The 16 personality types framework has become one of the most widely used tools for understanding human behavior and preferences. Based on the work of Carl Jung and further developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, this system categorizes personalities along four key dimensions.
The Four Dimensions
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
This dimension describes where you get your energy. Extraverts are energized by social interaction and the external world, while introverts recharge through solitude and internal reflection.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
This describes how you prefer to take in information. Sensors focus on concrete facts and present realities, while intuitives look for patterns, possibilities, and future implications.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
This dimension relates to decision-making. Thinkers prioritize logic and objective analysis, while feelers consider values, harmony, and the impact on people.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
This describes your preferred lifestyle. Judgers prefer structure, planning, and closure, while perceivers are more flexible, spontaneous, and open to new information.
The 16 Types
When combined, these four dimensions create 16 distinct personality types, each with its own strengths, challenges, and characteristic patterns of behavior:
Analysts: INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP
Diplomats: INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP
Sentinels: ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ
Explorers: ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP
Applications
Understanding your personality type can help you:
Limitations
While the 16 types framework is valuable, it's important to remember that:
The key is to use personality insights as a starting point for self-discovery, not as a box that limits who you can become.