If I weren't fully convinced of the importance of all four dichotomies, and how crucial it is that we not stereotype any of the eight preferences, I'd be tempted to say I've saved the best, or perhaps worst, dichotomy for last. I believe a solid case could be made for the idea that of the four preference dichotomies, the differences between Judgers and Perceivers cause the most tension among people who live, work or study closely together. Among others, these differences can cause a great deal of misunderstanding and frustration between teachers and/or parents and children, as well as produce negative outcomes for children if their natural Judging or Perceiving learning styles are not honored and respected.
While planning this post, I thought that there would be quite a few stereotypes on both sides to write about. But while it is easy to come up with lists of terms which describe each preference, it's a bit more complicated to frame them as stereotypes, especially toward Judging types. Why? As someone with a preference for Judging, I probably have a blind spot hiding what Perceivers may not like about me.
But perhaps even more of a blind spot results from the fact that Judging types make up the majority of the United States population. The book I have referenced throughout this series, Building People, Building Programs by Gordon Lawrence and Charles Martin, has a chart on p. 107 showing the estimated frequencies of the 16 personality types, as described by the MBTI(R) instrument, in the United States population. According to this chart 55 - 60% of the people in the United States prefer Judging while only 40 - 45% have a preference for Perceiving. There is not quite as much disparity here as there is between 65 - 70% Sensing types and 30 - 35% Intuitive types, but the difference in numbers is still significant, and there is quite a bit of pressure in our society to conduct our outward lives as Judging types. Since the fourth letter in my type code is the only one in which I stand with the majority, it makes sense to me that I would find it difficult to frame as stereotypes many of the terms which describe Judging types, such as the ones illustrated in my poster above.
So let's start with stereotypes of Perceiving types. Since they are in the minority they are often viewed as if there is something wrong with them and that they should transform into Judging types to fit in and be successful. This is especially expected in the worlds of business and education. But a preference for Perceiving is just as normal and healthy, and leads to just as many wonderful contributions to our world, as a preference for Judging.
Perhaps the chief stereotype impacting those with a Perceiving preference is that they are procrastinators. This stereotype is particularly troublesome in the educational arena, often causing conflict between Perceiving students and Judging parents and/or teachers. In reality, the Perceiver's style of starting a project close to the deadline, and finishing just in time with a burst of energy, is not procrastination. To the surprise of those with a Judging preference, Perceivers actually think better and produce their best work close to a deadline. Even if they did start a project well in advance, the energy and inspiration to finish with a flourish would not come until right before the deadline.
Any Judging types reading this description of the Perceiving style are probably cringing by now. Judging types are stressed by deadlines. The idea of waiting until almost the last minute to start a project or school assignment makes a Judging type's hair stand on end, his or her palms sweat and heart beat rapidly. No one does their best thinking or work when stressed, so for Judgers it makes the most sense to get work done far enough in advance to avoid the stress of an approaching deadline.
The best defense against this stereotype, either toward others or ourselves, is to realize and remember that the important concepts in the question of when to start a project are energy, clear thinking, and the ability to do one's best, not should or ought, good or bad, prompt or lazy. If a teacher with a Judging preference has students who do not start their papers and projects until close to the deadline but finish them on time and well, he or she should recognize that these students may prefer Perceiving and then encourage them to use it. The same goes for Perceiving teachers (and/or parents) of Judging children. There are many approaches that can be used by teachers and parents to honor and encourage their opposite - preference children's learning style without losing their sanity. See my review of Dr. Elizabeth Murphy's outstanding book, The Developing Child, to find some of them, and the book itself to find many more. Dr. Murphy, by the way, has a preference for Perceiving.
These stereotypes can be flipped over to show some of the stereotypes Perceiving types have of Judging types. Judgers, who tend to be decisive and to prefer plans and closure, can be stereotyped in many ways by the more flexible Perceivers. These stereotypes can be summed up by the words compulsive and controlling.
For example, if Judging types think Perceiving types procrastinate, Perceivers may see Judgers as too scheduled and driven toward achieving their goals. If Judging types think Perceiving types don't take their work seriously enough, or are lazy or indifferent, Perceiving types may think their opposite preference takes it too seriously. Judgers may come across to Perceivers as being too serious and perhaps boring, too organized, and/or too focused on planning as opposed to letting things happen as they will. In other words, Judgers may give the impression of not being flexible enough or in too much of a hurry for closure.
After looking at this daunting list of stereotypes, we might wonder how those with opposing preferences for Judging and Perceiving could ever get along! I once read something to the effect that Judgers focus on responsibility and Perceivers on discovery. That's quite a difference in life purpose!
But both sides of the Judging - Perceiving dichotomy add wonderful things to our world, whether it be orderliness and structure or flexibility and playfulness. Both styles combine together to form a perfect, complete whole. It is crucial to keep this foremost in our minds and do our best to appreciate these differences. Doing so will go a long way toward helping alleviate the tendency I'm sure we all have, to let these differences in how we approach the world get on our nerves.
To conclude this series on stereoTYPES, here is a delightful interactive 11 - minute video which illustrates all eight personality preferences. This video about a father and young daughter was made by MBTIonline.com and sent last month to fans of The Myers - Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Facebook page. It teaches an important lesson in that no matter which preferences the viewer selects for the father, he is clearly a good, caring father who wants the best for his little girl. In my opinion there is no room for stereotyping when we see someone who, though his style and methods of being and doing his best may differ from mine, is a good parent no matter which of the 16 type codes he prefers.