Keirsey Temperament Sorter Assessment
Keirsey Temperament Sorter Assessment
What It Measures
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter identifies your temperament - your core behavioral pattern and communication style - among four distinct types. Unlike MBTI which focuses on cognitive preferences, Keirsey emphasizes observable behavior and temperament-based patterns.
The Four Temperaments
Artisan (SP - Sensing Perceiving)
Core Drive: Freedom to act in the moment
Characteristics:
- Action-oriented and spontaneous
- Practical and hands-on
- Adaptable and resourceful
- Lives in the present moment
- Seeks excitement and variety
- Natural troubleshooters
Strengths: Quick reactions, practical solutions, crisis management, adaptability Challenges: May struggle with long-term planning, routine, and abstract concepts
Subtypes:
- ISTP - The Crafter: Mastery of tools and techniques
- ISFP - The Composer: Artistic expression and aesthetics
- ESTP - The Promoter: Bold entrepreneurship and persuasion
- ESFP - The Performer: Entertainment and bringing joy
Population: ~30-35% of people
Guardian (SJ - Sensing Judging)
Core Drive: Security and belonging
Characteristics:
- Responsible and dependable
- Values tradition and authority
- Organized and methodical
- Concerned with duty and obligation
- Seeks stability and order
- Natural administrators
Strengths: Reliability, organization, attention to detail, maintaining systems Challenges: May resist change, can be rigid, struggle with ambiguity
Subtypes:
- ISTJ - The Inspector: Thorough and systematic
- ISFJ - The Protector: Caring and conscientious service
- ESTJ - The Supervisor: Practical leadership and management
- ESFJ - The Provider: Warm hospitality and caretaking
Population: ~40-45% of people (largest group)
Idealist (NF - Intuitive Feeling)
Core Drive: Meaning and significance
Characteristics:
- Passionate about potential
- Values authenticity and integrity
- Seeks personal growth
- Concerned with identity and purpose
- Focuses on possibilities for people
- Natural diplomats and counselors
Strengths: Empathy, insight, inspiring others, seeing potential Challenges: May be unrealistic, overly idealistic, struggle with practical details
Subtypes:
- INFJ - The Counselor: Deep insight into others
- INFP - The Healer: Quest for meaning and authenticity
- ENFJ - The Teacher: Inspiring and developing others
- ENFP - The Champion: Championing causes and people
Population: ~15-20% of people
Rational (NT - Intuitive Thinking)
Core Drive: Knowledge and competence
Characteristics:
- Logical and analytical
- Values intelligence and competence
- Strategic and theoretical
- Seeks understanding and mastery
- Questions everything
- Natural scientists and strategists
Strengths: Problem-solving, strategic thinking, innovation, objectivity Challenges: May appear cold, struggle with emotions, perfectionist tendencies
Subtypes:
- INTJ - The Mastermind: Strategic vision and planning
- INTP - The Architect: Theoretical precision and design
- ENTJ - The Field Marshal: Efficient leadership and organization
- ENTP - The Inventor: Innovation and entrepreneurial ideas
Population: ~5-10% of people (smallest group)
History & Origins
- Creator: Dr. David Keirsey, psychologist
- Original Book: "Please Understand Me" (1978)
- Updated Edition: "Please Understand Me II" (1998)
- Foundation: Synthesis of temperament theory from ancient times (Hippocrates) to modern psychology
- Relation to MBTI: Uses same 16 types but organized by temperament patterns
- Distinction: Focuses on observable behavior rather than internal processes
Scientific Validity
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good
- Research Base: Built on MBTI research plus temperament theory
- Practical Validation: Millions of users report high accuracy
- Behavioral Focus: Observable patterns easier to validate than cognitive functions
- Wide Application: Used in counseling, business, education, relationships
- User Satisfaction: High self-recognition and practical utility
Temperament Theory Foundations
Historical Roots
- Ancient Greece: Hippocrates' four humors (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic)
- Modern Psychology: Kretschmer, Spranger, Adler contributed temperament concepts
- Keirsey's Synthesis: Integrated multiple theories into coherent framework
Core Principles
- Temperament is Core: More fundamental than personality traits
- Observable Behavior: Focus on what people do, not internal processes
- Communication Patterns: Different temperaments communicate differently
- Values Drive Behavior: Each temperament has core values and needs
- Role Variants: Each temperament expresses differently based on secondary preferences
Understanding Your Temperament
Artisan Temperament
Values: Freedom, spontaneity, excitement, aesthetics, impact Needs: Stimulation, variety, action, hands-on involvement Communication: Direct, concrete, practical, action-oriented Time Orientation: Present-focused, "now" matters most Learning Style: Experiential, hands-on, learn by doing Work Style: Flexible, improvise, troubleshoot, variety
Guardian Temperament
Values: Duty, tradition, stability, belonging, service Needs: Security, structure, responsibility, membership Communication: Detailed, sequential, specific, factual Time Orientation: Past-informed, learn from history Learning Style: Structured, step-by-step, clear expectations Work Style: Organized, planned, systematic, thorough
Idealist Temperament
Values: Authenticity, meaning, potential, harmony, integrity Needs: Identity, significance, purpose, connection Communication: Enthusiastic, metaphorical, diplomatic, inspirational Time Orientation: Future-focused on human potential Learning Style: Personal relevance, discussion, exploration Work Style: Collaborative, meaningful, people-focused, developmental
Rational Temperament
Values: Competence, knowledge, logic, efficiency, autonomy Needs: Understanding, mastery, intellectual challenge Communication: Precise, logical, conceptual, strategic Time Orientation: Future-focused on systems and possibilities Learning Style: Conceptual, theoretical, independent inquiry Work Style: Strategic, innovative, autonomous, complex
Temperament Interactions
Artisan-Guardian
- Guardian provides structure, Artisan adds spontaneity
- Can complement well in practical matters
- May clash on planning vs. improvisation
Artisan-Idealist
- Both flexible and open to experience
- Artisan grounds Idealist, Idealist inspires Artisan
- May differ on meaning (Idealist) vs. action (Artisan)
Artisan-Rational
- Both independent and pragmatic
- Can collaborate effectively on technical challenges
- May differ on abstract theory vs. concrete application
Guardian-Idealist
- Guardian provides stability, Idealist provides vision
- Can be complementary in organizations
- May clash on tradition vs. change, practical vs. ideal
Guardian-Rational
- Both value competence and systems
- Guardian maintains, Rational innovates
- May differ on tradition vs. revolution
Idealist-Rational
- Both future-oriented and innovative
- Idealist focuses on people, Rational on systems
- Can collaborate on vision if respect differences
Use Cases
Career Guidance
- Identify work environments matching your temperament
- Understand your natural work style and strengths
- Navigate career challenges typical for your type
- Choose roles that energize rather than drain
Relationships
- Understand and appreciate partner's temperament
- Navigate communication differences
- Recognize different expressions of love and care
- Build on complementary strengths
Parenting
- Understand your child's core needs and values
- Adapt parenting style to child's temperament
- Avoid projecting your temperament on children
- Support each child's natural strengths
Leadership
- Understand your leadership style strengths
- Recognize and value diverse temperament contributions
- Build balanced teams
- Communicate effectively across temperaments
Education
- Tailor teaching methods to student temperaments
- Create engaging learning environments
- Understand student motivation
- Support different learning styles
Communication by Temperament
Speaking to Artisans
- Be direct and concise
- Focus on immediate practical value
- Use concrete examples
- Get to the point quickly
- Allow flexibility
Speaking to Guardians
- Provide details and specifics
- Show respect for tradition and protocol
- Be organized and clear
- Follow through on commitments
- Provide security and stability
Speaking to Idealists
- Be authentic and genuine
- Show empathy and understanding
- Discuss meaning and impact
- Appeal to values and potential
- Encourage and inspire
Speaking to Rationals
- Be logical and precise
- Provide rationale and reasoning
- Respect their competence
- Discuss concepts and strategy
- Be intellectually honest
Key Insights
Temperament is Stable: Core temperament tends to remain consistent throughout life
No Hierarchy: All temperaments are equally valuable with unique gifts
Context Varies: Behavior may vary by situation, but core temperament remains
Respect Differences: Understanding ≠ changing others; appreciate diversity
Self-Understanding: Knowing your temperament helps you leverage strengths and manage challenges
Common Temperament Conflicts
At Work
- Artisan vs. Guardian: Spontaneity vs. procedure
- Idealist vs. Rational: People focus vs. systems focus
- Guardian vs. Rational: Maintain tradition vs. innovate
- Artisan vs. Idealist: Action vs. meaning
In Relationships
- Different Expressions of Love: Each temperament shows care differently
- Communication Styles: Different ways of expressing thoughts and feelings
- Time Orientation: Present, past, or future focus
- Decision-Making: Different values drive choices
Solutions
- Recognize differences as preferences, not deficiencies
- Learn to speak each other's "language"
- Appreciate complementary strengths
- Find middle ground and compromise
- Respect rather than change
Limitations
- Broad Categories: Four types cannot capture all human complexity
- Overlap with MBTI: Can be confusing if familiar with MBTI cognitive functions
- Behavioral Focus: Doesn't explain internal motivations as deeply as some frameworks
- Self-Typing: Requires honest self-assessment
- Cultural Context: Developed in Western context
Complementary Assessments
Pair Keirsey with:
- MBTI - Understand cognitive functions alongside temperament
- Big Five - Add trait-based personality understanding
- Emotional Intelligence - Develop emotional and social competencies
- VIA Strengths - Identify character strengths within temperament
Practical Applications
Self-Development
- Leverage temperament strengths
- Understand natural blind spots
- Choose development goals aligned with temperament
- Build skills in non-preferred areas when necessary
Team Building
- Build temperament-diverse teams
- Assign roles matching temperament strengths
- Understand team dynamics and conflicts
- Improve team communication
Conflict Resolution
- Recognize temperament-based misunderstandings
- Adapt communication to other's temperament
- Find solutions respecting all temperaments
- Build empathy across differences
Life Design
- Choose environments matching temperament
- Build lifestyle supporting your needs
- Find partners complementing your temperament
- Create balance and fulfillment
Further Reading
- Keirsey, D. (1998). Please Understand Me II
- Keirsey, D., & Bates, M. (1984). Please Understand Me
- Berens, L. V., & Nardi, D. (2004). The 16 Personality Types: Descriptions for Self-Discovery
- Tieger, P. D., & Barron-Tieger, B. (2007). Do What You Are
- KeirseyTemperament.com - Official website with free assessment
The Role Variants
Each temperament has four role variants based on E/I and secondary preferences:
Artisan Roles: Operator (ISTP), Entertainer (ESFP), etc. Guardian Roles: Inspector (ISTJ), Provider (ESFJ), etc. Idealist Roles: Counselor (INFJ), Champion (ENFP), etc. Rational Roles: Mastermind (INTJ), Inventor (ENTP), etc.
These role variants add nuance while maintaining core temperament characteristics.
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter provides a practical framework for understanding core behavioral patterns, improving communication, and appreciating the diverse ways people engage with the world.