Love and Relationships

You typically appreciate the rewards that come from serious connections much more than those derived from casual dating or non-intimate socializing as a couple. In love, you're seeking your soulmate. You're apt to want the kind of partner who is willing to be, in Rilke's words, "a guardian of your solitude." Your own vision of life is clear and complex, and you assume that your mate is, or wants to be, similarly centered. That's not to suggest you're looking for a self-centered mate. Quite the opposite is true.

However, like all types, at times you're apt to be drawn to the very qualities in others that you feel you lack yourself. As a result, types who are more happy-go-lucky can be very attractive to you. Chances are, you admire that they seem free from the inner complexity that is both a blessing and a curse for you. During the early stages of relationships, the differences between you and your mate are likely to be especially endearing and fun.

Your Compatibility with Other Temperaments

Idealist (NF)/Artisan (SP): Idealist/Artisan pairings are likely to be imaginative romps, marked by freedom, spontaneity, and sensual pleasures. However, these couples don't always see eye to eye as Idealists are typically focused on self-realization while Artisans have little patience for exploring their inner lives.

Idealist (NF)/Guardian (SJ): Idealist/Guardian pairings can be true-blue partnerships focused on comfort, stability, and mutual dependability. Also, because Guardians and Idealists are usually law-abiding types who believe in following the rules, they can make a good match. Problems may arise at times because Idealists' morals and values tend to waver more than their Guardian mates'.

Idealist (NF)/Idealist (NF): Idealist/Idealist pairings can be result in deep and meaningful love because Idealists often find tremendous satisfaction in sharing each other's inner world and exploring their mutual personal development. In essence, each partner helps the other along the road to self-knowledge. However, if the couple is too much alike the relationship risks becoming narrowly focused or even boring.

Idealist (NF)/Rational (NT): Idealist/Rational pairings can be highly satisfying relationships based on exploring the world of ideas. Imagining possibilities - whether romantic or pragmatic -- and creating dreams for the future can represent the epitome of quality time for this pair. However, conflicts can occur if either partner's closely held ideals don't match those of the other.

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Famous Counselors

Did you know that Mohandas Gandhi and Eleanor Roosevelt were both INFJs too? It's not so surprising when you think about it. As an activist and lawyer during the early 20th century, Gandhi worked to assure India's independence from Great Britain and to resolve conflicts between the Hindu and Muslim factions in his country. His remaining legacy is equally appropriate for a Counselor, as Gandhi is known for embodying teachings of nonviolence. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt showed herself to be a natural Counselor as well. She went on vast lecture tours, traveling more than any first lady before her. During her time, she chaired the United Nation's human rights commission and lived by her motto that, "It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

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What Each Letter Means

The pair of letters are E-I, S-N, T-F, and J-P. No single letter should be taken as naming a type of person. For example, there are no "Extraverts" or "Thinkers," as such. A personality is a complex union of traits. These letters merely suggest stronger or weaker tendencies in a person's overall makeup. The pairs of letters stand for the following qualities:

The terms Extraversion (E) and Introversion (I) describe two vastly different social styles. People who score high in Extraversion on the Temperament Sorter tend to be gregarious and expressive; those scoring high on Introversion tend to be private and reserved.

People strong in Extraversion are typically more comfortable socializing with groups than being alone. They often report that they're energized by contact with other people. These individuals usually have a large circle of friends and are happy to approach others, even strangers, to talk. For people high in Extraversion, social banter is usually an easy and pleasant thing. Interaction is something that makes them feel alive. As a result, too much quiet and seclusion can actually exhaust such persons. They tend to report feelings of loneliness or power drain when not in contact with others.

On the other hand, people prone to Introversion often seem more comfortable alone than in a crowd. They tend to draw energy from private, solitary activities, including reading, listening to music, and working by themselves on their latest project or favorite hobby. Introverts usually have a few, long-time friends, and can remain in contact with larger groups only so long before their energies are depleted. If their job, family, or social responsibilities require them to be outgoing or take center stage, they can soon become exhausted and need down time in quiet places to rest and recharge their batteries.

Remember, however, that no one is simply an "Extravert" or an "Introvert." These terms are merely end points on the E-I scale, with most everyone falling somewhere in between. Most individuals embody a mixture of these two social styles. Also, different tasks or roles at work or in the family can bring out more Extraversion or Introversion in a person. This dimension of personality, more than the other three, is fluid and situational.

The Sensory/Intuitive (S-N) scale on the Temperament Sorter differentiates between two distinct kinds of human focus. People with high Sensory scores pay more attention to what is going on outside themselves in the world of concrete things; people with high Intuitive scores pay more attention to what is going on inside themselves in the abstract world of ideas.

Sensory people make up the vast majority of the population -- upwards of 85%. These people seem more at home in the material world, where they spend their time looking after the business of everyday living: food and clothing, transportation and shelter, job and family, recreation and social life. With their eye on physical realities, they tend to see all the particulars of what is right in front of them. They typically focus on what's happening in the here-and-now, or what has happened in the past, rather than speculating about future possibilities. These are practical, down-to-earth people who want facts, trust facts, and remember facts. They believe in common sense and usually trust that experience is the best teacher.

In contrast, people who are strongly Intuitive seem more at home in the abstract, conceptual world of ideas. Intuitive types deal in inferences, theories, daydreams, musings, speculations, and symbols -- things that can only be seen with the mind's eye. In fact, because they're so often focused on their internal world, these individuals can sometimes miss a great deal of what's going on around them. For highly Intuitive people, reality is not a solid, present thing, but is more a mental image or a stage of development toward some future ideal. The possible almost always looms large for Intuitive people: whatever "is" can be better. They can be fascinated by hypotheses and potentials. They are also often absorbed by their vivid and complex imaginations. The S-N scale measures the most fundamental of the four dimensions of personality. It's the first cut, so to speak, in evaluating one's type.

However, this delineation doesn't mean that being Intuitive or Sensory is an "either-or" proposition. Intuitive individuals certainly turn outward at times and pay attention to the world at large; they're just far more inclined to become preoccupied with their own ideas. So too, Sensory people do sometimes look inward to ponder and to dream. However, for the most part their flights of imagination lag well behind their real-world observations. Neither type can occupy both worlds at once, and each will usually show a clear preference for one over the other.

The Thinking/Feeling (T-F) scale assesses how people govern themselves and make decisions. Everyone has both thoughts and feelings. However those who score high on Thinking tend to use their head more when making choices, while those scoring high on Feeling tend to follow their hearts.

People falling on the Thinking end of the scale tend to be more comfortable basing their actions on impersonal, objective factors. Thinking people can be critical and exacting, both with themselves and others. They're often convinced only by hard data and sound reasoning. Individuals who scored highly in Thinking tend to be frank and straightforward. They are the kind of people who are usually willing to speak their minds and stick to their guns, even if it causes conflict with others. They're known for being tough-minded in their decisions, preferring to keep emotions and desires out of the process as much as possible. Thinking types do have powerful feelings, but a strong show of emotion can embarrasses them. As a result, they'll usually keep their feelings in check rather than appearing to lose self-control, even at the risk of seeming hard-nosed or cold.

In contrast, people on the Feeling end of the scale are typically more comfortable basing their actions on personal, emotional factors. When considering their course, this type will consult their feelings first and will almost always show concern for others. For the most part, these individuals are sympathetic and sentimental. As a result, many times they can be swayed by powerful desire or a touching appeal. Feeling people tend to be softhearted when making decisions. They don't like to hurt anyone's feelings. It's not that Feeling individuals necessarily have more or deeper emotions than those on the Thinking end of the scale. They simply let their feelings show more easily. This tendency makes them seem warmer and friendlier, which in turn can give them an easier time getting along with others.

The Judgment/Perception (J-P) scale measures how people process information and arrange their lives. Those who score high on Judgment tend to make up their mind quickly and commit to schedules, while those scoring high on Perception prefer to keep their options open and their timetables flexible.

People strong in Judgment waste no time forming opinions or drawing conclusions. They often report feeling a sense of urgency until a decision is made, and can rest only after everything is settled. Closure and finality are important to these individuals, as is orderly procedure. As a result, they can be quick to make schedules, agendas, or timetables for themselves and others to follow. People strong in Judgment will establish deadlines and take them seriously, expecting others will do the same. They're usually comfortable with routines and can be willing to do all sorts of maintenance and cleaning up after a task, feeling that these are necessary steps for a job's completion. For this type, neatness counts. They usually feel unhappy or unsettled when their personal space is a mess. Straightening things up is often near the top of their list.

For their part, people given to Perception keep their eyes open to what's around them, gathering information and looking for opportunities and alternatives that might be available. They usually feel no hurry to nail things down or settle on a finished product. Instead, they tend to prefer exploring possibilities. These individuals are often playful and spontaneous in action. Schedules can make them feel hurried and over-controlled; they tend to look upon deadlines as mere reminders to get on with the job. Also, People high in Perception prefer their work to be enjoyable and meaningful. If a task of routine maintenance or clean up falls to them, they may balk at doing it, or may leave it to someone else. Easy-going, even somewhat impulsive, these people are usually quite tolerant of mess. Their personal spaces are often cluttered with an assortment of things they've picked up, used, then dropped and forgotten about.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is temperament?

There are two sides to personality: One is temperament and the other is character. Temperament is a set of inclinations we are born with, while character is a set of habits we acquire as we grow and mature. Character is disposition, developed over a lifetime; temperament is predisposition, hardwired in from birth. Thus, those of the Artisan temperament are predisposed to impulsive action, those of the Guardian temperament to responsible service, those of the Idealist temperament to personal development, and those of the Rational temperament to objective analysis. Each type of person, unless blocked or deflected by an unfavorable environment, will develop the habits of character appropriate to his or her temperament.

Put another way, our brain is a sort of computer that has temperament for its hardware and character for its software. Our hardware is the physical base of our personality, placing on each of us an unmistakable temperament signature, some facets of which can be observed from a very early age. Our software on the other hand, is made up of our individual experience and social environment -- the forces around us that, with time and occasion, give shape to our individual character.

Thus temperament is the inborn form of human nature and character is the emergent form that develops through the interaction of temperament and environment. Personality, your unique personal style, is a combination of the two.

How can the Temperament Sorter help me?

Fundamentally, the Temperament Sorter helps you to do two things: Understand your own temperament, and gain insight to other peoples'. Possessing this valuable knowledge of human nature can have a variety of far-reaching effects on your life.

In the work world, being savvy about your temperament can lead you to a clearer understanding of your natural role and functions within an organization. It can also help you better capitalize on your personal strengths to build your success. By comprehending your coworkers' temperaments and how each temperament relates, you can begin to master your interactions with supervisors and staff. In addition, being able to interpret others' innate styles can help you to meet their implicit expectations, as well as increasing your own leadership abilities.

In your personal life, being knowledgeable about temperament can help you build strong, lasting ties with others. This is true because it aids you in anticipating your loved ones' needs and respecting their different ways of dealing with life. When you are responsive to others, you will naturally be looked upon as dependable, responsible, helpful, and empathetic. These are all wonderful qualities to bring to your personal relationships. In addition, coming to terms with your own temperament and innate tendencies can bring new levels of wisdom and self-knowledge to all of your interactions, as well as identifying how your particular temperament impacts and influences others.

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