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The Myers Briggs personality assessment consists out of four factors that make up continuums between preferences. Therefore, in each continuum you’re somewhere on a scale between two preferences. Let’s look at the continuums.

So, to assess your type you have to figure out whether you’re more of an introvert or an extrovert, more intuitive or more sensing and so on. Therefore, you could end up with, for example: more Extrovert, more iNtuition, more Feeling, more Judging and that would mean that you’re an ENFJ.

So, let’s look into the symptoms of all these different factors, remember that I describe the more extreme versions of the following preferences. You and the people you’re going to read are probably somewhere in between those extremes.

Introversion (I) versus Extroversion (E)
The difference is that introverts live in an inner world and extroverts in an outer world. Extroverts get energy from socializing and introverts get energy from being alone. The best way to see this difference is that Extroverts seek more social contact and are far more open about themselves. They usually have many friends; bring a lot of energy into conversations and stay in touch with many people. Introverts, on the other hand, may have no problem with no social contact for days and may not even notice that they haven’t had social contact for some time. They like to be around others, but they don’t need much of it. Social contact for them is like a hobby, you like to do it but sometimes your mind is just somewhere else, or you are tired.  Extroverts on the other hand, sometimes can’t even spend a few hours without wanting to contact someone. In a good and balanced friendship between an introvert and an extrovert, it’s not unlikely that the extrovert starts the contact 9 out of 10 times, and this isn’t because the introvert doesn’t care, he or she just hasn’t got the thing inside that says let’s socialize.

You may confuse an introvert for an extrovert because:
In our western culture, it’s socially expected that people are extroverts. Being an introvert is seen as strange and many parents even push children to show more extravert behavior. This can result in introverts acting as extroverts to get more social acceptance.

You may confuse an extravert for an introvert because:
Some extraverts are shy or insecure. They have bad experience with making social contact and are scared of social rejection. Therefore, they act like introverts to avoid social rejection.

Introverts:

• Usually have a few close friends and maybe one group of friends organized by extroverts.
• They like spending time alone.
• Don’t talk a lot unless it’s about a topic they are interested in.
• Private
• Talk slower

Extroverts

• Usually have a lot of friends on a lot of different places.
• Public
• Have a lot of energy in a conversation (talk fast).
• Easily distracted
• They need social contact.
• Talk a lot

Rough estimation of the distribution over the population:
Males:  40% introvert and 60% extravert
Females:  30% introvert and 70% extravert

Intuition (N) versus Sensing (S)
This is the most important factor of the Myers Briggs personality assessment, yet it’s also the one that is most difficult to spot because it works unconsciously.

In the Myers Briggs personality theory, this is about the way we perceive the world, how we take in information. The theory is that intuitive people look at things more abstract, they are able to simplify things into models or universal theories. Sensors are more practical, down to earth and action orientated. They like to do things, while intuitives like to think about things. Sensors see trees together while an intuitive sees a forest. Intuitives are way more likely to be interested in the Myers Briggs personality assessment and other more intellectual topics. Sensors are usually better with their hands; they are able to fix things and are extremely practical. Intuitives usually do better at universities and have more talent to get through the schooling system.

Intuitives have a future orientation they look ahead and are likely to try completely new ideas or different approaches. Sensors are more present and are usually not really good at seeing how things are going to play out towards the future. Sensors are also more aware of things around them including their own body. Intuitives are more likely to be clumsy, bump into things and often have more trouble learning to drive a car. Another difference is that intuitives are more likely to like more intellectual humor and they often really dislike slapstick humor.

Intuitives:

• Abstract, look at the big picture.
• Idea/future orientated.
• More likely to have graduate degrees.
• Make leaps in thoughts.
• Like to use metaphors in their language.
• They can be unrealistic

Sensors

• Like all the small facts and details.
• Action orientated, they live in the moment and are realistic.
• Less likely to have graduate degrees.
• They have clear straight forward thought pattern.
• Use language as a tool.

Rough estimation of the distribution over the population:
I believe about 75% of the population is sensor and about 25% is intuitive. There is no difference between males and females in this one.

Thinker (T) versus Feeler (F)
In the Myers Briggs personality theory, this describes the way we judge information, so it´s about the way we make decisions. The main theory is that feelers accept from themselves that they make decisions based on emotions. A thinker will always need a logical argument to back up a decision, even though they are often blinded by emotions they will always tell themselves a logical reason for a decision, even if it´s an excuse. Feelers are tender, sensitive and feel way more empathy. Thinkers are a little cold, when somebody starts telling them about an emotional problem they will give you a logical solution. While when you tell an emotional problem to a feeler they will try to understand how you are feeling.

Feelers often try to avoid conflict at any costs while thinkers sometimes don´t even notice that they are getting into conflict with their tactless social skills. Some thinkers start to notice the importance of emotions and might train themselves to behave like a feeler, because they know that brings them social success; especially ENTPs are very likely to do this. In this case you have to look really careful at their actual decisions and forget about the tactful niceties around them. Another thing what no feeler would do is argue about something serious for fun, when you see somebody do that you know it´s very likely that they are a thinker.

There is a difference between NTs and STs. NTs often reach a level of extreme logic and will always try to live by abstract logical principles. STs may lose sight of those principles at times and are more likely to let loose of their emotions. Something similarly happens with NFs and SFs. NFs have a better view of their values and how they apply on everything. Therefore, they are more likely to judge by emotions than SFs.

Thinkers

• They make decisions objectively.
• They may seem insensitive.
• Don´t know when they are hurting feelings.
• They may like to argue for fun (especially NTs).
• Thick skinned
• Only rarely call people by their names.

Feelers

• They make decisions less objectively.
• Thin skinned.
• Usually warm, gentle and diplomatic.
• Usually call people by their names.
• Avoid arguments and conflict.
• Sensitive and more easily insulted.

Confusing
Most men are thinkers and most women are feelers. This makes it hard to spot a female thinker or a male feeler because many thinking traits are seen as masculine and many feeling traits are seen as feminine. So, especially male feelers are likely to try to behave more like thinkers.

Rough estimation of the distribution over the population:
Males: 70% thinker and 30% feeler
Females:  30% thinker and 70% feeler

Perceiver (P) versus Judger (J)
In the Myers Briggs personality assessment theory, this last factor is about whether we prefer to judge or to perceive. Therefore, it´s about which of the last factors (Intuitive/Sensing or Thinking/Feeling) we focus on. The main difference is that judgers are trying to structure the world around them, they have everything planned, and they proceed according to a plan. Perceivers on the other hand, are more like free spirits who can adapt to any situation. They have a hard time to commit to anything and to make decisions in general. Judgers will finish what they have started but aren´t good at starting things. Perceivers on the other hand, often get new ideas but have a hard time actually finishing them, because before they can finish an idea they have gotten a new one. Judgers are neat, organized and exactly on time. Perceivers don´t care about time and when they are on time it´s usually because some judger is somehow forcing them.  

NPs and SPs perceive quite different. SPs aren´t really looking at the big picture and therefore they are way worse at forcing themselves to finish at least important things. NPs on the other hand, may start a lot, but they usually follow through on the important things. This is why smart SP people are often leaving school early while NP people have fewer problems in this area. In other words, NPs perceiving is seen in fewer parts of their life.

There is also a difference between SJs and NJs. SJs are always busy organizing details, while NJs have a more global view and therefore, won´t organize things they don´t see as important. So the NJs judging is seen in fewer parts of their life.

Perceivers

• Casual and unconventional
• Free spirits, they are good at adapting to situations.
• Starters who start way more than they finish.
• Either don´t care about their dress or dress in a creative way.
• They don´t try to control everything.
• They may have procrastination habits.
• They may have trouble being on time.

Judgers

• Traditional and formal
• They like to organize everything and are neat.
• They finish what they start.
• They are usually dressed well (especially SJs)
• They love to be in control.
• They are usually on time.

Confusing
In companies and organizations, it´s expected that people are judgers. Time is important, being dressed well is important and being neat and organized is important. Therefore, many perceivers are likely to behave like this in these types of settings. However, in their private life they will still behave like perceivers.

Rough estimation of the distribution over the population:
Males: 55% Judger and 45% perceiver
Females:  60% judger and 40% perceiver

Finish the Myers Briggs personality assessment:
Now you should have made 4 decisions, so you should have either an E or an I, a N or a S, a F or a T and a P or a J. Put those 4 letters together, and you have a first estimation of the type. You should from there on test this estimation by reading the type description. When it´s wrong change the letter you´re least certain about and read that type description. Like that it´s a puzzle to find your type.