What's Your Temperament? This 20-Question Test Reveals Your True Nature

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter is a self-assessment tool designed to help you understand your personality type. It was created by David Keirsey, an American psychologist who lived from 1921 to 2013. Keirsey's work builds upon ancient ideas about temperaments, famously originating with Hippocrates, the Greek physician who classified people into four types based on their behavior and mood. Keirsey modernized this concept, developing a system that is linked to the well-known Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). However, Keirsey's model places a stronger emphasis on observable behavior—how people act in the world—rather than just their internal thoughts and feelings.

This test is popular in the USA for various practical applications. For instance, companies like Bank of America have used it for hiring and team-building, and even the US Air Force has employed it to understand personnel dynamics. A fascinating psychological fact is that while your core temperament is believed to be stable throughout your life, experience and self-awareness can help you better use your natural strengths. For example, studies confirm that people with different temperaments handle stress in distinct ways—some seek adventure and risk, while others prioritize stability and security.

The test’s primary feature is its division of people into four main temperaments: Artisan, Guardian, Idealist, and Rational. Each of these temperaments is further divided into subgroups, resulting in 16 distinct personality types. Understanding your type can provide valuable insight into why you make certain choices in life, work, and relationships. It is important to remember that the test does not label any type as better or worse; it simply illuminates your natural tendencies and preferences.

Test: Discover Your Temperament

Now you can take a simplified version of the test right here. While it’s not the full official version, it is based on Keirsey’s principles and will give you a solid idea of your temperament. The test has 20 questions, each with two answer options: a or b. For each question, choose the one that feels closer to you in most situations. Keep a record of your answers on paper or in your mind, and then we will tally the results.

1. At a party:
   • a) You love being the center of attention, talking to lots of people.
   • b) You prefer quiet conversations with a few familiar people.
2. When planning your day:
   • a) You leave room for surprises and changes.
   • b) You make a detailed to-do list.
3. When solving a problem:
   • a) You trust concrete facts and what you can see with your own eyes.
   • b) You look for hidden meanings and future possibilities.
4. In relationships with people:
   • a) Logic and fairness are more important to you.
   • b) Personal feelings and group harmony are more important to you.
5. You enjoy:
   • a) Practical, hands-on activities like fixing things or playing sports.
   • b) Exploring abstract ideas like philosophy or creating new inventions.
6. When something new comes up:
   • a) You adapt quickly and are eager to try it out.
   • b) You prefer to analyze the potential risks first.
7. In a team setting:
   • a) You tend to motivate others with your enthusiasm and energy.
   • b) You focus on ensuring there is order and that rules are followed.
8. Your typical thinking:
   • a) Focuses on the immediate details of the present moment.
   • b) Focuses on the future and long-term plans.
9. In a conflict:
   • a) You seek a compromise that ensures everyone is happy.
   • b) You seek the objective truth, even if it might be harsh.
10. You prefer to relax:
    • a) With friends, enjoying active and social fun.
    • b) Alone with a good book or your own thoughts.
11. Your ideal work environment:
    • a) Should be dynamic, flexible, and creative.
    • b) Should be stable, structured, and predictable.
12. You primarily process information:
    • a) Through specific details and real-world examples.
    • b) Through the overall big picture and theoretical frameworks.
13. You tend to make decisions:
    • a) By considering the impact on people’s feelings.
    • b) By considering logic and efficiency above all.
14. In your free time:
    • a) You are drawn to hobbies that provide quick, tangible results.
    • b) You enjoy thinking about complex ideas or large-scale projects.
15. You organize tasks:
    • a) Flexibly, adapting your approach depending on the situation.
    • b) Strictly, by creating and following a clear schedule.
16. You see the world as:
    • a) A place full of adventures and sensory experiences.
    • b) A place to be understood and systematically improved.
17. In conversation, you prefer to talk about:
    • a) Concrete facts and recent events.
    • b) Abstract dreams and underlying meanings.
18. You place more value on:
    • a) Traditions, security, and a sense of duty.
    • b) Innovation, autonomy, and personal independence.
19. When making a choice, you are more likely to:
    • a) Trust your intuition and gut feelings about people.
    • b) Trust a thorough analysis of the available facts.
20. Life should be:
    • a) Fun, exciting, and spontaneous.
    • b) Purposeful, orderly, and meaningful.

How to Calculate Your Results

Now, let's analyze your answers. Each question corresponds to one of four personality scales, which are similar to those used in the MBTI. Count how many times you chose a or b for the specific groups of questions listed below.

• E/I Scale (Extravert/Introvert): Questions 1, 10. If you chose more 'a' answers, your preference is for E (Extravert). If you chose more 'b' answers, your preference is for I (Introvert). This scale helps define your full 16-type profile but doesn’t directly determine your core temperament.
• S/N Scale (Sensing/Intuition): Questions 3, 5, 8, 12, 14, 17. If you chose more 'a' answers, your preference is for S (Sensing), indicating a focus on reality and facts. If you chose more 'b' answers, your preference is for N (Intuition), indicating a focus on ideas and possibilities.
• T/F Scale (Thinking/Feeling): Questions 4, 9, 13, 19. For this scale, count carefully: for question 4, 'a' is T and 'b' is F. For questions 9, 13, and 19, 'a' is F and 'b' is T. Tally your total number of T and F choices to determine if you lean toward T (logic) or F (feelings).
• J/P Scale (Judging/Perceiving): Questions 2, 6, 7, 11, 15, 20. If you chose more 'a' answers, your preference is for P (Perceiving), indicating a preference for flexibility. If you chose more 'b' answers, your preference is for J (Judging), indicating a preference for planning and structure.

To find your core temperament, look at the combination of your preferences on the S/N and J/P scales. (The T/F scale further defines your role within the temperament, and the E/I scale defines your full type).

• If your preferences are S and P, you are an Artisan (SP).
• If your preferences are S and J, you are a Guardian (SJ).
• If your preferences are N and F, you are an Idealist (NF).
• If your preferences are N and T, you are a Rational (NT).

For your full personality type, simply combine the four letters. For example, if your results are E, S, T, and J, your type is ESTJ, which falls under the Guardian temperament. If you have a tie on any scale, reflect on which description feels more natural to you in your daily life.

Understanding Your Results

Here is a brief overview of what each temperament means. Each one has unique strengths and includes several subtypes (or roles), which correspond to the 16 MBTI types.

• Artisan (SP): You love freedom, adventure, and living in the moment. Artisans are often creative, spontaneous, and excel at activities that require quick adaptation, such as art, sports, or crafts. They are masters of tactical execution. Examples of Artisan types include ESTP (Promoter) and ISFP (Composer). A fun fact: many successful artists, performers, and athletes share this temperament due to their ability to improvise and react swiftly to changing environments.
• Guardian (SJ): You value stability, rules, and a sense of duty. Guardians are reliable, organized, and dedicated, making them excellent at management, administration, and other roles that maintain societal structures. They are the cornerstones of society. Examples include ISTJ (Inspector) and ESFJ (Provider). Psychologically, this is considered the most common temperament, as every stable society relies on its dependable members.
• Idealist (NF): You seek meaning, personal growth, and harmony in relationships. Idealists are empathetic, insightful, and skilled at helping others realize their potential. They often become inspiring teachers, counselors, or writers. Examples of Idealist types are ENFP (Champion) and INFJ (Counselor). A fun fact: Idealists often experience emotions with great depth, and studies suggest they are highly represented in creative and therapeutic fields like writing and psychology.
• Rational (NT): You thrive on logic, innovation, and strategic thinking. Rationals are analytical, objective, and driven to understand the world's underlying principles. They excel in science, technology, and any field that requires complex problem-solving. Examples include INTJ (Mastermind) and ENTP (Visionary). This temperament is the rarest, but many influential scientists, engineers, and strategic leaders possess it due to their ability to see the big picture and design long-range plans.

Remember, this simplified test is not a formal diagnosis but a tool for self-discovery and personal growth. If you are interested in a more detailed analysis, consider seeking out the official Keirsey Temperament Sorter. This exploration shows how Hippocrates’ ancient ideas about human nature continue to evolve and provide value in modern psychology, helping people better understand themselves and others.

References

• Keirsey, David (1998). Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.
  • This is the definitive book by the creator of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. It provides an in-depth explanation of the four temperaments, the 16 personality types, and their application to relationships, parenting, and leadership.