Bomb Threats And You: Temperaments In Action
February 5th, 2009
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When I saw the different reactions to Darkworker Supervisors Want Doctor’s Notes, I was reminded of a story that illustrates how different personality types would react to a bomb threat.
But first, a trip back in time. For thousands of years, there have been ways of classifying personality types into four different temperaments. And while these temperaments have had different names over the years, they’ve described roughly the same behavior.
In 590 BC, Ezekiel called them ox (sturdy), lion (bold), eagle (far-seeing), and man (humane).
In 400 BC, Hippocrates called them somber (black bile), cheerful (blood), calm (phlegm), and enthusiastic (yellow bile).
In 340 BC, Plato called them sensible (pistic), artistic (iconic), reasoning (dianoetic), and intuitive (noetic).
In 325 BC, Aristotle called them material (propraietari), sensual (hedone), logical (dialogike), and ethical (ethikos).
In 185 AD, Irenaeus called them historical, spontaneous, scholarly, and spiritual.
There were many more names over the years, but you get the idea.
The current names for the temperaments come from David Keirsey’s work in 1998. He called them guardians, artisans, rationals, and idealists.
By then, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator had been well established. And it came as a big surprise when Keirsey discovered that the 16 Myers-Briggs types could be mapped perfectly to the 4 temperaments, as follows:
| Keirsey’s temperament | Myers-Briggs types |
|---|---|
| Guardians | SJ (sensing judging) |
| Artisans | SP (sensing perceiving) |
| Rationals | NT (intuitive thinking) |
| Idealists | NF (intuitive feeling) |
(This is a 4 to 1 mapping. For example, the guardians correspond to any MBTI type containing SJ, meaning ESTJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, and ISFJ.)
Not only do SJ, SP, NT, and NF map to the temperaments, but these 2-letter MBTI snippets happen to be the 2 letters that say the most about a person. Group people into these 4 temperaments, and you’ll get the starkest behavioral differences.
Isabel Briggs Myers protested incorporating temperaments into the MBTI theory, but it happened. (As you’ll see below, the temperaments often go by different names in an MBTI context.)
I find temperaments to be a very convenient way of describing someone’s personality in a nutshell. Without getting into a whole lot of details, we can look at the differences between the temperaments by going back to the bomb threats.
If you were in an office building when someone called in a bomb threat, what would you do? Here’s what’s likely for the different temperaments.
SJs (The Traditionalists):
SJs will whip out their procedure manuals, if they didn’t already have them memorized. They’ll follow the rules to the letter, making sure they did exactly what they were supposed to do in the event of an emergency.
SPs (The Experiencers):
SPs will spring into action, taking charge to make sure everyone gets evacuated. After getting a read on the situation, they’ll know what they have to do, and they’ll keep updating their plan on the fly as they get more information.
NTs (The Conceptualizers):
NTs will be fascinated by the situation. They’ll be less interested in evacuating the building than in discussing the possible motives for the bomb threat, whether it’s an effective strategy, and what the response should be.
NFs (The Idealists):
NFs will be terribly saddened that anyone would do such a thing. They’ll reflect on the state of humanity, what this world is coming to, and how they can help.
Now, do these blurbs really predict exactly what everyone would do? Of course not. In reality, a lot of people would probably just panic if there were an actual bomb threat. But this shows the theoretical differences in behavior. You’d be surprised how consistent people are in acting according to their temperament.
Back to the comments on Darkworker Supervisors Want Doctor’s Notes. I don’t like to type non-famous people without their consent, because some people don’t like it. However, Akemi from Yes to Me previously identified herself as an ENFP, while Dot from Deeper Issues identified herself as an ISTJ, and I’m an INTP.
As an NT, I was talking about how absurd this “two doctor’s notes per visit” policy is, and why they should change it.
As an NF, Akemi observed that the employee was giving away his power to others, and he needs to realize that he has the power to create his own reality.
As an SJ, Dot was saying that the rules exist for a reason, and it’s the employee’s responsibility to support the company’s policy.
All of which was perfectly predictable. Not that there are never exceptions, but people are almost always true to form. Escaping your temperament is about as likely as escaping your shadow.
What about you? What would you do during a bomb threat?
February 5th, 2009 at 3:15 am
All this classifying of temperaments annoys me, but I have honestly to say, that I enjoyed the Bomb test. It turned out that I’m a Experiencer.
Now, is there anything good about knowing that I’m a experiencer ?
Is there something useful that i can do with this information ?
ciao
alexander
Alexander Reif´s last blog post..Tu hai uno scopo della vita ?
February 5th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Hi Hunter
Mmm, first I thought of a huge number of other ideas, but then, if I’m limited to your four options, I’d go with the feeling sad. South Africa and it’s violence and lack of respect for life is sad.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers Of Introversion: Starting The Process
February 5th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I would definitely fall into my stereotype (NT). This was all on display on 9/11. No, I was not in NYC. I was working in downtown Pittsburgh when it all happened. Of course, there were immediate rumors of a jet hijacked over Pittsburgh (true), which led 90% of everyone to assume the jet could be targeted at them (eventually brought down in a field in Pennsylvania). However, my first thought was, “I doubt the terrorists could even find Pittsburgh on a map.” Which is probably true and would mean there are plenty of other higher profile targets terrorist would try for. Thus, I was unconcerned for my own safety, and more interested in understanding the situation and developing theories about the situation than running for the door.
Chad @ sentient money´s last blog post..“TAKE THE PAIN!!!!”
February 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
@ Alexander, how you use this information is up to you. I saw you have an ad for “The Secret” on your site. So what useful things can you do with “The Secret?” It’s up to each person to decide for themselves, isn’t it?
Since you’re an experiencer, I’d guess that theoretical information like this is less interesting to you than something like riding your motorcycle. Just kidding – the motorcycle thing is an SP stereotype. But I’m curious, do you own a motorcycle?
@ Juliet, I guess your experience with living in South Africa lets you see this in a different light. It must be awful having that much violence all around you.
@ Chad, that’s similar to how I reacted on 9/11. I was in central New Jersey, so I was in no danger personally, and just watching the news. First I was shocked, like everyone else was. After some time though, I started thinking about what the terrorists were trying to do, what demands they were going to make, how we could identify them, what the military response would be, etc.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
OMG this is so funny!
… in real bomb threat situation, I think the first thing I do is to simply get up and leave. I am less motivated to help people in this kind of “practical” situation because I know everyone is capable of helping themselves. (I mean, if we line up by the physical capability, I probably won’t rank high. I can’t run fast, and I can’t carry heavy items. So I figure it’s best that I just take care of myself and remove myself from danger rather than trying to “help”)
But while I walk off, I’d be thinking how we can bring more love and peace to this world.
So, the old 4 categories, like the Plato model — how do they fit in to the 4 types by MB?
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog post..Extending Love In Business And Beyond
February 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I think another good way to see this is to think what we each did on 9/11. I was in Ohio, so we knew we were not in immediate danger, but as I was watching the news, and then heard the local schools were closing for the day, I remember thinking “we need to close our business operation, too, so that the parents can be with the kids. The loss this can cause would be far less than the benefit of employees’ appreciation for such a human loving treatment”
So … I am an idealist?
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog post..No More Life Lessons In The School Of Life
February 5th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
@ Akemi, NTs and NFs would probably simply get up and leave in a real bomb threat. They’d do their thinking while evacuating, or after things settled down.
But while NTs and NFs would “simply leave,” SJs would leave the proper way according to the official procedures, while SPs would leave in the way that they decided was best at the time.
SJs might go down a certain stairwell, meet in a certain spot, call the police, and do a roll call, if that’s what they’re supposed to do. SPs would be much more on the fly, deciding what stairwell was least crowded, going out the window if that was easier, running back inside to save someone who was missing, etc. SJs are more like police officers, and SPs are more like firefighters.
I guess I’d first think that the bomb threat was probably a hoax, and keep working until they made us leave. Then I’d leave while analyzing the situation.
The temperaments are usually listed in the order SJ, SP, NT, NF. And for each model like Plato’s above, I listed the temperaments in the corresponding order. The first one corresponds to SJ, the next is SP, etc. You can see this much more clearly in this table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirsey_Temperament_Sorter
February 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@ Akemi,
“So … I am an idealist?”
Gee, you think?
Yes, I think what we did on 9/11 can definitely reflect on our temperament. From what little I know about Todd Beamer (the one who led the United 93 passengers in thwarting the terrorists’ plans), I’d say he was almost certainly an SP.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I’m not too happy with the description “whip out their rulebooks,” nor with being the negative example yet again. For that matter, I don’t even remember being an SJ, but I haven’t been able to find the page where you had us list our categories.
Although you’ve made an effort to state that no type is any better or worse than any other, at times your wording is rather judgmental, and it’s clear that you approve of some types and not others. I’m bowing out at this point. Since you can predict my comments, it won’t matter.
Dot´s last blog post..Update on Redesign Progress
February 5th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
@ Dot, here’s where you called yourself an ISTJ: http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2008/12/whats-your-myers-briggs-type/#comment-7662
I don’t know why you’re not happy with that description. You find it accurate, don’t you? It’s based on your own preferences, right? I didn’t make up the bomb threat story, and it doesn’t reflect negatively on SJs any more than the other types.
Is it offensive to have the temperament associated with police officers, emphasizing duty, loyalty, order, and tradition? If so, why? Who said you’re the negative example, in this case or any other? You’re the one reading negativity into this. You’re also the one who always comes here and starts these things.
Of course my wording is rather judgmental at times (on a variety of topics). What’s the alternative? Having only weak opinions about everything? But this idea that I approve of some types and not others is just plain wrong. You and my dad are the same type, BTW. I know plenty of other SJs and ISTJs who don’t seem to make it their mission to be offended by everything.
I don’t have a problem with your type. I have a problem with your constant complaining on every blog where I see you. Even if you have something nice to say, you always manage to work in a backhanded compliment. It’s gotten to the point where I see your avatar somewhere and think “Oh great, what’s Dot going to complain about now?”
Chill. Breathe. Relax.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I see, so by me simply leaving, I actually save your life. Because when you see me get up and leave, you’d think you might want to leave, too, even though that was not your first response.
Akemi — ENFP — saves the world! ^_^
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog post..Soul Shifting And the Light Ascension Of Maybe 2012
February 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hey Hunter,
I’m pretty sure I’m an NT. Though I’m a bit unsure. I think I’m going to have to read all the posts you did on the Myers Briggs tests. Now I’m really interested.
Thanks for this,
Ryan M Hall
Ryan M Hall´s last blog post..What Can You Fail at Today?
February 5th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@ Akemi, well, if it was just one person leaving, I probably wouldn’t stop what I was doing. But if everyone was leaving, I’d think that I probably should too. At my last job, a couple times I just suddenly noticed that I was the last person in the building. Everyone had left because bad weather was coming, and I didn’t notice!
@ Ryan, NT wouldn’t surprise me for you, though I can’t be sure. If you are, I’ll see you at the next meeting!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I don’t own a motorcycle, but indeed I would like to posses one to experience what is the “liberty sensation” which many bikers report riding their motorcycle.
BTW you can get a glimps of what my blog is about using Google Translate
ciao
alexander
Alexander Reif´s last blog post..30 giorni alla ricerca del mio scopo di vita: aggiornamento prima settimana
February 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
@ Alexander, good luck with experiencing your “liberty sensation,” and thanks for the translation help. I was guessing it was Italian.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
“Is it offensive to have the temperament associated with police officers, emphasizing duty, loyalty, order, and tradition?” No, if that’s one’s personality. It’s not mine. Order is important to me, but duty, loyalty and tradition are not. In fact, just the opposite. As I’ve said before, Myers-Briggs is very limited. You can’t know someone from the answers to 20 questions.
Yes, maybe I am reading negativity into what I read. Or maybe I’m picking up on your dislike for me. I think one thing is clear, types aside, we don’t get along, and I shouldn’t be here.
If you had lived 19 years in constant pain and had to put up with all the illnesses I live with, you might complain a lot too.
“Even if you have something nice to say, you always manage to work in a backhanded compliment.”
Can you give me three examples?
Dot´s last blog post..Update on Redesign Progress
February 7th, 2009 at 1:37 am
@ Dot, do you agree that you’re an S and a J? If so, that makes you an SJ, right? Maybe the particular words I used to describe it don’t exactly appeal to you, but there might be other ways to describe SJs that make you say “Yeah, that’s me.”
In your comment on the doctor’s note post, you said we all have to report to someone, give them the paperwork they need, and support the company, because it only seems fair. That sounds like duty and loyalty to me.
I agree that the MBTI has its limitations, but I’d hardly call it “very limited.” It’s the best personality assessment in the world. Yes, there’s plenty of variation within the types, but your type still says a lot about you, enough for me to see you as an ISTJ without having met you. There are actually 93 questions in MBTI Step I (the more common one), and 144 questions in MBTI Step II (the more complete one).
“If you had lived 19 years in constant pain and had to put up with all the illnesses I live with, you might complain a lot too.” – That’s perfectly true.
“I think one thing is clear, types aside, we don’t get along, and I shouldn’t be here.”
I agree that we don’t get along. But when I’m deciding whether to read a blog, I don’t make that decision on the basis of how well I get along with them. There are lots of people I get along with whose blogs I don’t read, and it’s conceivable that I could read a blog without getting along with the owner (though I don’t think I currently have any examples of that).
While I don’t read many blogs these days, I decide to read blogs based on what I get out of them. That could be anything. Maybe someone blogs on a mundane topic but they have an interesting perspective. Maybe someone’s a jerk but they have good advice. I don’t have any set criteria, but I just get an impression of whether I’m getting something out of that blog that makes me want to come back.
As for the three examples, I suppose I could go look for some, but I don’t think that would be especially useful for either of us.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
What bothers me is being (stereo)typed and then having my words misinterpreted to support the type category. Here’s just one example:
You said, “you said we all have to report to someone, give them the paperwork they need, and support the company, because it only seems fair. That sounds like duty and loyalty to me.”
No, I didn’t say that. I said that since my company had gone above and beyond the requirements of the law in supporting my problems, I wanted to go above and beyond for them. I would term that a better-than-average relationship, not duty. Loyalty would mean I would keep working there because of it, right? I haven’t said anything about that.
I feel that you interpret my disagreeing with anyone as “constant complaining.” I disagree with your characterization of me, and I have never heard it from anyone else.
Dot´s last blog post..Update on Redesign Progress
February 8th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
@ Dot, fine, you’re disloyal and you have no sense of duty. Happy now?
You said yourself that you complain a lot. OK, lest I put words in your mouth, you technically didn’t say that outright. You said “If you had lived 19 years in constant pain and had to put up with all the illnesses I live with, you might complain a lot too.”
I took this as an implication that you complain a lot as a result of 19 years of constant pain and several illnesses. But I suppose it’s possible that you were not referring to yourself, and just saying that hypothetically if one had lived 19 years in constant pain, then one might complain a lot. Reading between the lines is possibly less accurate than waiting for a direct statement, but it’s also a lot faster.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
If you want to discuss this further, please email me.
Dot´s last blog post..Time to Celebrate!
October 18th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Hi…
I’m reading this post again as I think more about various personality types (including MBTI) and how I see people’s strengths and weaknesses in my soul reading…
Btw just a little suggestion. Don’t buy into provocation. That is exactly what the provocator wants you. And the more you try to defend your argument, the more you get drained. It’s kinda fun to watch from the side, but I know this can be agonizing for the defender. It doesn’t matter which side is correct. Just step back and those who likes to provoke arguments will find another prey somewhere else.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
@ Akemi, within a group, say of Alpha Centaurians, how much variation of personality types do you see?
Yeah, I think you might be right about provocation.
October 20th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hunter,
This is my thought about MBTI and your recent post on What Color? personality type. All these personality analysis are based on the respondents’ answers, in other words, their own perception of their preferences and choices. This automatically sets limits. For instance, if I choose going out with friends rather than staying home as my preferred way of spending spare time, wouldn’t I know already I’m extroverted? Do I need the test to tell me? But is my own observation correct? In reality, I spend the majority of my time alone at home, and my answer may be based on my perception of what I do in my spare time — those occasional special time I go out. So am I really E?
Another problem of these analysis is they force us to think in either-or way. For instance, MBTI puts you either sensing or intuitive. But really? This may be helpful for someone who is close to 100% of either way (I’m 100% intuitive. I hardly see the “practical” side of reality) but what if someone is, say, 60% intuitive and 40% sensing? In this case, I think it would be more helpful to say, “You are very intuitive and conceptual, but you are also very capable in paying attention to details” In my case, judgmental and perceptive is almost the same amount. If you check ENFJ, you may agree it’s Akemi.
So, to answer your question about starseed groups and personality types. They do not correlate very well. For instance, Alpha Centaurians can be S or N. I assume it would be more common for Alpha Centaurians to be S, but being a starseed, it’s possible to be N. (Do you know how much percentage of S/N you are? Are you mildly N with pretty big % in S?) Alpha Centaurians are definitely Thinkers, but even this can be tweaked by other aspects of their Akashic Records and the respondent’s own perception. For example, an Alpha Centaurian may be training in the heart chakra energy, to learn how to balance the head and the heart. So he is a thinker, but he also have lots of feelings. Now if this person happen to be in a sensitive life situation that causes a lot of emotions, he may answer predominantly as a Feeler.
Hope this helps. Interesting discussion. Perhaps you can write another post on MBTI.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:55 am
@ Akemi, thanks for this info. Yes, I think I need to wnite another post here.
Update 5/16/2010: I finally did! http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2010/05/personality-types
May 16th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
[...] my post Bomb Threats And You: Temperaments In Action, I wrote about the four personality temperaments. The temperaments are now part of the [...]