Judging and perceiving are common English words used to describe how people evaluate and make sense of the world around them, particularly in regards to other people and things. These terms are also significant in Jungian psychology, as they represent different preferences people have in approaching their lives. Understanding the difference between judging and perceiving can be helpful in comprehending these concepts.
Judging Personality
Individuals have their own preferences when making decisions in life. Judging is a dimension of human behavior where a person prefers to reach a conclusion before making a final decision. The mother-daughter duo of Myers-Briggs proposed this dimension of judging/perceiving based on concepts described by Carl Jung. They published the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) to assess the personality of people applying for wartime jobs.
Judging people make plans and adhere to these plans in their lives. They experience difficulties when there is a sudden change in their plans or when plans go awry. These individuals remain tense until they have completed their projects and met deadlines. It is rare to see these people relaxing and enjoying their lives. Judgers are comfortable with rules and place importance on following them. They make decisions and stick to them, as they feel in control this way. Judgers are predictable, with well-set plans and objectives, and live an organized life.
Perceiving Personality
Perceiving is another extreme of the behavior dimension, contrasting with judging. These individuals are flexible in nature and keep their options open until they are forced to make decisions. They do not like set patterns and adapt to different situations easily. Perceivers are happy when they have space to maneuver and prefer to live life casually, leaving their projects unfinished rather than striving hard to complete them before deadlines. They do not make clear-cut decisions and are very inquisitive. Perceivers are often seen questioning authority, which would be anathema for judgers.
Key Takeaways
- Judging and perceiving are preferences people have when making decisions in life, based on the concepts of Carl Jung and developed by Myers-Briggs.
- Judging individuals prefer clear-cut goals and decisions, while perceiving individuals enjoy flexibility and adaptability.
- Judgers are comfortable with rules and authority, whereas perceivers see rules as restrictions on their abilities and freedom and often question or rebel against authority.
