The Keirsey Temperament Sorter is a self-report
personality assessment created by psychologist David Keirsey. It was introduced
to the public in his 1978 book "Please Understand Me." The
questionnaire divides people into four temperaments, which Keirsey labeled
Artisan, Guardian, Idealist, and Rational. Each of the four temperaments is
then further sorted into four character types, leading to a total of 16
possible personality types in total.
The Four Keirsey Temperaments
Artisan
As the name indicates, Artisans tend to excel in the arts
or anything that requires creativity. They are concrete and utilitarian, which
means they're talented at working with solid objects and confronting real-world
situations. Also, they are willing to take risks and break the rules and can be
impulsive in their constant quest for excitement and adventure. According to
the Keirsey Group, 30% to 35% of the world's population are Artisans.
Guardian
Guardians are dependable, hard-working individuals who
keep the wheels of society turning. They are concrete and cooperative, which
means they follow the rules and respect authority. They are dedicated to
maintaining law and order and believe in customs and traditions. According to
the Keirsey Group, 40% to 45% of the world's population are Guardians.
Idealist
Idealists tend to focus on personal growth,
self-improvement, and people reaching their potential. They are abstract and
cooperative, and as a result, they strongly believe in working together
harmoniously to pursue what could be, rather than what is. They are loyal,
honest, and kind, and tend to pursue careers that enable them to help people.
According to the Keirsey Group, 15% to 20% of the world's population are
Idealists.
Rational
Rationals are the rarest of the four temperaments.
Rationals are problem-solvers who enjoy figuring out systems (whether those
systems are organic, social, mechanical, or something else) and determining how
to improve them. They are abstract and utilitarian, which means they are
pragmatic in their approach and interested in abstract concepts that underlie
whatever systems have caught their interest.
Rationals value intelligence, independent thinking, and
logic. They often become completely absorbed by whatever problem they are
trying to solve, making them seem aloof or withdrawn. According to the Keirsey
Group, a mere 5% to 10% of the world's population are Rationals.
Communication
People naturally think and talk about what they are
interested in, and if you listen carefully to people's conversations, you find
two broad but distinct areas of subject matter. At times, of course, everyone
addresses both sorts of topics, but in their daily lives, and for the most
part, Concrete people talk about reality, while Abstract people talk about
ideas.
·
Some people talk primarily about the external,
concrete world of everyday reality: facts and figures, work and play, home and
family, news, sports and weather – all the who-what-when-where-and how much's
of life. Artisans and Guardians are concrete in their communication.
·
Other people talk primarily about the internal,
abstract world of ideas: theories and conjectures, dreams and philosophies,
beliefs and fantasies –all the why's, if's, and what-might-be's of life.
Idealists and Rationals are abstract in their communication.
Actions
At every turn people are trying to accomplish their
goals, and if you watch closely how people go about their business, you see
that there are two fundamentally opposite types of action.
·
Some people act primarily in a cooperative or
socially acceptable manner, that is, they try to do the right thing, in keeping
with agreed upon social rules, conventions, and codes of conduct, and only
later do they concern themselves with the effectiveness of their actions.
Guardians and Idealists are cooperative in their action.
·
Other people act primarily in a utilitarian or
pragmatic manner, that is, they do what gets results, what achieves their
objectives as effectively or efficiently as possible, and only afterwards do
they check to see if they are observing the rules or going through proper
channels. Artisans and Rationals are utilitarian in their action.
Self-Image Of the Four Temperaments
Keirsey also observed that people have different core
pursuits based on their temperament. Each of the four temperaments take
different paths to self-esteem. In other words, based on a person's
temperament, they will be driven differently, and will feel best about
themselves when they are a certain way, and are achieving aims which matter to
them.
Temperament and Intelligence
Keirsey also observed that we are naturally intelligent
in different ways. In a sense every individual has not one but four IQs, and it
is virtually impossible for one person to develop all four of his or her
capabilities equally. The kind of operation practiced most develops most, while
that practiced least develops least. Naturally, we all have our short suit as
well as our long suit in the things we do well. Whatever our long suit, we are
not totally without talent in our short suit—it is merely shorter.
The 16 Character Types
Each of Keirsey's temperaments is subdivided into four
character types. In addition to the label given to each character type by
Keirsey, each type is also labeled with a set of four letters corresponding to
the four sets of preferences used in another personality assessment, the Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator (MBTI), to label personality types.
Those preferences and the letters used to symbolize them
are:
·
E (Extraversion) vs. I (Introversion)
·
S (Sensing) vs. N (Intuition)
·
T (Thinking) vs. F (Feeling)
·
J (Judging) vs. P (Perceiving)
The 16 types of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter are based
on the MBTI, therefore indicating the same basic preferences.
However, the emphases of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter
and MBTI are different. The MBTI focuses on interior thoughts and feelings and
especially the dichotomy between extraversion and introversion. The Keirsey
Sorter is interested in external behavior and especially the dichotomy between
intuition and sensing.
The 16 types are listed below and separated by
temperament.
Artisan
·
Composers (ISFP) are sensitive and
have a talent for synthesizing various artistic elements.
·
Crafters (ISTP) are expert tool
users but aren't easy to get close to.
·
Performers (ESFP) are entertainers
who are able to delight and stimulate with their talents.
·
Promoters (ESTP) are bold, daring,
optimistic, and exciting to be around.
Guardian
·
Inspectors (ISTJ) are dedicated to
their responsibilities and the rules and standards upholding the institutions
they are a part of.
·
Protectors (ISFJ) are concerned with
maintaining the safety and security of the people they care about.
·
Providers (ESFJ) supply friendly
social services and meet the needs of others.
·
Supervisors (ESTJ) are highly
involved in social groups and like to take on responsibility and leadership
roles within them.
Idealist
·
Champions (ENFP) have complex
emotional lives and seek out meaningful experiences and fascinating people.
·
Counselors (INFJ) are dedicated to
helping others realize their full potential.
·
Healers (INFP) care deeply about
special people and important causes and are driven to heal
conflicts.
·
Teachers (ENFJ) have a talent for
teaching others and have boundless belief in their students.
Rational
·
Architects (INTP) are master
designers of everything from buildings to corporate systems.
·
Fieldmarshals (ENTJ) tend to take
jobs as leaders and executives due to their ability to create well-oiled
systems that meet both short and long-term goals
·
Inventors (ENTP) are constantly
using their talent to innovate and find better ways to do things.
·
Masterminds (INTJ) are planners who
understand complex systems and are able to plan for all contingencies.
Self-test Questions
1. At a party do you
(a) interact with
many, including strangers
(b) interact with
a few people you know well
2. Are you more
(a) realistic than
speculative
(b) speculative
than realistic
3. Is it worse to
(a) be someone who
likes variety and new ideas
(b) be someone who
likes predictable routine
4. Are you more impressed by
(a) principles
(b) emotions
5. Are you more drawn towards the
(a) convincing
(b) touching
6. Do you prefer to work
(a) on a schedule
with a deadlines
(b) whenever you
are inspired to work
7. Do you tend to chose
(a) rather
carefully
(b) somewhat
impulsively
8. At parties do you
(a) stay late,
with increasing energy
(b) leave early,
with decreasing energy
9. Are you more attracted to
(a) practical
people
(b) imaginative
people
10. Are you more interested in
(a) what is actual
(b) what is
possible
11. In judging others are you more swayed by
(a) laws than
circumstances
(b) circumstances
than laws
12. In approaching others is your inclination to be
somewhat
(a) objective
(b) personal
13. Are you more
(a) punctual
(b) leisurely
14. Does it bother you having things
(a) incomplete
(b) completed
15. In your social groups do you
(a) keep abreast
of other’s happenings
(b) get behind on
the news
16. In doing ordinary things are you more likely to
(a) do it the
usual way
(b) do it your own
way
17. Writers should
(a) “say what they
mean and mean what they say”
(b) express things
more by use of analogy
18. Which appeals to you more
(a) consistency of
thought
(b) harmonious
human relationships
19. Are you more comfortable in making
(a) logical
judgments
(b) value
judgments
20. Do you want things
(a) settled and
decided
(b) unsettled and
undecided
21. Would you say you are more
(a) serious and
determined
(b) easy-going
22. In phoning do you
(a) rarely think
about what you will say
(b) rehearse what
you’ll say
23. Facts
(a) are valuable
in themselves
(b) are useful
because they illustrate principles
24. Are visionaries
(a) somewhat
annoying
(b) rather
fascinating
25. Are you more often
(a) a cool-headed
person
(b) a warm-hearted
person
26. Is it worse to be
(a) unjust
(b) without mercy
for others
27. Should one usually let events occur
(a) by careful
selection and choice
(b) randomly and
by chance
28. Do you feel better about
(a) having
purchased something
(b) having the
option to buy something
29. In company do you
(a) initiate the
conversation
(b) wait to be
approached
30. Common sense is
(a) rarely
mistaken
(b) frequently
mistaken and unreliable
31. Children often do not
(a) make
themselves useful enough
(b) exercise their
fantasy enough
32. In making decision do you feel more comfortable
with
(a) standards
(b) feelings
33. Are you more
(a) firm than
gentles
(b) gentle than
firm
34. Which is more admirable:
(a) the ability to
organize and be methodical
(b) the ability to
adapt and adjust quickly
35. Do you put more value on what is
(a) definite
(b) open-ended
36. Does new and non-routine interaction with others
(a) stimulate and
energize you
(b) leave you feeling
tied
37. Are you more frequently
(a) a practical
sort of person
(b) a fanciful
sort of person
38. Are you more likely to
(a) see how others
are useful
(b) see how others
see
39. Which is more satisfying:
(a) to discuss an
issue thoroughly
(b) to arrive at
agreement on an issue
40. Which rules your more:
(a) your head
(b) your heart
41. Are you more comfortable with work that is
(a) contracted and
agreed upon
(b) done on a
casual basis
42. Do you tend to look for
(a) the orderly
(b) whatever turns
up
43. Do you prefer
(a) many friends
with brief contact
(b) a few friends
with more lengthy contact
44. Which has more value for you?
(a) Accurate facts
(b) Theoretical
principles
45. Are you more interested in
(a) production and
distribution
(b) design and
research
46. Which is more of a compliment:
(a) “That person
is very logical”
(b) “That person
is gentle and caring”
47. Which do you value most in yourself?
(a) being
unwavering
(b) being devoted
48. Do you more often prefer the
(a) final and
unalterable statement
(b) tentative and
preliminary statement
49. Are you more comfortable
(a) after a
decision
(b) before a
decision
50. Do you
(a) speak easily
and at length with strangers
(b) find little to
say to strangers
51. Are you more likely to trust your
(a) experience
(b) hunch
52. Do you feel
(a) more practical
than creative
(b) more creative
than practical
53. Which person is more to be complimented: one of
(a) clear reason
(b) strong feeling
54. Are you inclined more to be
(a) fair minded
(b) sympathetic
55. Is it preferable mostly to
(a) make sure
things are arranged
(b) just let
things happen
56. In relationships should most things be
(a) renegotiable
(b) random and
circumstantial
57. When the phone rings do you
(a) hasten to get
it first
(b) hope someone
else will answer
58. Do you prize more in yourself
(a) a strong sense
of reality
(b) a vivid
imagination
59. Are you drawn more to
(a) fundamentals
(b) overtones and
nuance
60. Which seems the greatest error
(a) to be too
passionate
(b) to be too
objective
61. Do you see yourself as basically
(a) hard-headed
(b) soft-hearted
62. Which situation appeals to you more:
(a) the structured
and scheduled
(b) the
unstructured and unscheduled
63. Are you a person that is more
(a) organized than
playful
(b) playful than
organized
64. Are you more inclined to be
(a) easy to
approach
(b) somewhat
reserved
65. In writings do you prefer
(a) the more
literal
(b) the more
figurative
66. Is it harder for you to
(a) identify with
others
(b) utilize others
67. Which do you wish more for yourself
(a) clarity of
reason
(b) strength of
compassion
68. Which is the greater fault:
(a) being
indiscriminate
(b) being critical
69. Do you prefer the
(a) planned event
(b) unplanned
event
70. Do you tend to be more
(a) deliberate
than spontaneous
(b) spontaneous
than deliberate
Answer Sheet
Enter a check for each answer in the column for a or b.
Directions for scoring
1. Add down so that the total number of “a” answers is
written in the box at the bottom of each column. Do the same for the “b”
answers you have checked. Each of the 14 boxes should have a number in it.
2. Transfer the number in box No. 1 of the answer sheet
to box No. 1 below the answer sheet. Do this for box No. 2 as well. Note,
however, that you must have two numbers for boxes 3 through 8. Bring down the
first number for each box beneath the second, as indicated by arrows. Now add
all the pairs of numbers and enter the total in the boxes below the answer
sheet, so each box has only one number.
3. Now you have four pairs of numbers. Circle the letter
below the larger of each pair. You have now identified your “type.” It should
be one of the following (described earlier):
