Type and Communication

About Type Preferences

The MBTI® type framework can help you better understand the ways you and others prefer to direct and receive energy, take in information, decide and come to conclusions, and approach the outside world. The MBTI assessment identifies two opposite preferences in each of these four areas of personality, for a total of eight preferences. Each preference is represented by a letter. Although you use all of the preferences at least some of the time, you naturally prefer one in each pair to the other.

Once you understand the building blocks of personality type and how they interact, you will be able to appreciate and accommodate communication differences.

Here are the four pairs of opposite preferences that describe four different aspects of personality.

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  • ei Directing and Receiving Energy
  • sn Taking In Information
  • tf Deciding and Coming to Conclusions
  • jp Approaching the Outside World

ei The E–I Preference Pair How do you direct and receive energy?

eExtraversion

People who prefer Extraversion tend to direct their energy toward the outside world and get energized by interacting with people and taking action.

“Let’s talk this over.” Individuals with a preference for Extraversion tend to:
  • Focus their energy and process information externally
  • Dislike working on one thing for a long time, especially if they must do so on their own
  • Learn and work best when able to share and discuss information with others
  • Ask questions and think out loud during activities or while working through a decision
  • Understand their world best by acting on it or talking about it

iIntroversion

People who prefer Introversion tend to direct their energy toward their inner world and get energized by reflecting on their ideas, memories, and experiences.

“I need to think about this.” Individuals with a preference for Introversion tend to:
  • Focus their energy and process information internally
  • Prefer quiet places to work and can work on one thing for a long time
  • Learn and work best by having time to reflect and sort out information on their own
  • Think before they speak or act; can be uncomfortable when asked to perform or respond on demand
  • Downplay their strengths externally with the result that their abilities can often be underestimated

sn The S–N Preference Pair How do you take in information?

sSensing

People who prefer Sensing tend to take in information that is real and tangible. They focus mainly on what they perceive using the five senses.

“Just the facts, please.” Individuals with a preference for Sensing tend to:
  • Focus on individual facts and details before seeing underlying patterns or whole concepts
  • Be interested in the facts as they are known now and the practical realities of a situation
  • Prefer information and tasks that are organized and presented in an orderly, sequential format
  • Work at a steady pace
  • Become impatient or frustrated with complicated or future-oriented tasks that may take a long time to complete
  • Like having their senses engaged as they work; have an immediate and realistic focus

nIntuition

People who prefer Intuition tend to take in information by seeing the big picture. They focus mainly on the patterns and interrelationships they perceive.

“I can see it all now.” Individuals with a preference for Intuition tend to:
  • Focus first on what facts mean and how they fit together; see links, possibilities, and relationships
  • Pay more attention to connections between and implications of facts than to facts and details alone
  • Prefer information that is introduced with a big-picture overview; jump around between ideas and tasks Work in bursts of energy
  • Become bored or impatient with tasks that require considerable focus on details, routines, or sequencing
  • Like creating ideas and possibilities; have a future and change focus

tf The T–F Preference Pair How do you decide and come to conclusions?

tThinking

People who prefer Thinking typically base their decisions and conclusions on logic, with accuracy and objective truth the primary goals.

“Is this logical?” Individuals with a preference for Thinking tend to:
  • Evaluate situations by focusing on logic and analysis
  • Be most influenced by objective data and cause-and-effect relationships
  • Consider pros and cons of ideas, information, and opinions
  • Make decisions based mainly on logic
  • Prefer calm, objective interactions; often see work and private life as separate
  • Spot flaws and provide constructive feedback

fFeeling

People who prefer Feeling typically base their decisions and conclusions on personal and social values, with understanding and harmony the primary goals.

“Will anyone be hurt?” Individuals with a preference for Feeling tend to:
  • Evaluate situations by focusing on relative value and personal factors
  • Be most influenced by the effects that information and situations have on the people involved
  • Consider personal impacts of ideas, information, and opinions
  • Make subjective decisions that are based on their understanding of the needs, emotions, and feelings of the individuals involved
  • Prefer support and encouragement; often want personal connections with co-workers
  • Understand and appreciate others

jp The J–P Preference Pair How do you approach the outside world?

jJudging

People who prefer Judging typically approach the world with decisiveness and tend to like planning and closure.

“Just do something.” Individuals with a preference for Judging tend to:
  • Evaluate situations by focusing on logic and analysis
  • Be most influenced by objective data and cause-and-effect relationships
  • Consider pros and cons of ideas, information, and opinions
  • Make decisions based mainly on logic
  • Prefer calm, objective interactions; often see work and private life as separate
  • Spot flaws and provide constructive feedback

pPerceiving

People who prefer Perceiving typically approach the world with flexibility and tend to like spontaneity and openness.

“Let’s wait and see.” Individuals with a preference for Perceiving tend to:
  • Delay decisions so they can continue to gather information; like to keep their options open
  • Act spontaneously and leave things to the last minute
  • Prefer starting projects to following through with projects
  • Be frustrated by rules, routines, and highly structured tasks
  • Be open, flexible, and adaptable