The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Derived from personality theories developed by Carl Jung, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (commonly abbreviated as MBTI) uses four guiding factors to categorize people into sixteen types, based on how they process and interact with the world around them. Although it uses the words introverted and extraverted, the terminology can be somewhat misleading, since this typology system actually doesn't measure the social energy levels of a person. Likewise, the P for Perceiving and the J for Judging don't directly affect how organized an individual is; instead, they point to which set of functions the individual prefers to use. Basically, the first and fourth letters in a person's type acronym assist in the interpretation of the middle two letters. Confused? Don't worry—we will be exploring some aspects of this nuanced typology system together.

If you are unsure what your Myers-Briggs type is, you can take a quiz made by yours truly through this site. Click here to take the quiz.

The Sixteen Types

Here is provided a summary of each of the 16 personality types, as defined by MBTI. While it seemed appropriate to put this information at the top, the details and nuance of the individual types with their unique functions will become a lot clearer to you if you understand the concepts discussed in the next three sections. Therefore, if you are relatively new to MBTI, I highly recommend checking out the other sections first and coming back to this one.

1. ESFJ: the Hostess

   Function Stack: Fe | Si | Ne | Ti
   ESFJs generally have a very active social life and are masters at influencing those within their social sphere. Stereotypically, they often play the role of Queen Bee, and enjoy organizing parties, socializing at a potluck, and taking care to make sure others are enjoying themselves too. Regina George from the film Mean Girls is an ESFJ, as is Snow White from the 1937 Disney classic. Both are keenly aware of the social environment around them and seek to influence it to their liking (for better or for worse). When Snow White becomes aquainted with the dwarves, she steps right up to the task of cleaning up their home and organizing their lives for their good and ease of mind, though they don't appreciate her intrusion at first. Generally, the ESFJ is not so much concerned with improving the social norm as they are with maintaining it to their particular standards.

2. ISFJ: the Caretaker

   Function Stack: Si | Fe | Ti | Ne
   ISFJs are often thought of as the perfect sidekick. They are loyal to their people, sometimes to a fault, and take great care to maintain a safe, positive environment for themselves and those around them. Like ESFJs, their emphasis is usually on maintenance, not improvement. However, unlike their extraverted counterparts, ISFJs generally don't look to influence the social environment directly; they tend to work from behind the scenes, from the kitchen or socializing in small groups at a time. Samwise Gamgee from J. R. R. Tolkien's epic series The Lord of the Rings is a perfect example of an ISFJ. He is totally faithful to his friend Frodo, and does everything in his power to make his burden easier to bear; he also strongly dislikes Gollum for his grubby, sneaky, sometimes abrasive mannerisms and sees him as a threat to Frodo's well-being. Another good example of an ISFJ is Wendy Darling from the 1953 Disney film Peter Pan.

3. ESTJ: the Manager

   Function Stack: Te | Si | Ne | Fi
   ESTJs are very business-oriented and do not like wasting time. They are quick decision-makers and excel at organizing their time and getting things done. Sokka from the animated show Avatar: the Last Airbender, is a prime example of an ESTJ in action. He has quick reflexes, is clever, and often has a very set way he likes to do things. Another great example of an ESTJ is Hermoine Granger from J. K. Rowling's popular book series, Harry Potter. Hermoine is very driven to do well academically, and while she has something of a know-it-all attitude, it is for grounded reasons, since she is quite often right on the subject. ESTJs are good at taking charge in a work or school project; while they might not delegate as well as an Fe user would, they will make sure everything gets done in a satisfactory manner well before the deadline hits.

4. ISTJ: the Librarian

   Function Stack: Si | Te | Fi | Ne
   ISTJs value details and are known for being meticulous and a bit rigid in their routines. They are sensible and value a good work ethic, but they tend to focus more on doing things 'the right way' rather than focusing on efficiency, which is what differentiates them from their extraverted counterparts. Old Carl Fredricksen from the Pixar film Up exemplifies this type well. He is most comfortable when he has a set routine to follow, and he has a particular place or process for everything within his jurisdiction. Another great example of an ISTJ is Cogsworth from the 1991 Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. He oversees the household with great care to detail, and gets upset when Lumiere acts impulsively without following protocol. ISTJs are sometimes labeled by the MBTI community as the backbone of society; they are often the ones behind the scenes making sure everything is done properly and with excellence.

5. ENFJ: the Therapist

   Function Stack: Fe | Ni | Se | Ti
   ENFJs are experts at influencing their social environment, and unlike the ESFJs, their focus tends to be more future-oriented, with an emphasis on improvement and growth. They strive to better themselves and those around them for the good of the group. Sometimes this mindset can backfire, as it does with Jane Austin's character Emma. Emma wants to find the perfect match for her friend, but she assumes that she knows what her friend wants and needs when in fact she does not. Joy from the Pixar film Inside Out has a similar character arc, and is also a good example of an ENFJ. Joy is in tune with Riley's thoughts, but doesn't realize until the end of the film that the methods she was using to fix her were actually ineffective. Once she switched gears and let go of some of her control, she was able to help those around her grow in their understanding of themselves and respect for each other, which was what Riley needed.

6. INFJ: the Champion

   Function Stack: Ni | Fe | Ti | Se
   INFJs are one of the rarer types within the Myers-Briggs typology system, though some of the free quizzes disproportionately assign this type to people. They are also commonly stereotyped as therapists, because like their extroverted counterparts, they like to influence their social environments with a future ideal in mind. Unlike ENFJs, their focus is more on the future ideal; the means which they employ to reach that ideal is to build and influence the community they are surrounded by. Princess Zelda from the Nintendo game series The Legend of Zelda is a great example of an INFJ. She has a vision for the future of Hyrule and how to deal with its current issues, but she doesn't get directly involved in fixing the problem herself. She employs her hero, Link, whom she builds up, equips, and encourages, all to achieve her goal, which is peace for Hyrule. She uses others, though not necessarily in a malicious way; she champions those who will aid her in achieving her goal. Master Oogway from Dreamwork's Kung Fu Panda is another excellent example. He does not directly confront Tai Lung, but employs his students and prepares them to face him.

7. ENTJ: the Entrepeneur

   Function Stack: Te | Ni | Se | Fi
   ENTJs sometimes put people off with their relentless ambition. However, this is one of their greatest strengths. ENTJs love action, and are tireless in striving toward their goal. They regard the present in light of the future, which shows in the fact that they seldom waste time on things that will not benefit them in the long run. While ESTJs are effective, ENTJs are efficient. Azula from Avatar: the Last Airbender is the perfect example of an ENTJ, albeit an evil one. She is very ambitious, assertive to her peers, and keeps the future in perspective when she makes decisions. A less evil example of this personality type is Princess Leia from the classic film trilogy Star Wars. She shares many of these same traits with Azula, but the future she has in mind benefits others and not just herself. She is sometimes harsh towards her peers and commanders, but this is because she expects great things from them.

8. INTJ: the Visionary

   Function Stack: Ni | Te | Fi | Se
   INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented. While ENTJs are more focused on the execution of the task or goal, INTJs are more focused on the goal itself and perfecting the goal and the process. Sherlock Holmes is a perfect example of an INTJ at work. He is singularly focused on his goal of cracking the case, but he does not rush in and track down the culprit immediately. First, he gathers information, cross-references it with other evidence he has collected, and conducts experiments to understand the situation better. He is in no rush, and when the time is right he is able to strike decisively and solve his case, because he has perfected his knowledge of his subject and prepared intensively for the final moment. Scar from Disney's The Lion King is another excellent INTJ specimen. His plan to take over the savanna is not put into action until he finishes concocting a plan and deals a decisive final strike to the existing authority figure. INTJs, for better or for worse, are ambition exemplified.

9. ESFP: the Socialite

   Function Stack: Se | Fi | Te | Ni
   INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

10. ISFP: the Artist

    Function Stack: Fi | Se | Ni | Te
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

11. ESTP: the Adrenaline Junkie

    Function Stack: Se | Ti | Fe | Ni
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

12. ISTP: the Handiman

    Function Stack: Ti | Se | Ni | Fe
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

13. ENFP: No, It's not ADHD

    Function Stack: Ne | Fi | Te | Si
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

14. INFP: the Dreamer

    Function Stack: Fi | Ne | Si | Te
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

15. ENTP: the Mad Scientist

    Function Stack: Ne | Ti | Fe | Si
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

16. INTP: the Absent-minded Professor

    Function Stack: Ti | Ne | Si | Fe
    INTJs, like ENTJs, are goal-driven and future-oriented.

The Eight Cognitive Functions

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Common Misconceptions About MBTI

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