The Myers-Briggs® personality type system is a fun and fascinating way to gauge pop culture characters through a uniquely intellectual lens. These personality types are more commonly associated with the work environment, but they are easily applied to the fictional world as well. Rather than delve into a collection of team working within a unit, why not focus on one particular character?
That is, of course, Doctor Who - namely his classic selves. Though it's technically the same character, the Doctor's individual personas all exhibit the traits of vastly different personality types on the Myers-Briggs® scale. From First to Eighth, here's a rundown of each Doctor's personality type from the classic series.
The First Doctor - ENTJ (The Commander)
The First Doctor was a consummate leader to the point of bordering on arrogance (and sometimes stepping over the line completely). He had little patience for systematic flaws and disorderly people who couldn't keep up with his grasp of a situation. As such, he was quick to assert himself and insist that everyone follow his rules.
He was not without a soft side, but it was frequently sured by his analytical mind and a desire to prioritize. Sometimes this meant striving hard to change the very companions he traveled with for the purpose of bettering them.
The Second Doctor - ISFP (The Composer)
In contrast to his first incarnation, the Second Doctor was far more laid back, though just as serious when the need arose. Lowkey cheer was his trademark quality, and although he was a bit standoffish to people he didn't know well, his personality was warm and inviting.
As an ISFP, the Second Doctor mixed restrained enthusiasm and optimism with a desire to explore the stars alongside his companions. His talent at playing the flute is a further nod to this personality type who are generally drawn towards the arts.
The Third Doctor - INTJ (The Mastermind)
The Third Doctor was a definite INTJ, and this is evidenced in his behavior throughout the Jon Pertwee era. Order and effectiveness were of utmost importance to this Doctor, and he would frequently seek out ways to improve on existing methods and techniques - especially those related to the Tardis.
He has a short temper for the narrow-minded and had little patience for those who weren't capable of keeping up intellectually. As such, he preferred to surround himself with like-minded individuals, while having a hard time holding back the soft insults for those who weren't.
The Fourth Doctor - ENTP (The Visionary)
The Fourth Doctor was undoubtedly one of the most outgoing and energetic Doctors ever to step out of the Tardis, and this was driven by strong ENTP traits. Curiosity frequently got the best of this Doctor, which tempted him to walk blindly into danger just to experience the unknown.
He was also a people person and used his knowledge and unique take on the universe to try and sway them for the better. He did this with a typical ENTP's penchant for using humor and good-natured teasing to make them see the folly of their own viewpoints. He was also non-judgmental except when it came to the most dastardly of foes such as Davros.
The Fifth Doctor - INFP (The Healer)
Few Doctors were as young and exuberant as the Fifth Doctor who retained the Fourth's sense of awe and wonder while exhibiting a lack of patience more commonly associated with the First. This combination made him sensitive and volatile which could have something to do with his INFP traits.
This personality type strives for a better future at the expense of the moment, which can cause them to become irritable if a solution can't be achieved. However, their comion and desire for solidarity were mimicked in the Fifth Doctor's treatment of his companions whom he cherished so deeply.
The Sixth Doctor - ESTP (The Dynamo)
The Sixth Doctor started out on the worst foot imaginable thanks to a particularly traumatic regeneration which left him temporarily psychotic. When the dust had settled, his ESTP traits started to emerge. This Doctor was a bull in a china shop who wasn't afraid to leap into the fray and use his own brand of justice to vanquish evil.
The playful style of the ESTP was reflected wholesale in the Doctor's retina-melting wardrobe choices, suggesting he was the life of the party in between dodging Daleks and the Valeyard. He was also very keen when it came to analyzing and identifying the traits of other people; a skill that came in handy when gaining the upper hand.
The Seventh Doctor - ENFJ (The Teacher)
In many ways, the Seventh Doctor was the most studious of the bunch, and this was reflected in how he dealt with his chief companion Ace. ionate about the potential of humans, this Doctor would frequently express frustration at their less-than-desirable traits which he felt were holding them back from greatness.
This is typical of ENFJ types who are energetic and ready to take on the world with each new sunrise. The Seventh Doctor's actions throughout his run were not self-serving but rather designed for the betterment of the galaxy, even if he took a few gray-area detours to get there.
The Eighth Doctor - ESFJ (The Provider)
The Eighth Doctor started out in a meat locker, which was the worst way to begin a new regeneration. However, the traumatic experience did little to sully his cheerful attitude. This Doctor was bursting with positive energy and was far more warm and approachable than his previous iterations, which is a mark of an ESFJ.
His love for human and alien-kind alike went a long way, but it would also be his undoing. When the Time War broke out between the Daleks and the Gallifrey, the Doctor fell deeply into cynicism and resentment, and what came next would leave him permanently scarred throughout the rest of his regenerations.