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Judgers and Perceivers

This article is part of an ad-hoc collection of pieces based on Myers-Briggs temperament typing. At some point I may try and tie them all together into something more coherent. All these articles are filed under Types

Previously we discussed the different way in which people gather information about the world, their so-called Perceiving function. We also discussed how they make decisions, their so-called Judging function. We now look at how someone uses those two functions together.

The last letter defines whether a person prefers to use their Judging function (Thinking or Feeling) or their Perceiving function (Sensing or iNtuition) in the outer world. More correctly, it defines which function a person prefers to use in its extroverted form.
[We can use each function (e.g., Thinking or Sensing) in an introverted form or an extraverted form. For now though, the “uses in the outer world” description is good enough.]

Judging types prefer to use their judging function in the outer world. They want to bring order to their outer world. They will tend to seem more ordered and decisive because their decision making function is their public face. Perceiving types prefer to use their perceiving function in the outer world. They want to take in information from their outer world. They will tend to appear more flexible or questioning because their information gathering function is their public face. In conversation, judging types may prefer to argue (come to a decision) where perceiving types may prefer to discuss (find out more and understand their options).

While Judgers will use their Judging function in an extroverted manner, they will use their perceiving function in an introverted manner. Perceivers reverse this: they use their perceiving function in an extroverted manner but use their judging function in an introverted manner (bringing order to their internal world). This balancing of cognitive functions is what completes type. It also means that we tend to be aware of only one part of other people. We only see their extroverted public face (J or P), their private (introverted) function are not clearly visible to us.

Judgers

Judgers tend to like more order and schedule in their life. They are more likely to belief in a correct way to approach something. The will tend to have more “should” and “ought” in their beliefs.
What they seek: Stability or certainty.
Motto: Decide and schedule.
Complains about Perceivers: Messy, disorganized, unreliable, indecisive.

Perceivers

Perceivers tend to like flexibility and options in their life. They are more likely to believe that there are many ways to approach something. They will tend to have more “maybe” and “depends” in their beliefs.
What they seek: Discovery and options.
Motto: But what about . . .?
Complains about Judgers: Rigid, dogmatic, rushed, argumentative.

Notes:

It is important to understand that the J/P preference does not stand alone. How it appears depends very much on the preferred Judging function (Thinking or Feeling) but also on the other preferences (Extroversion versus Introversion, and Sensing versus iNtuiting). However, the basic dichotomy does still apply.

It is also important to note that we are talking of preference and basic motivation. Perceivers are capable of keeping to a schedule and Judgers are capable of exploring options. Neither type is stuck into a world of constant disorder or rigid steadfastness. However, each type will tend to be more comfortable in one type of situation over the other. Also, we all adapt to our current situation: A perceiver may appear more scheduled during the work day, while the judger may appear more relaxed on his day off.

Comments (6) to “Judgers and Perceivers”

  1. […] left to your own devices and allowed to wait TIL the last minute? Spontaneous or rigid? Try this: The Difference Between Judgers and Perceivers in Myers-Briggs and Jungian Typing | Philosopher Geek Cheers! Quote this, PM me, or leave a visitor message if I helped! 🙂 Reply With […]

  2. […] logical and thinkers can be emotional. Their differences are… Different than what people think. The Difference Between Judgers and Perceivers in Myers-Briggs and Jungian Typing | Philosopher Geek Cheers! Feel free to quote me, PM me, or leave a visitor message if I helped! […]

  3. In my opinion, a perceiver can be a judger whereas a judger can be a perceiver. For the first part of my opinion, when the perceiver based his/her decision on her feelings, he/she can also be curious whether his/her decision is true or not so he/she sets out to found out if his/her gut feeling may be true or false thus developing a trait of a judger. In the second part of my opinion, a judger can be a perceiver when his/her decision is based on facts and it also based on his/her gut feeling.

    Hehe, this is just only my opinion so I’d like to accept criticisms whether my hunch is true or not. I have also another opinion… I think most people are perceivers but most of the judgers are perfectionists. Just my opinion :)))

  4. […] 1“Judgers and Perceivers,” Philosopher Geek, 8/28/2010. 2Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p.65. […]

  5. […] So it seems you've changed (at present) from an INF-Judger to an INF-Perceiver. Here's an interesting article that explains the difference between Js and Ps: The Difference Between Judgers and Perceivers in Myers-Briggs and Jungian Typing | Philosopher Geek […]

  6. Thanks, well explained.