In the article Fictional Character Development and Personality the Myers Briggs Personality Tool was described as one way for developing characters traits and habits. This article is the second which outlines four of the sixteen profiles and gives some idea of how they may manifest themselves in terms of personality. The first article of this series can be found here.
Characters – Big Thinkers
This profile includes the preferences for Extroversion, Intuition, Thinking and Perceiving (ENTP). Although they like to deal with abstract information and consider possibilities they make decisions using a logical point of view. However, they are adaptable and open to new ideas and interests. They like to debate things and enjoy a healthy argument from time to time, if only to prove they are right. This character will be fiercely independent and able to face most challenges thrown at them. They value their freedom and may be hard to tie down.
Characters – Innovators
The ENFP profile favours a more people centered approach to their decision making. They apply their personal values and will attempt to understand others before making choices. They can be very flexible, and not opposed to considering new possibilities or information. They are not good at detail and planning, taking more pleasure in experimenting and trying things out along the way. Innovators can be very charismatic, enchanting all those they meet through their zest, love of life and general sense of fun. They can be very persuasive when they want to get their own way.
Characters – Performers
This profile includes the preferences for Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perceiving (ESFP). Characters who tend to operate within this personality prefer the facts, what they can see, sense, smell, touch and hear. However, they can be flexible and are very people orientated, having lots of friends they can depend on when needed. Performers are like to solve problems and are often seen fire fighting other peoples. They can be very generous with their time as well as their money but are full of common sense when needed.
Characters – Go-Getters
The ESTP prefers to use a more logical approach to decision making. They are good at solving problems and very practical. Go-getters can be very impulsive and therefore can sometimes ‘forget’ to check that things have happened. They are quick to move onto the next thing which interests them and can be quite direct and impersonal in their manner. Despite this they are very pragmatic and outgoing characters who enjoy being with others.
These four profiles describe some of the ways in which characters with similar personalities might behave. Using the Myers Briggs indicator is just one way to add depth to characters. Other tools include the use of zodiac signs which will be covered in a later article.
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