Characters by numbers?
Or why Tom is a jockstrap and Harry is a champion.
There's a whole industry out there geared towards generating labels to stick on people. Well, they wouldn't put it like that, more that they're offering tools for understanding the differences between people, for understanding one's self, and for getting along better.
I thought it would be interesting to see what I got from putting each of the AtST characters through this sort of analysis. It's all lightweight and nothing more than a bit of fun. Even so, it made my hair stand on end a couple of times.
If you want to skip the theory and just see what I found about my characters - and remember, we're talking about AtST characters here, not any real people who might have similar names - then click on a name: Doug, Danny, Harry, Tom.
A bit of theory to begin with. I'll keep it short and gloss over as much as I can. Follow the links if you're keen to know more; the Internet is full of this stuff.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI comes out of work by Carl Jung, one of the granddaddies of modern psychology. Chances are you'll meet it at some point; a lot of companies and organisations use it to assess job applicants. I don't want to go into great depth about it; there's plenty of stuff on-line (this site has quite a lot of useful information, as does this one.) But here's the gist of it, so far as it suits my particular purpose.
On the surface, the process is simple. Have your subject answer a set of questions, turn the handle, and out comes a set of scores, a label, and some interpretation of what it all means. MBTI bases the interpretation on a person's preferred answers to four questons:
- Do you get energy or "recharge" by interacting with others (Extrovert), or from alone-time (Introvert)?
- Do you get information based on what is (Sensing) or what should be (iNtuiting)?
- Do you process and organise the information objectively (Thinking) or subjectively (Feeling)?
- Do you act on the information by planning ahead (Judging) what to do, or by adapting on the fly (Perceiving)?
(A bit of a caution. Don't take the bracketed words too literally. Each one has a peculiar meaning in this system that isn't quite what it would mean in normal conversation. Judging, for example, does not mean the person goes around judging people, extrovert does not mean sociable and introvert does not mean shy.)
Of course, the theory is rather more complex and subtle than I've let on, and a proper analysis involves a lot more than just a quick quiz. But we're not that worried about the results.
Anyway, here's what the analysis produced for one of my characters:
Introvert Sensing Feeling Perceiving 22 38 33 56
which is maybe easier to interpret as a plot along four lines, with 0 (zero) being down the middle. (Donnie Darko fans may feel nervous at this point. The life-line is divided that way.)
Extrovert -----------------------+-----*---------------- Introvert
Sensing -------------*---------+---------------------- iNtuiting
Thinking -----------------------+--------*------------- Feeling
Judging -----------------------+-------------*-------- Perceiving
This person has preferences for Introversion (22/100), Sensing (38/100), Feeling (33/100), and Perceiving (56/100). More about what that might mean in a bit. You'll also notice that his Perceiving score is relatively strong (higher number, further from the middle) and his Introvert bias is relatively weak. More about that later, too.
In total, there are sixteen possible MBTI types (labels, codes, whatever), each one referred to by a four letter code, one taken from each pair (E or I, S or N, T or F, J or P). So our chappie "is" an ISFP.
What does it all mean?
Well, as with many things, some people have spent a lot of time and effort drawing up charts and tables about what these mean. There are sites that have "personality profiles" for each of the sixteen types. Other sites tell how each type relates to some other aspect of personality, notably temperament (rational, idealist, guardian, artisan), and interaction style (up front or behind scenes, for example). Still others will tell you what this means in terms of compatibility with other individuals, such as a prospective spouse or work partner.
One particular thing to bear in mind is that these interpretations and analyses tacitly refer to extreme examples who score near 100 (well, over 50, anyway) in each category. Most people aren't like that; our ISFP has a moderately weak Introvert bias, so we shouldn't be surprised if he occasionally shows characteristics or behaviours of an ESFP, that is, Extrovert instead of Introvert. If the score were much lower, 10, say, instead of 22, you'd actually start to expect it.
So what's this got to do with my characters?
You've probably already figured out what I'm going to do. Take each character in turn, let them take the test, and then see if anything strange or startling emerges from the analysis. If nothing else, it's a check that the character is what you think he is (or want him to be). Perhaps you'll get some extra insight on how he'd behave in a particular situation, or give you an idea for a situation to throw his way. Maybe you'll see something that will make you sit down in surprise.
These are the sites I used:
- Humanmetrics has the online test I used. The results give you links to two interpretations.
- Keirsey is the first of these; they have their own system of temperaments and roles that relates directly to MBTI, using terms like artisan/performer or idealist/teacher. This can be both interesting and surprising, as we'll see.
- Typelogic is the second, giving one or two more classic descriptions of each type.
- The third site is one I hadn't seen before, BestFitType. It's interesting because each profile reads like a person of that type talking, based on things real people of each type have said in interviews. Useful to try to picture your character saying those things.
Quick recap. I let one of the characters take me over, took a quick personality test (and probably did a few other things I have no memory of), and arrived at type formula - a mysterious four letter code - of ISFP and the thought that this person might behave like an ESFP sometimes.
Let's just remind ourselves, we're talking about characters in All the Small Things, not about any real people who may bear a superficial resemblance, OK?
Harry, drum roll please...
It's...
Doug
Quick reminder of the test results
Introvert Sensing Feeling Perceiving 22 38 33 56
The TypeLogic description is actually rather startling. Here are a few bits and pieces:
[He's the] first to hear the different drummer... plunge into new fashions... hip trends...
[His] impulses yearn to be free, and are often loosed when others least expect it
[He] may be charming and ingratiating... on other occasions, aloof and detached
[He's] competitive ... willing to take risks.
[For him] organised education is difficult ... many drop out before finishing secondary education
Keirsey describes an ISFP person as a Composer Artisan, BestFitType as a Composer Producer. A few quotes from the latter; these are the words of real ISFP people talking about themselves:
Most people don’t understand there’s a lot going on inside. It’s always different, and if it’s not always different, it’s no fun.
People only see the part of me that is with them that day ... but little do they know that tomorrow I might be different.
When things get to a crunch, I’ll make something happen that will make it all right. I just know that I can do that and will do that.
When I am angry I get quiet. Others don’t know though, that’s the problem. ... That’s something about me, that noncommunication, or withdrawal.
I like recognition. It’s very important to get complimented soon after an accomplishment. I don’t want anyone to be unhappy with my performance ... I need a positive environment to work in and I need the people I’m working with to support me.
All of which suggests that, if nothing else, I've got my head around the Doug character pretty well. Scary, actually. Look: goosebumps.
Other ISFPs? Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Liberace, Kevin Costner... and Britney Spears?
Remember we said Doug (the character) might well look/behave like an ESFP? Let's take a look at one of those and see why that's significant.
Danny
Same process. Step aside, let the Danny character take over for a while. Sadly, I can't play guitar any better, but I do bump into things more. Oh well. The test produces these scores
Extravert Sensing Feeling Perceiving 100 38 88 33
or ESFP for short, which Keirsey calls Performer Artisan and BestFitType as Motivator Presenter. Again, some quotes from TypeLogic's description to begin with:
"Where's the party?"
[They] love to entertain -- on stage, at work, and/or at home
[They] sometimes think and talk in more of a spider-web
[Their] down-to-earth, often homespun wit reflects a mischievous benevolence
[They are] not comfortable being alone most of the time, and seek the company of others whenever possible ... they make wonderful playmates.
[They are] not comfortable telling others what to do.
And from the BestFitType conversations:
I always have a compliment and look for the good in a situation.
I love not having to practice and still being good at something.
I don’t like having to do a lot of planning.
I believe that if there’s a problem, until somebody actually does something about it, then it’s all just talk.
I feel great when I can help someone realize they are special.
Other ESFP's include Elvis, Bob Hope, the late lamented Steve Irwin [Danny, no, leave Zukie alone... Zukie, no... uh oh...] and Tim “the Toolman” Taylor. And possibly Doug, in his more extrovert moments. It seems it's not at all surprising those two get along so well.
Danny's "weakest" bias is the Perceiving one, which is the thing that inclines him to "wing it" or go with the flow rather than the planning ahead and/or stick to the rules (Judging). Change that P to a J and something interesting happens, which we'll see later. In the meantime, it might explain why he always seems to be putting things in the dishwasher.
Harry
Cup of tea, go round the block, and through the exercise again. This time we get
Extravert iNtuiting Feeling Perceiving 100 38 50 44
Keirsey calls this Champion Idealist, while BestFitType says Discoverer Advocate. A mixture of quotes from Kiersey and TypeLogic's description of ENFP first:
[They are] both "idea"-people and "people"-people who see everyone and everything as part of an often bizarre cosmic whole.
They want to help ... and be liked and admired ... strive toward a kind of spontaneous personal authenticity
[They have a] great deal of zany charm ... outgoing, fun, genuinely like people
As SO's / mates, they are warm, affectionate (lots of PDA's) and disconcertingly spontaneous.
[They have] strong, if unconventional convictions on various issues related to their Cosmic View ... nothing occurs which does not have some deep ethical significance
[They] have what some call a "silly switch"... can be serious, all business... flip the switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD, the scourge of the swimming pool, ticklers par excellence [even appearing] intoxicated when the "switch" is flipped.
[They] like to tell funny stories, especially about their friends. ... Friends are what life is about, moreso than [for other types].
Hasty decisions based on deeply held values may boil over with unpredictable results.
Quotes from conversations with ENFPs:
I sometimes recognize something about [other people] that they have not said to anybody else. And they say, “How did you know?”
I feel sad when I see potential in someone and they are either denying it or not able to access it in some way. I’m very sensitive too, but sometimes easily discouraged.
If I’m stuck for hours working at a monotonous task, I get peculiar, zonky, and weird. I get very tired if I can’t get out and exchange information
Friends are so important to me and I have good intentions. I like to think I’ll do whatever I can do to hold on to them, but often I don’t get around to writing or calling. They know that ... the friendship is going to be intense and loyal and I will be there for them when they really need me.
I am a perfect mimic. I can be someone else and get enormous insight about that person, and I want to tell them about it. I admire authenticity...
I need to be supported, not just always the giver and catalyst. And I need contact-emotional, intellectual, just words-for fun and connection.
Other ENFPs include Dr. Seuss, Robin Williams, Bill Cosby, and Meg Ryan (as in, When Harry met Sally). [Well that explains those noises in Harry's room! ... Ow! Harry!]
Note that Harry's fairly solidly ENFP, but if you do change his "weakest" preference, you wind up with another ESFP. Hmm. What's scary-remarkable about this is that it's completely consistent with the whole Harry-Danny-Doug triangle thing.
Tom
OK, last one, and to be frank, a bit of a surprise. In a way, it proves that I wasn't trying to bias the results, or if I was, I was spectacularly unsuccessful. I wasn't really expecting Doug to be an Artisan Compser, but I really was expecting that's what Tom would be. So imagine my surprise when I let him take over, did the quiz, and came up with:
Introvert Sensing Feeling Judging 11 25 50 100
Keirsey calls Tom a Protector Guardian, while BestFitType calls him a Protector Supporter. [Hey everyone, Tom's a Jockstrap! ... Shut up, Harry!] Given that the Introvert score is so low, it's also worth pointing out that we would expect him to behave/look like a (Keirsey) Provider Guardian or (BFT) Facilitator Caretaker [He's a janitor, too! ... Right, that's it... (sounds of racing feet, followed by a slam!)]
Um, yeah. So while they're off discussing that, let's again look at some stuff from Keirsey and the Typelogic ISFJ description.
[Their] desire to serve others,... "need to be needed." [can be] so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them;
those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage [...] sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves... notoriously bad at delegating.
[They can feel] hurt by being treated like doormats ... easily wounded
While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones
if any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children take gleeful advantage of)
strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient should want rather than what they do want.
[They] hate confrontation [but] one ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling.
Tom's Judging score is just ridiculously high, which as a general point would suggest he'd freak at any deviation from the plan or course. On the other hand, his Introvert bias is quite low, so he's very likely to look like the extrovert version, an ESFJ. Actually, flipping the I to an E amplifies the concerns for others and the heart-on-the-sleeve ability to be hurt, but makes him less reluctant to take charge or to delegate - in theory, anyway. Interestingly...
Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!
An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord.
[The what of what? ... It means he beats himself up when he can't figure out what to do.]
Quotes from ISFJs in conversation:
I like having friends, and family is the most important thing in my life. I am a reluctant leader
I have a big sense of obligation with work. Doing a good job is really important to me. ... I prefer to work by myself without distractions because I like things done a certain way. It’s taken me a while to learn that my work is much better quality when I’m drawing from those who see things differently. ... I get upset when work backs up
I have to have things in a certain place, with a plan and things prioritized
I will take something minor and get all freaked out when it’s nothing to get upset about. If it’s a problem with me and another person, I can analyze the situation endlessly until I talk to the person again and straighten it out.
I like a day when everything works really well, when I get a lot done, people respond very positively and there is a lot of laughter. I have an unusual sense of humor, and I like laughter.
and a couple from ESFJs
Long-lasting friendships or new ones-I generally care about others and they sense that. Maybe I care too much sometimes, but I want to listen to their background and rationale of why they did something.
Appreciation and meaningful support can come in a variety of packages-when people intuitively know what I need or a hug or a day off.
even though by nature I want to be understanding, I can find myself torn between going by the rules and understanding. Often I’m frustrated with decisions because I’m caught between different values ... I tend to be little too sensitive. I take criticism to heart.
Remember we said it wouldn't be infeasible for Danny to behave like an ESFJ? Note that he's such a strong Extrovert, he'd be much less likely to take everything on himself and much more likely to delegate it to, say, Tom...
What does all this show?
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this little exercise. I thought perhaps that I'd uncover some little inconsistencies in the characters I'd created, or perhaps, if I were lucky, find a few things that I'd be able to use in a re-draft.
I wasn't quite prepared to get the results I did, though probably that's more a consequence of my natural scepticism than anything else. (No, I'm not going to tell you my MBTI type, which in itself probably tells you everything you need to know.) Danny and Harry, actually, came out pretty much as I'd expected. Tom and Dougie, on the other hand, I expected to come up as something different in each case, so it was surprising both to have the test produce something else and to have the result so... close.
The quotes on the BestFitType site were a genuine - and very spooky - shock. I hadn't seen that site before I started this little exercise.
I guess it all means I do have a pretty good handle on how the characters would behave and react. And it was a pleasant surprise to see that the characters did come out distinct and yet complement each other well. On the other hand, it's more than a bit scary to realise you have four other characters living inside your head… and a bearded dragon.
Then again, maybe there's an element of horoscopery, or cold-reading going on. Who knows. As someone pointed out, if you answer a set of questions, you ought to be able to recognise the answers when they're read back to you.
In any event, I'll certainly give it a go if/when I create some other characters. I'm curious now to see whether it helps in any way with building characters before getting writing underway, rather than checking for consistency after the first draft is basically done. It'd be interesting to hear what experiences others have.
Oh yeah, the afterthought. It's one thing applying this to fictional characters that live in your head, rather different to start analysing oneself or other real people. Treat it as a bit of fun, but don't do anything heavy with it without talking to someone who's well-acquainted with the theory.
Edit: added some more material for Tom, plus some finger-trouble fixes