Personality Types

Originally published in my old blog in September 2008.

Do you categorize personalities into types? Do types include more than just personality? Are types really personal essence rather than simply personality? If categorization is done, does that help or hinder our interactions with people?

In some ways an intuitive classification of a personality into a “type” can trigger a style of interaction from us that is more receptive to the person of focus. It is inherent in more specific political interactions where influence of another person’s actions or decisions is desired. However, in this case the specific knowledge of the person is paramount.

Reacting or pro-acting to a type is more general than a specific political interaction. It sometimes happens immediately upon meeting a person. The mannerisms, body type and personality are thin-sliced intuitively into a type that was formed from previous interactions with at least one person of very similar characteristics. This intuition may trigger a way of relating to the new person with similar communication style as in prior encounters. This can lead to a feeling of immediate acquaintance or friendship, since it “feels” like we have known this person for a long time due to the type association that has occurred in our minds.

If type association occurs, does this influence the interaction in unnatural ways that would otherwise not occur if every single person we meet is treated as a blank slate unique starting point? Is type association stereotypical, or is it a pragmatic evolution that enhances the degree of emotional intelligence we can bring to bear on social situations?

Type association does not mean that we completely map a new person into a prior type. Obviously there are numerous idiosyncracies and unique characteristics that make up a complex human personality that cannot be downgraded into a type classification. However, there may be some credibility to the theory that thin-slicing personalities into types is a strong component of emotional intelligence. It brings a foundation of familiarity to social situations that would not otherwise be there.

Perhaps those of us with less social adeptness lack some degree of the type association skill that is necessary to quickly interact in a confident manner with a variety of people. Having to start from scratch with every new social encounter would seem to be a disadvantage and tend toward uncertainty of expression rather than a quick familiarity that puts others at ease.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, and without complementary awareness and perception of unique personal qualities, type association may lead to stereotyping and superficial understanding of people we meet.