1. Extravert-Introvert: This scale explains how we get our energy.
Extraverts (E) are energized by interaction with others. They love to talk, participate, organize, and party. They are people of action. Extraverts love parties, especially when they can talk with everyone present. E's are pulled into social life and find it difficult to settle down, read, or concentrate on homework. They hate to listen and need to talk to work out their ideas. They will find many college tasks challenging (reading, research, or writing) because they are solitary endeavors.
Introverts (I) are energized by the inner world of reflection, thought, and contemplation. They need space and time alone. Introverts like reading, lectures, written oral work. They usually have a longer attention span and prefer to think things through before acting. I's are uncomfortable in discussion groups, may find it difficult to remember names, and hesitate to speak up in class. Introverts will have fun at a party if they can talk with one person all night.
2. Sensing-Intuitive (S-N) This scale suggests how you take in information. It has the biggest impact on how we learn.
Sensing (S) people rely heavily on their five senses to take in information. They like concrete facts, organization, and structure. They are good at memorization, usually realistic, and relatively conventional. S's are oriented toward the present, the concrete, and the here and now. Sensing people usually like outlines, clear guidelines, and specifics. They often have difficulty with theory. They ask who, what, when, where? Sensing students read the question several times before answering it to be certain they understand it.
Intuitive (N) people see the world through intuition. They learn by hunches, look at the forest rather than individual trees. They want to know the theory before deciding that facts are important. They are creative, innovative, and work with bursts of energy. N's will write their term paper and then finish the required outline. Intuitive people will always ask "why" before anything else. Intuitive students may not read a test question all the way through, sometimes missing a key part, because they act on their hunches.
3. Thinking-Feeling: This range tells how we make decisions.
Thinking (T) people decide on the basis of logic, analysis, and reason. They follow their head rather than their heart, value truth over tact, and sometimes appear blunt and uncaring about the feelings of others. T's usually have strongly held principles, value fairness over everything, and need purpose. People who must make decisions that negatively effect many individual lives (surgeons and corporation presidents) are often Thinking types.
Feeling (F) persons follow their heart rather than their head. They decide on the basis of their feelings, personal likes and dislikes. They want others to like them so find it difficult to say no or disagree with others. F's need and value kindness. Feeling types value harmony and are distressed by interpersonal friction. Feeling types are often found in social work, elementary school teaching, and other helping professions. They feel rewarded when they can help others.
4. Judging-Perceiving: This range suggests the type of life style and work habits we prefer.
Judging (J) types try to order and control their world. They are decisive, may be closed-minded, and are usually well organized. The meet deadlines, like planning, and prefer to work on only one thing at a time.
Perceiving (P) types are spontaneous and don't like to be boxed in by deadlines or plans. They want to gather more information before making a decision. They work at many things at once. P's are flexible and often good in emergencies when plans are disrupted. Their biggest problem is procrastination. They may make a calendar of things to do, but will probably lose it.
