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Link to Type Dynamics - Part 2
 

Isabel Myers created the Type Table as a useful way of arranging the 16 Types. Once having learned how the table is made up, it is then just a further step to using it to determine the dynamics of each Type. (See Part 2.) The Type Table consists of four rows across and four columns up and down. Follow the order of the letters of Type itself to remember how the 4 X 4 grid is arranged.

The first letter in a Type tells what Attitude it is, whether it is Extraverted or Introverted. The bottom two rows are for the Extraverted Types and the top two rows are for the Introverted Types. To help you remember, think of the Introverts as having their heads in the clouds and the Extraverts with their feet on the ground.
 

I

I

E

E

The second letter indicates the Perceiving function. The left two columns are for the Sensing types and the Intuitive types are in the two columns on the right. They are placed in the same order as S-N. Think of left-brained as having linear, step-by-step thoughts (Sensing), while the right-brained process in a more holistic manner (Intuition).
 

S

S

N

N

The third letter points to the Judging functions. This time, the outer columns are the Thinking types, while the inner columns are the Feeling types. Remember that Feeling types like to be close to one another, but the Thinking types can stay by themselves.
 

T

F

F

T

The final letter shows our Orientation to the outer world. This is the part that people notice about us most. The Judging types are on the top and bottom rows, and the Perceiving types are on the middle two rows. Remember that Judging types like to keep the boundaries and so are like a fence on either side of the Perceiving types who might fly off in all directions if the Judging types weren't there to hold them in check.
 

J

P

P

J

Notice that any two types beside one another vertically or horizontally have only one letter different. Types that are one space apart along the diagonal have two letters different; and if they are two spaces apart along the diagonal, all four letters are different. When all four letters are the opposite, this is sometimes known as your shadow type. INFJ and ESTP (where the Xs are) are said to be shadow types and have all four letters opposite.
 

ISTJ	ISFJ	INFJ X	INTJ
ISTP	ISFP	INFP	INTP
ESTP X	ESFP	ENFP	ENTP
ESTJ	ESFJ	ENFJ	ENTJ

Follow the exercise below to help you learn and remember the Type Table.

1) Fill in the letters, one at a time-all the Is, Es, Ss, Ns, Ts, Fs, Js and Ps, on a blank Type Table to get a sense of where each Type is on the table.

2) Find your type on the grid by taking one letter at a time and mentally figuring out where it would be according to the steps taken to create the table.

E.g. Suppose your type is ENFP.

a) The E tells you that it is in one of the bottom two rows of the grid.

• The N tells you that it is in one of the right two columns of the grid, and thus in the lower right quadrant to also be Extraverted.

• The F tells you that it will be in one of the middle two row of the grid, but the right middle column because it also has to be N rather than S.
• The P tells you that it will be one of the middle two rows, but it will be the bottom middle row since you are also Extraverted. Now you are in the correct square.

4) Practise writing in the 16 types on the Type Table. After three or four runs through, you should have a mental picture of where each type is on the Table.

5) On your mental Type Table, begin to fill in the Types of people you know. This helps you remember people's types, but also helps you build up a mental picture of what each type has in common.

Link to Type Dynamics - Part 2

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List of Articles by Jack Falt