painted the sky back to blue (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
epiphanies) wrote2011-08-07 02:58 pm
epiphanies) wrote2011-08-07 02:58 pm
War!Fandom Myers-Briggs Personality Typing
An Introduction to Myers-Briggs Personality Typing
Myers-Briggs personality typing splits personalities into sixteen archetypes, based on where a person falls in four categories of preferences. The preferences are:
Extroversion and Introversion (preferring to focus on the outer world of people and things [E] or your inner world of ideas and images [I])
Sensing and Intuition (paying more attention to information that comes through your five senses [S] or paying more attention to the patterns and possibilities you see in information you receive [N])
Thinking and Feeling (do you make decisions more often based on objective principles and impersonal facts [T] or based on personal concerns and the people involved [F])
Judging or Perceiving (do you prefer a more structured and decided lifestyle [J] or a more flexible and adaptable lifestyle [P])
When all four dominant preferences are combined you end up with one of the sixteen types, ie: ESTJ, INFP
There is a lot more to each of the preferences than the short taglines described above, (and reading through each of those links can be helpful to get a better understanding of how they work) and each preference falls on a scale. So, for example, someone could be a very strong Feeler, but be very close on the line between Extroversion and Introversion, and this has to be taken into account when reading the personalities types -- as not every single trait described will be ones that are seen as prominent in the person, depending on the strength of each of their preferences. And if one preferences is very close to the middle, (for example, someone feels very close on their E/I preference and is stuck between ENTP or INTP) reading through both personality types (ENTP and INTP) and deciding which as a whole encompasses the person better is the easiest way to decide which personality type better fits the person as a whole.
There is one other way to aid in determining a person's personality type, and this is by their Temperament. I've seen these described in different ways, and the way I know it is a little different from that site, but still maps on quite similarly:
Sensing/Judging (SJ) types are the Traditionalists (aka "The Guardians"). These four types place a high value on belonging and serving. Their combination of Sensing and Judging make them realistic, organized, practical, and comfortable with rules. They're commonly conservative and cautious, with a strong sense of tradition and hierarchy, and tend to be the most responsible of the four temperaments.
Sensing/Perceiving (SP) types are the Experiencers (aka "The Artisans"). These four types place a high value on freedom, action, and exploration. Their combination of Sensing and Perceiving makes them quite immediate, responsive, and adaptable. They tend to prefer hand-ons activities, and are the most adventures and fun loving of the four temperaments.
Intuitive/Thinking (NT) types are the Conceptualizers (aka "The Rationals"). These four types place a high value on competence and have an almost unquenchable thrist for knowledge. Their combination of Intuition and Thinking makes them ingenious problem solvers and original thinkers. They are the most analytical and independent of the four temperaments.
Intuitive/Feeling (NF) types are the Idealists. These four types places a high value on authenticity and meaning in life. Their combination of Intuition and Feeling make them value relationships above all else. They tend to be the most empathetic and philosophical of the four temperaments.
(sidenote: It's important to note that even the four personality types within each temperament can vary from each other and have emphasis on different qualities, especially between Introverted and Extroverted preferences in the types.)
Thinking of the four temperaments can be extremely helpful when someone is close on the line between one of the preferences. For example, if someone is undecided between ISFP and ISFJ, reading the differences between the Traditionalists and the Experiencers can help make a decision based on where the person places their value and what traits represent them more fully.
There are many different sites/book/etcs that explore Myers-Briggs in every way possible, and I'm going to use two sites that are my personal favorites for their descriptions of the sixteen types, but if you explore on the net you can find a lot more information out there.
The sites I'm going to be linking to are PersonalityPage.com and MyPersonality.info.
This post also includes Band of Brothers Character Profile click-through links on the names of characters who have had collages made.
The Characters & Their Personality Types
An Important Thing to Note:
Before we get into the sorting of the characters, it's important to realize that these have been sorted based on the characteristics and traits of fictional characters - which, while based on real people, are fictional and thus not always going to fit a type one-hundred percent. (and figuring out the types may definitely include some guesswork/reliance on vague facts, due to the amount of a screen time a character had!) Upbringing and experiences can also affect how much each of someone's preferences have been developed (for example: Snafu best fits the personality type of an ESTP, but either due to his background experiences or the fact that we're seeing him in the middle of a war, his people skills aren't as developed as others' with the same type may be.) so even within each type there can be a lot of variety in a person's personality. Plus, getting a snapshot of a character - especially in an extreme situation such as a war (and even bootcamp!) - will not always lend to a portrayal of their best traits; each personality type has positive and negative traits and behaviors. However, the types are wonderful guidelines to certain aspects of each character, and a nice way to put into words an overview of their attributes and mannerisms.
The Traditionalists:
keywords: value belonging and serving. realistic, organized, practical, follow the rules. strong sense of tradition. responsible.
ISFJ [A Second Look]
The Nurturer.
"Quiet, kind, and conscientious. Can be depended on to follow through. Usually puts the needs of others above their own needs. Stable and practical, they value security and traditions. Well-developed sense of space and function. Rich inner world of observations about people. Extremely perceptive of other's feelings. Interested in serving others."
Characters:
Eugene "Doc" Roe
Robert "Popeye" Wynn (possibly ISFP)
Bull Randleman
Eugene Sledge
ISTJ [A Second Look]
The Duty Fulfiller.
"Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it."
Characters:
Johnny Martin
Herbert Sobel
Sidney Phillips
ESFJ [A Second Look]
The Caregiver.
"Warm-hearted, popular, and conscientious. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function."
Characters:
C. Carwood Lipton
ESTJ [A Second Look]
The Guardian.
"Practical, traditional, and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. "Good citizens" who value security and peaceful living."
Characters:
Robert Sink
Craig "Encino Man" Schwetje
The Experiencers:
keywords: value freedom, action, and exploration. responsive and adaptable. prefer hands-on activity. adventerous and fun-loving.
ESFP [A Second Look]
The Performer.
"People-oriented and fun-loving, they make things more fun for others by their enjoyment. Living for the moment, they love new experiences. They dislike theory and impersonal analysis. Interested in serving others. Likely to be the center of attention in social situations. Well-developed common sense and practical ability."
Characters:
George Luz
Frank Perconte
Warren "Skip" Muck
Donald Hoobler
Walter "Smokey" Gordon
Ray Person (possibly ENTP?)
Evan "Q-Tip" Stafford
ESTP [A Second Look]
The Doer.
"Friendly, adaptable, action-oriented. "Doers" who are focused on immediate results. Living in the here-and-now, they're risk-takers who live fast-paced lifestyles. Impatient with long explanations. Extremely loyal to their peers, but not usually respectful of laws and rules if they get in the way of getting things done. Great people skills."
Characters:
Joseph Liebgott
Wayne "Skinny" Sisk
Lew "Chuckler" Juergens
Merriell "Snafu" Shelton (...minus the great people skills)
John Basilone
Bill Leyden
ISFP [A Second Look]
The Artist.
"Quiet, serious, sensitive and kind. Do not like conflict, and not likely to do things which may generate conflict. Loyal and faithful. Extremely well-developed senses, and aesthetic appreciation for beauty. Not interested in leading or controlling others. Flexible and open-minded. Likely to be original and creative. Enjoy the present moment."
Characters:
Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Albert Blithe
ISTP [A Second Look]
The Mechanic.
"Quiet and reserved, interested in how and why things work. Excellent skills with mechanical things. Risk-takers who they live for the moment. Usually interested in and talented at extreme sports. Uncomplicated in their desires. Loyal to their peers and to their internal value systems, but not overly concerned with respecting laws and rules if they get in the way of getting something done. Detached and analytical, they excel at finding solutions to practical problems."
Characters:
Ronald Speirs
Joseph Toye
Alton More
Bill "Hoosier" Smith
Harold James Trombley
The Conceptualizers:
keywords: value competence and knowledge. ingenious, problem solvers, original thinkers. analytical and independent.
INTP [A Second Look]
The Thinker.
"Logical, original, creative thinkers. Can become very excited about theories and ideas. Exceptionally capable and driven to turn theories into clear understandings. Highly value knowledge, competence and logic. Quiet and reserved, hard to get to know well. Individualistic, having no interest in leading or following others."
Characters:
Norman Dike
Robert Timothy "Doc" Bryan
INTJ [A Second Look]
The Scientist.
"Independent, original, analytical, and determined. Have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action. Highly value knowledge, competence, and structure. Driven to derive meaning from their visions. Long-range thinkers. Have very high standards for their performance, and the performance of others. Natural leaders, but will follow if they trust existing leaders."
Characters:
Richard Winters
Edward "Hillbilly" Jones
R.V. Burgin
Brad Colbert
Bryan Patterson
ENTP [A Second Look]
The Visionary.
"Creative, resourceful, and intellectually quick. Good at a broad range of things. Enjoy debating issues, and may be into "one-up-manship". They get very excited about new ideas and projects, but may neglect the more routine aspects of life. Generally outspoken and assertive. They enjoy people and are stimulating company. Excellent ability to understand concepts and apply logic to find solutions."
Characters:
Lewis Nixon
Wilber "Runner" Conley
ENTJ [A Second Look]
The Executive.
"Assertive and outspoken - they are driven to lead. Excellent ability to understand difficult organizational problems and create solid solutions. Intelligent and well-informed, they usually excel at public speaking. They value knowledge and competence, and usually have little patience with inefficiency or disorganization."
Characters:
Lena Basilone
The Idealists:
keywords: value authenticity, meaning in life and relationships. empathetic and philosophical.
ENFP [A Second Look]
The Inspirer.
"Enthusiastic, idealistic, and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Great people skills. Need to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities."
Characters:
Bill Guarnere
Harry Welsh
Floyd "Tab" Talbert
Alex Penkala (close between 'E' and 'I')
Antonio "Poke" Espera (possibly an ENTP)
ENFJ [A Second Look]
The Giver.
"Popular and sensitive, with outstanding people skills. Externally focused, with real concern for how others think and feel. Usually dislike being alone. They see everything from the human angle, and dislike impersonal analysis. Very effective at managing people issues, and leading group discussions. Interested in serving others, and probably place the needs of others over their own needs."
Characters:
Edward "Babe" Heffron
Donald Malarkey
Lynn "Buck" Compton
Ralph Spina
Andrew Haldane
INFP [A Second Look]
The Idealist.
"Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people."
Characters:
Allen Vest
David Kenyon Webster
Robert Leckie
Walt Hasser
INFJ [A Second Look]
The Protector.
"Quietly forceful, original, and sensitive. Tend to stick to things until they are done. Extremely intuitive about people, and concerned for their feelings. Well-developed value systems which they strictly adhere to. Well-respected for their perserverence in doing the right thing. Likely to be individualistic, rather than leading or following."
Characters:
Nathaniel Fick
Rodolfo "Rudy" Reyes
Take a look at these pages, as well:
The Relationship Page | The Personal Growth Page
Obviously, personality typing - especially for characters, since we can't ask THEM what they think they are (even those based on real people) can be somewhat subjective, so in the end these characters have been typed by what seems most accurate (and there are many characters that still need to be categorized and will be added over time!) Some may be close on the line with another personality type, and if anyone has any suggestions for characters not yet listed under a type, or reasoning for why a character should be a different type, feel free to share! (:
no subject
I'm not sure about Dike being a Thinker, since the only thing he seemed exceptionally capable of was hiding out away from the line! ;) But possibly I'm not giving him his fair due. I'm just glad Speirs the Mechanic (which is SO him) was on the scene to save the day at Foy.
Thanks for sharing! :)
no subject
i mentioned this briefly in the post (particularly this line; Plus, getting a snapshot of a character - especially in an extreme situation such as a war (and even bootcamp!) - will not always lend to a portrayal of their best traits; each personality type has positive and negative traits and behaviors.) and i think dike kind of falls underneath this category -- i don't think we really saw a good representation of his best traits, there, you know? and INTPs can tend to be stuck in their own heads/have trouble making things into concrete reality, and aren't always interested in being a leader. we only see little snapshots of each character, so it can definitely leave room up to interpretation! (:
thank you so much for commenting!
no subject
Oh, totally! Tons of room for interpretation. I just have such a strong kneejerk negative reaction to Dike that I'm likely very unfair to him.
no subject
no subject
He doesn't come off as much of a philosopher, certainly, but the way he's always mooching off on his own and seems entirely lost in his own head a lot of the time seemed recognisable. He's definitely introverted, not so aware of his surroundings, not particularly prone to emotional engagement with the others (as per his incredibly stilted conversation with Lipton), and he doesn't have much sense of order or discipline (like when he's telling the lieutenants to just do their own thing, because he doesn't have a clue how to lead).
I should note that I've done these tests a few times and I usually come out as INTP. I'm also the only person in fandom who actually likes Dike, mainly because I can sympathise with his thought processes. Doesn't stop him being a useless dick who doesn't even try, but I'd be withdrawn and uncertain and panicky too if I was suddenly made leader of a company of tight-knit veterans.
no subject
Yes, very true.
I'd be withdrawn and uncertain and panicky too if I was suddenly made leader of a company of tight-knit veterans.
Good point. I can agree that Dike definitely did not have an easy situation to step into. But I think I would sympathize with him more if he hadn't been so cowardly. Constantly fucking off to parts unknown and leaving the men to fend for themselves (thank goodness for Lipton!) is just unforgivable to me. In contrast, I sympathize more with Sobel, because while he was a bad combat leader due to his poor decision-making (not to mention he was a douche), at least he was dedicated to his role.
Uncertain and panicky, I can understand, but running away and not even trying is a dealbreaker for me.
Thanks for the clarification! I always find this stuff really interesting. :)
no subject
Still, I can sympathise with his cowardice, even as I constantly cringe at how poor his social skills seem to be. It always amazes me that there weren't more like him - war's terrifying! I suppose camaraderie and necessity carries a lot of people through, though, plus the fact that the Airborne usually attracted a more dedicated breed of soldier.
no subject
I really like Jones. Green as anything, but a good man and he stepped up. I love the part where he stops Vest from killing the prisoners.
the Airborne usually attracted a more dedicated breed of soldier.
Yes, Dike was a particularly bad fit for the company!