This Jung Personal Preference Questionnaire Interpretation is based on the original research and writings of Carl Jung in his book, Psychological Types. When reading this interpretation of your questionnaire results, keep in mind that most people have some of each of the predispositions.
The scale of Extravert/Introvert measures where you receive your energy or get recharged. Extraverts get energy from people and introverts in contrast need alone time to recharge.
Next, we have Sensing or Intuitive types. This is how you make perceptions about life. Sensation types use their senses to perceive life, concerned with the more here and now, concrete, physical reality. Intuitive types are more future oriented, focusing more to their creative imagination to perceive the possibilities in life.
How to tend to make decisions can be thinking or intuitive. Thinking types use analysis, logic and objectivity to make decisions. Feeling types are more subjective, use gut feelings with decisions being more situational.
Lastly, is the Judging or Perceptive scale is how a person deals with complexity. Judging types tend to have a structured way or theory to approach the world. Perceiving types tend to be unstructured and keep options open and are willing to change their position.
According to Carl G. Jung’s theory of psychological types [Jung, 1921], people can be characterized by their preference of general attitude:
Extraverted (E) vs. Introverted (I);
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N),
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
The areas of preferences introduced by Jung are dichotomies (i.e. bipolar dimensions where each pole represents a different preference). Jung also proposed that in a person one of the four functions above is dominant – either a function of perception or a function of judging for example.
The first criterion, Extraversion – Introversion, signifies the source and direction of a person’s energy expression. An extravert’s source and direction of energy expression is mainly in the external world, while an introvert has a source of energy mainly in their own internal world.
The first criterion, Extraversion – Introversion, signifies the source and direction of a person’s energy expression. An extravert’s source and direction of energy expression is mainly in the external world, while an introvert has a source of energy mainly in their own internal world.
The second criterion, Sensing – Intuition, represents the method by which someone perceives information. Sensing means that a person mainly believes information he or she receives directly from the external world. Intuition means that a person believes mainly information he or she receives from the internal or imaginative world.
The third criterion, Thinking – Feeling, represents how a person processes information. Thinking means that a person makes a decision mainly through logic. Feeling means that, as a rule, he or she makes a decision based on emotion, i.e. based on what they feel they should do.
The fourth criterion, Judging – Perceiving, reflects how a person implements the information he or she has processed. Judging means that a person organizes all of his life events and, as a rule, sticks to his plans. Perceiving means that he or she is inclined to improvise and explore alternative options.
Interpretation: The Basic 8 Personality Types
- Extraverted Thinking
- Introverted Thinking
- Extraverted Feeling
- Introverted Feeling
- Extraverted Sensation
- Introverted Sensation
- Extraverted Intuition
- Introverted Intuition
Extraverted and Introverted Thinking
Extraverted Thinking
Extraverted Thinkers build their thinking upon ideas gleaned from education or tradition. This personality tends to do well in engineering, science or business. In our society, this type is most widely validated because ET’s utilize objective data and produce tangible results.
Often seen in leadership positions, ET’s adhere to a personal formulaic approach. If circumstances fall within their formula, it can only be right. Anything outside of it is quickly dismissed. They can be great reformers when they maintain a level of flexibility. When an ET is too uncompromising in their formula, Jung says they can “develop into a grumbler, a self-righteous critic, who would like to impress both himself and others into one schema.”
Introverted Thinking
Sometimes labeled as headstrong, IT’s often find themselves misunderstood when they attempt to get a point across. While they internally struggle to communicate their thoughts, they also may come off as haughty. They may be overcome with what we call today, analysis paralysis.
Though wonderful learners, teaching can be difficult for an IT personality. They would be more interested in understanding the subject matter than presenting it.
Extraverted and Introverted Feeling
Extraverted Feeling
EF’s are likely to express their feelings in traditional ways proper to the situation or experience on hand. EF’s are affable and accommodating people. According to Jung, when an EF inauthentically deviates from their genuine interest for social harmony, they’ll appear to be assuming an affectation or a false pose. Jung says, “No longer does it speak to the heart; it merely appeals to the senses, or –worse still— to the reason.”
Introverted Feeling
In the case of an IF personality type, Jung characterizes them by the proverb, “Still waters run deep.” IF types can be quiet and difficult to know. They resemble the sensitive mimosa plant. The leaves of these plants shy away from touch or change to their environment.
The IF type shares similarities with the IT personality—though it can be argued that IT personalities have an advantage with communication. Their thoughts already exist in a reasoned format, whereas an IF must translate the internal sum of their ideas into something the listener would both understand and feel. Jung believes they’re always “striving after an abstraction of abstractions.”
Extraverted and Introverted Sensing
Extraverted Sensing
ES personality types value intense realism. Their perceptive functions are free from personal subjective feelings or experiences. They attribute value according to the strength of their sensations of reality. According to Jung, ES personalities usually enjoy themselves and can be very charming people. Jung describes them as well dressed with a “a good table for his friends.” To an ES, reality is the ideal.
Jung shows us the effect introversion has on our sensing function with landscape painters. Artists with the IS personality type, given the same landscape and ability, would attempt to reproduce the setting faithfully. However, their work would certainly differ in color and form. It would inevitably be influenced by their moods and experiences at an unconscious level. IS personalities also tend to weave their current expressions with everything that once was and everything that could be.
Introverted Sensing
The IS type can also be hard to read and are notoriously difficult to judge. This personality type doesn’t give much away on the outside. They can be great teachers while they share culture with others. IS types seem to exude the gift of inner understanding without simply recounting or relying on traditional methods or canons.
Extraverted and Introverted Intuiting
Extraverted Intuiting
Since intuition is usually a function of the unconscious, it’s challenging to exactly pinpoint. Jung describes the EN type as having an “attitude of expectation.” The EN personality is always on the lookout for new experiences and change, even if it’s to take apart what was only just built. They’re continually on the lookout for new possibilities to satisfy their intuition.
EN’s are often very inspirational people and have a great capacity to learn about other’s abilities and enthusiastically direct them. The risk to an EN is that they may not live the life they prescribe to others. An EN is apt to quit their “newly planted field, while others reap the harvest.”
Introverted Intuiting
Finally, IN personality types flow from “image to image, chasing after every possibility in the teeming womb of the unconscious, without establishing any connection between the phenomenon and himself.” This resonates with me. As an IN type, I conjure vivid, detailed scenes and change minor details. It’s like tugging at a thread in a tapestry just to see its effect.
According to Jung, if we’re artists, we can share the full spectrum of the “extraordinary, remote things.” Or if we do not find adequate expression, we’re “frequently an unappreciated genius.” As dreamers, we can be impulsive.
Interpretation: The 16 Personality Types
All possible permutations of preferences in the 4 dichotomies above yield 16 different combinations, or personality types, representing which of the two poles in each of the four dichotomies dominates in a person, thus defining 16 different personality types. Each personality type can be assigned a 4 letter acronym of the corresponding combination of preferences.
The Inspector – ISTJ Personality
At first glance, ISTJs are intimidating. They appear serious, formal, and proper. They also love traditions and old-school values that uphold patience, hard work, honor, and social and cultural responsibility. They are reserved, calm, quiet, and upright. These traits result from the combination of I, S, T, and J, a personality type that is often misunderstood.
The Counselor – INFJ Personality
INFJs are visionaries and idealists who ooze creative imagination and brilliant ideas. They have a different, and usually more profound, way of looking at the world. They have a substance and depth in the way they think, never taking anything at surface level or accepting things the way they are. Others may sometimes perceive them as weird or amusing because of their different outlook on life.
The Mastermind – INTJ Personality
INTJs, as introverts, are quiet, reserved, and comfortable being alone. They are usually self-sufficient and would rather work alone than in a group. Socializing drains an introvert’s energy, causing them to need to recharge. INTJs are interested in ideas and theories. When observing the world they are always questioning why things happen the way they do. They excel at developing plans and strategies, and don’t like uncertainty.
The Giver – ENFJ Personality
ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They are extroverted, idealistic, charismatic, outspoken, highly principled and ethical, and usually know how to connect with others no matter their background or personality. Mainly relying on intuition and feelings, they tend to live in their imagination rather than in the real world. Instead of focusing on living in the “now” and what is currently happening, ENFJs tend to concentrate on the abstract and what could possibly happen in the future.
The Craftsman – ISTP Personality
ISTPs are mysterious people who are usually very rational and logical, but also quite spontaneous and enthusiastic. Their personality traits are less easily recognizable than those of other types, and even people who know them well can’t always anticipate their reactions. Deep down, ISTPs are spontaneous, unpredictable individuals, but they hide those traits from the outside world, often very successfully.
The Provider – ESFJ Personality
ESFJs are the stereotypical extroverts. They are social butterflies, and their need to interact with others and make people happy usually ends up making them popular. The ESFJ usually tends to be the cheerleader or sports hero in high school and college. Later on in life, they continue to revel in the spotlight, and are primarily focused on organizing social events for their families, friends and communities. ESFJ is a common personality type and one that is liked by many people.
The Idealist – INFP Personality
INFPs, like most introverts, are quiet and reserved. They prefer not to talk about themselves, especially in the first encounter with a new person. They like spending time alone in quiet places where they can make sense of what is happening around them. They love analyzing signs and symbols, and consider them to be metaphors that have deeper meanings related to life. They are lost in their imagination and daydreams, always drowned in the depth of their thoughts, fantasies, and ideas.
The Performer – ESFP Personality
ESFPs have an Extraverted, Observant, Feeling and Perceiving personality, and are commonly seen as Entertainers. Born to be in front of others and to capture the stage, ESFPs love the spotlight. ESFPs are thoughtful explorers who love learning and sharing what they learn with others. ESFPs are “people people” with strong interpersonal skills. They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the center of attention. They are warm, generous, and friendly, sympathetic and concerned for other people’s well-being.
The Champion – ENFP Personality
ENFPs have an Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving personality. This personality type is highly individualistic and Champions strive toward creating their own methods, looks, actions, habits, and ideas — they do not like cookie cutter people and hate when they are forced to live inside a box. They like to be around other people and have a strong intuitive nature when it comes to themselves and others. They operate from their feelings most of the time, and they are highly perceptive and thoughtful.
The Doer – ESTP Personality
ESTPs have an Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceptive personality. ESTPs are governed by the need for social interaction, feelings and emotions, logical processes and reasoning, along with a need for freedom. Theory and abstracts don’t keep ESTP’s interested for long. ESTPs leap before they look, fixing their mistakes as they go, rather than sitting idle or preparing contingency plans.
The Supervisor – ESTJ Personality
ESTJs are organized, honest, dedicated, dignified, traditional, and are great believers of doing what they believe is right and socially acceptable. Though the paths towards “good” and “right” are difficult, they are glad to take their place as the leaders of the pack. They are the epitome of good citizenry. People look to ESTJs for guidance and counsel, and ESTJs are always happy that they are approached for help.
ESTJs often find themselves in occupations that require thorough analysis, practical planning and organizational skills, process control and responsibility. ESTJs make good mid- and high-rank managers and executives. They succeed as military and police workers, politicians, engineers and entrepreneurs. They are found in technology companies among those who deal with practical aspects of technology (e.g. implementation specialists). The ESTJ is outspoken, a person of principles, which are readily expressed. The ESTJ is not afraid to stand up for what he or she believes is right even in the face of overwhelming odds. ESTJs are able to make the tough calls.
Occupations attracting ESTJs include teaching, coaching, banking, political office, and management at all levels.
The Commander – ENTJ Personality
An ENTJ’s primary mode of living focuses on external aspects and all things are dealt with rationally and logically. Their secondary mode of operation is internal, where intuition and reasoning take effect. ENTJs are natural born leaders among the 16 personality types and like being in charge. They live in a world of possibilities and they often see challenges and obstacles as great opportunities to push themselves. They seem to have a natural gift for leadership, making decisions, and considering options and ideas quickly yet carefully. They are “take charge” people who do not like to sit still.
The Thinker – INTP Personality
INTPs are well known for their brilliant theories and unrelenting logic, which makes sense since they are arguably the most logical minded of all the personality types. They love patterns, have a keen eye for picking up on discrepancies, and a good ability to read people, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP. People of this personality type aren’t interested in practical, day-to-day activities and maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution.
The Nurturer – ISFJ Personality
ISFJs are philanthropists and they are always ready to give back and return generosity with even more generosity. The people and things they believe in will be upheld and supported with enthusiasm and unselfishness. ISFJs are warm and kind-hearted. They value harmony and cooperation, and are likely to be very sensitive to other people’s feelings. People value the ISFJ for their consideration and awareness, and their ability to bring out the best in others.
The Visionary – ENTP Personality
Those with the ENTP personality are some of the rarest in the world, which is completely understandable. Although they are extroverts, they don’t enjoy small talk and may not thrive in many social situations, especially those that involve people who are too different from the ENTP. ENTPs are intelligent and knowledgeable need to be constantly mentally stimulated. They have the ability to discuss theories and facts in extensive detail. They are logical, rational, and objective in their approach to information and arguments.
The Composer – ISFP Personality
ISFPs are introverts that do not seem like introverts. It is because even if they have difficulties connecting to other people at first, they become warm, approachable, and friendly eventually. They are fun to be with and very spontaneous, which makes them the perfect friend to tag along in whatever activity, regardless if planned or unplanned. ISFPs want to live their life to the fullest and embrace the present, so they make sure they are always out to explore new things and discover new experiences. It is in experience that they find wisdom, so they do see more value in meeting new people than other introverts.
For the original book on the theory of Psychological Types written by Carl Jung (1921) you can read here.