Personality Types
When we search for “personality type” we often encounter results limited to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and its 16 personality types. This typology is indeed widely popular and often dominates the first pages of search results. However, there is a significant omission here: the concept of personality types originated in the works of Carl Gustav Jung, and MBTI is not the only typology exists.
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Origins of Jung's Theory and Its Influence on Personality Typologies
Carl Gustav Jung laid the foundation for understanding personality types, developing his theory of psychological types in the 1920s. He outlined four key dichotomies (extraversion-introversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, judging-perceiving) that continue to be actively used in personality studies. Jung’s theory was not a ready-made framework for defining each person’s “type” but rather a description of internal psychological processes and preferences.
Building on his theory, several typologies emerged, each adapting and expanding Jung's ideas. Among the most notable, besides MBTI, is socionics, a unique typology that introduces additional concepts such as informational metabolism and models of type interactions. Socionics also expands on Jung’s four dichotomies, applying them to relationships and interactions.
However, the variety of frameworks extends beyond Jung's ideas. The diversity of typologies offers a broader understanding of personality than a superficial glance at search results may suggest.
Limitation of Approach to Personality Typology
Today, the approach that search engines take to ranking information significantly influences how users perceive the topic. Commercial companies promoting their interpretations and approaches to personality typology dominate the search results, narrowing an otherwise vast and layered field down to just a few options. As a result, a person seeking to learn more about personality types often receives primarily superficial or one-sided answers, overlooking deeper aspects such as scientific research and the diversity of approaches. Instead of offering users a rich selection of information, the search engine essentially limits their perspective by providing only SEO-optimized articles.
There are far more theories and models than MBTI alone offers, and it’s important to remember that “personality type” is not limited to Jung’s dichotomies. Let’s delve into three distinctive examples of typologies that differ in approach, goals, and usage, yet are recognized and widely applied.
1. DISC Typology: An Approach to Personalities in the Corporate Environment
Unlike Jung's concept of deep psychology, the DISC typology was designed to analyze human behavior in corporate and business environments. DISC is based on William Marston’s theory, which identifies four primary behavioral types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Each DISC type emphasizes specific behavioral aspects that impact work efficiency and interaction style.
DISC is used to assess work skills, analyze conflicts, determine management styles, and address other important aspects in business settings.
Example of Application: A company conducts a DISC assessment among its employees and finds that the sales department mainly consists of people with high influence and dominance. This indicates they are effective in client communication, enjoy leading, and make quick decisions. Meanwhile, the quality control department primarily comprises people with high conscientiousness and steadiness, focusing on detail, systematic processes, and safety. Understanding these differences allows the company to allocate resources more efficiently and optimize team processes by considering each employee's strengths.
2. Enneagram Typology: Nine Paths to Self-Awareness
The Enneagram is an approach that emphasizes each person’s emotional and cognitive characteristics, in contrast to Jungian-based typologies. This model identifies nine personality types, each with certain character traits, motivations, and attitudes. Rather than focusing on dichotomies or behavioral preferences, the Enneagram centers on inner beliefs and motivations.
This model suggests that each personality type forms around a specific internal “need” or belief. Though personality type cannot change, it can be developed or addressed to promote growth and improve relationships.
Example of Application: In psychological counseling, the Enneagram helps clients realize their deep-seated motives and inner beliefs. For example, a “Helper” type may tend toward self-sacrifice and concern for others, sometimes at their own expense. Understanding these aspects helps clients find a balance between self-care and caring for others while becoming more aware of their true motives, fostering personal growth and resolving internal conflicts.
3. Humanistic Typology by Karen Horney: Approach through Motivation and Defense Mechanisms
Renowned psychoanalyst and theorist Karen Horney proposed a unique typology focused on motivations and personality defense mechanisms. In her theory, Horney identified three primary behavioral patterns in response to stress and internal conflict: moving “toward people” (seeking recognition and love), moving “away from people” (seeking independence and self-isolation), and moving “against people” (competition and aggression).
This typology is based on the understanding that people develop certain behavior patterns as adaptation mechanisms to their social environment and internal needs. Recognizing these patterns helps people better understand their behavior and relationships.
Example of Application: In crisis counseling, Horney's ideas may help identify a client’s defense mechanisms. For instance, a person inclined to “move away from people” might withdraw during stressful situations and avoid communication. The psychologist can help them understand this strategy as a defense response and learn new ways to cope with stress while maintaining balanced relationships and avoiding isolation.
Conclusion: A Variety of Typologies for a More Comprehensive Understanding of Personality
Modern research on personality should consider not only Jungian models but also other typologies that may better explain behavioral characteristics and preferences depending on context. DISC, the Enneagram, and Horney’s approach are just a few of the many frameworks, each of which is useful in different fields and can be applied to solve specific tasks.
Of course, search engines currently do not grant us access to all these models on the first pages, and many remain unknown to the general public. To gain a complete understanding of personality types, it is essential to explore sources and learn about diverse approaches. With the development of artificial intelligence and the improvement of search engine algorithms, users may eventually receive more comprehensive and well-rounded answers to their queries. But for now, understanding the multifaceted concept of “personality type” requires effort and study of both classic and new approaches.
The concept of personality type goes far beyond a single model and encompasses many perspectives and concepts, each contributing uniquely to understanding human nature. Hopefully, over time, search engines will also reflect this diversity, helping people find answers to their questions in a broader and more informative way.