Personality Types

Clinically Review By: Corey Pitts, MA, LCMHCS, LPC, LCAS, CCS

What are the main personality types?

Personality types are often grouped into opposing categories, for example, psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of the introvert versus the extrovert. There are several frameworks for understanding personality, but two of the most widely recognized are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Big Five.

 The 16 MBTI personality types

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) organizes personality across four spectrums:

1. Extraversion/Introversion

2. Sensing/Intuition

3. Thinking/Feeling

4. Judging/Perceiving 

Each combination produces one of 16 personality types, offering a framework for understanding how a person tends to think, make decisions, and interact with the outside world. 

Preferences around spending time alone versus with others, or in one's own space versus new environments, show up distinctly across MBTI types. It's worth noting that MBTI is a theory and may not reflect every individual's experience.

 The Big Five personality traits

The Big Five, often referred to as OCEAN, is one of the most widely researched personality frameworks in psychology. It measures five core traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Each is on a spectrum rather than as a fixed category. 

Many people find that understanding their Big Five profile sheds light on how their personal values and core values show up in day-to-day life. For example, many dominant personality types possess effective communication and leadership skills, but others may be overly blunt or display behaviors that disregard the thoughts and feelings of others.

How can a personality assessment support self-understanding?

Personality assessments come in many forms, but they share a common purpose: helping people better understand themselves.

What personality assessments may reveal

A personality assessment is a self-report tool designed to reveal patterns in the way a person thinks, communicates, and relates to others. Results may offer insight into communication style, decision-making, and how a person approaches big ideas and problem-solving. 

While these assessments can be useful, it’s important to note that they aren't diagnostic instruments. They're tools for self-reflection, not a clinical verdict.

Types of personality assessments

Several assessments are widely used today:

• MBTI: Organizes personality into 16 types across four spectrums

• Big Five (NEO-PI-R): Measures five core traits on a spectrum with a strong research base

• Enneagram: Organizes personality into nine interconnected types, often used for self-development

• True Colors Test: Uses four color-coded styles to illuminate communication preferences and core values

A licensed therapist can help interpret results in a meaningful way tailored to each individual.

 How do personality types show up in everyday life?

The way a person processes information, responds to stress, and connects with others is shaped in part by their personality traits. And that shows up across relationships, work, and personal decision-making.

Personality traits and relationships

Personality types can shape how people communicate, handle conflict, and form emotional connections. So understanding a partner's or friend's type may support greater empathy and reduce friction, because it can help with understanding why they respond to the same situation in very different ways.

Personality traits and the workplace

Traits like conscientiousness and extraversion may influence how a person collaborates, leads, and navigates professional relationships. To manage complex decisions with minimal friction between personality types, it can help to bring together diverse personalities and encourage open dialogue.

Awareness of one's own type may support professional development by highlighting natural strengths and areas for growth. However, it may be worth noting that no personality type is better suited to success than another.

Personality and core values

Personality type awareness can help a person understand what drives them and why certain decisions feel more aligned with their personal values. In day-to-day life, this might look like recognizing the kinds of work that feel meaningful or the environments where a person does their best thinking.

Can personality types change over time?

Personality is generally considered stable across adulthood, but life experience, personal growth, and therapy can all influence how traits develop over time. Present moment circumstances, such as prolonged stress or a major life event, may also temporarily affect how certain traits show up.

It's also worth noting that personality disorders are a separate, clinical concept, distinct from personality types. Personality disorders are diagnosable conditions with specific criteria and may be treatable with professional support.

How can BetterHelp support personality exploration?

A licensed therapist can help a person explore what their personality traits mean in context and how they may be affecting relationships, mental health, and day-to-day life.

BetterHelp provides access to licensed, accredited therapists via video, phone, live chat, and messaging. Those interested in exploring their personality with professional support may consider connecting with a licensed therapist through BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

 Is a personality type the same as a personality disorder?

No. Personality types reflect the natural variation in human behavior and are not clinical diagnoses. Personality disorders are clinical diagnoses made by a licensed professional.

Can someone have more than one personality type?

With personality type frameworks such as the Big Five that measure on a spectrum, a person may score moderately across multiple traits rather than fitting neatly into one category.

Are personality assessments scientifically validated?

Some personality assessments, such as the Big Five, have a strong research base, while others are less empirically supported. It may be worth considering the evidence behind any tool before drawing firm conclusions.

Can therapy help with personality-related challenges?

Yes. A licensed therapist may help a person explore how their personality traits affect their relationships, mental health, and day-to-day lives.

Does BetterHelp offer support for personality-related concerns?

Yes. BetterHelp provides access to licensed therapists who may help individuals better understand their personality traits and how they show up in relationships, work, and overall well-being.