Using Personality Traits To Profile Literary Characters

Introversion and Extraversion

How We Get Our Energy

The first category tells us how we get our energy. 
E stands for extraversion.  E’s typically gain energy from their direct involvement with people and the outside world. I stands for introversion.  I’s typically gain energy when given the opportunity to spend time alone and think things through.

Extravert Characteristics

• Doesn’t mind being in large groups and often enjoys it
• Likes to know and associate with lots of people
• Prefers social interaction to time alone
• When confronted with a problem, typically likes to talk it out with others and get their point of view
• Known to speak before thinking
• Doesn’t typically have trouble thinking of something to say, and is typically at ease in doing so
• Doesn’t typically have problems meeting new people wherever they go
• May need to practice their listening skills
• Easily adapts to social situations
• Typically appreciates situations for what they are worth as they are happening

Introvert Characteristics

• Prefers one-on-one to large-group interaction
• Prefers to have a few close relationships
• Needs time alone to restore energy
• Typically good listeners
• More likely to think before speaking than extraverts are
• May be lost for words at times, not knowing what to say
• Enjoys reflecting
• May need to get time to self to take things in before fully appreciating them
• Dislikes crowds
• Reserved

Introverts can be too self-absorbed while extraverts may lack introspection.
I’s think about how the outward situation pertains to them and who they are, while E’s think about how they pertain to the outward situation.

Introverted doesn’t mean antisocial or socially awkward.  Some of the best speakers and “people persons” of all time have been introverts.  What makes them I’s is their need to be by themselves to recharge their batteries.  Given this opportunity, and especially when put in a situation that means something to them, some I’s can be very publicly engaging.

I’s shouldn’t try to be like E’s and E’s shouldn’t try to be like I’s.  I’s shouldn’t try to be overly talkative and try to be around people all the time.  It is better for them to utilize their good listening skills in order to say something sufficient and relevant each time they do talk.
 
Fact: Extraverts make up a higher percentage of the population than Introverts do.

Sensing and Intuition

How We Gather Information

This category tells us how we take in information and what we choose to attend to when perceiving the world.
S stands for sensing.  Those favoring S prefer to take in information in a direct, factual manner.  N stands for intuition.  Those favoring intuition take in information looking at the big picture, checking for underlying meaning and connections with the mind’s eye.  S’s naturally think about what already exists while N’s think about what could be.  N’s prefer generalizing, concepts, theories, and ideas, while S’s prefer facts and tangibles.  S’s have a firm grasp of reality, know how things are, and are realistic.  N’s take pride in their ability to imagine and think of ideas.

Sensor Characteristics

• Good with the concrete (what can be seen)
• Likes to think about what exists
• Realistic
• Typically has plenty of common sense
• Pays attention to and remembers details
• Takes in information in a step-by-step manner
• Prefers direct experience
• Pays attention to their surroundings

Intuitor Characteristics

• Good with the abstract
• Likes to think of what’s possible
• Has an active imagination
• Thinks outside the box
• Enjoys seeing things in different ways
• Likes to daydream
• May be difficult to understand
• Gathers information through intuitive jumps and inferences
• May have unexplainable hunches or a sixth sense
• Complex
• Gets motivated by their inspirations

Fact: Intuition is the least common of the eight possible preferences, only characterizing about 25% of the population.

Sensor: “I like to focus on the present and what exists in front of me.”

Intuitor: “I like to think about the future and what it could or may hold.”

When intuitiors take in information, they compare and apply that information to some type of larger, big picture context - thinking of underlying meanings, envisioning possibilities, and intuiting what these can tell us about the future.  Because of this, N’s often have strong vision, insight, and intuition. 

S’s prefer to think concretely.  While taking in information they look at the facts, empirical evidence, and past experiences.  They take the information literally and catch most of the nuances and details that N’s often miss.  Therefore S’s are often realistic, in touch with reality, and practical.

Thinking and Feeling

How We Make Decisions

This category tells us how we make decisions and judgments.

T stands for thinking.  Those favoring thinking prefer to make decisions objectively with their head, through logic.  F stands for feeling.  Those favoring feeling prefer to make decisions subjectively, with their heart, based on their values and emotion.  T’s value justice and fairness, while F’s value harmony and empathy.

Thinker Characteristics

• Wants truth and justice
• Hard-nosed, firm
• Decides with head
• Naturally skeptical
• Critical
• Blunt
• Looks at principles
• Objective

Feeler Characteristics

• Naturally sympathetic
• Strives for harmony
• Empathetic and forgiving
• Decides with heart
• Naturally trusts others
• Supportive
• Tactful
• Concerned with the feelings of others

Thinker: “There is a principle and outcome to everything.”

Feeler: “There is a human element to everything.”

Judging and Perceiving

How We Prefer To Live Our Life

The final category tells us how we choose to live our life and go about our daily activities - the kind of lifestyle we choose for ourselves.

            J stands for judging.  Those favoring judging prefer to plan things out and live in a structured manner.  P stands for perceiving.  Those favoring perceiving prefer to leave their options open and live in a flexible manner.  Judgers are organized schedulers who like to come to conclusions.  Perceivers are spontaneous improvisers who delay decision-making.

Judger Characteristics

• Likes to plan
• Organized
• Likes to come to conclusions
• Prepared
• Enjoys finishing things
• Relies on schedules, to-do lists, and deadlines
• Typically more serious-minded than perceivers
• Sees and sets boundaries
• Values a job well done
• Likes to know what to expect ahead of time
• Decisive

Perceiver Characteristics

• Likes options
• Places emphasis on having fun
• Spontaneous
• Delays decision-making
• Flexible
• Good with improvisation
• Adapts, goes with the flow
• Enjoys starting things
• Can work on many things at once
• Enjoys surprises
• Doesn’t like to commit because they never know what may come up

The perceiver’s idea of freedom is not being bound by limited possibilities and opportunities. The judger’s idea of freedom is being free from having the pressure to improvise due to chance.