What Are the 16 Personality Types?

Understanding the MBTI Framework

The MBTI is built on four dichotomies that represent different aspects of personality. Each dichotomy consists of two opposing preferences:

The Four MBTI Dichotomies

Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

This dimension describes where people get their energy from:

• Extraversion (E): Focus on the outer world of people and activities. Gain energy from social interaction.
• Introversion (I): Focus on the inner world of ideas and experiences. Gain energy from quiet reflection.

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

This dimension describes how people prefer to take in information:

• Sensing (S): Focus on concrete information from the five senses. Prefer practical, real-world details.
• Intuition (N): Focus on patterns, possibilities, and future implications. Prefer abstract concepts and theories.

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

This dimension describes how people prefer to make decisions:

• Thinking (T): Make decisions based on logic and objective analysis. Value truth and fairness.
• Feeling (F): Make decisions based on personal values and how decisions affect people. Value harmony and compassion.

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

This dimension describes how people prefer to organize their lives:

• Judging (J): Prefer structure, planning, and closure. Like to make decisions and have things settled.
• Perceiving (P): Prefer flexibility, spontaneity, and keeping options open. Adapt well to changing circumstances.

The 16 Personality Types

By combining the four dichotomies, we arrive at 16 distinct personality types, each with its own unique characteristics, strengths, and potential challenges.

Analyst Types (NT Types)

These types are characterized by their strategic thinking, rationality, and desire for knowledge.

INTJ - The Architect

Imaginative and strategic thinkers with a plan for everything. INTJs are rational, independent, and determined. They excel at seeing the big picture and developing long-term strategies.

• Strengths: Strategic, independent, determined
• Potential Challenges: Overly critical, perfectionistic, socially insensitive
• Famous INTJs: Elon Musk, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

INTP - The Logician

Innovative inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. INTPs are logical, abstract thinkers who love exploring theories and possibilities.

• Strengths: Analytical, original, open-minded
• Potential Challenges: Insensitive, absent-minded, prone to self-doubt
• Famous INTPs: Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Marie Curie

ENTJ - The Commander

Bold, imaginative, and strong-willed leaders who easily find solutions. ENTJs are natural leaders who excel at organizing people and resources efficiently.

• Strengths: Efficient, charismatic, strong-willed
• Potential Challenges: Stubborn, impatient, overly dominant
• Famous ENTJs: Margaret Thatcher, Steve Jobs, Franklin D. Roosevelt

ENTP - The Debater

Smart and curious thinkers who cannot resist an intellectual challenge. ENTPs are quick-witted, entrepreneurial, and excellent at seeing all sides of an argument.

• Strengths: Knowledgeable, quick-thinking, excellent brainstormers
• Potential Challenges: Argumentative, insensitive, easily bored
• Famous ENTPs: Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci

Diplomat Types (NF Types)

These types are characterized by their empathy, diplomatic skills, and focus on personal growth and harmony.

INFJ - The Advocate

Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealists. INFJs are the rarest personality type, known for their deep insight and strong values.

• Strengths: Creative, insightful, principled
• Potential Challenges: Sensitive to criticism, perfectionistic, prone to burnout
• Famous INFJs: Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Carl Jung

INFP - The Mediator

Poetic, kind, and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause. INFPs are idealistic, empathetic, and value authenticity above all else.

• Strengths: Empathetic, creative, idealistic
• Potential Challenges: Unrealistic, self-isolating, emotionally vulnerable
• Famous INFPs: William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, Princess Diana

ENFJ - The Protagonist

Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerize their listeners. ENFJs are natural mentors who are passionate about helping others grow.

• Strengths: Natural leaders, reliable, passionate
• Potential Challenges: Overly idealistic, too selfless, fluctuating self-esteem
• Famous ENFJs: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, John Paul II

ENFP - The Campaigner

Enthusiastic, creative, and sociable free spirits who can always find a reason to smile. ENFPs are energetic, optimistic, and love exploring new possibilities.

• Strengths: Curious, perceptive, enthusiastic
• Potential Challenges: Poor practical skills, easily stressed, overthinkers
• Famous ENFPs: Walt Disney, Robin Williams, Quentin Tarantino

Sentinel Types (SJ Types)

These types are characterized by their practicality, focus on stability, and strong sense of duty.

ISTJ - The Logistician

Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted. ISTJs are responsible, organized, and value tradition and order.

• Strengths: Responsible, calm, practical
• Potential Challenges: Stubborn, insensitive, judgmental
• Famous ISTJs: George Washington, Queen Elizabeth II, Warren Buffett

ISFJ - The Defender

Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones. ISFJs are caring, hardworking, and exceptionally reliable.

• Strengths: Supportive, reliable, patient
• Potential Challenges: Shy, overburden themselves, reluctant to change
• Famous ISFJs: Mother Teresa, Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes), Kate Middleton

ESTJ - The Executive

Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing things or people. ESTJs are traditional, organized, and natural leaders in their communities.

• Strengths: Dedicated, strong-willed, direct and honest
• Potential Challenges: Inflexible, judgmental, often unable to relax
• Famous ESTJs: Judge Judy, James Monroe, Lyndon B. Johnson

ESFJ - The Consul

Extraordinarily caring, social, and popular people, always eager to help. ESFJs are sociable, harmony-seeking, and take their responsibilities seriously.

• Strengths: Practical, loyal, sensitive to others' needs
• Potential Challenges: Vulnerable to criticism, inflexible, too needy
• Famous ESFJs: Bill Clinton, Taylor Swift, Dolley Madison

Explorer Types (SP Types)

These types are characterized by their spontaneity, energy, and ability to improvise.

ISTP - The Virtuoso

Bold and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of tools. ISTPs are rational, resourceful, and excel in crisis situations.

• Strengths: Optimistic, energetic, creative
• Potential Challenges: Stubborn, insensitive, private and reserved
• Famous ISTPs: Bruce Lee, Clint Eastwood, Michael Jordan

ISFP - The Adventurer

Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new. ISFPs are gentle, sensitive, and live in the present moment.

• Strengths: Charming, sensitive to others, imaginative
• Potential Challenges: Easily stressed, overly competitive, unpredictable
• Famous ISFPs: Michael Jackson, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

ESTP - The Entrepreneur

Smart, energetic, and very perceptive people who truly enjoy living on the edge. ESTPs are energetic, action-oriented, and excellent at reading people.

• Strengths: Bold, original, perceptive
• Potential Challenges: Insensitive, impatient, risk-prone
• Famous ESTPs: Ernest Hemingway, Donald Trump, Madonna

ESFP - The Entertainer

Spontaneous, energetic, and enthusiastic people - life is never boring around them. ESFPs are vivacious, sociable, and love being the center of attention.

• Strengths: Bold, original, showmen
• Potential Challenges: Sensitive, conflict-averse, easily bored
• Famous ESFPs: Marilyn Monroe, Pablo Picasso, Jamie Oliver

FAQ: The 16 Personality Types

Can my personality type change over time?

While your core personality preferences tend to remain relatively stable throughout your life, you can develop skills and behaviors associated with other types. Major life changes or personal growth efforts might make you more comfortable using preferences that don't come naturally to you.

Is one personality type better than another?

No, all personality types have unique strengths and potential challenges. Each type brings valuable perspectives and abilities to different situations. The goal of understanding personality types is not to rank them but to appreciate diversity and work more effectively with people of all types.

How accurate is the MBTI?

The MBTI is a widely used and respected tool for understanding personality differences, but like any psychological instrument, it has limitations. It's best used as a framework for self-discovery and understanding others rather than as a definitive categorization.

Where can I take the MBTI assessment?

Official MBTI assessments are available through certified practitioners. Many online platforms also offer personality tests based on the MBTI framework, though these may vary in accuracy and depth.