Bringing Type to Life

Ever thought about examples of personality type in the real world? Why do famous people (if you can call their world 'real'...) behave as they do?

This section of the site gives our perspective on the private and public motivations of celebrities featured in the media, analysing their responses to situations in an attempt to derive tentative personality profiles to explain their behaviours.

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Tiger Woods

Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods has successfully performed in an individual capacity for many years, often being ranked number one in the world. However, he competed with very little personal success in a particularly ignominious defeat for the American Ryder Cup golf team.

A look at personality type may go some way towards an understanding of just how such a top-class individual sportsman can do so badly in a team situation.

Keeping his many dreams and aspirations to himself, Woods looks to be an IN type, and his drive to follow them through indicates a probable judging preference (J). Woods does not suffer fools gladly, and other people are not a part of his extremely motivated vision for the future (likely NTJ).

Look at the self-focused drive of his admission on America losing the Ryder cup:

'I don't like losing...It doesn't feel good - never has. I don't know how many people enjoy losing, but I'm not one of those people.'

If Woods is indeed an INTJ, then his preference for individual performance is unsurprising. The probable extremity of his preferences may also show why he does so badly as a member of a team: his personal drive and motivated focus leave no room for a consideration of other people.

David Beckham

The captain of the England football team is naturally reluctant to share things with the press. In times of media trouble, he closes off his private life as much as possible and tries to let his football 'do the talking' (probable IS

He needs a relationship of trust to be in place for him to perform at his best (SF), and will be quick to come to a decision (J) when things do not feel right (F), leaving Manchester United Football Club soon after a disagreement with manager Sir Alex Ferguson surfaced.

As a probable ISFJ, Beckham is above all committed to his personal and home life:

'A big part of my decision to stay in Madrid...was my family.'

His likely judging preference means he is good at coming to decisions, but his introverted sensing shows that he finds it difficult to lead others on his chosen path.

Although his position as a role model made him an obvious choice for England team captain, his personality indicates he is at his best when not responsible for others - his ex-manager Ferguson recognised this, never making him captain of the Manchester United team.