Are you a 16 personalities A vs T personality type? Should we even define people by whether they are Assertive or Turbulent in the first place? Find out in this article.

Personality psychology has come a long way since Carl Jung’s pioneering theories in the early 20th century. Today, we have a much more nuanced understanding of human behavior and how it relates to different personality traits. One of the most popular models of personality today is the 16 Personalities model, which categorizes people into 16 different personality types based on their tendencies in areas like introversion/extraversion, intuition/sensing, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving.

Why you shouldn’t categorize people into A vs T

The 16 Personalities website argues that “Assertive (A) individuals are self-assured, even-tempered and resistant to stress. They refuse to worry too much and do not push themselves too hard when it comes to achieving goals. They are also unlikely to seek leadership positions, preferring to stay in the background and let others take the spotlight. On the other hand, Turbulent (T) individuals are self-conscious and sensitive to stress. They experience a wide range of emotions and tend to be perfectionists who are constantly striving for success.”

Source: 16Personalities – Assertive vs. Turbulent Personality Types

I want to argue against the idea of 16 personalities A vs T personality types. Many people assume that being Turbulent is a distinct personality type, but in fact, it is not. “Turbulent” is actually a mindset that is connected to the trait of neuroticism in the Big Five personality model. It refers to a tendency to be more anxious, stressed, and emotionally reactive. It was added later, and is not a core part of the Myers Briggs Personality Type theory. It can change due to age, trauma, and personal life experiences.

While it is certainly true that some people may be more prone to neuroticism than others, it is important to understand that this is not a defining quality of who you are. Personality psychology is supposed to be about healthy differences in how we think and make decisions, not about pathologizing certain traits.

The 16 Personalities A Vs T Variations

In this part of the article, I want to describe the 16 personalities A vs T variations and what they might look like.

INFJ A vs T

INFJs who are more assertive and confident (A) tend to be more comfortable taking charge and leading others. They are driven by their strong inner vision and have a clear idea of how they want to shape the world around them. They are willing to take risks and make difficult decisions in order to achieve their goals. They may be seen as more decisive and action-oriented than their more modest counterparts.

On the other hand, INFJs who are more modest and humble (T) are more likely to focus on serving others and helping them realize their own vision. They tend to be more reflective and cautious, taking time to consider all options before making a decision. They are driven by their strong ethical values and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. They may be seen as more compassionate and empathetic than their more assertive counterparts.

INFP A vs T

INFPs who are more assertive and confident (A) tend to be more focused on achieving their own goals and fulfilling their own needs. They are driven by their strong personal values and beliefs and are willing to take risks to achieve their vision. They may be seen as more independent and self-assured than their more modest counterparts.

On the other hand, INFPs who are more modest and humble (T) tend to be more focused on others and their needs. They are driven by a desire to help and support others, often putting their own needs aside in order to do so. They may be seen as more compassionate and empathetic than their more assertive counterparts.

INTP A vs T

INTPs who are more assertive and confident (A) tend to be more focused on achieving their own goals and ideas. They are driven by their strong logical and analytical abilities and are willing to challenge others’ ideas in order to achieve their vision. They may be seen as more independent and decisive than their more modest counterparts.

On the other hand, INTPs who are more modest and humble (T) tend to be more focused on understanding and analyzing the world around them. They are driven by a desire to learn and understand new ideas and concepts. They may be seen as more reflective and analytical than their more assertive counterparts.

INTJ A vs T

INTJs who are more assertive and confident (A) tend to be more focused on achieving their own goals and ideas. They are driven by a strong sense of purpose and are willing to take risks in order to achieve their vision. They may be seen as more independent and decisive than their more modest counterparts.

On the other hand, INTJs who are more modest and humble (T) tend to be more focused on understanding and analyzing the world around them. They are driven by a desire to learn and understand new ideas and concepts. They may be seen as more reflective and analytical than their more assertive counterparts. However, they may also be seen as more reserved and less likely to take charge in group situations.

ENFJ A vs T

When an ENFJ is feeling more assertive and confident (A), they become more naturally dominant and assertive in their leadership style. They feel a strong sense of responsibility to help others and want to use their charisma and persuasive abilities to shape the world in accordance with their vision. They are more willing to take risks and make bold decisions, even if it means going against the status quo.

When an ENFJ is feeling more modest and humble (T), they become more service-oriented and focused on supporting the needs of others. They prioritize ethical behavior and strive to create a harmonious environment that enables people to thrive. They are more likely to take a collaborative approach to decision-making and seek input from others before taking action.

ENFP A vs T

When an ENFP is feeling more assertive and confident (A), they become more action-oriented and spontaneous. They are eager to explore new possibilities and ideas and are less concerned with following rules or adhering to conventional norms. They are more likely to take risks and make bold decisions, even if it means going against the expectations of others.

When an ENFP is feeling more modest and humble (T), they become more reflective and introspective. They may spend more time considering their values and beliefs and how they align with the needs of others. They may take a more measured approach to decision-making and prioritize the well-being of others over their own desires.

ENTP A vs T

When an ENTP is feeling more assertive and confident (A), they become more argumentative and analytical. They enjoy debating and may take a contrarian approach to ideas and beliefs that are widely accepted. They are more likely to take risks and pursue unconventional solutions to problems.

When an ENTP is feeling more modest and humble (T), they become more reserved and reflective. They may spend more time considering the potential implications of their ideas and actions, and may be more cautious about taking risks. They may also be more willing to collaborate with others and seek input from a variety of sources.

ENTJ A vs T

When an ENTJ is feeling more assertive and confident (A), they become more decisive and action-oriented. They are focused on achieving their goals and may be willing to make tough decisions to get there. They are natural leaders and may be more willing to take risks or confront difficult situations head-on.

When an ENTJ is feeling more modest and humble (T), they become more collaborative and reflective. They may be more open to considering the opinions and perspectives of others and may seek to build consensus before making a decision. They may also be more focused on the long-term implications of their decisions and actions, rather than immediate results.

ESFJ A vs T

When an ESFJ feels more assertive and confident, they become more naturally dominant. They think about how to shape the world in accordance with their extroverted feeling function, to make it more harmonious and accommodating for everyone. They seek to be more of a leader and someone that has a positive impact on the social fabric of the world.

When an ESFJ feels more modest and humble, they become more naturally service oriented. They think about how to help others and how to conduct themselves ethically in order to support their environment. They live in service of their values and beliefs, seeing themselves as a caretaker of the social order.

ESFP A vs T:

When an ESFP feels more assertive and confident, they become more naturally dominant. They think about how to shape the world in accordance with their extroverted sensing function, to make it more exciting and pleasurable. They seek to be more of a leader and someone that has a positive impact on the sensory experience of the world.

When an ESFP feels more modest and humble, they become more naturally service oriented. They think about how to help others and how to conduct themselves ethically in order to support their environment. They live in service of their own needs and desires, seeing themselves as a contributor to the overall enjoyment of life.

ESTP A vs T:

When an ESTP feels more assertive and confident, they become more naturally dominant. They think about how to shape the world in accordance with their extroverted sensing function, to make it more dynamic and exciting. They seek to be more of a leader and someone that has a positive impact on the action-oriented nature of the world.

When an ESTP feels more modest and humble, they become more naturally service oriented. They think about how to help others and how to conduct themselves ethically in order to support their environment. They live in service of their own interests and goals, seeing themselves as a contributor to the overall success of their endeavors.

ESTJ A vs T:

When an ESTJ feels more assertive and confident, they become more naturally dominant. They think about how to shape the world in accordance with their extroverted thinking function, to make it more efficient and productive. They seek to be more of a leader and someone that has a positive impact on the practical nature of the world.

When an ESTJ feels more modest and humble, they become more naturally service oriented. They think about how to help others and how to conduct themselves ethically in order to support their environment. They live in service of their own principles and standards, seeing themselves as a contributor to the overall success of their community or organization.

ISFJ A vs T:

When an ISFJ is feeling assertive and confident, they become more naturally dominant in their approach to their environment. They prioritize efficiency, productivity, and orderliness, and may take charge in organizing and coordinating tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly. They may also be more willing to speak up and advocate for their own needs and desires, rather than always putting others first.

On the other hand, when an ISFJ is feeling more modest and humble, they become more service-oriented in their approach. They may focus more on taking care of others and ensuring their needs are met, rather than asserting their own opinions and desires. They may also be more inclined to follow the rules and adhere to traditions, valuing stability and harmony in their environment.

ISFP A vs T:

When an ISFP is feeling assertive and confident, they become more expressive and creative in their approach to their environment. They may be more willing to take risks and try new things, and may prioritize personal growth and self-expression over conforming to societal norms. They may also be more assertive in expressing their opinions and values, and may take on a leadership role in pursuing their artistic or creative goals.

When an ISFP is feeling more modest and humble, they become more service-oriented in their approach. They may prioritize taking care of others and maintaining harmony in their environment, valuing social connections and relationships. They may also be more hesitant to express their own opinions and desires, and may conform more to societal expectations in order to maintain social cohesion.

ISTP A vs T

When an ISTP is feeling assertive and confident, they become more proactive and decisive in their approach to their environment. They may be more willing to take risks and experiment with different approaches, and may prioritize efficiency and practicality in their decision-making. They may also be more assertive in pursuing their own goals and desires, and may take on a leadership role in solving practical problems.

When an ISTP is feeling more modest and humble, they become more service-oriented in their approach. They may prioritize helping others and contributing to their community, valuing teamwork and collaboration. They may also be more cautious and methodical in their decision-making, and may prioritize maintaining a stable and predictable environment over taking risks or pursuing personal goals.

ISTJ A vs T:

When an ISTJ is feeling assertive and confident, they become more organized and methodical in their approach to their environment. They may prioritize efficiency and productivity, and may take charge in creating systems and structures that promote orderliness and stability. They may also be more assertive in expressing their opinions and values, and may take on a leadership role in ensuring that rules and traditions are followed.

When an ISTJ is feeling more modest and humble, they become more service-oriented in their approach. They may prioritize helping others and contributing to their community, valuing social harmony and cooperation. They may also be more cautious and risk-averse in their decision-making, and may prioritize maintaining traditions and following established protocols over pursuing personal goals or taking risks.

The 16 personalities A vs T Explained

Instead of talking about Turbulent types, I like to compare Assertive to Modest types. I’ve found that some people are more Assertive, passionate, and self-confident, while others are more modest, supportive, and service-oriented. These keywords paint two types in a more fair light.

Assertive types tend to be more driven and focused on their own goals and aspirations. They are comfortable taking risks and advocating for themselves. Modest types, on the other hand, are more concerned with supporting others and working behind the scenes. They may be less self-promoting, but they are often great listeners and valuable team players.

It’s worth noting that being Assertive or Modest is not inherently better or worse than the other. It simply reflects different personality tendencies. In fact, both types have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to appreciate and understand those differences.

What are you like when you are in the 16 personalities A vs T mode? What are you like when you are more assertive and when you are more modest?

What did you think about your type? Did you resonate with the description? Leave a comment below to learn more!