Some people just call this “The Lenore Thomson Personality Test.” You may have seen it in my book, Personality Type: An Owner’s Manual. However, this inventory is not mine alone; it was created in collaboration with Jungian analyst Aryeh Maidenbaum, Ph.D.

Moreover, the word “test” suggests that there are right or wrong answers, or that the instrument is supposed to diagnose people for abnormalities. That’s not what type theory is about. Hence the word “inventory”—just a sum of your preferences.

A word before you begin

Your answers should reflect how you actually experience yourself, not how you would like to be or think you ought to be. Even if you feel that neither answer applies to you, or that either applies under different circumstances, choose the one that you most agree with right now. In a world of individuals, there are no “bests.” No answer is right or wrong, or better or worse. The more honest you are with yourself, the more the results will tell you.

When you meet new people, do you:
talk as much as you listen?
listen more than you talk?

Which statement characterizes your general approach to life?
Just do it.
Explore the options.

Which do you like more about yourself?
your cool-headed, cerebral approach?
your warm, sympathetic approach?

Which are you better at?
shifting gears and multi-tasking?
focusing on one task until it’s done?

Do you prefer a social life that includes:
many friends and acquaintances?
a few people that you feel close to?

When you’re trying to understand something do you:
press for specific facts?
look for contextual meaning?

Which is more interesting to you:
knowing how people think?
knowing how people feel?

Which kind of job do you like better?
one that allows you to react quickly and improvise?
one that allows you to determine goals and take steps to meet them?

If a heavy snowfall keeps you from going to school or work, do you:
wonder what you’re missing?
enjoy the unexpected time alone?


Which statement are you more likely to make?

I’m interested in people’s experience—what they do, who they know.
I’m interested in people’s plans and dreams—where they’re going, what they envision.

I’m good at making plans that will work.
I’m good at getting others to agree with a plan and cooperate in the effort.

I may try something impulsively, just to see what happens.
I want to know what’s likely to happen before I try something.

I understand what I think better when I talk about it.
I usually think about what I’m going to say before I say it.

I’m almost always aware of my surroundings.
I may not notice much about my surroundings, at least not right away.

I tend to be an analytical sort, maybe a little skeptical.
I’m interested in people and care about what happens to them.

I like to leave room for new options, even after plans have been made.
Once plans have been made, I want to be able to count on them.

People who know me are generally aware of what’s important to me.
I don’t talk about what’s important to me unless I feel close to someone.

If I enjoy a particular activity, engaging in it always feels new.
Once an activity is familiar to me, I’m likely to try something else.

When I’m making a decision, I weigh the pros and cons of my choices.
When I’m making a decision, I like to know what others have done in similar situations.

I tend to learn by experience, so I often have my own way of doing things.
I generally learn by following instructions and adapting them to my needs.

I get restless when I’m alone too long.
I get restless when I don’t have enough time to myself.

I’m not much interested in ideas without some realistic application.
I like ideas for their own sake and enjoy exploring their implications.

When I negotiate, I depend on my knowledge and tactical skills.
When I negotiate, I establish common ground with the other person.

I need a break now and then when I’m working on something.
I would rather not be interrupted when I’m working on something.

When I’m having a good time with others, I get energized and keep on going.
When I’m having a good time with others, my energy runs out and I need space.

The atmosphere of a place affects how I feel about what I'm doing.
Atmosphere isn’t all that important to me if I'm absorbed in what I’m doing.

People can count on me to be fair and to treat them with respect.
People can count on me to be there when they need me.


When you’re on vacation, are you more likely to:

take things as they come, doing whatever you feel like at the moment?
work out a tentative schedule of things you want to do?

spend time doing things with others?
take time to read or walk or daydream alone?

return to a vacation spot you love?
go someplace you’ve never been before?

take a work- or school-related project with you?
renew relationships that are important to you?

forget about your everyday routines and concentrate on having fun?
think about things you need to prepare for when the vacation is over?

see famous landmarks?
spend time in museums and quieter places?

have good meals at restaurants you've been to before?
make it a point to explore new cuisines?


Which word/phrase best describes the way you see yourself?

level-headed
idealistic

spontaneous
systematic

open
reflective

factual
conceptual

knowledgeable
understanding

adaptable
organized

expansive
intense

down-to-earth
speculative

questioning
questing

enthusiastic
deliberate

well-rounded
deep

seasoned
spirited

just
merciful

open-ended
goal-oriented

straightforward
reserved

alert to opportunity
alert to possibility

impartial
sensitive


Would you rather:

put off unpleasant chores until you’re in the right mood?
get unpleasant chores out of the way so they’re off your mind?

be admired for your work, even though you’re not satisfied with it yourself?
create something of lasting worth, but remain unknown?

have extensive experience in an area that pleases you?
have many options to choose from?


Which slogan better captures your point of view?

People are apt to mistake strength of feeling for the strength of an argument.
Logic is the art of going wrong with confidence.


He who hesitates is lost.
Look before you leap.