Myers-Briggs and Typing Fictional Characters

14 thoughts on “Myers-Briggs and Typing Fictional Characters”

1. I stumbled across a Harry Potter MBTI chart the other day (http://imgur.com/iRCaD4u ) that had Hermione as an INTP, which made perfect sense to me (as someone who almost invariably tests out as INTP). But you’re right, I can also see her as an INFP. Anyway, INTPs are the ones most skeptical of personality typing, thinking of it all as more of a parlor trick. It can give a writer useful shorthand for developing characters, though.

   • Thanks for your thoughts! Yeah I agree with some of that typing. It is always open to interpretation. With characters, if they’re not directly in the center of a preference and they’re more on the edge it makes them harder to type! Hermione is without a doubt an INxx. Personally I’ve always seen Hermione as having much more of a J preference than a P though. And she’s right on the line on the F vs the T. Which is when it really comes down to turning to the dominant function. SPEW was my deciding factor when making a guess with her! That all said, I think most people are skeptical of personality typing, myself included. My issue is that I don’t necessarily like to be boxed into anything. But somehow I still find it to be great fun! Go figure. How I enjoy any story is through the characters so I suppose really trying to dig into their psyche intrigues me. And since reading and seeing through the eyes of the characters is so personal we will each view the characters differently!

     • I totally agree with the possibility of Hermione being INFJ. I am this type and I’m like the most classical version of it, really, every single word describes what I am and how I live. I also have a close friend who is a very true INTJ and though we seem to be similar, we are two other worlds. In some ways we think the same way and then we completly don’t. He would never, ever even thought about SPEW, but I’d actually wear that badge easily. Also my mum is INFP and she’s a total Anne of Green Gables but she doesn’t think like me or Hermione at all. INFPs are just naturally good and kinda naive but also smart and stubborn – more Luna Lovegood. My way of thinking is much different from other people’s so it’s clear to me I’ve never met another INFJ in my life. However from what I’ve studied Daenerys Targaryen, Remus Lupin and Mia from Princess Diaries and I have a lot in common and they’re likely INTJs. Especially Remus – seems reserved but when with friends he acts like an extrovert. I’ve always thought Hermione and Remus are quite alike and now I think it might be because they’re the same personality type(we know Hermione from her friends’ point of view so she acts differently). True or not, when I was a child I was absolutely Hermione, anybody could say that… For other characters – Aragorn might be an INTJ,too.
       I’m from Poland and from all the people in the world, fictional or real, I’ve ‘met’ a true soulmate that is absolutely my type and easily could just be me. It’s a xixth century poet, Adam Mickiewicz. All the INTJs out there, you might want to check this guy out.
       Great article btw, I enjoyed reading it so much 🙂

2. I actually bounce between INTP and INFP, but the Ni is really the strongest part of my typing. I agree with Michael, these types are very wishy-washy, and I usually just use them to help me understand characters in my writing and reading world (That the ‘T’ in me speaking). However, I will say that I did a project where I typed all of my close family and friends, and the people I thought were most influential tended to share similar type elements with me! For instance, my grandmother that I’m closest to is ENTP; however, my father is INFJ (There were a lot of other factors that were at play here as well, but it was interesting getting to see how the people that I looked up to as mentors, or peers, had scores that were harmonious with mine. Very interesting stuff! My advice to anyone who gets into this is to make sure they understand that these scores fall on a spectrum, and nothing is set in stone.

   • I totally agree about Rose Tyler! I’m an INFP with several close ESFP friends, and I found her more relatable than they did. When in one of the first couple episodes she wants to try to save the life of the “last human”—that seems extremely INFP-like. As for her feeling at ease with the doctor, I can become at ease with a single person quickly, especially if we’re sharing an unusual experience. It just takes longer to feel at ease in a big group.

     • Yeah, Rose isn’t much like the ESFP people I know either! And being an INFP myself, I agree. I can appear to be very outgoing when I’m at ease with someone, especially if we share an experience together. Big groups are harder…

   • Yeah, it is a good point to make. While I find personality typing to be fun, it is important to note that nothing is set in stone. And no one can really fit nicely into a box.

3. I’m an INFP. I’ve often identified with Hermione, but I don’t think I’m the exact same type as her because we’re also different. She’s more matter-of-fact than I am, for example, and I’d say I’m a bit more relaxed. I’m also often compared to Luna but I’ve never really identified with her other than that I think it’s important to be yourself even if that means being different. And it’s hard to sort me into personality types because I’m very contradictive and complex, which makes me more or less identify with all sorts of characters (everything from fun-loving, optimistic extroverts, pessimists and perfectionists to individualistic oddballs) … I can’t determine which one of the four temperaments I am at all.

4. Always thought Rose was FAR more INFP than anything else, so glad I’m not alone. Yes we’re naturally quiet, but we can totally turn on the fun-loving, chatty, explorer side when we’re comfortable with someone, especially someone who encourages that in us, which the doctor did with her. But Rose constantly stopping the doctor from killing creatures instead of giving them a chance to change, or caring so much about the Dalek dying that she touched it, or going to pieces after the doctor left her and went away, and her knowing he needed her so badly that she couldn’t stand it? Totally, totally INFP. We see beauty in the worst of beasts, and we will give the last of everything we are for who we love. So yeah. I totally vote well-developed INFP. I just see that so much in her.

   • Yes, exactly! The other types just don’t really suit her. I think people imagine that INFP’s are mute, but that is hardly true! INFP’s come to life when they feel comfortable with someone and when they see a value they believe in deeply being threatened. That said, there are some INFP’s who can chatter the whole live long day. Look at Anne Shirley. It all just depends…

     • Anne Shirley is an awesome example. She’s not at all overly quiet and reserved. She does need her alone time, but she’s totally able to engage people and be outgoing when needed (shoot I’m a total INFP and I’m more able to engage strangers than some extroverts I know) And Gilbert, an ENTP just like The Doctor is often typed as, brings out that fire and playfulness simultaneously in her. So yeah, you put us with someone who just knows the right buttons, oh yes we can come to life, haha. And leave the poor person wondering how in the world to switch it off *chuckles*

       • Yes, exactly! 🙂

5. Hi my question is this Has anyone seen BBC Americas “Jekyll” Im interested in hearing opinions about what personality types people in that mini series are

   • I am very interested in watching that show! Maybe in the future we could cover that show for fun. 🙂 For now though I would have no idea!

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