Your personality type "twin," revealed

Your personality type "twin," revealed

5 min. read

Did you know you have a personality type “twin” who shares some of your major tendencies? According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) assessment, there are 16 possible personality types, but only eight patterns of mental activity. This means that each of us share our patterns with one other personality type.

To understand how this works, we need to dig a little deeper into something called type dynamics – the interconnected nature of personality preferences and how they influence our behavior. Thanks to the study of type dynamics, we know that the two middle letters in your MBTI personality type are referred to as your mental processes. In other words, those are the letters that represent how you generally take in information and make decisions. The four mental processes are:

1. Sensing (S) – If you have a preference for Sensing, you learn best when things are outlined step by step. When solving problems, you focus on facts that are observable through the five senses.
2. Intuition (N) – If you have a preference for Intuition, you learn best when considering the big picture. When solving problems, you focus on metaphors and “reading between the lines.”
3. Thinking (T) – If you have a preference for Thinking, you make decisions based on pros and cons. Your analysis of a situation is logical and objective, and you tend to notice inconsistencies.
4. Feeling (F) – If you have a preference for Feeling, you make decisions based on how people might be affected. Your analysis of a situation tends to be compassionate and subjective.

Type dynamics also reveals that we have a favorite process – and that our favorite process is either extraverted or introverted, thus forming the eight patterns of mental activity mentioned earlier.

For example, type twins with extraverted Sensing direct their energy and attention toward what they observe in the outside world. And type twins with introverted Sensing direct their energy and attention toward what they observe in their inner world. Like two peas in a (personality) pod, you and your twin share a favorite process. Find yours below:

ESTP and ESFP are type twins because their favorite process is extraverted Sensing.

Both have an energetic “let’s do this” outlook on life. They are similar in that they like to experience as much as possible – the more variety, the better. ESTPs and ESFPs both tend to:

• Live in the present moment
• Be resourceful and energetic
• Want freedom, adventure, and spontaneity in life
• See the value in all experiences, without judgement
• Use a trial-and-error approach when solving problems
• Be realistic about what’s possible by using what is available in the moment
• Notice all the sights, smells, sounds, touches, and human reactions around them

ISTJ and ISFJ are type twins because their favorite process is introverted Sensing.

Both carefully filter their keen observations through personal experience. They are similar in that they approach life with abundant curiosity and an air of seriousness. ISTJs and ISFJs both tend to:

• Use sound judgment
• Be responsible and reliable
• Want a sense of belonging in life
• Bring substance and structure to whatever they do
• Readily let go of details that aren’t relevant to them
• See the value in experiences as they relate to their interests
• Carefully consider both present and past realities when solving problems

ENTP and ENFP are type twins because their favorite process is extraverted Intuition.

Both are excited by new ideas and the endless possibilities that come with them. They are similar in that they approach life with enthusiasm and creativity. ENTPs and ENFPs both tend to:

• Be wildly resourceful
• Want to experience all the world has to offer
• Become the catalyst for action when in a group
• Speak enthusiastically about their vision or ideas
• Envision multiple ways to reshape a situation or environment
• Let their excitement over possibilities cloud their attention to detail
• Have difficulty executing their vision unless they prioritize and plan carefully

INTJ and INFJ are type twins because their favorite process is introverted Intuition.

Both have a knack for finding meaning in the world around them. They are similar in that they approach life with a reflective intensity that helps them predict future patterns. INTJs and INFJs both tend to:

• Be long-range visionaries
• Are confident in their insights
• Develop new ways of seeing things
• Overlook details that might not fit their inner perspective
• Refuse to move forward until they can grasp “the big picture”
• Filter their decisions through a complex system of internal patterns
• Find it challenging to communicate the intricacy of their perspective and insights

ESTJ and ENTJ are type twins because their favorite process is extraverted Thinking.

Both are considered natural leaders to the people around them. They are similar in that neither are the type to second guess their decisions. ESTJs and ENTJs both tend to:

• Be action-oriented and decisive
• Bring order and logic to their environment
• Express their thoughts and conclusions clearly
• Set goals, devise plans, and gather resources efficiently
• View life and its challenges as a means to achieve their goals
• See problems in existing systems or processes that others might have overlooked
• Respond to problems quickly because they’ve already come up with contingency plans

ISTP and INTP are type twins because their favorite process is introverted Thinking.

Both are equal parts observant and reflective. They are similar in that they view life as an intriguing puzzle to be pieced together and understood. ISTPs and INTPs both tend to:

• Be somewhat detached
• Have high expectations of themselves
• Naturally critique the world around them
• Readily anticipate the consequences of a situation
• Notice inconsistencies or irrelevancies that others might have overlooked
• Rarely communicate their thoughts and conclusions, unless asked or challenged
• Have an internal system of categorization by which they process and understand the world

ESFJ and ENFJ are type twins because their favorite process is extraverted Feeling.

Both are known for their warmth and eloquence. They are similar in that they tend to place high value on relationships and cooperation. ESFJs and ENFJs both tend to:

• Be persuasive and clear
• Act as facilitators in group settings
• Be highly attuned to others’ expectations
• Structure their environment in a way that meets others’ needs
• Want harmonious, supportive relationships with everyone around them
• Prioritize inclusion and compassion when welcoming outsiders to a group
• Find it difficult to acknowledge problems with the people or institutions they care about

ISFP and INFP are type twins because their favorite process is introverted Feeling.

Both are tenderhearted and fiercely loyal. They are similar in that they crave meaning from life and want their actions to align with their inner values. ISFPs and INFPs both tend to:

• Be quite reserved
• Act as the conscience of a group
• Inspire others to fulfill their own potential
• Rarely express just how intensely they’re committed to something
• Want space and support when designing a life aligned with their values
• Be very protective of the people, groups, and ideas that are important to them
• Be bothered by contradictions between their day-to-day life and their innermost values

Ready to learn your personality type and find your twin? Take the MBTI assessment today.