I’m a combo-introvert. My husband thinks he might be a social-anxious introvert. Nephew number 2 says he’s surely an extreme introvert. Interesting diagnoses based on a spectrum of traits associated with introverts.

Research on introverts for my previous post invariably produced results on other personality types. I looked them up not because I wanted to better understand people but rather to know and/or be informed of the various personality types.

Apart from introverts and extroverts (the opposite of introverts😊), there are other personality types including types ABCD, Myers-Briggs and Greek astrology. Each of the personality types comprises a range of personality traits, which makes pigeon-holing people rather hard and little erroneous. No cookie-cutter fix. Just like I learnt that there are different types of introverts, and there is a gamut of characteristics that define and encompass introverts.

For instance, the ABCD personality types. While they are generally more well-known, there are many alternatives and variations of them. That said, these four personality types were initially identified by philosopher and the ‘father of medicine’ Hippocrates in ancient Greece. His description was based on fluid composition of the human body or the Humoral Theory of medicine that classified people into four types of personality in psychology – Choleric, Phlegmatic, Sanguine, and Melancholic.[1]’

I didn’t know this. In the 1950’s, two cardiologists, Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, noticed dramatic differences in the behaviours of people. And, based on their research, they arrived at these categorizations:

Type A: Mostly competitive, aggressive, hostile, and were more likely to have heart issues.

Type B: More relaxed, patient, and easy going, and less likely to have heart problems and blood pressure.

Type C: More precise, logical, and detail-oriented.

Type D: More pessimistic and anxious.

However, there has been no correlation between Type A personalities and heart issues. Whereas a separate review demonstrated a tendency toward cardiovascular disease in people who had more negative personality traits and identified closer to a type D personality type.[2] Hmm.

Meanwhile, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a system that assigns every person to one of 16 different personality types, yes 16, based on how they think, feel, and interact with the world.[3]  It’s not scientific but colloquial and anecdotal. 

The 16 personality types are divided into four groups. Each symbolised by four letters such as INFJ or ENFP. And, each group represents the following traits :

1. E (Extraversion) vs. I (Introversion): Do you get energy from being around people (E) or from spending time alone (I)?
2. S (Sensing) vs. N (Intuition): Do you focus on facts and details (S) or on big ideas and possibilities (N)?
3. T (Thinking) vs. F (Feeling): Do you make decisions based on logic (T) or emotions and personal values (F)?
4. J (Judging) vs. P (Perceiving): Do you prefer structure and planning (J) or do you like to be flexible and spontaneous (P)?

The top three personality types are :

• ISFJ (The Defender): ISFJ are caring, responsible, and dedicated to helping others. Many work in healthcare, education, or other service roles.
• ESFJ (The Consul): ESFJ are friendly, outgoing, and focused on relationships. They enjoy organizing social events and making sure people feel included.
• ISTJ (The Logistician): ISTJ are known for their strong sense of duty and responsibility. They are hardworking, reliable, and detail-oriented.

And, the rarest personality type is:

• INFJ (The Advocate). INFJ are deep thinkers, highly empathetic, and focused on personal growth and helping others. INFJs make up less than 2% of the population[4].

A few too many acronyms for me to remember/differentiate. The MBTI system was designed by Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers in the 1940’s to help people understand themselves and find jobs that suited their personalities’ strengths and weaknesses. The duo was inspired by renowned psychologist, Carl Jung’s theory of personality types.

I also didn’t know that Greek zodiac signs are used to help decipher personality types. There are 12 zodiac signs. Each sign fits into one of four categories, namely the elements of fire, air, water and earth. Each of the elements rule three zodiac signs:

• Fire:  Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries. Known for being bold, energetic, and passionate.
• Air:  Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra. Known for being social, communicative, and intellectual.
• Water: Pisces, Scorpio, and Cancer. Known for being emotional and intuitive.
• Earth: Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo. Known for being grounded and practical.

Some people believe that being aware of their zodiac sign’s elements can help them understand their nature and whom they might be compatible with. While there’s no real science to support the connection between zodiac signs and personality, a 2010 survey suggested that about 34% of respondents consider astrology personality types and information to be at least “sort of scientific.”[5]

It’s kind of good to know the different personality types out there. Is it useful on a personal level. Maybe.