is a model of personality that
identifies your personality preferences.
This is analogous to handedness. You have two hands. You use them both. But
most people are either "right handed" or "left handed". That is, they have a
natural inclination or preference for one hand.
In a similar way, you have many facets to your
ersonality. You use all of them. However, you have a natural inclination or preference for
certain ways of thinking and behaving.
Four Letters
Personality Type is based on 4 preferences.
1. Where, primarily, do you prefer to direct your energy?
If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with people, things, situations,
or "the outer world", then your preference is for Extraversion. This is
denoted by the letter "E".
If you prefer to direct your energy to deal with ideas, information,
explanations or beliefs, or "the inner world", then your preference is for
Introversion. This is denoted by the letter "I".
2. How do you prefer to process information?
If you prefer to deal with facts, what you know, to have clarity, or to
describe what you see, then your preference is for Sensing. This is denoted
by the letter "S".
If you prefer to deal with ideas, look into the unknown, to generate new
possibilities or to anticipate what isn't obvious, then your preference is
for Intuition. This is denoted by the letter "N" (the letter "I"
has already been used for Introversion).
3. How do you prefer to make decisions?
If you prefer to decide on the basis of objective logic, using an analytic
and detached approach, then your preference is for Thinking. This is denoted
by the letter "T".
If you prefer to decide using values and/or personal beliefs, on the basis
of what you believe is important or what you or others care about, then your
preference is for Feeling. This is denoted by the letter "F".
4. How do you prefer to organise your life?
If you prefer your life to be planned, stable and organised then your
preference is for Judging (not to be confused with 'Judgemental', which is
quite different). This is denoted by the letter "J".
If you prefer to go with the flow, to maintain flexibility and respond to
things as they arise, then your preference is for Perception. This is
denoted by the letter "P".
16 Types
When you put these four letters together, you get your personality type
code, and there are sixteen combinations, often presented in the form of a
table (right). For example, INTJ indicates that you prefer Introversion,
iNtuition, Thinking and Judging (remember, this indicates preferences only -
an INTJ also uses Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perception).
Click here to take the test, or if you want
to read about a specific type click on the personality code in the chart below.
Click on a personality type to read more about it.