Using Temperaments To Profile Literary Characters

The Four Temperaments

NT (Intuition and Thinking), Rational - Technical, Competent, Ingenious, Skeptical, Innovative, Non-Conformist.  The personality types that share the Rational Temperament are ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INTP.

NT Rational (ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INTP)

Logical, pragmatic, and driven, rationals strive for competence and excellence in reaching their goals. They are the “why” temperament; ever skeptical, they constantly questions others and their environment.  They typically want to know the reason why something is done, and the reason needs to make sense (whether it is politically correct or not). 
Some more information on the NT Rational:

• Most uncommon of the Temperaments
• May be absent-minded but often shows flashes of brilliance
• Quick grasp of complex theories and systems
• Enjoys thinking and intellectual pursuits
• Often thinks about things that others don’t normally think about, such as the nature of the universe, religious issues, politics, philosophy, etc.  NT’s want to figure out how and why the world works.
• Are technical with their language and strive to be logical and exact when speaking to others
• Easily notice inconsistencies
• Natural non-conformist
• Great analyzers
• Naturally good with technology (NT’s were key in the birth and growth of the tech era and Internet)
• Skeptical
• Are naturally pragmatic, always asking “Is this necessary,” “How can this be improved,” “How does this work and how can it work better?”
• Can be very wise
• Natural brainstormers and problem-solvers
• Can be detached when involved with a project, undertaking, or thought
• Set high goals for themselves and are determined to achieve them.
• Strong suit in strategy
• Strive for efficiency
• Conceptualizers
• Systematic
• May have trouble adapting to conventions
• NTs are very cerebral and take great pride in staying cool in crisis, not letting their emotions control them - even if it’s a matter of great importance or great intensity
• Often labeled as being argumentive by other temperaments
• Value independence
• May bother those who are sensitive to arguments or criticism

NF (Intuition and Feeling), Idealist - Romantic, Empathetic, Authentic, Creative, Impassioned.  The personality types that share the Idealist Temperament are ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, and INFP

NF Idealist (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP)

Romantic, empathetic, authentic, creative, and impassioned, Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others.
Some information on the NF Idealist:

• Have a need to live up to their high ideals
• Empathetic
• Tend to glorify others and life in general
• Well-trusted and cultivated intuition
• Often interested in the spiritual, having a strong affinity for the mystical and what cannot be seen by the eye
• As kids, often show their elaborate imaginations
• Good with the use of words - if not when speaking, in writing
• Strongly believes in certain causes
• Romantic
• Wants deep, meaningful relationships
• May trust others more than they should, sometimes to the point of naivety
• Often enjoys reading (from fantasy to poetry, to creative short stories, to religious texts)
• Appreciates the arts and imagination
• Appreciates the uniqueness of themselves and others
• Natural conflict mediators with their strong insight and diplomatic nature

SJ (Sensing and Judging), Guardian - Dependable, Traditional, Loyal.  The personality types that share the Guardian Temperament are ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, and ISFJ.

SJ Guardian (ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ)
Guardians are dependable, traditional, attentive, and loyal, striving for stability and structure, providing reliability to others.
More on the SJ Guardian:

• Cautious
• As kids typically followed the rules and strove to be “good” children and students
• Sound, consistent
• Doesn’t like to see things get wasted (whether it be food or free time, conserving and usefulness is on their mind). 
• Are often conservative in decision-making - whether financially, or even in what to do with their weekend.
• Decisive
• Strong sense of duty
• Feel obligated to perform the proper role and do so effectively (often giving up their free time to do so)
• Often family-oriented
• Relies and sticks by their principles
• Often become good authority figures
• Good with logistics and details
• While they may not willingly admit it, actually enjoys and needs to work - or at least being productive
• Revels in looking back on the past
• Strives to be respected (and typically are)
• Least likely of the temperaments to tolerate a messy living or work space

SP (Sensing and Perceiving), Artisan - Adventurous, Action-Oriented, Spontaneous.  The personality types that share the Artisan Temperament are ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, and ISFP.

SP Artisan (ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP)

Artisans are action-oriented and live in the moment.  They enjoy being spontaneous and strive for a range of experience and excitement.
More on the SP Artisan:

• Likes to engage the five senses
• Good at making things and working with their hands
• Generous
• Trust their impulses and instinct
• Active
• Opportunistic - in fact SP’s keep a keen and sharp lookout for anything that will give them an advantage.
• Can be cunning
• Good at negotiating and cutting deals
• Risk-taking
• As kids were always active and getting into things
• Lively
• Have a healthy aura about them
• Seek action
• Flexible
• Easygoing, chill attitude about most people and things
• Looks to develop skills
• Learns by “doing”
• Resourceful
• Quick thinking (naturally responsive)
• Keen senses
• Typically good at multitasking
• Values freedom