What Are The Four Letters in a Personality Type?
Myers and Briggs‘ theory of personality type is based on classifying individual differences into four personality dichotomies. These dichotomies describe how our energy level is affected by our environment, how we take in information, how we make decisions, and how we organize our world. Your personality type is made up of your preferences in each of these four areas, with sixteen possible types. Each type is represented by four letters, one letter for each preference:
Introversion vs. 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.
Sensing vs. 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.”
Thinking vs. 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.
Judging vs. 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.
Once you have decided which style you prefer on each of the four dichotomies, you use these four preferences to create a four letter code which sums up your personality type. For example, someone with a preference for Introversion, Intuition, Feeling and Judging would have the code “INFJ” (an Intuition preference is signified with an N to avoid confusion with Introversion). There are 16 possible combinations, or personality types.
The Truity TypeFinder® test measures your preferences on Myers and Briggs’ four dimensions of personality type, as well as 23 more detailed facets of type to personalize your results.