What are the mbti personality types


The Myers & Briggs Foundation

ISTJ

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.

ISFJ

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.

INFJ

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.

INTJ

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.

ISTP

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.

ISFP

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.

INFP

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.

INTP

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.

ESTP

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.

ESFP

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.

ENFP

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.

ENTP

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.

ESTJ

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.

ESFJ

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.

ENFJ

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.

ENTJ

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.

Excerpted from Introduction to Type® by Isabel Briggs Myers published by The Myers-Briggs Company. Used with permission.

Myers & Briggs' 16 Personality Types

Explore our in-depth descriptions of each of the 16 personality types to learn more about yourself and your loved ones. Or, if you're not sure which personality type fits you, take our free personality test .

The 16 personality types were created by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs, developers of the MBTI® assessment. Myers and Briggs created their personality typology to help people discover their own strengths and gain a better understanding of how people are different.

When you discover your own personality type, you'll understand more clearly why you do the things you do. You will gain confidence in your strengths and be better able to make decisions that suit your true nature.

Find Your Type

INFP

The Healer

INFPs are imaginative idealists, guided by their own core values and beliefs. To a Healer, possibilities are paramount; the reality of the moment is only of passing concern. They see potential for a better future, and pursue truth and meaning with their own flair.

INTJ

The Mastermind

INTJs are analytical problem-solvers, eager to improve systems and processes with their innovative ideas. They have a talent for seeing possibilities for improvement, whether at work, at home, or in themselves.

INFJ

The Counselor

INFJs are creative nurturers with a strong sense of personal integrity and a drive to help others realize their potential. Creative and dedicated, they have a talent for helping others with original solutions to their personal challenges.

INTP

The Architect

INTPs are philosophical innovators, fascinated by logical analysis, systems, and design. They are preoccupied with theory, and search for the universal law behind everything they see. They want to understand the unifying themes of life, in all their complexity.

ENFP

The Champion

ENFPs are people-centered creators with a focus on possibilities and a contagious enthusiasm for new ideas, people and activities. Energetic, warm, and passionate, ENFPs love to help other people explore their creative potential.

ENTJ

The Commander

ENTJs are strategic leaders, motivated to organize change. They are quick to see inefficiency and conceptualize new solutions, and enjoy developing long-range plans to accomplish their vision. They excel at logical reasoning and are usually articulate and quick-witted.

ENTP

The Visionary

ENTPs are inspired innovators, motivated to find new solutions to intellectually challenging problems. They are curious and clever, and seek to comprehend the people, systems, and principles that surround them.

ENFJ

The Teacher

ENFJs are idealist organizers, driven to implement their vision of what is best for humanity. They often act as catalysts for human growth because of their ability to see potential in other people and their charisma in persuading others to their ideas.

ISFJ

The Protector

ISFJs are industrious caretakers, loyal to traditions and organizations. They are practical, compassionate, and caring, and are motivated to provide for others and protect them from the perils of life.

ISFP

The Composer

ISFPs are gentle caretakers who live in the present moment and enjoy their surroundings with cheerful, low-key enthusiasm. They are flexible and spontaneous, and like to go with the flow to enjoy what life has to offer.

ISTJ

The Inspector

ISTJs are responsible organizers, driven to create and enforce order within systems and institutions. They are neat and orderly, inside and out, and tend to have a procedure for everything they do.

ISTP

The Craftsperson

ISTPs are observant artisans with an understanding of mechanics and an interest in troubleshooting. They approach their environments with a flexible logic, looking for practical solutions to the problems at hand.

ESFJ

The Provider

ESFJs are conscientious helpers, sensitive to the needs of others and energetically dedicated to their responsibilities. They are highly attuned to their emotional environment and attentive to both the feelings of others and the perception others have of them.

ESFP

The Performer

ESFPs are vivacious entertainers who charm and engage those around them. They are spontaneous, energetic, and fun-loving, and take pleasure in the things around them: food, clothes, nature, animals, and especially people.

ESTJ

The Supervisor

ESTJs are hardworking traditionalists, eager to take charge in organizing projects and people. Orderly, rule-abiding, and conscientious, ESTJs like to get things done, and tend to go about projects in a systematic, methodical way.

ESTP

The Dynamo

ESTPs are energetic thrillseekers who are at their best when putting out fires, whether literal or metaphorical. They bring a sense of dynamic energy to their interactions with others and the world around them.

 

Personality typing is a system of categorizing people according to their tendencies to think and act in particular ways. Personality typing attempts to find the broadest, most important ways in which people are different, and make sense of these differences by sorting people into meaningful groups.

What is personality typing?

The personality types described here were created by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Briggs, in the 1960's. Their theories were based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, although they extended his ideas to create a more complete framework of personality typing. Myers and Briggs proposed that there were four key dimensions that could be used to categorize people:

  • Introversion vs. Extraversion
  • Sensing vs. Intuition
  • Thinking vs. Feeling
  • Judging vs. Perceiving

Each of the four dimensions was described as a dichotomy, or an either/or choice between two styles of being. Myers and Briggs described this as a "preference" and proposed that any individual should be able to identify a preferred style on each of the four dimensions. The sum of a person's four preferred styles becomes their personality type.

Myers and Briggs theorized that our preferences on each of the four dimensions would combine to create predictable patterns in thought and behavior, so that people with the same four preferences would share many commonalities in the way they approach their lives, from the hobbies they choose to the work that might suit them.

What is the meaning of the four letters in a personality type?

Each of the four letters in a personality type code stands for a preference in your style of thinking or behaving.

I/E: Introversion or Extraversion

The Introversion/Extraversion dimension describes how a person manages their energy.

Introverts are energized by spending quiet time alone or with a small group. They tend to be more reserved and thoughtful.

Extraverts are energized by spending time with people and in busy, active surroundings. They tend to be more expressive and outspoken.

S/N: Sensing or iNtuition

The Sensing/Intuition dimension describes how an individual processes information.

Sensors focus on their five senses and are interested in information they can directly see, hear, feel, and so on. They tend to be hands-on learners and are often described as "practical."

Intuitives focus on a more abstract level of thinking; they are more interested in theories, patterns, and explanations. They are often more concerned with the future than the present and are often described as "creative."

T/F: Thinking or Feeling

The Thinking/Feeling dimension describes how people make decisions.

Thinkers tend to make decisions with their heads; they are interested in finding the most logical, reasonable choice.

Feelers tend to make decisions with their hearts; they are interested in how a decision will affect people, and whether it fits in with their values.

J/P: Judging or Perceiving

The Judging/Perceiving dimension describes how people approach structure in their lives.

Judgers appreciate structure and order; they like things planned, and dislike last-minute changes.

Perceivers appreciate flexibility and spontaneity; they like to leave things open so they can change their minds.

How do I know which personality type I am?

Easy—take our in-depth personality type test!

 

THE FINE PRINT: Myers-Briggs® and MBTI® are registered trademarks of the MBTI Trust, Inc. , which has no affiliation with this site. Truity offers a free personality test based on Myers and Briggs' types, but does not offer the official MBTI® assessment. For more information on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator® assessment, please go here.

16 Personality Types in Psychology

16 Personality Types in Psychology is a common classification that can also be found under the name MBTI. The testing method was created by Isabelle Myers and Katherine Briggs in the 1940s. Based on the research of Carl Jung. The tool allows people to better understand themselves and others, find a common language, build strong working teams.

How MBTI personality type is determined

Personality type is determined by passing a series of tests. nine0005

Total uses four groups of parameters presented in the table below:

Personality features Type of type with the letter designation
Orientation of consciousness Extroversion or Introversion (I)
orientation in situations reliance on material information (s) or intuition (n)
decision making logic (t) or emotions (f)
preparation of decisions clear planning (j) or circumstantial orientation (p)

The resulting letter combination is your type. Below we will talk about what they are and what features correspond to each of the 16 personality types in psychology.

Logist (ISTJ)

He is a responsible realist with a high level of loyalty and obedience. Inclined to build a clear and understandable organization of tasks with their subsequent systematic implementation. He is hardworking and understands his responsibility to the team. Behaves complaisantly, restrained. nine0005

Such employees are especially valued by employers because they do not require constant monitoring. But at the same time, successful work requires a clear statement of the task with clear conditions, prescribed deadlines and other important aspects. A person can also be trusted to perform routine tasks, hired to organize the process for others.

Lawyer (INFJ)

These are shrewd visionaries who rely heavily on their intuition, and for good reason - it rarely fails them. People who are inclined to defend their position in disputes, have a strong creative beginning, can express what worries them directly. Periodically, this can become a cause of misunderstanding on the part of others and various conflicts. An important feature of “lawyers” is empathy. It helps them to better win over other people, even unfamiliar ones. nine0005

People with this personality type are constantly generating ideas and perform well in brainstorming sessions. Natural insight helps them to reveal the deepest features of the interlocutor's character and analyze his behavior in various situations.

The minus of the "lawyer" is that he is not very good at expressing his thoughts. Therefore, such people rarely find themselves in the first roles where you need to engage in public speaking.

Architect (INTJ)

This is a conceptual strategist, individual farmer, introvert. It shows itself best in cases that do not require active teamwork. They can be freely transferred to remote work, because a high level of personal responsibility and self-organization stimulates the completion of tasks with high quality and on time. nine0005

"Architects" can generate many different ideas and then bring them to life. Weaknesses of this type begin to emerge when you need to communicate a lot with people. They do not like calls, they prefer to communicate by e-mail.

The desire to do everything exactly on time or ahead of schedule can harm both the work itself and the person who is doing it. It is very important to give appropriate deadlines for completing different tasks and to ensure that the person does not overwork or burn out. nine0005

"Defender" (ISFJ)

This is a practical assistant, which many call the paradoxical extroverted introvert. He shows himself well in managerial positions, turns out to be very loved by his colleagues because of deep empathy. People are good at rallying a team and leading it.

Attention to detail and meticulousness makes the "defenders" good controllers of the quality of other people's work. They become excellent editors, can adhere to the rules and still not feel any discomfort because of such a need. nine0005

Virtuoso (ISTP)

These are logical pragmatists who often defend their position as straightforward as possible. It is difficult for them to work in conditions of strict rules that for some reason they do not understand or cannot accept. It is important that everything comply with the laws of logic that a particular person has personally established for himself.

"Virtuosos" rarely have successful remote work. The reason is that they love live communication with people, they show themselves well in negotiations. At the same time, they do a good job even with complex tasks of remote testing of various types of products. The main thing is to control the final quality of work and compliance with deadlines. nine0005

"Adventurer" (ISFP)

These are universal helpers who build their lives on the ideas of altruism. It is easy for them to understand the problems of others and really penetrate them deeply. Easily find a common language with people, trainable, rarely come into conflict. This makes them popular, helps to make many friends.

"Adventurer" is one of the 16 personality types in psychology who quickly plunges into work. At the same time, people are prone to burnout, they need to switch their attention between different activities, constantly reminded of the need to take a break. Good motivation is also very important. It is important for people with the ISFP personality type to understand that someone appreciates their efforts, and they are not wasted. nine0005

Intermediary (INFP)

This is a reasonable idealist who is distinguished by balance. He always has a lot of ideas that he wants to execute and enough sunk to successfully complete what he started. Such people throughout their lives form their own value system and strictly evaluate everything that comes from outside, comparing with their ideals.

It is typical for "intermediaries" to set fairly high standards for people. The disadvantage of this is that the result is often disappointment and deep resentment. Therefore, it is very important to talk with representatives of this psychotype so that they do not accumulate everything in themselves, they can throw out emotions. Accumulated contradictions can lead to an interpersonal explosion. nine0005

"Logician" (INTP)

These are objective analysts who rely heavily on their own logic. They show themselves well when you need to find even the smallest errors. People are competent and take what they do seriously. But they are characterized by volatility, especially if something does not meet established internal standards.

"Logicians" always value freedom of action and the opportunity to express personal opinions when it comes to discussing their working conditions and other key issues. They build a serious system for protecting their own views, based on a tough personal position. This sometimes leads them to conflicts with others. nine0005

"Entrepreneur" (ESTP)

This is an energetic person who likes to take calculated risks and makes good decisions even in stressful situations. People are reckless and at the same time they can infect others with their excitement. But in sports terminology, these are sprinters, not marathon runners. "Entrepreneurs"

are ready to take on any difficult task at once, but when working on long-term projects, they quickly burn out.

People are good at making quick and decisive decisions and leading by example. They can easily lead others, the main thing is to switch attention in order to prevent burnout. This psychotype suffers greatly from monotonous and routine actions up to the development of depressive states. He also relies on authorities, because the opinion of a leader or a more educated, respected person is very important. nine0005

Artist (ESFP)

These are improvisational enthusiasts. They constantly radiate energy, they can literally infect others with it. There are always a lot of interesting ideas in the head of the "artist", he has a penchant for oratory.

People love representatives of this psychological type for their responsiveness and generosity. At the same time, it is very important that the "artist" is not fettered. If you force him to do monotonous routine work for a long time without visible results, the opportunity to prove himself and show off his skills, he will quickly get tired and burn out. In the workplace, people with an ESFP test result are often used as event hosts and presentations. nine0005

«Activist» (ENFP)

These are creative motivators that can share their mood with others, encourage them to reach new heights. This is one of the 16 personality types in psychology that have a well-developed intuition.

"Activists" like to experiment, they are distinguished by good insight. They rely on their feelings, which often plays to the detriment of logic. They put intangible values ​​​​and their own ideals higher than many other things and are rarely ready to sacrifice them. nine0005

In work teams, "activists" are often used as idea generators. They excel at brainstorming sessions, and come up with an out-of-the-box approach when the discussion gets stuck. At the same time, a person may be reluctant to get involved in work, miss deadlines. Constant monitoring and a good understanding of what such an employee is doing now is important, whether he understands the deadlines set.

"Controversial" (ENTP)

They are enterprising explorers who are characterized by charisma and pronounced intellect. With due perseverance, they can actively move towards their goal and achieve leadership positions. In business, they rely heavily on their rationality and logic. nine0005

The “polemicists” start to stall if for some reason they do not receive sufficient mental stimulation or slip into a routine. Their patrimony is big ideas that require reflection, the search for the right approach.

It is often difficult for people around to resist "polemicists" in disputes. They perfectly defend their point of view, which is also important in tough negotiations. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that such people learn to build a dialogue, and not just defend their point of view without paying attention to other comments. nine0005

"Administrator" (ESTJ)

This is an effective organizer who can quickly assemble a working mechanism from disparate parts. He easily copes with everyday monotonous tasks, the routine does not frighten him and does not discourage him. Such people are characterized by methodicalness and loyalty, the ability to find the best options for resolving the situation, relying on standard tools.

An important feature of the nature of "administrators" is that they are prone to self-organization. At the same time, they are loyal to leaders and do not try to push themselves to the fore. A person is able to explain complex things in simple language, put everything in order. At the same time, he has no inclination to put forward any innovative ideas. In the work you need to use clear instructions that you can always rely on when solving any problem that has arisen. nine0005

"Counselor" (ESFJ)

These are reliable partners who are distinguished by a particularly high devotion to the teams, ideas and ideals embedded in it. They are distinguished by sociability and attentiveness to others, quickly find a common language with them. Often it is team interests that are put by such people above personal ones. On the one hand, it can bring success, on the other hand, it makes you sacrifice a lot and often brings strong disappointment to others.

It is important to use the personal characteristics of "advisors" correctly. They can be entrusted with responsible tasks and be sure that they will cope on time and demonstrate a really high quality result. The downside is that such people are usually not very well suited for leadership positions - they need a strong leader who can always be contacted. nine0005

"Protagonist" (ENFJ)

They are sympathetic coordinators, one of 16 personality types in psychology who do not rely too much on rationality and logic. Much more important for them are feelings, sensations, an intuitive approach. At the same time, purposefulness and increased empathy, the ability to penetrate other people who share their problems and thoughts, are often found.

The disadvantage of "protagonists" is that they give their all to those around them. At the same time, they can step over personal tools or simply forget about themselves, neglect rest. It is not surprising that after working marathons, such people often seek psychological help or prefer to keep a lot to themselves, fall into a depressive state. nine0005

"Commander" (ENTJ)

These are decisive strategists who can consistently plan even the most complex actions. Usually they do not accept the limits of possibilities, they try to squeeze the maximum out of themselves and those around them.

When describing the 16 personality types in psychology, "commanders" are usually assigned leadership positions. The main thing for them is to have a clear goal, a benchmark to strive for.

For people who define such a psychotype in themselves, it is very important to remember the risks, the dangers of overtime, to correctly balance work and rest. nine0005

How to find out your personality type and what to do about it

To take the 16 personality type test in psychology, you can use the materials available on the net. They are available in both Russian and English. The principle is standard - you need to answer questions and then see what indicators correspond to the answers.

Like many other tests, this one should not be taken as the ultimate truth. All people are different, their life experience, features of upbringing, development are different. Sometimes a person may find himself on the border between two psychotypes. nine0005

But obtaining general data as a result of such testing is important for several reasons:

  • This gives a person more information about himself and helps to understand many things. For example, you can decide on priority areas of work, get to know your strengths and weaknesses better. This allows you to find answers to questions about why you experience psychological discomfort in specific conditions, quickly burn out, or are not adapted to certain types of activities. nine0170
  • Managers and HR officers can properly form teams and manage appointments. Such an approach helps to prevent conflicts, use the strengths of each person, and significantly increase work efficiency.

Pass the test for 16 personality types in psychology plays a role in achieving harmony with oneself. It is very important to understand what you are interested in, what you are striving for, how to avoid potential problems.

The test will also be useful for children and teenagers. This is necessary specifically for career guidance, understanding what a child may potentially encounter when working in a team. Such information will help an experienced psychologist to find the source of problems and the fact that the baby cannot get along with his peers in any way, to find a common language. nine0005

Personality types | 16Personalities

Analysts

Strategist
INTJ-A / INTJ-T

Imaginative, strategic thinkers with a plan for all occasions.

Scientist
INTP-A / INTP-T
nine0002 Creative inventors, with a strong belief in the power of knowledge.

Commander
ENTJ-A / ENTJ-T

Brave, resourceful and strong-willed leaders who always find a way - or make a way.

Debater
ENTP-A / ENTP-T
nine0002 Smart and curious thinkers who never turn down an intellectual challenge.

Diplomats

Activist
INFJ-A / INFJ-T

Quiet and mystical, but inspiring and relentless idealists.

Broker
INFP-A / INFP-T

Poetic, kind and altruistic personalities, always ready to stand up for a good cause.

Trainer
ENFJ-A / ENFJ-T

Charismatic and inspiring leaders who captivate their listeners.

Wrestler
nine0182 ENFP-A / ENFP-T

Enthusiasts, creative and sociable free minds who always find a reason to smile.

Guardians

Administrator
ISTJ-A / ISTJ-T

Practical and factual people whose reliability is unshakable.

nine0182 Protector
ISFJ-A / ISFJ-T

Very responsible and kind protectors, always ready to protect their loved ones.

Manager
ESTJ-A / ESTJ-T

Excellent administrators, unsurpassed specialists in process and people management.

nine0182 Consul
ESFJ-A / ESFJ-T

Extremely caring, sociable and popular people, always ready to help.

Seekers

Virtuoso
ISTP-A / ISTP-T

Brave and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of techniques and tools.


Learn more