Description

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II (KTS®-II) is a psychometric tool developed by David Keirsey, based on the theories of Carl Jung and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The KTS®-II is used to evaluate and categorize personalities into four basic temperament types, based on behavioral preferences and interaction with the world.

Purpose

The main purpose of the KTS®-II is to help individuals better understand their own personality and the personalities of others. This tool is widely used in career counseling, personal development, education, and team development.

Analysis

The KTS®-II is based on four fundamental bipolar scales, which determine individuals’ preferences across four major temperament types. These scales are:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Preference for external or internal focus.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Preference for gathering information through the five senses or intuition.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Preference for decision-making based on logic and analysis or based on values and emotions.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Preference for an organized and structured lifestyle or a flexible and adaptable lifestyle.
Based on these scales, the KTS®-II categorizes individuals into one of the 16 personality types that correspond to the four main temperaments:
Artisan
Guardian
Idealist
Rational

Scoring

The scoring of the KTS®-II is done through the evaluation of participants’ responses to a series of statements related to the four main scales. The answers are coded, and the personality type is determined by the combination of the four preferences. The overall score is compared with predefined categories to identify the individual’s temperament type.

Bibliography

Keirsey, D. (1998). Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.
Keirsey, D., & Bates, M. (1984). Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.
Keirsey, D. (1998). The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II.
Myers, I. B., & Myers, P. B. (1995). Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type.