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Myers-Briggs Perceiving Preference

>> Home / MBTI / The 8 Preferences / The Perceiving Preference

Perceiving (P)

Key words:
flexible • open • adaptable • spontaneous

People who have a preference for perceiving use their preferred perceiving function (whether it is sensing or intuition) in their outer life. What this often looks like is that they prefer a more flexible and spontaneous way of life, like to understand and adapt to the world, and like to stay open to new experiences.

Since they are using either their S or N in their outer world, they want to continue to take in new information. Remember again that this only describes how the person’s outer life looks. Inside they may feel very planful or decisive (which they are). Remember, in type language perceiving means "preferring to take in information;" it does not mean "perceptive" in the sense of having quick and accurate perceptions about people and events.

People who prefer perceiving may:

  • like staying open to respond to whatever happens
  • look more loose and casual
  • like to keep laid-out plans to a minimum
  • like to approach work as play or mix work and play
  • work in burst of energy, and enjoy rushing just before deadlines
  • sometimes stay open to new information so long that they miss making decisions
  • sometimes focus so much on adapting to the moment that they do not settle on a direction or plan

The Myers-Briggs Type Table

Perceiving Types are highlighted in gray.

ISTJ
Planner Inspector

ISFJ
Protector Supporter

INFJ
Foreseer Developer

INTJ
Conceptualizer Director

ISTP
Analyzer Operator

ISFP
Composer Producer

INFP
Harmonizer Clarifier

INTP
Designer Theorizer

ESTP
Promoter Executor

ESFP
Motivator Presenter

ENFP
Discoverer Advocate

ENTP
Explorer Inventor

ESTJ
Implementor Supervisor

ESFJ
Facilitator Caretaker

ENFJ
Envisioner Mentor

ENTJ
Strategist Mobilizer

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>> Introduction to Type

Audio Clip: Perceiving Preference

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