Personality Type Characteristics of Learners

Written by Shawn Bakker

This month CSTD’s Learn @ Work Week will be running from September 20th through 24th. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the impact of workplace learning and to celebrate the best practices of training programs.

Much research has been done to identify the learning needs and characteristics of individuals based on their personality type.  For each of the preferences, you will find a few notes about how different people can be best engaged in the learning process. When you are planning your own training/learning programs, it is important to make sure that you include activities and tasks that meet everyone’s needs. For example a mix of collaboration (for E’s) and reflection (for I’s) gives everyone an opportunity to learn in their preferred manner, and also stretch themselves.

Extraversion

• prefer collaborative approaches
• depend on the external world for suggestions on how to proceed
• work best in action, enjoy hustle-and-bustle

Introversion

• prefer reflective observations and lecture formats
• hustle-and-bustle often interrupts their concentration
• do their best thinking in anticipation, rather than on the spot

Sensing

• like sequential learning
• approach learning through fact retention and methodical study
• value concrete experience
• move from the particular to the general

Intuition

• value abstract conceptualization
• holistic learners
• move form the general to the particular

Thinking

• adopt systematic approaches to learning
• prefer independence
• want logical arguments and reasons behind assignments

Feeling

• prefer holistic learning to serialist, methodical study
• desire supportive relationships with teachers

Judging

• want a clear structure and plan
• prefer learning settings that are sequential and methodical
• enjoy independent study

Perceiving

• like tactile learning
• prefer flexibility which gives their natural curiosity room to roam