Pondering Keirsey: A Method To The Madness?

["?"]

I was pondering on Keirsey’s theory this morning and wanted to share my thoughts for feedback. Keirsey makes no changes to Myers-Briggs’ two letter temperaments for the intuitive types. He allows them to remain balanced in combining two distinct functions (perceiving (N) with a judging function T or F). These temperament functions are balanced as they should be.

When considering the sensing groups although I like the fact that he appreciates the distinction between Se types and Si types, he clearly veers from MB when omitting her two temperament functions ST/SF for his creation of SJ/SP. Based on what I recollect Keirsey saw the inherent differences between his SP parents and other children’s SJ parents. These groups superficially appear imbalanced now. Instead of now having perceiving/judging combination, Keirsey combines a distinct perceiving function (S) with a general judging dichotomy (J), and a distinct perceiving function (S) and then merely reiterating that with the P dichotomy.

But underneath was Keirsey’s effort well thought out with hidden implications in those changes? It seems that we can make an inference that the SJ types sharing the Si cognitive function dominates reducing the extraverted judging function (Je) to insignificance, and that the Se stands out to render the introverted judging function (Ji) non-existent for SP types.

Is Keirsey’s theory then functional in application when it comes to the two sensing groups? Can and do ESJ types give an appearance of reserve to onlookers? I know that even those ESTJ types that I know well seem to have a reserved demeanor about them and never seem to “lose it” in public. Is this the Si working in this group that allows them to appear introverted? It’s clear that Keirsey focuses on the Se function when considering the SP and is paramount even in the ISP type descriptions. Do ISP types give the appearance of being extraverts to onlookers? I can only speak of myself the amazement that I encounter when telling even those who have known me all my life that I am introverted.

Obviously if an inference is made that Keirsey intended to have the impact on the core groups of sensing, then I would think there have been some intent for the intuitive type groups as well. Can we infer that if sensing will dominate in SP/SJ groups then Ne/Ni subordinate to the judging functions T/F for intuitives? This seems to be at least apparent in the NT types who appear to pride themselves on their thinking abilities. I am not so sure for NF types in doing the same for feeling. What do you think?

[edge walker]

That makes sense to me. I see many NFs take some measure of quiet pride in qualities derived from their Feeling preference -- at least in the sense of them being qualities that define them in a positive way. They may not openly pride themselves on it but then neither do SJ and SP types pride themselves on their respective sensing preferences.

The open NT pride might be a consequence of the fact that half the population are SFJs, which NFs still find some commonality with, whereas NTs clash. And the respective NF and NT attitudes are conducive to NFs diminishing their differences, whereas NTs, accentuating them. (Though this is purely theory-based speculation.)

["?"]

So how is for you other types who have confirmed or know of confirmed NF, SJ and SP types? As stated I am always mistyped as an extravert although I score high on introversion. For other SP types, is this a commonality as well?

[edge walker]

I think so. I think the N/S axis plays a bigger role in outward demeanour than the I/E axis. ENs can be easily mistaken for introverts too. My standard story here is that I was convinced that my ENFJ buddy, who has weak E preference to boot, was an introvert -- he isn't.

To illustrate this I like to nickname N/S the detached/engaged dichotomy. Sensors, even ISs, are engaged, more in the moment, taking in impressions. Intuitives, even ENs, have a more reflective, pensive bent even as they are charged by interaction.

I've also seen people refer to INs as double introverts, and likewise ESs double extroverts.

[Ace_]

My ISTP friend also seems like an extrovert when he's out of the house.

["?"]

Looking at snippets from Only A Game (http://onlyagame.typepad.com/only_a_game/2006/09/introduction_to.html) the distinction between Abstract/Concrete and Affiliative/Pragmatic. This seems to at least not coincide with my thoughts that the Se dominates in SPs giving them an appearance of extraversion, while the Si for SJs gives them introverted qualities and the intuition in NTs and NFs appears subordinate to the judging functions:
People preferring Artisan…
Want the freedom to choose the next action. Seek to have impact, to get results…. Are absorbed in the action of the moment. Are oriented toward the present. Seek adventure and stimulation. Hunger for spontaneity. Trust impulses, luck, and their ability to solve any problem they run into… Are gifted tacticians, deciding the best move to make in the moment, the expedient action to take.
People preferring Guardian…
Want to fit in, to have membership. Hunger for responsibility, accountability, and predictability… Tend to… serve and to do their duty. Establish and maintain institutions and standard operating procedures. Tend to protect and preserve, to stand guard and warn. Look to the past and tradition… Want security and stability. Generally are serious and concerned, fatalistic. Are skilled at ensuring that things, information, and people are in the right place, in the right amounts, in the right quality, at the right time.
People preferring Rational…
Want knowledge and to be competent, to achieve. Seek to understand how the world and things in it work. Are theory oriented. See everything as conditional and relative… Trust logic and reason. Want to have a rationale for everything. Are sceptical… Hunger for precision, especially in thought and language. Are skilled in long-range planning, inventing, designing, and defining. Generally are calm. Foster individualism.
People preferring Idealist…
Want to be authentic, benevolent and empathic. Search for identity, meaning and significance. Are relationship oriented, particularly valuing meaningful relationships. Are romantic and idealistic, wanting to make the world a better place. Look to the future. Focus on developing potential, fostering and facilitating growth through coaching, teaching, counselling, communicating. Are gifted in the use of metaphors to bridge different perspectives. Are diplomatic.

["?"]

My ISTP friend also seems like an extrovert when he's out of the house.Ace, do you live with this person? If so clearly you see the introversion at home, but those people who only have a superficial knowledge of your friend, would they consider him extraverted as well?

[Ace_]

Ace, do you live with this person? If so clearly you see the introversion at home, but those people who only have a superficial knowledge of your friend, would they consider him extraverted as well?

No, I don't live with him. The reason he seems like an introvert in the house is because all he does is play video games and program if he feels like it. He's such an awesome mathematician and programmer but he doesn't do anything with passion. He just runs into a problem and solves it, and then doesn't do math or programming for weeks. Never thinks of the future. He hasn't taken the test but I'm somehow certain he's an ISTP. He doesn't care much for people and can spend days without them, he's not intuitive(that's the first thing I pick up in a person), he's a brutal thinker, and his random, spontaneous and leaves stuff unfinished. Also hates to be controlled.

When he's with people small talk isn't a problem. He blends in with people easily. I am an extrovert but sometimes I seem much weirder than him because I don't like small talk. With me it's either dominating the conversation or not talking at all because it's small talk.