Judging Vs. Perceiving: What’s The Difference?

Many are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or the MBTI. This self-report inventory is designed to identify a person’s personality type, strengths, and preferences. One of the more common references is the judging and perceiving dichotomy, which describes how an individual organizes their world.

Sometimes referred to as the fourth preference pair, this describes how a person may like to live their outer life and what behaviors others tend to see or infer about that person. This preference can also be thought of as an individual’s orientation to the outer world. We can think of these in simple terms — do we approach life in a structured or flexible way?

Key Takeaways:

What is Judging?

Those who lean toward judging are those who approach their life in a more organized and structured way. They may carefully calibrate the things in their life by creating short and long-term plans to achieve goals. Things like schedules and to-do lists help them through their day-to-day activities.

Judgers typically prefer knowing what is coming next so that they can understand what they’re getting into and avoid feeling frustrated when they bump up against ambiguous situations. Individuals who identify this way gain a sense of control when they can take charge of their environment, displaying traits like discipline and decisiveness.

Judgers often take their deadlines very seriously and must be specific about the things they need to accomplish. They may sometimes come across as domineering and inflexible, but it’s all due to their need to operate with structure. Those who are more likely to have judging tendencies can typically have outer presenting traits like;

• Outwardly firm. Judgers are typically very firm in their need to have a plan or some semblance of structure. This is due to their need to feel like there is control over any situation.

• Opinionated. Judgers are typically unafraid to raise their hand and share their opinions. They will want to take charge, especially if there is no specificity around certain things.

• Don’t beat around the bush. Although this behavior can feel abrasive, it’s important that the judgers feel they make their needs heard. They aren’t deterred from directly expressing their views or wishes.

• Convey a sense of closure. Judgers do not like open-endedness and typically need some sense of closure, no matter the circumstance.

• Serious or formal. Because of the need for structure and order, the judger can come across as serious or formal in their interactions with others.

Just as we all have outer attitudes, we also have inner attitudes towards certain things. Those who lean towards having judging tendencies can exhibit the following inner attitudes:

• Confidence. Because judgers typically have an answer or solution to most things, their confidence levels tend to be higher than perceivers.

• Knowingness. Developed due to the need to have structure, judgers typically have convictions that stand the rest of time. These individuals will be less likely to be open to exceptions or outliers that contrast their worldviews.

• Decisiveness. Because these individuals need to know what comes next and tend to like to gain a sense of control, they are typically more quickly able to come to a decision.

To understand if you’re a judger, you may exhibit characteristics like being decisive, controlled, good at finishing things, organized, and quick at tasks. Others may call you responsible and scheduled, and structured.

If you are a judger yourself or interact with someone who has this trait, consider handling situations with a timetable and sticking to them while allowing time to prepare for any task at hand. Be sure to allow them the space to show achievements or results and allow for closure on all things. If things must change, provide plenty of notice.

What Is Perceiving?

Perceivers are individuals who approach their life in a free and often spontaneous way. They prefer to keep their options open rather than take a clear plan of action. The structure of these individuals only limits them when they seek flexibility. These individuals enjoy adapting to new situations and may feel frustrated by routines.

Those who are perceiving usually gain their sense of control by making choices only when it’s deeply necessary. To them, deadlines are flexible, and decision-making can be put off until the last minute so that they can do their research on all options available. They don’t seek closure and may even start a new project rather than close an open one.

Those who are perceivers are relaxed and adaptable, typically enjoying life first while saving their work for later. They are opportunity-seekers and always looking for their next exciting project. Sometimes they can come across as unreliable, but this is due to their need to keep options open and flexible.

Perceivers are random thinkers who thrive in the unexpected and are always open to changes. They are often very spontaneous and enjoy multitasking. Those who are more likely to have perceiving tendencies can typically have outer presenting traits like;

• Receptiveness. Due to their ability to handle change, perceivers are typically very receptive to most things. They are outwardly open and adaptable in all situations.

• Reluctant to state views. Since they are more able to handle change, perceivers may be reluctant to outwardly express their desires directly so they can avoid potential conflict or hurt feelings.

• Casual. Perceivers are often less formal than judgers as they aren’t typically as worried about maintaining a dominating presence.

• Spontaneous. Perceivers are spontaneous, typically coming into situations with a ‘we’ll see what happens attitude.’

• Flexible. Additionally, perceivers have the ability to be flexible when in situations where multiple options are available.

Again, just as we have our outward traits, we have inner ones too. Those who exhibit perceiving traits may have the following inward traits:

• Insecure. Perceivers may sometimes want to make a firm decision but often can come up against doubt or uncertainty. Sometimes they can keep their options open, despite themselves.

• Skeptical. Perceivers are not as certain about knowledge as perceivers, meaning their minds can be swayed more easily than judgers.

• Mysterious. Those who are perceivers usually embrace the gray areas and uncertainty of life. This keeps things mysterious, and they often relish the idea of surprise.

To understand if you’re a perceiver, you may want to look inwardly to understand if you exhibit some of these traits. Perceiving individuals are adaptable, relaxed, and carefree. Others may describe you as being disorganized, spontaneous, and flexible. You may change tracks midway, keep your options open, and procrastinate.

If you’re a perceiver or know someone who is, be sure to allow time for things to flow. Don’t tie yourself to a calendar, and be sure to bring in new ideas and possibilities. Make plenty of time for creativity and encourage autonomy and personal freedom.

Judging vs. Perceiving FAQ

1. Is judger or perceiver better?

   Judgers are better in environments that are more organized and allow for more focus, while perceivers are better in adaptable environments that are ever-changing.

2. What is the difference between judgers and perceivers?

   Judging refers to thinking or feeling and how it’s tuned to the outside world, while perceiving means sensing or intuition is oriented to the outside world.

3. Are there more judgers or perceivers?

   The split is almost even, with there being slightly fewer perceivers in the world.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.