Using the Keirsey Temperament Sorter I discovered that my personality type is INFX (Keirsey & Bates, 1984). This letter combination represents the combination of introversion, intuition, feeling, and an equal mix of judging and perceiving qualities. This classifies me in the rarest of the four temperament types including approximately 12% of the general population. The Apollonian temperament is characterized by the intuitive-feeling (NF) combination. I find the descriptions that David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates provide as uncannily accurate.
Academically, the written and spoken language appeals to me. In the fall I will be enrolled in my third year of Spanish. The arts are also very appealing, especially the figurative branches such as poetry. Sorting out the deeper meaning intended by the author and/or illustrator is an intriguing puzzle. Psychology is another field which is recommended. I had never considered pursuing an occupation in this field in the past, however, took the course because I was curious as to the content. Due to the tie of judging-perceiving shown in my personality, I can either be the Questor or the Author.
From these descriptions, I believe the Author is more correct in my case. According to this I would be most compatible with the Inventor (ENTP) or the Promoter (ESTP) (Keirsey & Bates, 1984, pp. 74). This is possible, seeing as I am closer to those who are confident and easy to talk to. These are common traits for extroverts. “People who have known an INFJ for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. ” (Keirsey & Bates, 1984, pp. 170) True to this, I am a completely different person to those who I am closest to rather than to other acquaintances.
I have a few close friends whom I feel I can really be myself around, when in a crowd, however, I am usually quiet and tend to keep to myself. So who am I? In answer, I am a culmination of my personality traits, my inherited temperament, and the experiences that I have lived through so far. Parental Influences Upon asking my parents to answer the seventy questions that the Keirsey Temperament Sorter is composed of, I was not prepared for the results that I collected. My parents have always seemed to have completely opposing temperaments and ideals.
My mother’s scores concluded that she had an ISFJ personality type. This classifies her as a Conservator. The ISFJ has a strong sense of family values and feels the responsibility to ensure that specific regulations and rules are continuously met. They carry with them a powerful history that has made them the person they are today. To be satisfied they must have a sense of usefulness to those around them. PERSONALITY – WHO AM I? 3 Jennifer (my mother), is a housewife raising myself, and my two younger sisters. She enjoys decorating both the interior and exterior of the home. As a parent, the ISFJ expects the children to conform to the rules of society and has a feeling of personal responsibility to see to it that these rules are honored” (Keirsey & Bates, 1984, pp. 1995).
When in the company of an NF, conflict is likely to arise occasionally, on these standards. My father’s score was very near to that of my mother: ISTJ. This falls under the Trustee category. This is so named for a desire to be trusted by those around them. “Try to imagine him married to one of his own kind: Two Rocks of Gibralter, each steadfastly tempering the other’s steadfast tempering!
We can safely guess that this sort of relationship wouldn’t work very well” (Keirsey & Bates, 1984, pp. 78). My father, Brian, does show some characteristics mentioned of a typical ISTJ. He is highly concerned in the affairs of respected institutions and of the nation. Their word is their honor. They bring dedication into the workforce whether or not their specific achievements are appreciated. He sees himself as the “breadwinner” of the family. Likewise, Brian is our family’s sole source of income. This type of person may seem insensitive at times and be highly opinionated.
In my upbringing I did not have a strong paternal influence due to a demanding work schedule on his part. Both parents, however, fall under the Epimethean temperament. 38% of the population is comprised of this type which is the equivalent of 80,000,000 people in the United States alone. Though, at first glance, this may be surprising, both of these individuals feel the need to be caretakers. Though perhaps slightly sexist it seems that women are more prone to be emotionally inclined, or ‘feeling,’ while men are not. Close Associates The friend I would consider myself closest to would be someone I have known for over six years, Jessica.
We met when we were both only twelve years old. Therefore, our friendship has endured many obstacles and teenage years. According to the same test that I had used in the preceding examples, she scored as an ENFJ, and therefore a Pedagogue. Jessica is highly compatible with nearly all types of people, and can always find a common ground. According to the description provided, “ENFJ’s contribute to an unusual level when dealing with people, particularly face-to-face; the media, the ministry, and the stage and screen are populated with successful ENFJ’s” (Keirsey & Bates, 1984, pp. 69).
This is an excellent match in regards to my friend. She has been in numerous theatrical productions and has found a love of being on the stage. Needless to say I have often been among those in the crowd. Though timid at times, in the mindset of her character she enjoys an escape from that. I found it ironic that we both share the NF combination, meaning that we are both of the Apollonian temperament. The text mentions that the NF’s can be confusing and difficult to understand. It can also be hard to accept and put into use constructive PERSONALITY – WHO AM I? 4 riticism. Having someone who shares many of the same views as you makes this much easier.
You may not be able to choose your family, however, you can learn a lot by those whom you choose to befriend. ‘Temperament in Teaching’ As difficult as it can be to honestly determine your own temperament, it is even more so to accurately judge another person based on only one aspect of their life. Keirsey and Bates, however, provide a summary on the teaching styles that prevails for each temperament. Judging from these summaries I must conclude that you meet the SJ’s description.
The teaching style I’ve witnessed does not seem to be either of the extremes of the NT’s or the NF’s. In the few short classes I’ve had you as a professor you seem a good speaker, leading me to my final conclusion of an ESTJ. Of course I may be mistaken, however under the circumstances that is my final estimation. PERSONALITY – WHO AM I? 5 References Coon, D. , Mitterer, J. O. , Tallbot, S. , Vanchella, C. M. (2010) Introduction to Psychology. 12th Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth Keirsey, D. , & Bates, Marilyn. (1984). Please understand me: character and temperament types. 5th Edition. Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.
