understanding personality

temperament types and tests

In analytical psychology, understanding personality isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a key to unlocking deeper self-awareness, improving relationships, and navigating life’s complexities. From the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to the Big Five and Five-Factor Model, various frameworks attempt to categorize human temperament, shedding light on why individuals think, feel, and behave in distinct yet predictable ways. These theories help explain everything from workplace dynamics to personal growth, offering valuable insights into decision-making, communication styles, and emotional resilience. But how much weight should we give these assessments? Are they merely intriguing labels, or do they reveal fundamental truths about our inner workings?

The Myers-Briggs Temperament Inventory (MBTI), developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, and based on the Jungian theory of psychological types has had widespread influence and is one of the most popular tests of temperament of the modern era. Like all tests of personality, the MBTI aims to assess stable personality traits and individual differences in behavior, cognition, and emotion.

The MBTI has its detractors. Some argue that the instrument is insufficient for assessing temperament types, even though newer assessments—such as the Five Factor Model and the Big Five—correlate with the MBTI. Temperament tests are useful for helping people understand themselves and others, but they aren’t predictive or definitive. People who are growing psychologically are also changing, so the best a temperament test can do is interpret a personality at a specific point in time. Such interpretations arise from the subjective reality of the test-taker. Temperament tests—including the MBTI—were “never intended to be predictive, and should never be used for hiring, screening or to dictate life decisions.”¹

Personality shapes the way individuals think, feel, and behave in consistent, somewhat predictable patterns. Theoretically, a person’s character is composed of various personality functions, each influencing their emotional and cognitive responses to the world.

the mbti test

In the Myers-Briggs Temperament Inventory (MBTI) system, the Sense (S) function tell us that something exists; the Thinking (T) function tells us what it is; the Feeling (F) function tells us what it’s worth; and the Introverted (I) function tells us what can be done with it. Introversion is energy directed inwardly, to the inner world, while Extraversion (E) is energy directed outwardly, to the outer world. Finally, the Perceiver (P) function speaks to possibilities and the journey, whereas the Judging (J) function speaks to finality, the destination. There are, then, 16 possible personality types. For those who are unfamiliar with temperament types, you can take a short, free version of the MBTI temperament test here.

In his book, Jungian Psychology Unplugged, Daryl Sharp explains that personality types are arrived at through the one-sided development of the various personality functions. Theoretically, Jung proposed that the whole or healthy human being ought to be more-or-less balanced on the traits (or, rather than being an ENFP, a person might be an XXXX, achieving about 50% on each function). People ought to be balanced in their personalities, with each function able to step up and do its part as it is needed.

dominant and inferior functions

Unfortunately, many (if not most) people have unbalanced personalities. Rather than achieving a balance of each function, so that their dominant and inferior functions can work with others, such as auxiliary and tertiary functions, we use our dominant functions—those that come naturally to us and are thus preferred.

As a result, many are not practiced at using their inferior functions. They may use their Introversion (I) function when it is most inappropriate—for instance by feeling frozen in social settings because introversion overshadows their ability to be Extraverted (E). As well, in a crisis or when a person is under stress, the neglected aspects of the personality come to the forefront and it becomes obvious where a person’s weaknesses are. In such a case,

Only a period of self-reflection and analysis of fantasies can restore the balance and make further development possible.

. . . the process of assimilating the inferior function, raising it into consciousness, is invariably accompanied by a lowering of the superior or primary function.

Sharp, p. 19

assimilating the inferior function

What does it look like when a person is in the process of assimilating an inferior function? Examples are when the Thinker (T) suddenly can’t write an essay, or the Senser (S) begins habitually losing her keys or missing appointments. The Introvert (I) may become fascinated with sound, color, texture, and objects, while the Feeler (F) burrows into books, forgetting his social life. When such assimilations and imbalances occur, it seems obvious that one must find the middle way.

Another ‘tell’ that a rebalancing is occurring is when strong emotional reactions occur. Sharp explains that “. . . strong emotional reactions of any kind. . . are a sure sign that the inferior function, along with one or more complexes, has been activated” (p. 20).

Supposing, for instance, that a person working on self-development starts her path as a strong intuitive (N). She makes decisions based on her “gut instinct,” and one often overhears her saying, “I had a feeling that might happen,” or “that just doesn’t hit me the right way.” These are intuitive statements; but our pilgrim is unbalanced: if she hopes to become more complete and balanced, her Sensing (S) function must step up to the plate. As she undergoes analysis, studies her dreams, or combines the myriad tools available to work with her unconscious, she is likely to discover that her inferior Sensing (S) function is working out. That side of the personality might become fixated with objects and what can be seen, tasted, and experienced through emotions.

Our pilgrim begins to see objects not just as tools, but as meaningful extensions of self-expression. What was once a mundane or even distasteful activity—buying clothing—now sparks excitement as she enjoys selecting fabrics, colors, and styles that reflect her evolving sense of self. In this new state of development, her Intuition (N) ignites possibilities while her Sensing (S) grounds these ideas in reality, allowing her to experience objects not merely as possessions, but as tangible symbols of identity.

growing into oneself

The more one’s family of origin recognizes, accepts, and nurtures a child’s natural self, the more likely it is that she will be able later to achieve a balanced temperament. In the less-than-nurturing family, though, a child’s innate disposition may be unwelcome. In such situations, Sharp explains, the individual may under-develop an inborn temperament function, writing,

Family circumstances may force one at an early age to take on an attitude that is not natural, thus violating the person’s innate disposition … Whenever such a falsification of type takes place, … the individual becomes neurotic later and can be cured only by developing the attitude consonant with his nature (p. 22).

When an inferior function is activated, it naturally presents itself in a socially inferior way. “When the undeveloped attitude is constellated,” Sharp explains, “we are prey to all kinds of disruptive emotions—we are ‘complexed’” (p. 23).

Some people won’t do the work to develop themselves, but marry or partner with someone who will symbiotically care their stunted aspects. Not long ago I was at a social event and overheard one woman describe a colleague to another, “He’s such a nice guy, but his wife is a total bitch—how does that happen?!” This was a not-uncommon expression of psychological co-dependence in which neither partner grows or changes.

Over time, such relationships may lose their initial dynamism and spark, leading to a sense of stagnation for both partners: they become the bored and boring. While some relationships end as a result, others persist despite a lack of engagement or growth. In these cases couples may settle into routines that rely heavily on passive entertainment, reflecting a broader cultural pattern of disengagement and complacency.

This pattern isn’t limited to romantic relationships—business partnerships, workplace dynamics, and friendships can also become stagnant when engagement and growth decline. Once habit and routine replace meaningful connection to oneself or others, interactions can become perfunctory rather than purposeful.

reading personality

One can read personality in everyday interactions by learning how personality traits are revealed. When trying to discern what type of personality someone has, consider his habitual behaviors, attitudes, or challenges.

• What is his greatest cross?
• From what does he suffer most?
• When does he make a fool of himself?
• What about him inspires the most complaints from family, friends, or co-workers?

Answers to these questions will point to his inferior function and attitude. For example, a friend who’s a follower, always looking to you and others for motivation, energy, and inspiration probably has an inferior Extraversion (E) function: her go-getter aspect got up and left.

Clues about which parts of oneself have yet to be assimilated can be found in dreams. Functions unavailable to the conscious mind tend to appear there. For example, a Thinking (T) type may dream about primitive Feeling types, illustrating the unassimilated side of himself.

Another excellent read on temperament types is David Kiersey’s Please Understand Me, one of my favorite books on the topic. The book can be life-changing for a person just beginning to understand themself.

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resources

• Jung Lexicon
• Kiersey Temperament Types
• Personality Tests & Tools
• Daryl Sharp, Jungian Psychology Unplugged, Inner City Books, 1998.

notes

1. “Debunking the Myers-Briggs personality test,” BBC News. 15 Jul. 2014. ↩︎