Keirsey Temperament Theory¶
Keirsey Temperament Theory is a differential psychology theory which resembles Myers-Briggs Typology and, to a lesser degree, the Five-factor model.
Some people prefer KTT to MBT or socionics because it is simpler to use. However, no publishing socionists rely on Keirsey’s work, temperament groups, or descriptions, which seem more distant from socionics than Myers-Briggs Typology.
Dichotomies in KTT¶
KTT uses the same four-letter code as MBT, and later, socionics, but they don’t exactly mean the same thing. Although KTT resembles MBT, they are not the same thing.
E / I = Expressive / Attentive
S / N = Observant, Concrete / Introspective, Abstract
T / F = Tough-minded / Friendly
J / P = Scheduling / Probing
Temperaments in KTT¶
KTT doesn’t distinguish any functions, information elements or any sort of cognitive processes. KTT is more based on what he calls “temperaments” :
SP - Artisan - Action-seeking
SJ - Guardian - Security-seeking
NF - Idealist - Identity-seeking
NT - Rational - Knowledge-seeking
Rings of KTT¶
KTT has four rings.
Temperaments are 4 and use the two first rings.
Intelligence types are 8 and use the three first rings.
Role variants are 16 and use the four rings.
First ring - Concrete versus Abstract¶
S means Concrete
N means Abstract
Second ring - Cooperative versus Pragmatic¶
SJ and NF are Cooperative
SP and NT are Pragmatic
Third ring - Directive versus Informative¶
ST and NJ are Directive
SF and NP are Informative
Fourth ring - Expressive versus Attentive¶
E means Expressive
I means Attentive