Myers-Briggs Personalities Discussion

Okay, so I have noticed that there have been some disagreements about certain characters' personalities in the examples. Akin to the Pantheons having a discussion thread in Forum Games, I figure I'd make a thread about this here (since it's a Just For Fun and shouldn't have to be workshopped, at least I hope not).

Pretty much, we make a case for why we consider certain characters to be of a certain personality type before editing them in. We should tackle the contentious ones first.

edited 22nd Oct '14 10:25:26 PM by EarlOfSandvich

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

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edited 22nd Oct '14 10:24:48 PM by IchigoPockyChama

So, I'm not all that familiar with how to make cases for each of the different characters, and my knowledge of different works isn't extensive enough to pose new examples. My knowledge of the different personality types is mostly limited to the rationals since that's where I fall in. That being said, what would be some examples of some of the more contentious placements of characters, as far as you are aware? Not that I'll know the characters in question, but this will be a good starting point.

Among a few of those include (and these are the recent cases):

• Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory
• Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII
• Haruka Nanase from Free!

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

Hmm... I think while it would be nice to foster debate on the above, I'll start with bringing up a few possible entries and the reasons why:

(part of the reason for this is that we should find ways of reducing unilateral decisions that occasionally lead to edit wars like we've seen)

From Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, I have the following:

• Captain Hammer: ESTP (craves attention (E), charges headlong (S), brash and condescending, even dating Penny for an entirely selfish reason (T), an opportunist who does what he does for selfish reasons (P))
• Dr. Horrible: INxx (shy and reserved (I), considers what is wrong with the world (N)). I'm inclined to believe he's also a TP, because of his outlook towards the world (his feelings is mostly towards Penny, and I think if he were a J, he would have killed Captain Hammer right then and there)
• I believe Penny would be an xNFJ (leaning slightly towards I), because of her concerns for the homeless and her acting to help with them without asking for recognition

Oh yes, and another thing: To whoever changed Healer (INFP) to Poet, as well as the description, why?

edited 24th Feb '15 8:07:48 PM by EarlOfSandvich

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

Recently, a guy suggested move Spike(MLP:FIM) from ESFJ back to ISTP.

Opinions?

There are several already posted characters that I feel need moving.

(Currently under INTP) Dominic Toretto I'd move him to ISTP. He's got a hair trigger temper, lives his life in the moment (or, in his own words, "a quarter mile at a time"), jumps right in, is quite practical and creative, and has an affinity with tools and working on things mechanically, all of which the ISTP are known for.

(Currently listed as ENTJ) Eric Cartman fits ENFJ better. He has a moral cause that he sticks up for nearly every episode, namely, ripping the Jews a new one. He's an emotional manipulator, who better than an NF type to be predisposed to such a thing?

(Currently listed as ISFP) Stan Marsh I always thought of him as an INTP, being the curious, logical, rational one of the group.

(Currently listed as ISTP) Samus Aran is INTJ. Her body language is more reserved and logical, calculating her every move with efficiency. She knows a lot of things outside her chosen subject, reads up on the history of each place she goes to, and has a plan for fuckin' everything.

Eric Cartman practically is an ENFJ gone corrupt in the name of Black Comedy. Yes.

I think Samus Aran is an ISTP. Sure, she's, calculating and efficient; but where does that facet of her personality come from? The answer is either Introverted Thinking (ISTP) or Extraverted Thinking (INTJ). I believe the former case wins out because she just collects knowledge wherever, whenever and just literally keeps it in mind as well as in her on-board computer. You might also be confusing Extraverted Sensing (Se) with Extraverted Thinking as well. Se is about openness to experience and adaptablity to changes in the phsysical world outside the person (possibly invoking this as well). Think about the many different worlds and areas she has to visit: what is her general approach to it all? — Open curiousity.

Oh, Samus will complete the mission, she'll just do it her way if she really has to. She doesn't need nor desire to reinvent the system to do so, which is what Rationals (NT) do as opposed to Artisans (SP).

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.

Cartman: I dunno, he seems a bit conniving to be an F, but then again it's possible for someone like him to be such. I can heartily agree that he is an EN_J for sure.

Samus: She is objective-based from what I understand, so S suits her better than N.

---

Anyways, I do wish to bring up Dick Gumshoe and why I think he is an ESFJ. I see him as an E because he tends to be something of an outgoing person. He does work with Edgeworth, but he tends to be pretty helpful though he does inevitably goof. I believe him to be a J, because although he really does mess up a lot and go through a series of pay cuts, he's pretty dedicated to his job, even if it means being reduced to eating ramen.

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

Why is Myers Briggs popping up everywhere all of a sudden?

edited 20th Nov '14 4:28:06 PM by Xcano

Follow my Tumblr.

Bringing this back, because it appears we have an edit war in our hands.

Can the people please explain their case for the classification of Levi of Attack on Titan?

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

From Kingdom Hearts, I put Aqua in ISTJ, moved Xion from INFP to INFJ, and put Terra in INFP. I've seen a case for him being an ISFJ, so if you think so, make a case for it. He doesn't seem to be a Fe user...

Okay... so we've had the new format rolled out to ensure that we explain why the characters are classified as such.

To start things off: I've noticed that Sherlock Holmes has been put under two different classes, both of them an IxTP. Anyone to make a case for what he falls under the Sensitivity/Intuition class and why?

I now go by Graf von Tirol.

It might be a case of Depending on the Writer which would make his classification a bit complicated.

However, we can't exactly be thinking about Myers Briggs in just simple letters. There is something called cognitive functions which come from those 4 letters. There are 8 of these functions in all which this site ^note (Don't worry, the link is safe) summarizes them quite well. It even has very simple descriptions of all of the 16 types along with their unique functional stacks.

I was wondering how helpful knowing these little tidbits would make the fictional character analyses easier for everyone. Thoughts?

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.

I'm a little hesitant to consider Stan an INTP. One of his defining traits in the series is his down-to-earth attitude. If there was any character in South Park that is a sensing, it's definitely Stan. INT Ps are also know for coming off as absentminded due to being frequently being deep in thought, which I don't perceive in Stan either. I think he's the Only Sane Man less because of logic, and more because he sees things as they are.

In addition, one of Stan's other defining traits throughout the series is how sensitive he is as a character. Cartman frequently calls him a pussy, he couldn't face Kenny in "Kenny Dies", and he has been shown to be easily hurt at the thought of losing Kyle. Not to mention, whenever Stan gets invested in something, it seems driven by his personal values on what he believes to be right, regardless of law.

On top of that, all of Stan's interests (sports, music, and animals) are very common interests for the ISFP.

As for Cartman, I think he's an ENTJ, but that's another story all together.

Don't forget that the Myers-Briggs Personalities are not set in stone. A person, or in these cases characters, might primarily rely on say Judgement rather than Perception but a well rounded person is capable of doing his secondary mode just fine and may do so by choice if the situation calls for it.

While I agree that characters can be seen as different types, this prevalence of "Feeling vs Thinking, Sensing vs Intuition," and so on is terribly black-and-white! It doesn't actually follow MBTI, where personalities are actually made up of patterns of introverted and extroverted functions.

I think in order to get characters' personalities more accurately typed, we should put short summaries of all the functions on the main page, rather than the summaries of Intuition and so on like we have now. (Example: Extroverted Sensing (Se) is associated with living in the moment, having an acute awareness of surroundings, and paying close attention to the five senses. It is drawn to exciting physical possibilities and appealing materials.)

It'd also be nice to include the order of functions with each personality, like ESFP (Performer) (Se/Fi/Te/Ni).

I actually brought up this issue in my last post.

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.

Ah, so you did! Sorry about that, I didn't see it at the time.

Anyway, yeah, I'm totally on board with encouraging typing through cognitive functions rather than letters, since that means less characters mistyped! It's also very apparent that the internet's Intuitive-bias is showing, judging from the Rational section. Much like in real life, most characters are actually Sensors.

Should we also give a short description of how the functions stack up in their different roles? (Like short summaries on how a dominant function will show, or an inferior function...) I always find it easier to type a character when I try to figure out what their inferior function might be, so it might be helpful.

Here's the thing: Introverted functions do not show; you aren't going to "see" them, only understand those particular patterns of subjective principles and motives. By contrast, Extroverted functions are blatantly there through action as much as speech.

This brings up a problem with typing by the inferior function to affirm the dominant extroverted one: "What if that inferior function is introverted — as is the case with all extroverts?". In these instances, you have to rethink along the lines of what his/her tertiary function is. Basically, this amounts to "what is this person's second extroverted function?".

I digress though, we do need thorough write-ups on the 8 functions before we even think about discussing this in more detail.

edited 8th Apr '15 8:49:56 AM by aNinjaWithAIDS

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.

I've got a couple for the MCU and related fandoms I'm not exactly sure about:

• Melinda May ISTJ (The Inspector)

I (is introverted in her socialization with others) S (focuses and reacts to information immediately in front of her) T (is more comfortable making decisions using facts rather than feelings) J (prefers to have a plan before acting)

• Thor Odinson: ENFP (The Champion)

E (is extroverted and likes to socialize with many people) N ("goes with his gut" in many situations) F (often allows his emotions to influence his decisions [seen in many of his interactions with Loki, etc.] P (has a somewhat relaxed attitude towards life and can "go with the flow" when put in a new situation)

• Tony Stark: ESFP (The Performer)

E (is obviously extroverted) S (likes to know the facts that come with each new situation) F (sometimes allows his arrogance and other personality flaws to influence his decisions) P (can easily use the information he has to adapt to new situations)

— One that I'm not exactly sure about who was featured on the page before it was wiped was Phil Coulson. He was originally put as an INFJ (The Counselor) (which I personally agreed with at the time) but there definitely are some parts that are up for interpretation.

• Is he an introvert or an extrovert? (He can definitely be called "friendly," but he often does comes off as aloof and reserved in many situations)

There's other aspects that could be addressed, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.

edited 11th Apr '15 5:07:36 PM by TheMuse

Here is where knowing the cognitive functions of Myers-Briggs can clear things up and avoid major mistypes.

Thor is a definitive ESFP (rather than ENFP) in fiction due to his dominant preference for Extraverted Sensing. This is knowing and adapting to reality as well as current/immediate situations in real time and to physically engage with it. It is also the function that likes to "show off". As little as I have seen Thor in his many adaptations, This is the one thing I see him do almost all the time — especially in battle.

I also find that you were way off the mark with Tony Stark whom I find to be an INTJ. His dominant Introverted Intuition is always calculating and/or conceptualizing something within his own head whether that would be during a fight as Iron Man or looking at the current plot elements to come up with a conclusion before it happens. Next comes his Extraverted Thinking which is about organizing and implementing one's own thoughts into reality. He speaks with a logical understanding of what goes on around him, always prying into some agenda or another.

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.

Am I the only one bothered that we're losing the context-less examples? I know they're not allowed, but I wish there was a way to store them somewhere.

... uh, who edited all the descriptions by copy-pasting Wikipedia?

Doesn't fit with the rest of the site. We gotta simplify it back down.

Also, I'm heavily considering re-writing the main page explaining the cognitive functions (and none of this "I vs E, N vs S" BS!) because I really think it'd lead to more accurate typings. Does anyone object to that? I may post my descriptions for the functions here before I go and edit the page, just to make sure they're sweet and simple to everyone.

I agree: we need to reverse and rewrite the thing entirely. Also, I've been pushing for the cognitive functions for quite a while now (see my previous posts here).

These two may literally be more bark than bite, but they are no less tenacious than everyone else.