A lot of students are unaware of the different learner’s personalities. As a result, many struggle to find the right approach to fit their learning style. There is no denying that different learning preferences don’t replace taking notes and practicing studying. But, students and professors need to be aware of how each personality handles the learning material. The MBTI test reviews 16 personalities that each have different traits impacting their learning:
E - Extrovert.
F - Feeling
I - Introvert
J - Judging
N - Intuition
P - Perception
S - Senses
T - Thinking
Below we’ve reviewed how some of the most common learner’s types approach materials and lessons, their strengths, their weaknesses, and the best career paths for them.
The debater personality - ENTP
The debater combines extrovert behavior, intuition, perception, and thinking to review the learning material. This personality type develops an understanding of the material by focusing on finding many solutions to the same problem. The more they discover and explore new solutions, the better they can understand and remember the lesson. They are excellent communicators in business, marketing, and foreign language lessons. They can benefit greatly from working with a private tutor, such as via online Spanish lessons or with a dedicated mentor who can indulge in their multi-sided discovery path. In a classroom, they can feel dejected when they can’t explore all the options.
The architect personality - INTJ
The architect is an introvert, who relies on their intuition, thinking, and judgment to learn new skills. The architect personality needs to understand the underlying reason for every fact and event. Students often look for additional information to better grasp the material, looking for ideas that can logically explain and solve multiple problems. The architect is an excellent researcher and analyst, allowing them to surpass classmates through critical thinking and academic research. However, the constant need for documentation and questioning can distract the architect from the primary lesson. They will need guidance to stay focused. Architect learners excel in history, sociology, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, but also scientific subjects.
The defender personality - ISFJ
The defender is an emotionally driven learner, being an introvert who combines sensing, feeling, and judging as main coping mechanisms. Defenders have their eyes set on practical interests, wondering how every lesson can be applied in practice to support their personal development. They respond positively to materials that are relatable and connected with people, using examples and details. The defender personality can make a remarkable customer data analyst as they are more likely to perceive the underlying customer personas. However, they are at risk of rejecting data or information that doesn’t fit their pragmatic perception of the subject. This personality type can lack creativity when it comes to problem-solving.
The entertainer personality - ESFP
The entertainer is an extrovert, focusing on sensing, feeling, and perception throughout the learning journey. At the heart of the learning process, the entertainer wants to enjoy the material at their disposal. They can memorize a lot of data about topics they enjoy and communicate enthusiastically about them. However, the entertainer can lose interest if the lesson isn’t presented in an amusing or enjoyable layout. The keen interest in enjoyment makes the entertainer a great asset in storytelling, creative design, social media management, and gamification. Unfortunately, data analysis is a weakness.
Ultimately , understanding the personality types of learners can contribute to better-suited lessons and study plans. From a learner’s perspective, it can be helpful to figure out your learning type to ensure you can improve your experience.