Understanding Character Personality Types: A Comprehensive Guide
Do you ever wonder why some characters in movies or books feel relatable, while others don’t quite click with you? The answer lies in understanding character personality types. Every character in any form of media is unique, and each comes with their own backstory and personality traits.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore different character personality types and what makes them stand out. You’ll learn how to develop characters that are not only relatable, but also believable and well-rounded.
Why Character Personality Types Matter
Before we dive into the types of personalities, let’s first understand why they matter. Character personality types help you create characters that are fleshed out and multi-dimensional. By defining your character’s personality, you give them depth, emotions, and a unique perspective on the world.
Understanding your character’s personality type also helps you create character arcs. Character arcs are the changes characters go through throughout a story. By knowing your character’s personality type, you can predict how they will react to certain situations and how they will evolve throughout your story.
The 16 Personality Types
According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), there are 16 personality types. These types are based on four dichotomies:
– Extraversion (E) – Introversion (I)
– Sensing (S) – Intuition (N)
– Thinking (T) – Feeling (F)
– Judging (J) – Perceiving (P)
Each personality type is a four-letter combination of these dichotomies.
For example, the ISTJ personality type stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging. This type is analytical, logical, and methodical. They are detail-oriented and tend to follow schedules. Knowing this, you can predict how an ISTJ would react to certain situations and how they would behave throughout a story.
The Four Temperaments
The ancient Greeks also defined four temperaments based on bodily fluids. These temperaments are still used today to understand personalities. The four temperaments are:
– Melancholic
– Phlegmatic
– Choleric
– Sanguine
Each temperament has its own set of characteristics. For example, the melancholic temperament is introspective, analytical, and perfectionistic. They tend to be reserved and analytical.
The Big Five Personality Traits
The Big Five Personality Traits, also known as the Five-Factor Model, is another tool used to understand personalities. The traits are:
– Openness
– Conscientiousness
– Extraversion
– Agreeableness
– Neuroticism
People fall on a spectrum for each of these traits. For example, someone can score high on extraversion and low on neuroticism. This would mean they are outgoing and confident, but not easily stressed or anxious.
Creating Well-Rounded Characters
Now that we’ve explored different personality types, it’s important to note that not all characters will fit neatly into one category. Characters are complex beings, and they can have different traits from different personality types.
When creating characters, aim for diversity. Don’t fall into the trap of creating characters that are all the same, or that are solely based on stereotypes. Give your characters unique perspectives and experiences.
Finally, think about your character’s backstory and how it shapes their personality. Traumatic events can shape a character’s worldview and behavior. By giving your characters depth and complexity, you’ll create characters that are not only relatable, but also memorable.
Conclusion
Understanding character personality types is key to creating well-rounded characters. Using tools like the MBTI, the four temperaments, and the Big Five Personality Traits can help you develop characters that are both relatable and unique. Remember to give your characters depth and complexity by exploring their backstory and the events that shaped their personality. With these tools in hand, you’ll be able to create characters that leave a lasting impression on your readers or viewers.
