Some of the most important recent work done in the field on Personality Typing has been done by David Keirsey, who has created the theory of temperament associated with type. In his research, he has made observations that have allowed him to combine two of the four sets of preferences, into four distinct temperament categories. Each of the sixteen personality types fits into one of these temperament categories. Human values are inherent within all, and are known and guide actions in different ways by each temperament.
The Temperament Matrix
Instead of using the term personality to name his questionnaire, Keirsey used the term temperament because he felt temperament is made up of personality traits one can observe, including the way one typically communicates, the kinds of actions one takes to accomplish their goals, and their talents, values, and preferences.
The four temperaments are the result of a matrix built on the way two elements of temperament interact: communication and action, which were each divided into two broad opposing groups.
Communication
The ability to communicate is a cornerstone of human experience. However, Keirsey maintained that there are two general topics people discuss, and while everyone talks about each one, people tend to prefer one over another.
These two communication styles are:
Concrete: People who communicate in a concrete way discuss external reality. This includes facts of their daily lives, the news, and other things going on in the world.
Abstract: People who communicate in an abstract way discuss internal ideas. This includes their dreams, fantasies, beliefs, and theories about what is or what could be in life.
Action
Similarly, all people take action to reach their goals and objectives, but Keirsey felt there were only two categories of action.
Although people may ultimately take action in different ways based on the situation, they tend to prefer one kind of action over the other.
These two action orientations are:
Cooperative: People who act cooperatively are more concerned with doing the right thing and staying within the bounds of social norms than with the results of their actions.
Utilitarian: People who act in a utilitarian way do whatever they need to do to meet their objectives effectively. They only pay attention to whether they have stayed within the bounds of social norms after they’ve taken action.
The two styles of communication and two styles of action are placed opposite one another on the matrix, leading to four quadrants. Each quadrant represents one of the four temperaments.
The Four Keirsey Temperaments
The four temperament types defined by Keirsey each have different strengths and weaknesses, skills and talents.
The four temperaments are:
- Artisan
- Guardian
- Idealist
- Rational
Artisan
As the name indicates, Artisans tend to excel in the arts or anything that requires creativity. They are concrete and utilitarian, which means they’re talented at working with solid objects and confronting real-world situations.
Also, they are willing to take risks and break the rules and can be impulsive in their constant quest for excitement and adventure. According to the Keirsey Group, 30% to 35% of the world’s population are Artisans.
Guardian
Guardians are dependable, hard-working individuals who keep the wheels of society turning. They are concrete and cooperative, which means they follow the rules and respect authority.
They are dedicated to maintaining law and order and believe in customs and traditions. According to the Keirsey Group, 40% to 45% of the world’s population are Guardians.
Idealist
Idealists tend to focus on personal growth, self-improvement, and people reaching their potential. They are abstract and cooperative, and as a result, they strongly believe in working together harmoniously to pursue what could be, rather than what is.
They are loyal, honest, and kind, and tend to pursue careers that enable them to help people. According to the Keirsey Group, 15% to 20% of the world’s population are Idealists.
Rational
Rationals are the rarest of the four temperaments. Rationals are problem-solvers who enjoy figuring out systems (whether those systems are organic, social, mechanical, or something else) and determining how to improve them.
They are abstract and utilitarian, which means they are pragmatic in their approach and interested in abstract concepts that underlie whatever systems have caught their interest.
Rationals value intelligence, independent thinking, and logic. They often become completely absorbed by whatever problem they are trying to solve, making them seem aloof or withdrawn. According to the Keirsey Group, a mere 5% to 10% of the world’s population are Rationals.
SJ – “The Guardians”
Keirsey describes the SJ group’s primary objective as “Security Seeking”. The SJ grouping includes the types:
ESTJ – “The Supervisors”
ISTJ – “The Inspectors”
ESFJ – “The Providers”
ISFJ – “The Protectors”
SP – “The Artisans”
Keirsey describes the SP group’s primary objective as “Sensation Seeking”. The SP grouping includes the types:
ESTP – “The Promoters”
ISTP – “The Crafters”
ESFP – “The Performers”
ISFP – “The Composers”
NT – “The Rationals”
Keirsey describes the NT group’s primary objective as “Knowledge Seeking”. The NT grouping includes the types:
ENTJ – “The Fieldmarshals”
INTJ – “The Masterminds”
ENTP – “The Inventors”
INTP – “The Architects”
NF – “The Idealists”
Keirsey describes the NF group’s primary objective as “Identity Seeking”. The NF grouping includes the types:
ENFJ – “The Teachers”
INFJ – “The Counselors”
ENFP – “The Champions”
INFP – “The Healers”
The type descriptions are those given by Keirsey.
Human Values
Human values are fundamental to human existence and are integral to any society. They are those qualities that lie within the human personality, waiting to be drawn out and translated into action. They are universal, inherent in all human beings, and intertwined with the cultural and spiritual aspects of life. Human values make life worthwhile, noble, and excellent.
Human Values are inherent in every person, every temperament. These values (Truth, Right Action, Love, Peace and Non-violence) will be known, identified and expressed in a cornucopia of ways by each temperament. Temperament is not a stereotype for behaviour and self-awareness. Neither are human values. Our values are principally identified internally by self-inquiry: behaviour is based on choices – choices are guided by values. Each temperament will take up this action differently. Others attribute values to us by our words, actions and attitudes. Attitudes include feelings, actions, beliefs and knowledge. Thoughts, words and actions are primary elements of Integrity or good character.
There is no one temperament (Artisan, Guardian, Idealist or Rational) that does values better than any other. Some may be good at articulating the values that drive their thoughts and actions and how they achieve outcomes. For others, values have a purpose and may be implicit in their actions, yet, not expressed, nor articulated. This might be illustrated by the Rational who expresses his love for wife and family by paying the bills and giving the remainder of his income to his or her partner, and making internal sacrifices for same. Love is implicit.
Yet others might seek to do the family thing and unknowingly ride slipshod over the needs and wants of others in order to get to the outcome. For example, the Artisan might take the family on an outing to build in family time together and hence, family love. Children, who want to go and play with friends, might be resentful. Here, the Artisan has to tell this is Love in action.
A group may be seeking direction in achieving their purpose, their outcomes. Discussion, debate, argumentation and quarrels may well paralyse the group and build negativity, particularly for those who want immediate outcomes, immediate actions. The Idealist in the group might articulate how love is the basis for action, the guide to the outcome, and that the group authenticity is action with Love.
A group of teenagers might be right and ready to take off with a mission to save the world and clean up the neighbourhood. The Guardian may say “Well and Good!”, and then proceed to to guide the teenagers: what are the hazards and safety? You must have hi-viz clothing and protective gloves and eye-wear. The tools must be treated with respect and used properly, to avoid inadvertent self-harm. By specifying the guiding values, the boundaries which our teenagers have to act within, the Guardian – with their codes of safety and conduct – reveal that Love is found in the boundary.
When we observe the actions of others (or inaction) we may be quick to provide critique. Perhaps it is better to wait and to consider or reflect on what value (or good outcome) is guiding the actions, behaviours, words and attitudes of the person, the group, the activity. These values (Truth, Right Action, Love, Peace and Non-violence) are inherent within every person, and will be expressed, revealed, acted out in different ways by different temperament. For example, there is no one hard and fast expression of Truth. For some, the truth is the foundation of their lives; for others, Truth is known in speech. Some seek the truth in action, others teach that Truth is the same, in the past, future and the present. All temperaments will come to this differently, yet, with the same validity that produces human flourishing.
