Learning styles of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types

Kickstart your self-improvement by understanding your MBTI learning style

The way we learn can affect how successful and confident we become. When an environment isn’t conducive to our natural learning style, it can feel confusing, daunting, or even embarrassing.

Think about a college student who learns best in a practical, hands-on way. If that student has to sit in back-to-back lectures where information is only presented in “big picture” concepts, it may not bode well for their grades or persistence in school. In fact, we learned just how common (and dire) this kind of situation is in a previous post about the four personality types least likely to graduate college.

The good news is that we can always improve. And one of the ways to kickstart self-improvement is by learning something new. In this way, we can all benefit when we understand differences in individual learning styles.

And knowing about MBTI personality type can help us with that.

In fact, educators who vary their teaching styles can motivate and reach a wider range of students. The same goes for employee training, parent-child relationships, and so much more. Here’s how each of the 16 MBTI personality types learn best:

Learning Styles of Introverted Personality Types

INTJ personality types typically question things before they decide whether to accept or reject them. They thrive in learning environments that empower them to:

• Ask “why?” as much as they need to
• Engage in strategic, complex projects
• Find opportunities to learn independently
• Set broad, integrative, and challenging learning goals
• Validate and confirm credibility of the learning material
• Take time to analyze and integrate concepts before discussing them

INTP personality types like to work with abstract and complex ideas. They prefer learning environments that enable them to:

• Work on in-depth, independent projects
• Avoid memorization or repetition of details
• Logically organize various concepts and ideas
• Look for long-term applications of what’s being learned
• Find logical connections between a wide variety of topics
• Take uninterrupted “alone time” to process complex information

ISTJ personality types are sometimes referred to as the “logical assimilators.” They need learning environments that allow them to:

• Question and scrutinize what’s being learned
• Organize information logically and sequentially
• Develop some patience with rapport-building exercises
• Learn any implications or consequences of the information
• Seek instructors who are competent subject-matter experts
• Break complex concepts into logical components or categories

ISTP personality types seek immediate results and practical applications. They are motivated by learning environments that help them:

• Have fun and take action
• Troubleshoot and solve problems
• Set short-term, realistic learning goals
• Organize information sequentially and logically
• Memorize facts and rely on trial-and-error strategies
• Look for immediate consequences, implications, and results

INFJ personality types like to learn about ideas that help them create or implement projects that benefit people. They need learning environments that enable them to:

• Work on cooperative team projects
• Exchange ideas in a collaborative setting
• Give and receive positive feedback and support
• Organize activities to meet the needs of everyone involved
• Identify how what they’re learning will help others develop and grow
• Seek instructors who are genuinely interested in the success of each learner

INFP personality types are drawn to concepts and big picture possibilities. They enjoy learning environments that give them freedom to:

• Set broad, long-term learning goals
• Map out related concepts to organize a topic
• Create a framework before learning facts or details
• Look for inferences, patterns, or trends in information
• Aid their memory through metaphors, analogies, or mnemonic devices
• Determine the scope and detail required of what’s supposed to be learned

ISFJ personality types are compassionate and collaborative. They thrive in learning environments that empower them to:

• Experience one-on-one coaching
• Seek support and encouragement for their efforts
• Take time to link learning to experiences and/or values
• Avoid highly critical instructors or competitive learning situations
• Find ways to objectively listen and incorporate corrective feedback
• Develop patience for fellow learners who prefer to question and critique

ISFP personality types are natural observers. They prefer learning environments that enable them to:

• Take clear, concise notes
• Summarize information sequentially
• Record facts and concrete examples in bullet-list format
• Use color or other visual aids (i.e., diagrams, charts, videos)
• Learn practical information that’s useful in the present situation
• Take frequent breaks if they have to read highly theoretical material

Learning Styles of Extraverted Personality Types

ENTJ personality types are all about precision. They enjoy learning environments that enable them to:

• Question ideas, theories, and models
• Refer back to steps in sequences
• Discuss and/or debate strategies with others
• Evaluate and integrate concepts from multiple sources
• Survey all available information before learning specifics
• Map out concepts or use flowcharts to summarize complex ideas

ENTP personality types are logical and assertive. They like learning environments that give them freedom to:

• Access credible resources
• Clarify terms and definitions of the material
• Get clear feedback to course correct if needed
• Summarize information into tables or flowcharts
• Use learning to change or improve systems or processes
• Find competent instruction from a knowledgeable expert

ESTJ personality types prefer to learn in practical, step-by-step ways. They thrive in learning environments that empower them to:

• Focus on data and facts
• Link any theories to real-life situations
• Engage in practical, hands-on activities
• Ask for clear, specific criteria for evaluation
• Organize materials logically and sequentially
• Set and accomplish short-term, realistic goals

ESTP personality types are logical, critical, and responsive. They prefer learning environments that enable them to:

• Organize information logically
• Seek frank and direct feedback
• Find competent instructors and credible resources
• Find the most efficient way to process information
• Ask “why?” and “what if?” questions as frequently as needed
• Create contests, challenges, or competitions with other willing learners

ENFJ personality types are interested in how big picture concepts can impact personal development. They like learning environments that enable them to:

• Set long-term learning goals
• Connect with a wide range of people
• Determine the value of what they’re learning
• Create a framework before learning facts/details
• Collaborate with others to learn ideas and concepts
• Create metaphors or mnemonic devices to help memorization

ENFP personality types tend to be supportive and compassionate learners. They thrive in learning environments that give them freedom to:

• Share ideas in a collaborative setting
• Link learning to what is personally important
• Give and receive positive feedback and support
• Use the information to change or improve things for people
• Make personal connections with ideas, instructors, and other learners
• Find stories or examples to support the idea that the learning material is meaningful

ESFJ personality types like to learn about things that are useful and relevant to their current situation. They are motivated by learning environments that help them:

• Discuss others’ experiences
• Learn “on the job” when possible
• Ask for specific and clear instructions
• Relate theoretical concepts to real-life examples
• Create a comfortable and welcoming learning space
• Learn practical information that they (and others) can use now

ESFP personality types tend to be social and collaborative. They need learning environments that enable them to:

• Feel comfortable and welcome
• Learn on the job from a supportive leader
• Ask questions and discuss material in a supportive setting
• Use new skills or information to enhance future experiences
• Find opportunities to apply the material to personal situations
• Listen for personal stories and real-life examples to help make the material stand out

Want to learn more? (pun intended)

Check out these other articles about learning style:

Which MBTI Personality Types Are Least Likely to Graduate College? 

How to Use Your Personality Type to Enable a Growth Mindset