BY SIMONE SMITH
How is the Toronto Caribbean Community? I want to thank you for joining me for the second half of How We Sense our World. Last week I was able to introduce you to a psychologist by the name of Carl Jung. He was an analytical psychologist who provided numerous insights into how human personalities function. He explained that our personalities are dynamic, complex and confusing. Carl Jung attempted to clear up this confusion by providing us with four functions and two attitudes that make up our personality. This week I am going to break them down for you, in the hopes that you will be able to identify with one of the groups. Keep in mind that we are dynamic and forever changing, but it is good to have a solid grasp as to how you interact with the world.
Jung decided to further explore personalities and came up with the theory of psychological types. There are sixteen possible personality types:
- Extraverted thinking type
- Introverted thinking type
- Extraverted feeling type
- Introverted feeling type
- Extraverted sensing type
- Introverted sensing type
- Introverted intuitive type
- Extraverted intuitive type
Extraverted Thinking Type: This type of person lives by a formula; good and evil, beauty and ugliness are all determined by this formula. They may appear to be concerned about the welfare of others, but in reality, are only concerned about their own self advancement. I like to call these people SOCIOPATHS.
Introverted Thinking Type: If you are this type of individual, you are strongly influenced by your ideas. Your creative ideas spring from the inside out and are not dictated by traditional moral authority. To others you may appear cold and inconsiderate; you tend to have some issues socializing with others and you have a hard time communicating your wonderful ideas.
Extraverted Feeling Type: These individual’s feelings are controlled by social norms; this means that your feelings may change depending on the situation you are in and the type of person you are around. Thinking is repressed and you will do what makes other people feel comfortable. This is the person who will break an engagement to another person because their parents do not approve of their partner. They conform to rules and regulations.
Introverted Feeling Type: These individuals are mostly silent, inaccessible and difficult to understand. They are hard to understand and do a great job masking their feelings; to others they may appear unfeeling, but in reality they are incapable of intense emotions.
Extraverted Sensing Type: This individual is reality oriented and refuses to think or contemplate their actions. Experiencing a sensation becomes an end in itself. These individuals are outgoing and very happy; their enjoyment revolves around what the senses can pick up: tastes, smells, how something feels, etc.
Introverted Sensing Type: This individual is seen as irrational and easily stimulated by outside stimulus. This is the type of person who will take what you say in the most bizarre way. They will misconstrue words and may continuously blow things way out of proportion.
Extraverted Intuitive Type: Exploiting external opportunities is the main concern of this type of personality. Politicians, contractors, women and sales people are examples of this type of personality. They can be a serious danger to themselves; they will help others but do little for themselves. Projects that are started usually do not get completed.
Introverted Intuitive Type: These personality types are great visionaries and mystics; they are hard to understand because they have problems communicating effectively. This personality can be seen as artistically cranky because they are estranged from reality and use idiosyncratic language. These are the ones who seem like they are speaking in a different language; they use a million big words to express one idea.
In this brief article, I hope I was able to break down how you interact in this world and hopefully you were able to recognize yourself, as well as other people you interact with. Having a better understanding of people helps cut down on judgment and helps to encourage understanding of how others think, feel and sense. Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year!
