How to Determine Your Myers Briggs Personality Type
Determine if you are introverted or extroverted., Think about how you gather information., Look at how you make decisions., Think about how you relate to the outside world., Determine your personality type, which is a combination of four letters...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine if you are introverted or extroverted.
This preference is not so much about how social you are (which is what these terms are often associated with), as much as it deals with your tendency to act.
When solving a problem, do you look inside first to solve the problem or outside? In other words, do you think about yourself first, or others? (Note:
Do not be ashamed to admit that you think about yourself first.
If you do, you are most likely a feeling type.) Someone who normally looks in and is energized by social activity is typically extroverted in MBTI terms.
They also crave being around people.
If you're the kind of person who thinks about other's feelings before acting and needs alone time to recharge, you're probably introverted. -
Step 2: Think about how you gather information.
Do you do it through sensing or through intuition? Sensors see the trees; intuitives see the forest.
Sensors prefer concrete detail and facts.
They're more likely to say "I won't believe it till I see it." They tend to distrust hunches or guesses when they're not rooted in logic, observation or facts.
They also are better at details.
They also are very conscious about their own needs.
Intuitives, on the other hand, feel more comfortable with abstract information and theories.
They are spontaneous and more imaginative than sensors and enjoy exploring beyond the here and now, especially when thinking about the possibilities of the future.
Their thoughts revolve around patterns, connections, and flashes of insights.
Some also have trouble staying in the present, often daydreaming or forgetful
- for example, they may forget to eat their lunch when really focused. , Once you gather your information, whether by sensing or by feeling, how do you arrive at a decision? Do you tend to try to look at it from the perspective of everyone involved in an attempt to find the most balanced, harmonious solution (e.g. reach a consensus)? If so, your preference is probably for feeling.
If you tend to look for the most logical and consistent solution, perhaps measuring it up against a set of rules or assumptions, then your decision-making preference is likely to be thinking.
Feeling types tend to be very uncomfortable with the presence of conflict, while thinking types usually accept and expect it as part and parcel of dealing with others.
Some people assume that the feeling preference implies an emotional person, while the thinking preference is tied to a more rational person, but this is not the case.
Both are rational approaches, and people with either preference can be emotional. , Do you tend to communicate judgments or perceptions to others? If you have a judging preference, you're more likely to explain to people how you make decisions and like to have matters settled
- case closed.
You like to make plans, check things off of a to-do list, and get things done ahead of deadlines.
On the other hand, if you're the perceiving type, you'll tend to share your observations with the world, leaving matters open.
You also prefer to do things "on the fly"
mix work with play, and wait until the last minute before making a decision or commitment. , INTJ, ENFP).
The first letter is either I (for introverted) or E (for extroverted).
The second letter is either S (for sensing) or N (for intuitive).
The third letter is either T (for thinking) or F (for feeling).
The fourth letter is either J (for judging) or P (for perceiving). , Simply doing an Internet search for the four-letter combination will result in several websites describing your Myers Briggs Personality Type.
Read them in order to gain insights into your personality and determine areas where you can push out of your comfort zone and develop new skills.
If the description isn't accurate, you may want to take an MBTI test.
There are many types available, ranging from free online quizzes to long, thorough and official MBTI evaluations administered by a qualified professional. , If you don't trust the abyss that is the Internet, you may be interested in taking the MBTI test from a professional, like a psychologist or even a career counselor.
More than 10,000 companies, 2,500 colleges and universities and 200 government agencies use the test to understand their employees and students.Join 'em! You may or may not get the same results as you would on a test you take on the Internet.
If you're on the fence on a trait or two, even the mood of that day could determine your results. , Just knowing your type isn't all that's out there.
There are entire profiles you can look up on the Internet or that your psychologist or employer could give you.
It can help you understand what "sensing" or "perceiving" really mean.
They are assigned titles, like "The Giver," or "The Teacher," etc.
The full profile addresses your personality type in a number of environments
-- work, personal relationships, home, and so on and so forth.
You may think the four-letter code doesn't sound like you, but a more in-depth analysis may convince you. , When you know what type you are, you can begin to understand how you might fit into the world around you.
If you're an INTJ and you're a salesman, you might be rethinking your line of work! There are plenty of everyday uses for this test.Consider it when you're learning.
How do you take in and perceive facts and concepts? Consider it in your relationships.
How do you mix with other personality types? Consider it for personal growth.
Knowing your tendencies is the only way you can recognize them and begin branching out.
Or harnessing your power! , No single personality type is superior to another.
The MBTI seeks to identify natural preferences, not abilities.
When determining your type, look at it from the perspective of what you tend to do, not what you think you should do.
Recognizing your own preferences is a useful tool in self-development. , This is a fascinating concept
-- quite clearly a trendy, fascinating concept: millions of people take it every year.So get to asking your friends! It may even help you relate to each other.
An ESFJ and an INTP might make for an interesting conversation when it comes to personality type.
Find people who are different than you and sit down to talk about the test.
And find someone who is the same
-- did you know you were the same or were you surprised? Sometimes it's hard to tell. , If you're unhappy with your results, don't sweat it.
This is a very prominent test, yes, but there is so much more to you than your MBTI results.
It's like saying, "Oh.
You're an Aquarius, huh? You'll never be punctual and caring!" No.
It doesn't work like that.
And in fact, your results may fluctuate throughout your life.
That's partly because your environment determines a lot about you.
So take the test now and revisit it again in a few years! You may have flip-flopped on a tendency or two. -
Step 3: Look at how you make decisions.
-
Step 4: Think about how you relate to the outside world.
-
Step 5: Determine your personality type
-
Step 6: which is a combination of four letters (e.g.
-
Step 7: Go online.
-
Step 8: Take the official MBTI test.
-
Step 9: Look up your type's profile.
-
Step 10: Put your type to action.
-
Step 11: Understand that no one preference is better than another.
-
Step 12: Ask others about their type.
-
Step 13: Know that it's not the end-all be-all.
Detailed Guide
This preference is not so much about how social you are (which is what these terms are often associated with), as much as it deals with your tendency to act.
When solving a problem, do you look inside first to solve the problem or outside? In other words, do you think about yourself first, or others? (Note:
Do not be ashamed to admit that you think about yourself first.
If you do, you are most likely a feeling type.) Someone who normally looks in and is energized by social activity is typically extroverted in MBTI terms.
They also crave being around people.
If you're the kind of person who thinks about other's feelings before acting and needs alone time to recharge, you're probably introverted.
Do you do it through sensing or through intuition? Sensors see the trees; intuitives see the forest.
Sensors prefer concrete detail and facts.
They're more likely to say "I won't believe it till I see it." They tend to distrust hunches or guesses when they're not rooted in logic, observation or facts.
They also are better at details.
They also are very conscious about their own needs.
Intuitives, on the other hand, feel more comfortable with abstract information and theories.
They are spontaneous and more imaginative than sensors and enjoy exploring beyond the here and now, especially when thinking about the possibilities of the future.
Their thoughts revolve around patterns, connections, and flashes of insights.
Some also have trouble staying in the present, often daydreaming or forgetful
- for example, they may forget to eat their lunch when really focused. , Once you gather your information, whether by sensing or by feeling, how do you arrive at a decision? Do you tend to try to look at it from the perspective of everyone involved in an attempt to find the most balanced, harmonious solution (e.g. reach a consensus)? If so, your preference is probably for feeling.
If you tend to look for the most logical and consistent solution, perhaps measuring it up against a set of rules or assumptions, then your decision-making preference is likely to be thinking.
Feeling types tend to be very uncomfortable with the presence of conflict, while thinking types usually accept and expect it as part and parcel of dealing with others.
Some people assume that the feeling preference implies an emotional person, while the thinking preference is tied to a more rational person, but this is not the case.
Both are rational approaches, and people with either preference can be emotional. , Do you tend to communicate judgments or perceptions to others? If you have a judging preference, you're more likely to explain to people how you make decisions and like to have matters settled
- case closed.
You like to make plans, check things off of a to-do list, and get things done ahead of deadlines.
On the other hand, if you're the perceiving type, you'll tend to share your observations with the world, leaving matters open.
You also prefer to do things "on the fly"
mix work with play, and wait until the last minute before making a decision or commitment. , INTJ, ENFP).
The first letter is either I (for introverted) or E (for extroverted).
The second letter is either S (for sensing) or N (for intuitive).
The third letter is either T (for thinking) or F (for feeling).
The fourth letter is either J (for judging) or P (for perceiving). , Simply doing an Internet search for the four-letter combination will result in several websites describing your Myers Briggs Personality Type.
Read them in order to gain insights into your personality and determine areas where you can push out of your comfort zone and develop new skills.
If the description isn't accurate, you may want to take an MBTI test.
There are many types available, ranging from free online quizzes to long, thorough and official MBTI evaluations administered by a qualified professional. , If you don't trust the abyss that is the Internet, you may be interested in taking the MBTI test from a professional, like a psychologist or even a career counselor.
More than 10,000 companies, 2,500 colleges and universities and 200 government agencies use the test to understand their employees and students.Join 'em! You may or may not get the same results as you would on a test you take on the Internet.
If you're on the fence on a trait or two, even the mood of that day could determine your results. , Just knowing your type isn't all that's out there.
There are entire profiles you can look up on the Internet or that your psychologist or employer could give you.
It can help you understand what "sensing" or "perceiving" really mean.
They are assigned titles, like "The Giver," or "The Teacher," etc.
The full profile addresses your personality type in a number of environments
-- work, personal relationships, home, and so on and so forth.
You may think the four-letter code doesn't sound like you, but a more in-depth analysis may convince you. , When you know what type you are, you can begin to understand how you might fit into the world around you.
If you're an INTJ and you're a salesman, you might be rethinking your line of work! There are plenty of everyday uses for this test.Consider it when you're learning.
How do you take in and perceive facts and concepts? Consider it in your relationships.
How do you mix with other personality types? Consider it for personal growth.
Knowing your tendencies is the only way you can recognize them and begin branching out.
Or harnessing your power! , No single personality type is superior to another.
The MBTI seeks to identify natural preferences, not abilities.
When determining your type, look at it from the perspective of what you tend to do, not what you think you should do.
Recognizing your own preferences is a useful tool in self-development. , This is a fascinating concept
-- quite clearly a trendy, fascinating concept: millions of people take it every year.So get to asking your friends! It may even help you relate to each other.
An ESFJ and an INTP might make for an interesting conversation when it comes to personality type.
Find people who are different than you and sit down to talk about the test.
And find someone who is the same
-- did you know you were the same or were you surprised? Sometimes it's hard to tell. , If you're unhappy with your results, don't sweat it.
This is a very prominent test, yes, but there is so much more to you than your MBTI results.
It's like saying, "Oh.
You're an Aquarius, huh? You'll never be punctual and caring!" No.
It doesn't work like that.
And in fact, your results may fluctuate throughout your life.
That's partly because your environment determines a lot about you.
So take the test now and revisit it again in a few years! You may have flip-flopped on a tendency or two.
About the Author
Elizabeth Wells
Experienced content creator specializing in home improvement guides and tutorials.
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