Character Typing Guide
Rule 1: Assume the character is a sensor.
New typists are too quick to label characters as intuitive. An intuitive character will
stand out because they are motivated by hunches – they know things, or connect
things the other characters do not or find of little interest. Unless this defines their
personality in an identifiable way, assume them a sensor.
Rule 2: Form a decent argument with “proof” based on an
understanding of the functions.
If you find yourself grasping at straws or being overly vague to explain their functional
stack, either a) you have the wrong type, b) you do not know the axis very well, or c)
the character is poorly written.
Rule 3: Do what works for you.
Some people type based on the big picture (this character acts most like an ____, so
they are one); some type based on details (careful assessment of the character,
gathering facts); some type based on a combination of both, or use a conclusion and
work backward to find the evidence. If you cannot figure out a character, it may be
you are holding too tightly to an assumption; throw out that type and consider
another one.
Rule 4: Be patient.
Typing takes practice. Learning and deepening your understanding as you type will
show you the mistakes you make and give you additional information and clarity
about the functions. Avoid forming ‘dislikes’ for certain types and assume no
character shares your type unless you can see clear evidence of how they ‘fail’ in the
same cognitive ways you do. Let go of biases, expectations, and learn to identify,
appreciate and admire each type for its strengths.
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Cognitive Shortcuts List:
NJ: High Introverted Intuition (Ni) / Low Extroverted Sensing (Se): Big
picture thinking, reflects on meaning and implications, singular conclusions, personal
vision, firm on their perceptions, long term plans, strategy, flexible but decisive. Bad
at improvising, often miscalculates, over-indulges, unaware of environment.
SP: High Extroverted Sensing (Se) / Low Introverted Intuition (Ni): Quick
to react or instigate action or to respond to novelty or change, opportunism, in the
moment, quick action, sensory confidence, risk-taking, hands-on, makes things
happen, impulsive and not often careful. Fears impending doom, fails to plan ahead,
misreads situations, fixation on a single goal.
NP: High Extroverted Intuition (Ne) / Low Introverted Sensing (Si): Big
picture thinking, good at improvising or changing their mind, loves wit or puns,
inappropriate humor, optimistic dreamer, new patterns, following new thoughts.
Physical detachment, underestimates projects, nitpicks about change, fails to be
realistic.
SJ: High Introverted Sensing (Si) / Low Extroverted Intuition (Ne):
Grounded, detailed, good with routine, sticks with what they know and cherish,
observant, aware of physical needs, careful decision making, prefers sensory comfort,
details, precision, personal experience, trust in past precedent.Fearful of
consequences, unable to sort possibilities carefully, doesn’t see or give much thought
to what’s going on beneath the surface, gives in to irrationality, becomes impulsive
under stress.
FJ: High Extroverted Feeling (Fe) / Low Introverted Thinking (Ti):
Emotionally persuasive, maintains good relationships, smooths out discord, uses
collective values to connect with others, good people skills, prone to sharing feelings,
focus on social appropriateness, projects ‘false’ moods, need to be liked. Disconnects
from others, indulges critical or mean judgments, forms rigid logical conclusions,
becomes frustrated by problems and fixated on “why is this happening?”
TP: High Introverted Thinking (Ti) / Low Extroverted Feeling (Ti):
Detached and analytical, systematizes information to understand how to problem-
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solve or prevent/avoid problems, swift action, learning as they go, investigative,
critical, curious how it works, consistent internal logic, desires understanding.
Sometimes loses their temper, impatient with people and their feelings, unsure of
their own emotions, disregards emotional ‘data,’ low-order emotional manipulation,
annoyed by feelings.
TJ: High Extroverted Thinking (Te) / Low Introverted Feeling (Fi): Sees a
problem and wants to resolve it efficiently, offers useful factual information but
frustrated by incompetence, immediate observable logic, financially driven, organized
and efficient, detached from problems, reliance on facts. Situational empathy, strong
emphasis on personal responsibility, repressed feelings, discounts their own or others’
feelings.
FP: High Introverted Feeling (Fi) / Low Introverted Thinking (Te): Reflects
on their feelings, acts in accordance to their moral instincts, seeks to alleviate
suffering, sensitive, empathetic, honorable, strong moral judgments, need to be true
to self, internalized emotions, must do what is ‘right,’ emphasis on fairness. Can be a
dictator under stress, struggles to rationalize or form factual arguments, blunt and
authoritative, acts on feelings, refuses to make detached decisions.
Enneagram Typing
Anger / Gut Center (how I handle my anger):
1: repressed, buttoned up, right / wrong, morals, rigid.
9: easygoing, peaceful, complacent, passive, calm.
8: aggressive, assertive, controlling, confrontational.
Image / Heart Center (how others see me):
2: helpful, a rescuer, of service to others, moves ‘toward’ them.
3: focus on success, ambition, competitive, workaholic.
4: moody, self-pity, self-indulgence, morose, romantic, moves ‘away’ from others.
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Logic / Head Center (how I avoid my fears):
5: intense, cerebral, book knowledge, detachment, dismisses feelings, objectivity.
6: anxious, loyal, worries, self-reliant, suspicious, humorous (cp6: attacks, assertive,
may look like an 8 but will back down under pressure / is fearful).
7: optimistic, playful, busy, seeks pleasure, impulsive, witty.
The character likely displays two strong Enneagram types; when you have narrowed it
down to two, ask yourself how they react under stress and what seems to govern them
most to determine their core. (For example, Rodney McKay from Stargate Atlantis is
a 3-6 combo; he is paranoid, insecure, angry, and defensive under pressure like a 6,
but most of the time is arrogant, ambitious, assumes he is a genius, and wants praise,
ergo a 3.)
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