Type as We Age

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a fascinating personality profile based on the work of Carl Jung. Jung suggested that psychological type is a compass for the life long process of individualization. Much research has been done using the MBTI tool– including how type is affected during our life long process of growth and development. Discover the richness of the dynamics of type by thinking of how your type has evolved over the years.

Possible Attitude Shifts by MBTI Type Preferences:

Early Life Attitude

Later Life Attitude

Introverted Preference

  • Independent
  • Reflective
  • Private

Introverted Preference

  • Interdependent
  • Implementative
  • “Showing true face”

Extraverted Preference

  • Dependent of Environment
  • Open
  • Wide Interests
  • Action-oriented

Extraverted Preference

  • Comfortable with solitude
  • Discriminating
  • Fewer, deeper interests
  • Reflective

Sensing Preference

  • Realistic, grounded
  • Careful, practical
  • Focused on life events

Sensing Preference

  • Open to Imagination
  • Hopeful
  • Focused on meaning of life events

Intuition Preference

  • Visionary, future-oriented
  • Enthusiastic
  • Imaginative

Intuition Preference

  • Living in the present
  • Realistically hopeful
  • Practical

Thinking Preference

  • Demanding of self and others
  • Just, fair and firm
  • Objective
  • Valuing Knowledge

Thinking Preference

  • Accepting limitations of self and others
  • Reconciliatory
  • More related to personal values
  • Valuing mystery

Feeling Preference

  • Valuing harmony
  • Compassionate, loving
  • Idealistic

Feeling Preference

  • Valuing assertion
  • Less overly sensitive
  • More accepting of what is

Judging Preference

  • Planner of life
  • In charge
  • Product-oriented

Judging Preference

  • Discoverer of life’s plan
  • Cooperative
  • Process-oriented

Perceiving Preference

  • Receptive
  • Open-minded, spontaneous
  • Adventurous

Perceiving Preference

  • Cooperative
  • Discriminating
  • Committed, devoted

Resource: Applied Jungian Psychology: Navigating the Seasons of Later Life,
by Nancy B. Millner