Before diving into how to figure out your personality type, it’s essential to understand what a personality type is. A personality type is a classification of different traits and characteristics that define how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. These traits are relatively stable over time and across different situations, making them a useful tool for self-awareness and personal growth.
The Importance of Knowing Your Personality Type
Knowing your personality type can offer numerous benefits. It can help you:
Understand Yourself Better: By identifying your personality type, you can gain a deeper understanding of your motivations, preferences, and behaviors.
Improve Relationships: Understanding your personality type can help you communicate more effectively with others and build stronger relationships.
Make Better Career Choices: Certain personality types are better suited to specific careers. Knowing your type can help you choose a career that aligns with your natural strengths and interests.
Enhance Personal Growth: Awareness of your personality type can guide you in setting personal goals and working towards self-improvement.
Different Models of Personality Types
There are several models used to categorize personality types. Each model offers a unique perspective on human behavior and can provide valuable insights into your personality. Below are some of the most widely recognized models:
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most popular personality assessment tools. It categorizes individuals into 16 different personality types based on four dichotomies:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): This dichotomy describes where you draw your energy from. Extraverts are energized by social interactions, while introverts recharge by spending time alone.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): This dichotomy refers to how you gather information. Sensors focus on concrete, present realities, while intuitives are more interested in abstract concepts and future possibilities.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): This dichotomy describes how you make decisions. Thinkers rely on logic and objective analysis, while feelers prioritize emotions and personal values.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): This dichotomy refers to your approach to life. Judgers prefer structure and planning, while perceivers are more spontaneous and flexible.
The Big Five Personality Traits
The Big Five model, also known as the Five-Factor Model, is another widely used framework for understanding personality. It categorizes personality into five broad dimensions:
Openness to Experience: This trait refers to your willingness to try new things and embrace novel experiences. People high in openness are often creative and curious, while those low in openness prefer routine and familiarity.
Conscientiousness: This trait describes your level of organization, responsibility, and self-discipline. Highly conscientious individuals are reliable and detail-oriented, while those low in conscientiousness may be more spontaneous and less organized.
Extraversion: Similar to the MBTI, extraversion in the Big Five model refers to your level of sociability and energy derived from social interactions. Extraverts are outgoing and talkative, while introverts are more reserved.
Agreeableness: This trait refers to your tendency to be compassionate, cooperative, and trusting. Highly agreeable individuals are empathetic and value harmony, while those low in agreeableness may be more competitive and skeptical.
Neuroticism: This trait describes your emotional stability. Individuals high in neuroticism are more prone to experiencing negative emotions like anxiety and sadness, while those low in neuroticism are more emotionally resilient.
The Enneagram
The Enneagram is a personality system that categorizes individuals into nine different types, each with its own set of motivations, fears, and desires. The nine types are:
- Type 1: The Reformer: Principled, purposeful, and self-controlled.
- Type 2: The Helper: Generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.
- Type 3: The Achiever: Adaptable, success-oriented, and image-conscious.
- Type 4: The Individualist: Creative, introspective, and self-conscious.
- Type 5: The Investigator: Perceptive, innovative, and detached.
- Type 6: The Loyalist: Committed, security-oriented, and anxious.
- Type 7: The Enthusiast: Spontaneous, versatile, and scattered.
- Type 8: The Challenger: Self-confident, decisive, and confrontational.
- Type 9: The Peacemaker: Easygoing, agreeable, and complacent.
Each type is further influenced by “wings” (adjacent types) and “levels of development” (healthy, average, and unhealthy), making the Enneagram a complex and nuanced system.
The DISC Model
The DISC model categorizes personality into four primary types based on behavioral tendencies:
- Dominance (D): Individuals with a dominant personality are assertive, results-oriented, and decisive.
- Influence (I): Influential individuals are outgoing, enthusiastic, and persuasive.
- Steadiness (S): Steady individuals are calm, reliable, and team-oriented.
- Conscientiousness (C): Conscientious individuals are detail-oriented, analytical, and precise.
The DISC model is often used in workplace settings to improve communication and teamwork.
How to Figure Out Your Personality Type
Now that you’re familiar with the different models of personality types, let’s explore how you can figure out your own personality type. The process involves self-reflection, observation, and sometimes, taking personality assessments.
Self-Reflection
The first step in figuring out your personality type is self-reflection. Take some time to think about your behaviors, preferences, and tendencies. Ask yourself questions like:
- Do I prefer spending time with others or alone?
- Am I more focused on the present or the future?
- Do I make decisions based on logic or emotions?
- Do I prefer structure or spontaneity?
Journaling can be a helpful tool during this stage. Write down your thoughts and observations about yourself, and look for patterns in your behavior.
Observe Your Interactions
Pay attention to how you interact with others in different situations. Are you more comfortable taking the lead, or do you prefer to follow? Do you enjoy deep, meaningful conversations, or do you prefer light, casual chats? Observing your interactions can provide valuable clues about your personality type.
Take Personality Assessments
While self-reflection and observation are essential, taking a personality assessment can provide a more structured approach to figuring out your personality type. There are many online assessments available for each of the models discussed earlier. Some popular options include:
MBTI Assessments: Websites like 16Personalities offer free MBTI assessments that can help you determine your type.
Big Five Assessments: Platforms like Truity provide Big Five personality tests that measure your levels of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Enneagram Tests: Websites like The Enneagram Institute offer tests to help you identify your Enneagram type.
DISC Assessments: Tools like DISC Profile offer assessments to determine your dominant DISC traits.
When taking these assessments, answer the questions honestly and thoughtfully. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers— the goal is to gain a better understanding of yourself.
Analyze the Results
Once you’ve completed a personality assessment, take the time to analyze the results. Read the descriptions of your personality type and see if they resonate with you. It’s important to remember that no assessment is perfect, and you may not identify with every aspect of your type. That’s okay— use the results as a starting point for further exploration.
Seek Feedback from Others
Sometimes, it can be challenging to see ourselves objectively. Seeking feedback from friends, family, or colleagues can provide additional insights into your personality. Ask them how they perceive you and if they notice any consistent patterns in your behavior. Their observations can help confirm or challenge your self-assessment.
Explore Further
Figuring out your personality type is not a one-time event— it’s an ongoing process. As you learn more about your type, continue to explore how it manifests in different areas of your life. Read books, attend workshops, or join online communities related to your personality type. The more you learn, the deeper your understanding will become.
Common Misconceptions About Personality Types
While personality types can be incredibly insightful, there are some common misconceptions that are important to address:
Personality Types Are Fixed
One of the most common misconceptions is that your personality type is fixed and unchangeable. While your core traits may remain relatively stable, personality is not set in stone. People can and do change over time, especially with conscious effort and personal growth.
One Type Is Better Than Another
Another misconception is that certain personality types are superior to others. In reality, each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. The goal is not to change your type but to understand and embrace it, using your strengths to your advantage while working on areas for improvement.
Personality Types Define Everything About You
While personality types provide valuable insights, they don’t define everything about you. You are a complex individual with unique experiences, values, and beliefs. Your personality type is just one piece of the puzzle.
Applying Your Personality Type in Real Life
Once you’ve figured out your personality type, the next step is to apply this knowledge in real life. Here are some practical ways to do so:
Career Choices
Understanding your personality type can help you make more informed career choices. For example, if you’re an introvert, you might thrive in a career that allows for independent work, such as writing or programming. If you’re an extravert, you might excel in roles that involve social interaction, such as sales or public relations.
Relationships
Knowing your personality type can improve your relationships by helping you understand your communication style and emotional needs. For example, if you’re a feeler (F) in the MBTI model, you might prioritize emotional connection in your relationships, while a thinker (T) might value logical discussions.
Personal Growth
Your personality type can guide your personal growth journey. If you’re a Type 1 in the Enneagram, you might focus on becoming more flexible and less perfectionistic. If you’re a Type 7, you might work on being more present and less scattered.
Conflict Resolution
Understanding your personality type can also help you navigate conflicts more effectively. For example, if you’re a Type 8 in the Enneagram, you might need to be mindful of your tendency to be confrontational, while a Type 9 might need to work on expressing their needs more assertively.
Conclusion
Figuring out your personality type is a journey of self-discovery that can lead to greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and personal growth. By understanding the different models of personality types, engaging in self-reflection, taking assessments, and applying your knowledge in real life, you can gain valuable insights into who you are and how you interact with the world.
Remember, your personality type is just one aspect of your identity. Embrace your unique traits, continue to learn and grow, and use your newfound understanding to create a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Related topics:
What Is the Most Rare Myers-Briggs Personality Type?
What You See First Determines Your Personality？
How Do You Solve a Personality Test?
