User:Thehotelambush/Typing methodology

How to determine people's types is by far the most important issue in socionics, as incorrect typings can have a huge influence on how people view socionics and its accuracy in determining intertype relations. If you type people correctly and understand the semantics of the information elements you will understand the better part of human psychology.

However, there is as yet no totally objective, scientific way to diagnose type, and until one is found socionics will continue to be criticized as "pseudoscience." Until then, hopefully this guide will help beginners and intermediate socionists navigate the somewhat imprecise process of type diagnosis.

Broadly, there exist a few main ways to diagnose type, each of which is distinctly associated with a different category of socionic information.

Typing people you actually know is way more important and gratifying than typing celebrities; there is many orders of magnitude more information. Type your friends and family first—then you can try typing celebrities.

I will refer to the person to be typed as X.

Intuitive analysis

• Broad, enduring aspects of X's lifestyle and personality
• What makes X different from others
• What is the "main point" that X is trying to convey

Rick (IEE) likes this method. The difficulty here lies in accurately guessing the "main point" of someone's persona. Lifestyle often takes a while to identify.

Logical analysis

• Words X uses - X will be most comfortable speaking about information that is related to his leading and (somewhat less so) creative functions. That is, X will bring up this information in all sorts of contexts where it is irrelevant or not asked-for. X will feel the need to comment on these areas whether you want him to or not.
• Opinions - many opinions or philosophical/moral positions are related to valuing certain information elements.

Ethical analysis

Extroverted ethics is extremely important in diagnosing types, because the way information is communicated can often be more informative than the information itself.

Introverted ethics, it goes without saying, is in some ways the raison d'etre of socionic typing.

The method is faster but less reliable. Often it is possible to type people within 1-10 minutes of meeting them if they are sufficiently similar to someone who you have already typed.

The method is probably the hardest, and best to use post hoc, or if you are highly experienced.

• Facial expressions - Notice X's ability to convey emotions, emotional subtlety, etc.
• Tone of voice, way of speaking - every information element is associated with a certain style of communication, tone of voice, etc.
• Whether you like X - Definitely useful. Learn to notice how each information element makes you feel and your typings will benefit.
• X's relationships with others - Also super-useful, albeit difficult to apply. If two people seem to really get along, you should consider types that get along. If two people are friends but are constantly arguing or raising their voices in irritation to each other, then probably not.

Sensory analysis

This includes so-called "visual identification." Some external aspects of a person's appearance may be related to type, but don't rely on it.

• Posture and movement - often very telling. Introverts tend to move less than extroverts; irrationals move in a more fluid way than rationals. Intuitives are much less confident in their movements and do not have as much control over physical space.
• Facial structure - Not recommended as a typing device. There are some interesting similarities but they are often extremely subtle.
• Dress - does X dress well (strong )? Is X "unkempt?" Does X follow fashions or instead dress in a comfortable manner ( vs. values)?

Comments and Summary

The intuitive and logical methods usually take more thought and time, but they are what allow you to sharpen your understanding of socionics. If you are coming from Myers-Briggs, for instance, you should try to avoid typing people based on "feel" etc. because you do not have a lot of experience with socionic types. Ethical methods are very useful and avoid unnecessary lengthy analysis. Sensory methods, honestly, do not play much of a role in how I type people, and I am inclined to think that the inherently intuitive nature of socionic typing makes them almost worthless. (When an objective method of type identification is found, then sensors will dominate this area.)

I was originally going to categorize ethical and sensing methods as "comparison typing." Because of the nature of writing, much of what you learn about socionics over the internet is about intuitive and logical typing methods, leaving a huge gap in the way of ethical and sensory typing. Sensors may appreciate looking at Filatova's sketches. Thus, ethical and sensory methods are primarily based on comparison to people one has already typed. Logical and intuitive methods can also be like this, but one can easily find alternative justification in written sources too.

Is socionics "real?"

This question comes up again and again, and it is always asked by people who suck at typing (or know nothing about socionics). If you type people correctly, you will see tons and tons of details that will leave no doubt in your mind as to whether socionics is "real" or not. The art of typing is difficult, however, and you should expect to always have doubts about some people's types. Don't decide on a type prematurely; especially, if you are forced to defend it to others it will only create a dangerous illusion of certainty that will prevent you from correcting yourself in the future. Play around with different typings; see if they make more sense than your current ones. I did this for a couple years before really getting a feel for socionics. Many of my earlier typings are probably wrong (not all, but some).

It's best to learn socionics IRL rather than online, because written media censor all but a tiny amount of the information a person conveys. Not to mention you will benefit from having some people pre-typed for you. (Not that you need to agree with all of your teacher's typings.) If you can't do this, just think A LOT about socionics and how to make your typings more consistent.

Excuses

I've heard (and used!) almost every excuse in the book: X is being influenced by his friends, upbringing, profession, etc.; X did a lot of drugs; X is different when you get to know him; X is going through a rough period...

Don't believe any of them. Socionics determines at least 70% of someone's personality and most of the rest is inborn too. Don't make excuses to justify bad typings or inconsistent relationships.