When it comes to personality type, most of the time I try to write about the potential and positive characteristics of each individual. However, there are healthy and unhealthy versions of each Myers-Briggs® type. Just having a personality type doesn’t automatically mean you’ll use your gifts in a positive way. For example, Mahatma Gandhi is a healthy INFJ. He was empathetic, compassionate, and visionary. Adolph Hitler is also rumored to have been an INFJ. He was destructive, hateful, and an ego-maniac.

Environment, upbringing, and life choices can change how you use what you’ve been given. Each and every Myers-Briggs® personality type is capable of amazing things and terrible things, depending on how they choose to use what they’ve been given.

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our questionnaire here!

Disclaimer:

You will probably not relate to these type descriptions!!!

These descriptions describe some of the worst versions of each type. They do not describe the average or healthy versions of each type.

You can also check out this video for a quick look at the worst versions of each personality type:



The Introverted Thinking Types

The Destructive ISTP

Extremely unhealthy ISTPs are cold, self-destructive, and indulgent. They can be ruthlessly logical, but in pursuit of their own pleasure and at the expense of anyone who gets in their way. They ignore their moral compass and have no concern for the welfare or feelings of others. They keep to themselves and scorn attachments to other individuals. Their goal is to seek pleasure or get ahead, even if it harms themselves or others in the process. They are often calculating and selfish, easily angered by anyone who seeks a foothold in their life. Evil ISTPs can be the perfect mercenaries, using their hands-on skills to find wealth or sensory experience, even if it means destroying another life.

Healthy ISTPs: Healthy ISTPs are independent, analytical, and fiercely objective. They are excellent problem-solvers and they have an easy-going “live and let live” mentality. They are realistic and honest, easily seeing past facades and bravado. They may not be very expressive about their feelings, but they will seek to give everyone around them the freedom to live their life as they see fit.

Related: Discover Your Superpower Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

The Destructive INTP

Evil INTPs are haughty, careless, and so absorbed in their own world and ideas that they ignore and neglect the people in their care. They look down on “the mass” for being less intellectual or “enlightened” than they are. They avoid responsibilities and ignore loved ones, drifting into their own isolated world. Anyone who tries to join them in their world is shunned or treated with silent passive aggression. They ignore any kind of moral code; everything is about cause and effect and experimentation. They may even toy with people just to see what happens; using them like tools or objects to use and cast aside. Harsh words are often spoken by them, but they care little about the emotional impact of those words. Their lives and wishes revolve around being left alone to tinker and experiment.

Healthy INTPs are curious, creative, and logical. They are open-minded towards others and are driven to explore theoretical concepts in great depth. They are objective, fair, and non-judgmental. The healthy INTP thinks outside the box, forms innovative connections, and is an excellent problem solver. They balance careful logic with a quiet concern for the feelings of others.

Related: The Board Game You Will Dominate Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

The Extraverted Thinking Types

The Destructive ESTJ

Destructive ESTJs are dictatorial, aggressive, and controlling. They believe that they know what’s best for everyone and that their way is the only way. They suppress their moral compass and disregard the feelings and values of other people in exchange for their own rigid views. They push forward to achieve their goals, but instead of taking time to reflect on their decisions, they steamroll over everyone in their path/ They are aggressive in pursuit of their goals, and stubborn about their viewpoints. They will overlook the moral implications of their decisions, feeling that “the end justifies the means.” They may be loyal to a corrupt system or authority and suppress anyone who stands against that authority or questions it. They trust their own personal experience and disregard the personal experiences of others. They scoff at the emotions and values of others while they allow themselves to have their own temper tantrums and emotional overreactions.

Healthy ESTJs: Healthy ESTJs are hard-working, trustworthy, and loyal. They see the world logically and push themselves to live up to a high standard. They don’t ask other people to do things they wouldn’t do themselves, and they uphold traditions they see as morally right and effective. They are intellectual, practical, and usually outgoing. They are very supportive of their communities and families and want to make the world a better place.

Related: Understanding ESTJ Thinking

The Destructive ENTJ

Destructive ENTJs are dominating, aggressive, and quick-tempered. They have a clear vision for the future and will force everyone to follow their vision, caring little for other people’s perspectives and views. They have fiery tempers and can be intimidating bullies, using their quick wits and cold hard logic as a weapon to humiliate and silence their opponents. They will consider themselves above emotions and subjective “feelings” but will become temperamental and wallow in self-pity when things don’t go their way. They consider the feelings and values of others stupid or silly and they are exceedingly proud of their logical “superiority”. They like to control other people and enjoy using their intuitive perceptions as a way to play mean tricks on others. Domination is a game to them, and they are increasingly power-hungry as they become more and more unhealthy.

Healthy ENTJs are objective, hard-working, and balance their vision and planning with a strong sense of integrity. They are honest and productive, always pushing themselves to a higher standard. They don’t ask other people to do work they wouldn’t do themselves, and they are intensely loyal and dedicated to the people they love. They have a clear vision for the future and take time to reflect on their decisions before coming up with an effective plan.

Related: 10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENTJ

The Introverted Feeling Types

The Destructive ISFP

Destructive ISFPs are self-serving, judgmental, and indulgent. They are easily lost in self-pity and bitterness over numerous perceived or misunderstood slights. They will go from stages of passive-aggressive coldness to stages of self-righteous indignation. They live for the moment and can be exceedingly reckless. They habitually overeat, over-shop, drink too much or seek pleasure without thought for how it might impact themselves or others. They are easily angered by people who don’t understand their intense emotional reactions, even though they never actually vocalize them. They are not swayed by logical arguments or reasonable discussion; everyone they allow into their life is at the mercy of their subjective value judgments They may decide to shut people out entirely if they can’t get complete approval.

Healthy ISFPs: Healthy ISFPs are independent, empathetic, and deeply compassionate. They care immensely for others and are driven by a strong moral code. They constantly ask themselves if something is right or wrong, and do whatever they can to adhere to their values. They seek beauty, meaning, and experience and are slow to judge other people. They try to balance their feelings with logical consideration and reflection.

Related: Which Famous Artist Has Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

The Destructive INFP

Destructive INFPs are self-absorbed, self-righteous, and waver between being passive and extremely judgmental. They enjoy living in their fantasies but care little for the practical realities of daily life. They may neglect their loved ones and family members and instead prefer to live in a world of their own making. In essence, they abandon everyone who holds them dear. They may consider themselves more morally superior or “righteous” than others, married to their idealism to such an extent that any and everyone in the real world seems flawed and disappointing. They may retreat from the world and silently judge everyone they see. Over time, they may become increasingly harsh and condemning of people in their lives. They may become so obsessed with their own ideals and fantasies that they shun or berate anyone who tries to find a way into their hearts.

Healthy INFPs are extremely empathetic, gentle, and compassionate individuals. They care for the persecuted and marginalized people of the world and strive to help them. They are honest and driven by their morals to live a life that adheres to their values. They are creative and insightful, slow to judge others yet holding themselves to a high standard.

Related: Understanding INFP Feeling

The Extraverted Feeling Types

The Destructive ESFJ

Destructive ESFJs are manipulative, controlling, and prone to gossip. They adopt the beliefs of the people around them and bully anyone who lies outside of that value system. They may enjoy spreading rumors if it allows them to gain approval from authority. They are the “teacher’s pet” and constantly seek praise from the people they respect. They will have pity parties for themselves whenever they don’t get the praise they were expecting. They may be passive-aggressive, two-faced, and dishonest. Anyone who doesn’t believe in their traditionally accepted views is mocked, ridiculed, or gaslighted. They need attention and approval constantly from the people in their lives and will become easily angered over any perceived slight or anything that takes the place of their attention. They will berate anyone who doesn’t follow “the rules” even if those rules are corrupt.

Healthy ESFJs: Healthy ESFJs are empathetic, compassionate, and hard-working. They easily relate to other people and do what they can to make them feel understood and accepted. They are practical and hands-on in their communities, eager to improve the lives of others. They are honest and boundless in their generosity and care for others.

Related: Understanding ESFJ Feeling

The Destructive ENFJ

Destructive ENFJs are dramatic, overbearing, and manipulative. They like to influence and push people to conform to their opinions and “vision.” Their way is always the best way, and anyone who disregards their “friendly” advice is treated with passive-aggressive bullying. The evil ENFJ respects rank and authority, and treats those in authority with respect and eager attentiveness while looking down on people they believe are less “sophisticated” than themselves. They share other people’s secrets without remorse and kiss up to anyone who can help them to advance their vision or idea for the future. They can seem incredibly kind and exuberant in person and then ridicule and mock you to others when you aren’t around.

Healthy ENFJs are intensely compassionate, empathetic, and hard-working. They believe in devoting their lives to the advancement of their fellow men and they strive to encourage and uplift anyone in their path. They are warm, generous, and understanding. They know how to inspire people to live up to their fullest potential and are careful not to be pushy or controlling with the people in their lives.

Related: How ENFJs Handle Conflict

The Introverted Intuitive Types

The Destructive INTJ

The destructive INTJ is cold, arrogant, and controlling. They are contemptuous and condescending to anyone who doesn’t value their same vision or sense of logic. They may even enjoy putting other people down, making sarcastic jabs, or otherwise belittling them. They consider themselves above others, more enlightened or intelligent than the rest of humanity. They believe their vision and forecast of the future is always right, and they stubbornly hold to their perception without opening their mind to other viewpoints. They are agitated and vindictive with anyone who critiques or gives another view that contradicts their own. Destructive INTJs may seclude themselves from the rest of the world because they are so disappointed in their fellow man. If they don’t do this, they may try to micro-manage and overly control the people in their own lives, forcing them to obey a strict set of commands. If they have a corrupt vision, they may be swift and terrifyingly effective at creating plans that are disastrous for the good of humanity.

The healthy INTJ is visionary, innovative, and intensely logical. They balance their strong sense of reason with an inner moral code and integrity that keeps them honest, loyal, and considerate. They believe in following their vision for the future, but also following their conscience, and improving systems and the world.

Related: Understanding INTJ Intuition

The Destructive INFJ

The destructive INFJ is manipulative, scheming, and self-righteous. Above all, they seek to fulfill their vision for the future. They will go to any lengths to reach this vision, even if it means deceit, underhanded deals, and trickery. They justify what they do because in their mind “the end justifies the means”. They often consider themselves better and more broad-minded than others and thus conclude that any input from the outside world is silly and shallow. They live in their own subjective fantasy world and stop attributing value to human interactions. People are to be used to reach their end goal. If they hurt people along the way they’ll try to stifle any sense of guilt they might feel. They will try to escape those people so they don’t have to actually confront their own wrongdoings. In their close relationships they may be passive-aggressive, and use people’s faults and shortcomings against them as blackmail. When faced with their wrongdoings, they may fall into self-pity or else shut people out of their life who don’t show them complete approval.

The healthy INFJ is empathetic, contemplative, and visionary. They believe in treating everyone around them with kindness and respect and they long to change the world for the better. They have uncanny insights into how things will play out in the future and have a knack for seeing patterns and trends. They care deeply about the betterment of society.

Reach new heights of personal growth as an INFJ by checking out The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic.

Related: The 5 Biggest Misconceptions About INFJs

The Extraverted Intuitive Types

The Destructive ENTP

The destructive ENTP is arrogant, dishonest, and self-centered. They live in a constant haze of ideas, and while this alone isn’t bad, the destructive ENTP will go to any lengths to chase those ideas. They may lie, trick, or steal from individuals in an effort to get what they need to achieve their next goal. They may also enjoy toying with people just to see what happens. Trolling is “good fun” to the destructive ENTP, and they care little about the emotional pain they inflict on others. They are unreliable and undependable, abandoning loved ones as they follow after their ever-changing whims. To the person who shows interest in their plans, the ENTP is a charming and good-hearted friend. However, the minute that person rejects an idea the ENTP may discriminate, mock, or bully this same person.

The healthy ENTP is innovative, objective, and imaginative. They are endlessly creative, coming up with idea after idea that they want to see achieved. They balance this creativity with a strong sense of logic and reason. They have big ideas and dreams not just for themselves, but for the world as a whole. They are friendly and enjoy solving problems for their friends and loved ones.

Related: The Leadership Styles of Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

The Destructive ENFP

The destructive ENFP is manipulative, self-absorbed, and disloyal. They believe the world revolves around them and their interests and ideas. They only care about others in terms of how much they can get out of them. They jump from one idea or relationship to the next, flaking on plans and shirking responsibilities without a second thought. Inspiration and stimulation become everything to unhealthy ENFPs, and they will try to attain it by any means, even if it means deceit or immoral acts. They are so sure of their own visions that they lash out at anyone who opposes them or questions their abilities. They forget their own body’s requirements and may become increasingly self-destructive as they ignore their health and nutritional needs.

The healthy ENFP is empathetic, imaginative, and innovative. They enjoy inspiring people and showing them all the amazing possibilities the world can provide. They are responsible for their relationships and selfless in their concern for others. They enjoy sticking up for people who are hurting, and they want to find innovative ways to improve the future for the next generation. They are friendly, open-minded, and enthusiastic.

Related: Understanding ENFP Intuition

The Introverted Sensing Types

The Destructive ISTJ

Destructive ISTJs want to exert control over the outside world and make it conform to their routine or set of principles. Their own security trumps the welfare of all, and they may suppress people who they perceive as threats, even if those people are completely harmless. Usually, these ISTJs have been raised in a corrupt family or societal system. They accept the unethical traditions and values they have been raised with without question, and have no problem forcing others to accept those same principles. Any questions, skepticism, or form of rebellion is instantly distinguished. They have no empathy for anyone’s emotions, ideas, or welfare outside of their own. There is only one right way to do things and that is their way or the way of their authority figure. They will be harsh, aloof, and attentive to any detail or act of defiance that falls outside of their established routine.

Healthy ISTJs: Healthy ISTJs are responsible, trustworthy, and loyal. They are hard workers who are supportive of their families and communities. They have strong values and morals that they strive to adhere to, and they don’t ask anything of others that they wouldn’t do themselves. They are detail-oriented, practical, and down-to-earth. Underneath their private, serious demeanor they often have an offbeat sense of humor and a genuinely compassionate heart.

Related: Understanding ISTJ Sensing

The Destructive ISFJ

Destructive ISFJs believe everyone must instantly conform to the traditions and values they’ve accepted as their own. They may seem friendly at first, but underneath their soft-spoken demeanor, they are manipulative and passive-aggressive. If you rebel against tradition or interrupt their practiced routine, they will shut you out of their life without a second thought or find underhanded ways to get you demoted or punished. They do nice things for people simply for validation and praise and are hateful when they don’t receive the praise they were expecting. When people question them, they will retreat into self-pity and impose guilt trips. They are hard workers, relentless in their sense of duty, even if that duty is to a corrupt power structure or societal construct.

Healthy ISFJs: Healthy ISFJs are practical, compassionate, and down-to-earth. They are extremely protective and generous individuals who go out of their way to take care of their families and communities. They strive to be patient, loyal, and honest. They truly adhere to the golden rule; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Related: The Childhood Struggles of ISFJs

The Extraverted Sensing Types

The Destructive ESTP

Evil ESTPs seek thrills, opportunities, and pleasure at the expense of any and everyone who gets in their way. They are excellent manipulators, who take no issue with swindling, cheating, or lying to get what they want. They have no concern for the feelings and values of other people and stifle any moral considerations that enter their minds. Life is for taking advantage of, living to the fullest, and exploiting, even if it means leaving a trail of broken hearts and bullied souls in their wake. Unhealthy ESTPs get a thrill out of negative or positive attention and may enjoy bullying or annoying other individuals simply for the rush it gives them. They can be reckless, dangerously impulsive, and hedonistic.

Healthy ESTPs are optimistic, friendly, and intensely practical. They balance a love of real-world experience with an analytical, objective mindset. They enjoy making other people smile and laugh and love to experience all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that the world has to offer. They enjoy showing people a good time, solving problems, and taking advantage of smart opportunities.

Related: 5 Ways to Annoy an ESTP

The Destructive ESFP

Destructive ESFPs seek attention and sensation at all costs. They are impulsive, vain, and self-absorbed. They dislike anything or anyone that might upstage them, and they will be passive-aggressive to anyone who they feel might steal their spotlight. Their subjective emotions rule their lives, and logical arguments or constructive criticism are dramatically shunned. One minute they will be madly in love, the next minute they will ditch their partners or cheat on them because they feel trapped. They jump from one exciting thrill to another without concern for the people they affect along the way.

Healthy ESFPs are authentic, compassionate, and lively. They love to make people smile and laugh and are driven to adhere to their values and stand up for a cause they believe in. They often love animals and children and try to care for the less fortunate. They enjoy bringing joy to the world and experiencing and relishing each moment for all the beauty it contains.

Related: 10 Things You Should Never Say to an ESFP

What Are Your Thoughts?

Almost anyone you meet will not fit these descriptions. These descriptions go into detail about how each type can use its cognitive functions and natural processes in a negative or unhealthy way that is destructive to the people around them. Do you have any thoughts to add? Share with our readers in the comments!

Find out more about your personality type in our eBook, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type.

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Sources:

Psychological Types (The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Vol. 6) (Bollingen Series XX)

Depth Typology – The Guide Map to Becoming Who We Are by Mark Hunziker

My True Type – by A.J. Drenth

Was That Really Me? How Everyday Stress Brings Out Our Hidden Personality by Naomi Quenk