Analysis Of Personality: The Keirsey Temperament Sorter

Personality is defined as "the pattern of collective character, behavioral, temperamental, emotional, and mental traits of a person" (Wall, 2008). Our personality determines how much we interact with our world, how we gather information, how we form decisions, and how we function in our daily lives. In all reality and honesty, it is who we are. A common questionnaire, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS II), was developed by Dr. David Keirsey, a clinical psychologist to assist in determining your own personality. His 70-item, questionnaire addresses individual preferences and temperaments with their world and immediate environment. By "typing" ourselves, it simply helps us understand where we stand in the grand picture of the universe and in
how others function around us. Through this understanding, we can communicate efficiently and learn to embrace the differences each of us possesses (Wall, 2008).
When I took the Keirsey questionnaire in high school, I was extremely intrigued with my results and was excited to learn my type and how it affects my relationship with my world.
My results from the Keirsey Temperament Sorter stated that I was an Idealist, and according to Stephanie Wall’s personality article, I was an INFJ. The KTS II says that a high percentage of Idealists share the following basic characteristics: “Idealists are enthusiastic, they trust their intuition, and yearn for romance. They tend to seek their true self, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom. They are prideful on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic. They tend to be giving,
trusting, spiritual, and they are focused on personal journeys and human potentials. Idealists are intense mates, nurturing parents, and inspirational leaders.” (Wall, 2008) The idealist temperament indicates those who are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. We strive to discover who we are and how we can become our best possible self--always questing for self-knowledge and self-improvement which drives our imagination. Personally, I knew I was an INFJ when I realized I desired to aid others in their life journey (my inspiration to be a teacher). I deeply delight in working with people in whatever environment I’m in. I’ve been told I was gifted at helping others find their way in life, trying to assist them in developing and be their best selves. Conflict and confrontation have a tendency to create barriers to people growing together; I love working together towards a common goal as a team. Call me crazy, but I revel in examining the big picture of what life could be if we could all work together. There are several possibilities open to us in the world. We just need to reach out to touch them. It might not be ideal now, however it soon could be. INFJs deeply wish to find a "soulmate", an individual to bond with on every level--spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, mentally, and physically. I am a complicated person, and I don’t open up to just anyone. We are relatively rare in the population, no greater than 15 to 20% of the population, making us an almost endangered species, once could even joke.
According to Stephanie Wall’s article, an INFJ is a Counselor, meaning that we have a strong need to relieve those around them and feel highly energized when interacting with those they can service.
We envision the potential in all people and utilize that potential to watch others succeed in their own lives. Counselors can work by themselves and recharge their batteries, though it’s been proven that they function best in a group. I’m believe I am a counselor since I attempt to be a genuine listener and am truly interested in helping people with their personal issues. I’m not a leader, on the other hand, I love working in close-knit team groups, doing all I can behind the scenes. In high school, I was never a leader actress in a school play, yet I loved the behind the scenes work I contributed to. Counselors are quite rare and often difficult to find, when a person encounters them, they are difficult become acquainted with as they are private on their innermost personal thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions, except with those truly close to them. People in my life have been shocked to find different sides to my complex self. I have strong values, yet at times I find myself confused with myself. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another's emotions or intentions--whether congenial or malicious intent--even before that person is aware of them. Often I’m not even sure how I am able to read or feel others in such a deep, intimate way. I’ve been called
overly sensitive, probably the “curse” of being a Counselor who frankly just feels an awful lot. The Counselor—INFJ--is, in essence, quietly forceful, conscientious, and concerned for others. We succeed by our perseverance, originality, and a desire to tackle whatever is needed or wanted to provide a guiding hand in the success of others.