A letter represents each of the traits. (Figure 1). The different combinations of these traits make a total of sixteen different personality types.
Figure 1.
Extroversion E _______________________ I Introversion.
Sensing S _______________________ N Intuition.
Thinking T _______________________ F Feeling.
Judging J _______________________ P Perceiving.
Through the application of a test or other means, the person is ranked in each of the four categories as a percentage of one extreme or the other. With the different combinations of the categories there are sixteen possible combinations of personality type. An example of ISFJ would be a person who is Introverted, a Sensor, makes decisions by Feeling, and organizes their world by Judging. .
Extroversion verses introversion describes the way a person directs his energy. The extrovert will direct his energy out to the rest of the world. The extrovert will generally be described as social, talkative, and may think out loud. The introvert tends to direct their energy inward, and may be described as private, reserved, quiet, and may be more focused than an extrovert. One way that you may be able to tell if the person you are interacting with is an extrovert or introvert is to use a think-action test. If the person generally acts before thinking they are probably an extrovert, whereas if the person thinks about the subject then acts, there is a strong possibility that the person is an introvert.
How you prefer to process information is evaluated in the sensing verses intuition characteristics. The sensor can generally be described as one who processes information in the form of facts and familiar terms, while the intuitive processes in the light of possibilities or new potential. The sensor often will focus on facts and experiences, tend to be more literal, and in extreme cases will be so down to earth that may miss opportunities for the future.