It is in experience that they find wisdom, so they do see more value in meeting new people than other introverts.
Everyone wants to learn about themselves. Our TypeExplorer personality test shows you what it means to be you. The TypeExplorer assessment is based on the 16 personality types that were developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, which was built on the work of Carl Jung in the early 1900s.
Which type are you? Take our free personality test ->
Character Personality Types - Novel Factory
Here you will find character development resources designed for writers, based around popular personality type theory. The most well-known personality type classifications are:
- Jungian
- Myers-Briggs
- Enneagram
- Western Zodiac (star signs)
- Eastern Zodiac
For each personality type in each theory, we've created summaries which describe the character in a nutshell, including details of their positive and negative traits.
How can you use personality types for fictional characters?
Established personality type theory can provide a useful foundation for creating characters.
If we’ve mapped a character to a personality type (either by choosing the one that feels the most right, or in some cases even taking a personality test as that character), then the descriptions can help inform how a character behaves in a given situation.
It can help ensure the characters behave in different ways to each other, and also consistently within themselves.
How is this personality type resource tailored to writers?
Many personality type resources are aimed at real people and therefore need to be sensitive to people's feelings about their own category, and so are skewed towards the positive.
However, this character personality type resource has been put together with authors in mind.
So we are under no such restraints, and have tried to get a good balance of positive and negative traits for each persoanlity type.
After all, flawed characters are often the most interesting ones.
What's included in this personality type resource?
The resource contains the most popular personality type categories that exist across mythology, business, psychology and spirituality.
We have put together a brief background summary of each of the categories below. To read full lists and descriptions of each of the personality types contained in each category, click the link to the dedicate page.
In most cases we have also created an infographic.
How should I use these personality types to create my characters?
If you already have a rough idea of your character, then you can browse through the descriptions to find the personality type that seems to most accurately describe what you already know about them.
You can read through the rest of the details to see how that inspires you, and keep the information for reference and cehck it when you're not sure how a character would behave in a given scene.
Or if you're looking for ways to increase conflict in a scene you can use the descriptions to find ways in which a character might antagnise the situation.
They are not intended to be used as complete copy and paste characters, as nobody neatly fits into one of twelve or so categories. Feel free to deviate as you feel appropriate.
It is up to the writer to use the information given and develop each archetype in their own unique way.
what it is and types of human characters
The typology of characters is very conditional. This is just an attempt by psychologists to classify the types of personalities in order to simplify their analysis. Therefore, there are many theories in this area. Freud, Jung, Hahnemann, Leontiev and other well-known specialists tried to give the concept of the term "character" and systematize its varieties. To better understand yourself and build productive relationships with others, it is enough to know the types of temperament and some basic types of personalities.
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What is a person's character?
Character is a set of stable mental properties that determine the characteristics of behavior and building relationships. It is interconnected with other aspects of the personality, for example, with the temperament that determines its external expression. What type of character you have is influenced by social conditions. To determine its appearance, one must rely on a set of traits that are divided into:
- Certain . One or more traits dominate. nine0012
- Undefined . There are no dominant characteristics.
- Inconsistent . When the awareness of the goals and actions of the individual is dissonant.
- Solid . Absence of contradictions.
Types of human character.
4 types of character depending on temperament.
Depending on the prevailing qualities of character and reactions to different situations, 4 temperaments are distinguished: phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine and melancholic.
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1. Phlegmatic.
He is distinguished by slowness, his mood changes slightly, at least outwardly he shows emotions almost imperceptibly. He is persistent in his work, he relies on quality, not speed. In most situations, he is calm, rarely loses his composure and balance. Phlegmatic people are diligent, they try to bring what they started to the end. They are better than others at work that requires perseverance and increased attention.
| Strengths: | Weaknesses: |
|---|---|
| peace of mind; cheerful disposition; tact; reliability; practicality; complaisance; organization; balance; conservatism. | timidity; passivity; stinginess; indecision; selfishness; closeness. |
2. Choleric.
Passionate, quick in reactions, emotional, quick-tempered.
The mood is changeable, such a person is quickly depleted. Differs in sharpness in movements, decisions and statements. It quickly lights up, but under adverse conditions it can turn into aggression.
| Strengths: | Weak Traits: |
|---|---|
| activity; assertiveness; decisiveness; confidence; independence; nine0003 strong will; daydreaming; pragmatism; creativity. | pride; self-confidence; sarcasm; authority; cruelty; deceit; tension; anger; inattention to others. |
3. Sanguine.
Alive, mobile, everything is burning in his hands, his mood is changeable. A person with this type of character quickly reacts to changes and adapts to them. Failures cannot stop him, he quickly moves away from them. Emotional in expressing feelings, with active facial expressions.
If the work is interesting to the sanguine person, he will do it quickly, revealing his potential, otherwise, he is indifferent to work. nine0003
Sociable, honors himself in a relaxed way in a new society. Multi-tasking, can be a leader, perform several tasks at once, or monitor the execution of processes.
| Strengths: | Weaknesses: |
|---|---|
| enthusiasm; compassion; friendliness; generosity; talkativeness; carelessness; cordiality. | boasting; disorganization; nine0003 noise; timidity; selfishness; weakness of will; restlessness; imbalance. |
4. Melancholic.
Emotionally unstable, such a person is easily hurt. He is always worried about something, impressionable. Among melancholics, pessimists and introverts are most often found. With such a character, a person worries even over trifles.
In a new company, they feel awkward and withdrawn, they try not to change anything in their lives, most often because of fear. nine0003
| Positives: | Negative Traits: |
|---|---|
| fidelity; aesthetics; giftedness; perfectionism; selflessness; discipline; analytical mindset. | exactingness; pessimism; selfishness; vindictiveness; severity; isolation; touchiness. |
Five factor model.
Among other theories about the typology of personalities, the five-factor model put forward by R. McCrae and P. Costa in 1992 deserves attention. According to it, each person can be characterized by 5 personality factors.
1. Extrovert - introvert.
These types of character affect the public sphere.
Extroverts tend to be assertive. As a rule, they are optimistic, sociable, cheerful.
They have well-developed social skills, a sense of humor, they are not afraid to express their opinion, they feel relatively easy in a new company. Such people avoid loneliness, try to be surrounded by people, they have many friends. nine0003
Introverts are shy and withdrawn, they behave aloof. It is difficult for them to get along with other people, they often become anxious, unsure of themselves. From the outside, it may seem that they are unfriendly, although they are more likely not able to build relationships than they do not want to. Introverts don't like large crowds.
Take the test: introvert or extrovert?
2. Emotional instability - stability.
Neuroticism is associated with maturity.
The nature of people of the neurotic type suggests the predominance of negative emotions - anxiety, fear, anger. This negatively affects the mood, causes constant anxiety, generates impulsiveness, craving for risky activities. Neurotic people are more prone to depression and phobias.
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Emotionally stable people, on the contrary, are reliable and have strong will. During difficult situations, they are firmly on their feet, it is difficult to unsettle them.
3. Isolation - accommodating.
These character traits show a disposition towards other people, a craving for collectivism or individualism.
Accommodating or friendliness is inherent in altruists, generous, able to sympathize and help other people. Such people are generous, ready to support emotionally.
People with a separate personality type are egocentric, compete.
4. Responsibility - lack of self-control.
We are talking about the ability to plan, about self-control, purposefulness.
Responsible people rely on rules, are disciplined but rigid, and often lack the ability to be creative. They are characterized by scrupulousness, punctuality, ambition. Spontaneous decisions are unusual for them, sometimes they are boring.
People who lack self-control are spontaneous in their decisions and actions, know how to enjoy life, often behave irresponsibly.
They succumb to laziness, do not differ in the strength of the water. nine0003
5. Open to experience - conservative.
It is about the ability to think critically.
People who are open to experience have their own values, they like to argue, ask questions. They are distinguished by artistry, originality, high intelligence. They have a developed imagination, they are independent, curious.
Conservatives prefer traditions, stability, they are attached to family values, rarely change anything in life.
In its pure form, specific types of human character are extremely rare. More often than not, people have dominant traits or a combination of several personality types at once. Character changes with age, experience, living in certain situations. nine0003
Take the test: an optimist or a pessimist
Personality types: main differences and their characteristics
Contents of the article is prone to sensitivity and excessive self-criticism.
Since ancient times, scientists and philosophers have been interested in the topic of personality classification, many theories have been developed, some of which have become part of modern psychology. In this article, we will briefly analyze the psychological types that the Soviet scientist A.E. Lichko developed while observing adolescents. It is in adolescence that individual character traits and psychological characteristics are quite strongly manifested, which are smoothed out during growing up, but can manifest themselves at a moment of crisis. Even more types of personality classifications can be found in the free online course "Typology of Personality" on the platform "Russia - a country of opportunities". nine0003
Asthenoneurotic type
People with a weak nervous system who are characterized by low stamina, irritability and overwork. They get tired more from psychological stress than from physical exertion. When working for a long time, they need frequent breaks, in general they like to work at their own pace.
Such people are hard to switch from one activity to another, it is better not to distract them from the process once again. Any unforeseen situations cause them irritability and anxiety. But these people are very careful and disciplined, they can spend hours doing monotonous work that does not require speed. nine0003
Unstable type
Complex personality type, which is characterized by irresponsibility, idleness and addiction, for example, from alcohol, drugs, games. Such people strive for pleasure, they want to constantly relax and have fun. They often have problems with work, they do not want to study and grow professionally. This type of personality can be called a real hedonist who sees entertainment and enjoyment as the main goal of his life. The positive features include openness and sociability. nine0003
Conformal type
People who strive to live like everyone else and do not want to stand out from the crowd once again. The opinion of others is very important to them, they try to earn the praise and approval of others.
Basically, the way of life of such people directly depends on the society in which they live. If there are religious people around them, then the conformist will be a believer to the point of fanaticism. It is also difficult for them to change something in their lives, it is difficult to pull them out of their comfort zone. Positive features include low conflict, friendliness, devotion and diligence. nine0003
Labile type
Empathic people who can feel the mood and feelings of others well. They often make outstanding psychologists and social workers. They are open and always ready to help and support with a kind word. But this type is very sensitive and touchy, does not tolerate criticism in his address, cannot stand loneliness and changes in life.
Cycloid type
People who are prone to sudden mood swings experience strong emotions - either they are overly happy, or they feel sad on the verge of depression. They cope with internal experiences for a long time, they are distinguished by excitability and irritability, sometimes aggressiveness.
The positive traits include sociability and friendliness. nine0003
Sensitive
People with excessive impressionability, vulnerability and openness. They can get excited about simple things that most people don't notice. They also keep pleasant and unpleasant memories for many years, which flash in memory as if in reality. This type of personality is difficult to tolerate public criticism, is very afraid of being ridiculed. Positive traits include increased morality, compassion and sociability.
Psychasthenic type
People who are prone to introspection and reflection like to delve into themselves and criticize for shortcomings. They have an excellent memory, so they remember their mistakes well and often engage in self-flagellation. Hence, they have a lack of confidence in their abilities, they take too long to make decisions, doubt and are afraid to stumble again. The positive features include loyalty and reliability, they will never betray loved ones and will always stand up for their own.
Schizoid type
Closed and unsociable people who do not know how or do not want to build close relationships with others. But they do a great job of maintaining business relationships. They have a rich inner world, into which they prefer not to let anyone in. Many people have high intelligence and out-of-the-box thinking. But they practically do not know how to recognize other people's emotions. nine0003
Epileptoid type
The most complex type of people, prone to breakdowns, aggression and pedantry. They seek to subjugate everyone, to win an authoritarian position. Such people do not know how to build friendly relations at all, they can vent evil on others, they are very scrupulous about the work of employees. But personalities of this type can be strong leaders.
Hysterical type
A type of personality requiring increased attention to oneself. They need constant admiration and reverence. Indifference to their person is the worst scenario for them.
