World Socionics

Those into MBTI have probably heard of David Keirsey's Temperaments, the system that splits the 16 types into four families of four types. However, like many things associated with MBTI, there are numerous problems that need addressing. In this first instalment of the new The Problem With... series, we will look at Keirsey's Temperaments and see why MBTI enthusiasts really should think twice about relying on them. It's Messy Keirsey's Temperaments try to put 16 personality types into four main groupings. However, the rules governing which type goes into which group are not sufficiently explained. Keirsey entirely focuses on the basic 4 Dichotomies that we see in the MBTI, i.e. Extroverted/Introverted , iNtuitive/Sensing , Thinking/Feeling and Perceiving/Judging , ignoring completely the 8 Cognitive Functions that ordain these dichotomies. Without a clear rationale, it is simply asserted that out of the four dichotomies, the Sensing/iNtuition divide is the most i...

Where Socionics differs most significantly from the MBTI is its focus on Quadras, four groupings of four personality types, united by having similar values and ways of looking at the world. The most beneficial relationships are thought to occur between people of the same Quadra. Each Quadra is composed of two opposite halves, known as Clubs, which naturally complement each other. These Clubs, which are the same in terms of their strengths and weaknesses, are known as either Researchers and Socialites or Pragmatists and Humanitarians. Finally, each Club within each Quadra splits into two types of opposing Temperaments, i.e. differing levels of energy and flexibility. All in all, this results in 16 types. The following presentation in quotes was written by Rana Levy from World Socionics Society:  Alpha  Alpha types are ILE, SEI, ESE and LII. They are childlike in their values. Researchers – “Alphas understand and are content with different viewpoints and concepts. They a...