There are more ongoing updates and more information given on this topic for members.About the Four Preferences
The four preferences are an enormously important area of the Myers-Briggs. All aspects involved with the test spawn from something to do with the four preferences. In fact, without them, there would be no Myers-Briggs!
The eight different options making up the four preferences are: introvert extravert sensing intuition thinking feeling judging and perceiving.
Each preference category involves a major aspect of personality. Your Myers-Briggs type is based on your preferences in the following four categories:
How we get our energy (Introverted or Extraverted)
How we process information (Sensing or Intuition) [free sample below]
How we make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)
How we choose to live our life (Judging or Perceiving)
[For more details on each preference see the Members Area]
Whenever we use one preference, we are at the same time forgoing its opposite. For example, you can be extraverting - speaking and engaging with others - but you can’t be introverting - being alone, comparing the outer world to the inner self - at the same time.
From birth and perpetuated over time, each one of us has developed and cultivated a clear “preference” in each of the four categories that we feel comfortable with and rely on.
Those who don’t have a clear preference in a category may be more flexible and adaptable when it comes to using the preference, but they are less likely to have the deep level of expertise and strong abilities that one with a strong preference often brings. While it is nice to rely on a certain preference, we have to use every preference from time to time and should therefore try our best to cultivate our weaknesses.
Warning: It is a common misconception that once you know the preferences you know the Myers-Briggs. The truth is that, while the preferences have to be known and known well in order to master the Myers-Briggs, the beauty of the Myers-Briggs lies in the different aspects and theories that derive from the preferences. To just know the preferences and not the other theories is to seriously sell yourself short and will only enable you to be an average type-watcher and appreciator. In order to understand yourself and others well, and in order to accurately type most people, the expanding theories need to be known as well.
While looking at the information on the four functions, make sure you take in the information of your non-functions as well. Remember that if you have one preference, you’ll need to remind yourself to use the other preference. For example, if your preference is N, you may need to remind yourself to collect more direct, concrete facts and not miss pertinent details for your best conceptualization. If your preference is S you may need to remind yourself not to forget about the big picture, and try to utilize your gathered details into a future scenario or in new ways.
Do you identify with introversion or extraversion? Sensing or Intuition? Are you a thinker or a feeler? Judger or Perceiver?
Free Sample Preference (for detailed views of the other preferences see the Members Area)
Sensing and Intuition
How We Gather Information
This category tells us how we take in information and what we choose to attend to when perceiving the world.
S stands for sensing. Those favoring S prefer to take in information in a direct, factual manner. N stands for intuition. Those favoring intuition take in information looking at the big picture, checking for underlying meaning and connections with the mind’s eye. S’s naturally think about what already exists while N’s think about what could be. N’s prefer generalizing, concepts, theories, and ideas, while S’s prefer facts and tangibles. S’s have a firm grasp of reality, know how things are, and are realistic. N’s take pride in their ability to imagine and think of ideas.
Sensor Characteristics
- Good with the concrete (what can be seen)
- Likes to think about what exists
- Realistic
- Typically has plenty of common sense
- Pays attention to and remembers details
- Takes in information in a step-by-step manner
- Prefers direct experience
- Pays attention to their surroundings
Intuitor Characteristics
- Good with the abstract
- Likes to think of what’s possible
- Has an active imagination
- Thinks outside the box
- Enjoys seeing things in different ways
- Likes to daydream
- May be difficult to understand
- Gathers information through intuitive jumps and inferences
- May have unexplainable hunches or a sixth sense
- Complex
- Gets motivated by their inspirations
Fact: Intuition is the least common of the eight possible preferences, only characterizing about 25% of the population.
Sensor: “I like to focus on the present and what exists in front of me.”
Intuitor: “I like to think about the future and what it could or may hold.”
When intuitiors take in information, they compare and apply that information to some type of larger, big picture context - thinking of underlying meanings, envisioning possibilities, and intuiting what these can tell us about the future. Because of this, N’s often have strong vision, insight, and intuition.
S’s prefer to think concretely. While taking in information they look at the facts, empirical evidence, and past experiences. They take the information literally and catch most of the nuances and details that N’s often miss. Therefore S’s are often realistic, in touch with reality, and practical.
More on the 4 Preferences
Remember that we need all eight preferences in order to be happy. Someone who behaves only as an extravert may not be able to work or be alone when necessary, and will never reflect, thinking about the consequences of their actions, or develop a true sense of self. You can’t always be intuiting; many daily tasks involve sensing capabilities and reaction with the concrete outer environment. Remember, it’s called a preference; so it’s what you prefer to use.
It’s important to take the 8 preferences into consideration when making any kind of decision. Often people don’t even realize why they are in a foul mood. Certain factors such as matters of circumstance, lack of sleep, or overwhelming stress are often involved; but you’d be surprised how often it simply involves a lack of time for one’s true preferences. Even when circumstances are dire and times seem like they couldn’t get any worse, being able to spend time utilizing our preferences, and even attacking the problems while using these preferences, typically brings comfort and enjoyment. Whether it’s about what job you should take or how you should study for your next algebra exam, in each decision your preference should be considered (we are talking about your well-being here!).
As a famoustype.com member you will find out more information and detail on the four preferences that make up the 16 myers-briggs personality types: INFP, INTJ, INFJ, INTP, ENFP, ENFJ, ISTJ, ENTP, ENTJ, ISFJ, ESFJ, ISFP, ESTJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP.