Keirsey’s SJ “Guardians”
David Keirsey explains the temperaments at great length, but his descriptions can get long-winded and confusing. His SJ “Guardian” temperament can be summarized thus:
Communication: Concrete
You talk about people, things, and the general here and now.
Implementation: Cooperative
You favor cooperation, compliance, and reliance on teamwork; you play by the rules.
Character: Guardian
You are concerned with conformity, agreement, and making sure discipline is sustained.
Language: Associative
You make concrete connections when you speak, thinking in terms of the topic’s relation to the past.
Referential: Imperative
You often speak in orders and tend to sound commanding.
Syntactical: Comparative
You speak in terms relative to pre-established ideas, events, and experiences.
Rhetorical: Orthodox
You explain your views by appealing to what is known and familiar.
Intellect: Logistical
Your strength lies in your ability to maintain the stability of existing systems; you hold things together.
Directive Role: Administrator (xSTJ)
You are best at regulating procedures and holding others responsible for their actions.
Expressive Role: Supervisor (ESTJ)
You’re the boss, with an eye for both others’ conduct and the rules they should follow.
Reserved Role: Inspector (ISTJ)
You work behind the scenes to ensure that all goods are up to the standards.
Informative Role: Conservator (xSFJ)
You are best at giving support to and ensuring security for others.
Expressive Role: Provider (ESFJ)
You make sure everyone’s welfare is properly attended to; you help those in need.
Reserved Role: Protector (ISFJ)
You shield others from the dangers and dirt of the world, quietly maintaining order.
Interest
Education: Commerce
You prefer to learn about business and the nature of goods and services.
Preoccupation: Morality
You focus on maintaining social acceptability and a high standard of ethics for all.
Vocation: Materiel
You are happiest when working with supplies and equipment for an organization.
Orientation
Present: Stoicism
You are hardworking in the present and always working to save for later.
Future: Pessimism
You are always prepared and expect the worst.
Past: Fatalism
You generally view life as predetermined and think that everything happens for a reason.
Place: Gateways
You like to always be standing guard, keeping an eye on comings, goings, and conduct.
Time: Yesterday
You yearn for “the good old days;” you feel that nothing can compare to how things once were.
Self-Image
Self-Esteem: Dependable
You like yourself most when you see yourself as reliable and trustworthy.
Self-Respect: Beneficent
You respect yourself most when you and others see you as helpful and charitable.
Self-Confidence: Respectable
You feel the most confident when you are well thought-of and considered upright by others.
Value
Being: Concerned
Your prevalent mood is one of concern for all of your duties and responsibilities.
Trusting: Authority
When in doubt, you trust those in charge; you maintain great respect for power and order.
Yearning: Belonging
You ultimately want to be a part of a group, perhaps as a way of finding security.
Seeking: Security
You devote yourself to maintaining a stable, safe lifestyle.
Prizing: Gratitude
You derive great pleasure from being appreciated by others for your services.
Aspiring: Executive
You dream of becoming a distinguished leader in a well-regarded institution.
Social Role
Mating: Helpmate
In relationships, you seek to work with your partner toward a comfortable, stable life.
Parenting: Socializer
As a parent, you want your kids to be civilized, cultured, helpful, and productive.
Leading: Stabilizer
In leadership positions, you are schedule-oriented and make sure everyone follows the rules.
From Please Understand Me II, by David Keirsey.
David Keirsey explains the temperaments at great length, but his descriptions can get long-winded and confusing. His SJ “Guardian” temperament can be summarized thus:
Communication: Concrete
You talk about people, things, and the general here and now.
Implementation: Cooperative
You favor cooperation, compliance, and reliance on teamwork; you play by the rules.
Character: Guardian
You are concerned with conformity, agreement, and making sure discipline is sustained.
Language: Associative
You make concrete connections when you speak, thinking in terms of the topic’s relation to the past.
Referential: Imperative
You often speak in orders and tend to sound commanding.
Syntactical: Comparative
You speak in terms relative to pre-established ideas, events, and experiences.
Rhetorical: Orthodox
You explain your views by appealing to what is known and familiar.
Intellect: Logistical
Your strength lies in your ability to maintain the stability of existing systems; you hold things together.
Directive Role: Administrator (xSTJ)
You are best at regulating procedures and holding others responsible for their actions.
Expressive Role: Supervisor (ESTJ)
You’re the boss, with an eye for both others’ conduct and the rules they should follow.
Reserved Role: Inspector (ISTJ)
You work behind the scenes to ensure that all goods are up to the standards.
Informative Role: Conservator (xSFJ)
You are best at giving support to and ensuring security for others.
Expressive Role: Provider (ESFJ)
You make sure everyone’s welfare is properly attended to; you help those in need.
Reserved Role: Protector (ISFJ)
You shield others from the dangers and dirt of the world, quietly maintaining order.
Interest
Education: Commerce
You prefer to learn about business and the nature of goods and services.
Preoccupation: Morality
You focus on maintaining social acceptability and a high standard of ethics for all.
Vocation: Materiel
You are happiest when working with supplies and equipment for an organization.
Orientation
Present: Stoicism
You are hardworking in the present and always working to save for later.
Future: Pessimism
You are always prepared and expect the worst.
Past: Fatalism
You generally view life as predetermined and think that everything happens for a reason.
Place: Gateways
You like to always be standing guard, keeping an eye on comings, goings, and conduct.
Time: Yesterday
You yearn for “the good old days;” you feel that nothing can compare to how things once were.
Self-Image
Self-Esteem: Dependable
You like yourself most when you see yourself as reliable and trustworthy.
Self-Respect: Beneficent
You respect yourself most when you and others see you as helpful and charitable.
Self-Confidence: Respectable
You feel the most confident when you are well thought-of and considered upright by others.
Value
Being: Concerned
Your prevalent mood is one of concern for all of your duties and responsibilities.
Trusting: Authority
When in doubt, you trust those in charge; you maintain great respect for power and order.
Yearning: Belonging
You ultimately want to be a part of a group, perhaps as a way of finding security.
Seeking: Security
You devote yourself to maintaining a stable, safe lifestyle.
Prizing: Gratitude
You derive great pleasure from being appreciated by others for your services.
Aspiring: Executive
You dream of becoming a distinguished leader in a well-regarded institution.
Social Role
Mating: Helpmate
In relationships, you seek to work with your partner toward a comfortable, stable life.
Parenting: Socializer
As a parent, you want your kids to be civilized, cultured, helpful, and productive.
Leading: Stabilizer
In leadership positions, you are schedule-oriented and make sure everyone follows the rules.
From Please Understand Me II, by David Keirsey.
