descriptions of Myers Briggs types

I will endeavor to write down the different styles and their different ways of interacting in the
world. It would be interesting to discuss and ponder why we have difficulty in seeing,sensing,
and understanding each others different styles. Of why we can't all see alike and how did
these different types originate and evolve. And finally it is because we live in such different
perceptual realities, that we have such difficulty in communicating with each other. Thus
the chaos, that is in the world. I believe that we must learn to communicate, understand, and
respect each others differences. Even if they may be strange to our own perceptual awareness.
These descriptions are a first step.

The four types are classified as:
NF the Apollonian temperament; 12% of the population
NT the Promethean temperament; 12% of the population
SJ the Epimethean temperament; 38% of the population
SP the Dionysian temperament; 38% of the population
All of the information in the description of temperaments come from:
"Please Understand Me", Keirsey, David, Bates, Marilyn; (1984).

NT the Promethean temperament. This type must live in a world seemingly & apparently
surrounded by "aliens". To be able to understand, control, predict and explain realities...
The four aims of science: control and understanding, prediction & explanation. Scratch an NT,
find a scientist. ...in the acquisition of skill and knowledge. The NT must be competent, in
whatever domain of enterprise or inquiry he chooses. He must be totally competent in his
work and in his play. HIs communications tend to be terse, compact, and logical. ...the NT
cold, remote, & enigmatic. ...can easy become isolated in an ivory tower of intellectualism,
seemingly cut off from the world other types find as reality. ...NT's will be lost to others
because of this tendency to communicate at levels of abstraction other find unintelligible. At
times, a NT can be quite oblivious to the emotional responses of others and may not always
be sensitive to the complexities of interpersonnel relations.

NF the Apollonian temperament. ...NF search for self is circular and thus perpetual. ...to satisfy
his hunger for unity and uniqueness, to become self actualized into a perfect whole and to have
an identity which is perfectly unique. No matter how the NF structures his time and relationships,
he needs to have meaning. He wants their significance appreciated, or, at the very least,
recognized as existing. Only through this kind of feedback does the NF know that he has unique
identity. ...no facade, no pretense, no sham, no playing of roles. To have integrity is to be
genuine, to communicate authentically, to be in harmony with the inner experience of self. NF's
are extremely sensitive to subtleties in gestures and metaphoric behavior not always visible to
other types; He is also vulnerable to adding dimensions to communications which are not
always shared or perceived by others. The search for meaning as a necessary pilgrimage for all
people is advanced by the NF's in their writings. More than any other group NF's can speak and
write fluently, often with a poetic flair. ...NF's may exhibit a sense of mission, using their
creative efforts to win followers for their cause. Work toward midwifing people into becoming
kinder, warmer, and more loving human beings appeals to NF's. Some NF's are willing to make
great personnel sacrifices to help others find their way. ...always wants his experiences to
have meaning beyond the mere event. ...they seek relationships...with interaction. As the NF
seeks self actualization in identity and unity, he is aware that this is a lifelong process, an ideal
toward being and becoming a final finished self.

SJ the Epimethean temperament. ...he must be the giver, not the receiver, the caretaker, not
the cared for. ...the SJ supports his parental and responsibility purposes with a belief and
desire for hierarchy. For the SJ the hierarchial structure of society is the essence of society.
There should be subordinance and superordinance. There should be rules which govern the
interactions of members, certainly in the city, school, church, and corporation, but also in the
family. ...the Sj is prepared. Many of his actions are preparations for those setbacks and
untoward events that are bound to occur...we should see him as being realistic about error and
shortages. This same sanction for hierarchy is also expressed in the SJ's reverence for elders
and in their belief that elders should be respected and deferred to. If there is a job to be done,
a task to be executed, a duty to fulfill, the SJ feels that he somehow has an obligation to see
that the end is accomplished,..SJ is receiving far less appreciation than is his due.

SP the Dionysian temperament. ...Dionysian SP must be free; he will not be tied or bound or
confined or obligated. To do as he wishes...today must be enjoyed, of all the styles, the SP
works best in crises, and the deeper the crises, the more apt he is to respond quickly and
dramatically. Dionysians frequently are described by friends as exciting, optimistic, cheerful,
light hearted, and full of fun. Socially, SP's tend to be charming and witty conversationalists,
often having an inexhaustible repertoire of jokes and stories. The atmosphere takes on a glow,
seems brighter, more colorful, charged with adventure. Oddly, the SP seems to have endurance
beyond that of other types; he seems able to put up with discomfort, deprivation, hunger,
fatigue, pain, and show courage in a way other types do not. ...esprit de corps, is loyal to his
brothers, and defends his group...

lightsun wrote:

It would be interesting to discuss and ponder why we have difficulty in seeing,sensing,
and understanding each others different styles. Of why we can't all see alike and how did
these different types originate and evolve.

These are interesting questions. I am especially curious as to how we turn a theoretical understanding of how different types think and communicate into practical methods of improving our interactions with them. This is where I usually get stuck.

I have this conjecture. It is my own, and there is no scientific proof yet that I am aware of in
this area. How did we evolve & differentiate into these different temperaments. The way I see
it, our ancestors would have first needed the SP type to simply survive. As we evolved, we
would have needed the organization of the SJ. Both types represent 38% of the population
respectfully. Once we had the protection and hunting abilities of the SP, as well as the
organization and cohesiveness of the SJ, we then could move on into science, invention, the
arts and spirituality. I don't know which would then be in the natural progression. The
NT's invention or the seeking to understand existential reality of the NF's. Each of whom
represent 12% of the population & so are in a narrower part of the pyramid of human kind.
Or maybe, we just all came out at the same time. Who knows where human evolution may
take us, or what temperaments may evolve. This is all conjectures, & ruminations as part of a
mental exercise, and as such has no validity. I will take the words of a wise man to heart,
Jesus said, "and the meek shall inherit the earth" and "blessed are the peacemakers for they
shall be called the sons of God". I also have this visualization. Imagine the shape of an egg.
In the nucleus are the twins NT & NF formed as a ying yang symbol, much as dearlg1 avatar
is formed. This forms 24% of the egg and is the yolk. Encircling the twins are the SJ's,
providing cohesiveness and order. This is the next 38% of the egg. Next the outer protection
of the SP's provide the outer 38% of the egg called humanity. Amy comments? Any suggestions?
Any new or unique questions to add to the puzzle? Or any other creative visualizations to
share?

Finally, can anyone guess my type and why do you think I am that type?

Oh, Romana. I see you are a community developer, congrats. LightSun

lightsun wrote:

The way I see it, our ancestors would have first needed the SP type to simply survive. As we evolved, we would have needed the organization of the SJ. Both types represent 38% of the population
respectfully. Once we had the protection and hunting abilities of the SP, as well as the organization and cohesiveness of the SJ, we then could move on into science, invention, the arts and spirituality. I don't know which would then be in the natural progression. The NT's invention or the seeking to understand existential reality of the NF's. Each of whom represent 12% of the population & so are in a narrower part of the pyramid of human kind. Or maybe, we just all came out at the same time. Who knows where human evolution may
take us, or what temperaments may evolve.

The ability of the SP to react in the moment is complemented by the ability of the SJ to remember those causal links (what worked and what did not) so people could collectively learn from past successes and failures. The contribution of NT/NF would be to look beyond what has happened before, to extend that learning to situations that have no parallel in past events. NT would provide innovations in technology and tactics; NF in forming associations and working together to address threats and otherwise promote survival.

Assuming the various types, or as you have grouped them, the temperaments, derive from physiological differences, they should all be present from the beginning (whatever that is). If my understanding of evolution is correct, variation arises through mutations in a rather random fashion. The non-random aspect is the environment, in which some mutations enhance survival prospects relative to others, thereby becoming more common. Your assessment of the utility of the various temperaments makes sense, but I am not sure there would have been a clear linear progression in time from one to the next. The fact that all four do not exist in equal proportions might suggest that some were better suited to survival in the given environment than others. Or, something greater may be going on, in the sense that society as a whole will survive best with proportions as we see them. On the other hand, we have enough problems in the world, perhaps this is not the best distribution. Evolution is an ongoing process, which proceeds at such a slow pace that we cannot perceive its effects as it happens.

lightsun wrote:

Oh, Romana. I see you are a community developer, congrats. LightSun

I have all of 10 posts here. I am not sure what this means.

holy smokes!
once fired from the job
always remembered..

I find the concise distribution of percentages of the different types intriguing.
It is almost unreal in it's apparent perfection:38%, 38%, 12%, 12%!
One could allude to an instinctive universal consciousness.
There are so many mysteries.

lightsun wrote:

I find the concise distribution of percentages of the different types intriguing.
It is almost unreal in it's apparent perfection:38%, 38%, 12%, 12%!
One could allude to an instinctive universal consciousness.
There are so many mysteries.

great teacher,

at this point, this student is humbly asking whether you are sitting there waiting for someone to either put a question mark in or break out in tears .....

while your musings are truly amazing, some small creature may simply not find them soooooo amusing.
12 percent promethean? dem all underground or put to eternal rest, at least so it seems

lavender orchid. I am not sure if you are saying it is hard to find others of like
mind, heart, spirit, & speech. If this is so, it is a sentiment I had & have. It is
hard to dialogue with others who understand. This can be lonely & frustrating.
I have though found kindred spirits on these sites. If this isn't what you meant,
then please clarify. Blessings.

lavender orchid wrote:

lightsun wrote:

I find the concise distribution of percentages of the different types intriguing.
It is almost unreal in it's apparent perfection:38%, 38%, 12%, 12%!
One could allude to an instinctive universal consciousness.
There are so many mysteries.

great teacher,

at this point, this student is humbly asking whether you are sitting there waiting for someone to either put a question mark in or break out in tears .....

while your musings are truly amazing, some small creature may simply not find them soooooo amusing.
12 percent promethean? dem all underground or put to eternal rest, at least so it seems

Prometheans that still are here are swifter than an Eagle's wings. No Eagles can catch them. They have learned to dart past the Eagles' talons.

The Myers Briggs 16 sub types
ENFJ teacher
INFJ counselor
ENFP champion
INFP healer
ENTJ fieldmarshall
INTJ mastermind
ENTP inventor
INTP architect
ISTP crafter
ESTP promoter
ISFP composer
ESFP performer
ISFJ protector
ESFJ provider
ISTJ inspector
ESTJ supervisor