Key Takeaways


  • Judging vs perceiving is a functional preference that denotes either a systematic approach or a relaxed, easy-going approach to life.
  • Judging personalities prefer planning and organization.
  • Perceiving types are relaxed, fun-loving, and spontaneous.
  • Judging types dislike change and believe in prompt decision-making.
  • Perceiving personalities are adaptable and open-minded.
  • Judging types are stubborn while perceiving types are docile.

Are you planned, decisive, and organized? Or do you seem to be adaptable, relaxed, and disorganized?

Do you prefer to schedule and structure, keeping a to-do list always handy with you? Or keep your choices open and can change track as and when needed?

Judging vs perceiving refers to the functional preferences that determine how an individual approaches life; whether in an orderly and structured way or in a relaxed, easygoing, open, and flexible manner.

This dichotomous pair illustrates how you plan and deal with your outer world and the way it affects your decision-making process. 

 In this article, we will elaborate more on the dynamics of these functional preferences. 

Judging vs Perceiving Infographic

Judging Vs Perceiving - How to Determine Your Type
Judging Vs Perceiving – How to Determine Your Type

Judging Personality – Meaning

SUMMARY
People who belong to the Judging personality type approach life in an organized, structured, and calibrated manner. They create both short and long-term plans to meet their objectives. These individuals feel comfortable leading their lives based on proper schedules. 

The concept was first introduced by Carl Jung in his theory of personality and became the crux of the Myers Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI).

He referred to judging preference as a natural propensity or inclination to live life in an organized and scheduled manner, following the rules and laws diligently, and believing in fairness and honesty.

Judging types always prefer certainty. They get frustrated when situations lead to confusion. These individuals love taking complete charge of their environment and having things under their control.

Judgers are decisive and self-disciplined. They seek closure at the earliest opportunity to avoid any stress.

All those people of judging personality type do not prefer going with open-ended plans. They would have three separate contingencies as a backup, then tackle issues as and when they crop up. 

Judgers are straightforward regarding what they need to do. They also expect that others will do as per their instructions. 

People can see them as inflexible and dominating, but it is all because they are willing to operate in a systematic setup.

If you are a judger, you’ll never get distracted by too many options. Rather you would prefer to follow the same routine. You will be comfortable if the course of action is known to you.

You never decide on haste, prefer clarity and a systematic approach towards life. Being a judging personality type also means that you will have set goals with many backup plans to work on if the main one fails.

Judging types need to structure their world otherwise they may feel mentally restless and out of place. They will feel happy if they have all their ducks in a row and they know their path ahead. 

The sudden changes irritate them mentally and make them inflexible and non-adaptable. These people usually are hardworking and have strong work ethics.

They prefer to accomplish their goals with utmost precision and accuracy.

Being a follower of rules, conventions, and traditional beliefs, judging preferences point towards stubbornness and rigidity. They are not the easygoing type to accept change easily and happily.

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Perceiving Personality – Meaning

SUMMARY
Perceiving type people spontaneously approach their life. The particular Myers Briggs type prefers to keep their options open than follow a proper plan. They see rules and structure as limiting in nature. Hence, these individuals always look for flexibility. 

Perceivers get frustrated from monotonous lifestyles and love adapting to new challenges. They make their choices only when needed and gain complete control over the proceedings. 

For them, deadlines are elastic. These individuals push their decision-making until the last possible moment. 

This approach allows them to spend maximum time exploring new possibilities. People who use their perceiving function more often would prefer to start a brand new project than wind up the previous one. 

Any decision from their end would ask for a commitment to something that might not turn out as an ideal choice.

People with perceiving personalities are adaptable and stay relaxed in their personal and professional lives. 

Their motto is to enjoy life at present and work later. Moreover, these individuals are always open to new information. 

They tend to keep their different possibilities for consideration. Thus, the perceivers might seem somewhat unreliable to others.

People who are high on perceiving preferences tend to be relaxed and easygoing. They are not rigid and stubborn and prefer to explore new opportunities every now and then.

This explorative tendency also allows for setting up diverse interests and likings.

As they keep their choices open, they never have a clear-cut plan to work on. They thrive in unexpected situations quite well and can adapt themselves to surprises and sudden changes.

They have the ability to juggle between various tasks quite easily and remain open to new changes. For them, monotonous work schedules and following a routine is irksome.

As they are spontaneous and open-minded, they play with ideas and can be very creative at times. However, their carefree attitude can also make them procrastinate a lot. 

Sometimes, they may defer work for no apparent reason or even can leave the work half done. This may mess up their future goals as well.

If you have a perceiving preference as your primary inclination, you will always live life in a disorganized way.

Rules and regulations appear cumbersome and frustrating to you and therefore you will always use your last trick to avoid them as far as possible.


15 Traits of Judging Personalities

In the previous segment, we have discussed details on the judging personality type. They have given us a fair understanding of how these people prefer leading their lives. 

Now, it’s time to know this personality type better by looking into the signs that can help others identify people with judging personalities.

The signs are as follows –

1. They seek closure

People with the judging personality type look for closure from the external world through proper structure, planning, and organizing.

Whenever possible, they prefer things to remain settled and ticked off from their list.

They do not leave anything to chance. It is because these people look to resolve any issue. Hence, these individuals manage to lead stress-free lives.

2. These individuals are decisive

You can easily recognize a person of judging personality type, as they would have the ability to make firm decisions quickly and effectively. They take a rational approach and are determined to make things happen.

Moreover, due to their decisive nature, they love to have momentum and a sense of accomplishment in their lives. 

3. Love leading their lives under proper schedule

Judging people do not want to do things abruptly. They follow a fixed schedule to fulfill their daily chores and professional commitments. 

They are the ones who always plan things ahead of time. Hence, they do not have to deal with last-minute chaos and confusion.

4. Highly organized

These individuals are punctual and detail-oriented. People of judging personality type tend to behave in a planned and efficient manner.

Due to this trait, others rely on them for carrying out all their responsibilities efficiently and productively. Moreover, they do not shy away from asking for help from others if they are stuck somewhere.

5. They like to keep things under control

All those with judging personalities always tend to keep everything under their control. They do this by taking complete charge of their environment. 

Judgers follow a systematic approach to deal with their duties in both personal and professional lives. It makes them feel assured of the outcome.

6. Follow a proper plan

If you are a person of judging personality, you get in the comfort zone when you are aware of the future course of action. They do not prefer any uncertainty or things to happen abruptly in their lives.

It is so because these people always go by proper plan and move ahead in their lives as per those plans to deal with different situations effectively.

7. Stick to their decisions

When people with judging personality types make decisions, they stick to those decisions. They are not the ones who would go with the flow.

These individuals experience problems whenever any situation results in their plans going haywire. It also tells us about the kind of rigidity they possess.

8. Feel restless until they meet deadlines

For a judging personality type individual, work gets priority over fun and frolic. Their focus lies on the responsibilities at hand and meeting them on time.

Due to this reason, more often than not, these individuals suffer from tension and restlessness until they have met their commitments. 

9. They do not relax

Even though judging people follow norms and seek closure to remain free from stress, the reality is a little different.

It is tough to see these individuals relax and enjoy their lives. They are always into some work and, hence cannot take time out for leisure hours.

10. Enjoy rapid pace

One cannot associate the terms slow and steady with a judging person. They always want everything to happen at a rapid pace. In personal and professional lives, these individuals want things to happen quickly. 

11. Like to express their opinions

People of judging personality type become vocal while expressing their opinions. They are straightforward and do not shy away from sharing their honest thoughts with others. 

As they are sure about what they want to do and achieve, they expect a similar approach from others.

If anyone seems hesitant and not sure about their role, a judging person would straightaway share his feelings with that individual.

12. These people dress up to look good

A judging person will not dress up just for the sake of doing. They are very particular about looking good. Hence, they dress up to look good.

Appearance matters a lot for these individuals. Therefore, they always make sure to put on their best dress or makeup to make them look attractive.

13. Frequently makes moral evaluations

Having a judging preference means you will never accept things as they are. You will always love to evaluate things as right or wrong.

Anything that goes beyond your preferred beliefs will never be accepted easily,

Sometimes you may reject the opinions of others simply because it doesn’t match with yours. You will outright dismiss or refuse to accept those things that go against the protocol.

You may also divide people and situations in stark classification as ‘good’ or ‘bad’; ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. In this way, subjecting others to direct criticism and negative judgments are quite common. 

Others may see you as stubborn, unkind, and critical.

14. You will never leave room for making mistakes

People who prefer judging are close-minded and cannot accept failures and setbacks easily. This holds true for themselves and others.

They may become self-critical if they fall short of the standards that they have set for themselves. They will look for perfection from themselves as well as others.

15. You are not tolerant towards ambiguity

Being a judging type, you prefer to streamline all the work that you do. You prefer order and clarity. Ambiguous and unclear situations appear disturbing and irritating.

Being neat is your need and you may feel extremely frustrated if things do not move according to your set plans and agendas. 

Sometimes, ambiguity can destroy your life’s vision and you may not know how to move ahead towards goal accomplishment.


15 Traits of Perceiving Personalities

We have already discussed what one can expect from people with perceiving type personality and their approach in daily lives. 

Now, let us discuss the signs or indications of perceivers that can help other individuals identify these people better.

Following are some of the signs –

1. They are spontaneous

Perceivers are spontaneous. They do not like to plan but prefer going with the flow. These individuals are free and adopt a carefree approach to life.

People of this personality type go by instinct and take prompt action to deal with life’s challenges.

2. Adapt to changing circumstances

Due to their spontaneous nature, perceiving people do not prefer following set rules and structures. They can adapt to changing circumstances.

Hence, this perceiving function allows them to tolerate other people’s differences in opinions and adjust themselves as per the demands of any situation.

3. Disorganized in nature

People carrying the perceiving personality do not follow any set pattern in their lives. Therefore, they are lazy and disorganized. 

In personal and professional circuits, these individuals remain out of focus. Thus, they struggle to become reliable people for others.

4. Feel energized under pressure

People usually do not prefer to stay under any pressure, but it is not the case with the perceivers. Their energy level increases when there is pressure to perform and achieve something.

These individuals love variety and always look to carry out multiple tasks. Strict deadlines can help them unlock their qualities and fulfill their commitments.

5. Casual in their approach

Perceiving people have a laid-back and casual approach in their lives. They feel comfortable making necessary adjustments as per the demand of any situation.

Perceivers always prefer having informal guidelines to following structured rules and regulations.

It is one of the perceived preferences for leading their daily lives. The set patterns tend to stifle their free-flowing nature.

6. Goals keep changing

Perceivers are always on the lookout for new options and challenges. Due to this reason, they do not stick to any one thing for a very long time. 

This particular attitude might question their loyalty, but on a positive note, it allows them to seek better opportunities that can help them grow in life.

7. Do not express their opinions

People of a perceiving type do not have the habit of forming opinions in their lives. They take things as they come and accept changes.

Due to this reason, perceivers do not like those who always give their opinions on any individual or situation.

8. Hates fast-paced environment

Perceiving type people thrive in those environments that let them undertake their activities at an easygoing and leisurely pace. They hate to work or lead their lives in a fast-paced environment.

In life, perceivers take things easy. Hence, a slow and steady environment lets them remain in complete control of every situation.

9. They prefer doing jobs that give enjoyment

Usually, people take up jobs in line with their qualifications or experience. It is not the case with perceiving people.

For a perceiver, a job should not only serve their purpose of earning money, but also it has to give them enjoyment. 

10. Takes a great interest in new projects

Perceivers take great interest in starting a new venture. They would get immense pleasure and excitement. It stems from their nature of seeking challenges.

Sameness tends to bore these individuals. New challenges allow them to shift their goals accordingly.

11. Aims to take every opportunity

Another sign you can associate with a perceiving person is that he does not aim to miss anything in life. They are always ready to grab every single opportunity that comes their way.

It allows these individuals to look for constant improvement, aid in growth, and become successful in their lives.

12. Get dressed for comfort

Perceiving people do not believe in showing-off. For them, appearance is an insignificant thing. Hence, they are not bothered about it.

These individuals dress up for comfort. They should feel comfortable wearing any outfit. As long as that happens, looks do not matter.

13. Perceivers tend to put off their tasks for some other time

Being an easygoing and relaxed type, perceivers can put off their regular chores and tasks for some other time. They are laid back, slow, and prefer to accomplish tasks at their own sweet pace.

They never rush with anything and prefer to maintain a placid and mellow outlook towards life. These individuals may procrastinate and can be quite messy and disorderly when it comes to finishing off tasks at the last hour.

Since they tend to put off tasks for some other time, they struggle to do things on time, may lose focus, and may also leave tasks half done.

14. Poor time management skills

Perceivers have poor time management skills. You may find them regularly getting delayed for office meetings and family get-togethers. They never reach their destination on time.

Sometimes, you may see them keeping others waiting for a long time, blaming the system for the same.

Since they keep things to the last minute, they try to finish off tasks hurriedly. In this way, the work they do is often messy, confusing, and chaotic.

15. Tends to disregard instructions and rules

If you have a nudge for perceiving preference, you may seem to disregard rules and regulations. You will simply try not to follow them as they appear limiting and can restrict your free-willed nature.

Following a set of rules and instructions is painstaking and mind-numbing for you because it pegs you down in an order that feels closed and inflexible.

You would prefer to navigate your options to understand how well things can be done. Working alone at your own pace makes you feel confident in yourself.


Judging vs Perceiving – Key Differences

So far we have discussed the primary signs of both judging and perceiving types separately. In this section, let’s enumerate the primary differences between these two functional preferences quickly.

Judging Perceiving
Judging personalities are methodical, systematic, and organized.Perceiving personalities are relaxed, flexible, spontaneous, and prefer to move with the flow of life.
Judgers are those who prefer to have a settled life, they want to know what is going to happen next. Resists change and follows a definite pattern.People who have a perceiving preference accept change readily. They do not like to be tied in some definite rules and patterns rather prefer novelty and change.
Judgers are rigid and stubborn.Perceiving types are easygoing and relaxed. They prefer flexibility and open-mindedness.
They never like surprises, unexpected changes, and incidental happenings.People with perceiving traits like new surprises and sudden changes because they are more adaptable than the judgers.
They are morally strong and have a strong sense of right and wrong. Thereby, these people never break rules.They have an innate need to experience new things and want to explore the unknown. Thereby, perceivers hate rules and regulations. They find society norms as limiting to self-growth.
Always self-regimented and task-oriented. Takes pride in accomplishing tasks on time.Perceivers are slowcoach, easygoing, and laid-back types. They may pursue their life goals but fall short midway because of their procrastinating tendencies. May fail to accomplish tasks on time.
Usually has many contingency plans lined up to avoid failure.Perceivers hardly plan and take life as it comes. They prefer to move with the flow, even if they fail.
Highly responsible and has a serious demeanor most of the time. Perceivers are free-willed, playful, fun-loving, and casual in their approach to life.
Prefers to finish off with the assigned tasks.Prefers to start new projects and tasks without finishing others.
People with judging preferences are comfortable with schedules and structure.They are open-minded and see structures and schedules as restricting.
Judgers are neat, orderly, and well-groomed. They are image-conscious as well.Perceivers are spontaneous and messy. Sometimes they are too casual and clumsy in their physical appearance. They are not concerned about their social image and are comfortable in their own skin.
Most often, judgers are formal and conventional. They are highly opinionated people.Perceivers are less conventional. They can adapt themselves to changing circumstances. For them, opinions are not meant to be given in every situation.
Judging VS Perceiving

Myers Briggs and Judging vs Perceiving Functions

In Myers Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI), judging vs perceiving preference is the fourth cognitive function that determines the individual’s unique personality type.

This functional preference shows the individual’s preference for either having a structured and methodical way of life or having a spontaneous and relaxed lifestyle.

In MBTI, the following statements hold true for a judging type:

  • I love to follow schedules and routines.
  • Sometimes I have a long to-do list that needs to be finished on time.
  • My inner and outer world is structured and systematic.
  • I hate being messy.
  • My work is always pre-planned to avoid last minute rush.
  • I am rigid and love not to change much on the wishes and whims of others.
  • My aim is to focus on my goal only.
  • I am a quick decision maker.

The following statements hold true for a perceiving type:

  • I am free-willed, lively, and prefer to accept things as they are.
  • Self-criticism limits my talent and growth process. So I avoid doing it consciously.
  • I am spontaneous and an easy person to deal with.
  • Sometimes, I am messy and unsystematic.
  • I prefer to explore and innovate. Look for new changes.
  • I am adaptable and open-minded.
  • People may not trust me because I appear informal and casual.
  • I am bursting with energy, and never feel tired mentally.
  • My decision making skill is slow and I may not end projects as desired.
  • I tend to procrastinate quite often.
  • Sometimes work and play are the same for me.

Judging vs Perceiving – Workplace Habits

In this section of the article, we will discuss the workplace habits of judging and perceiving types and analyze how they perform in the various roles in an organizational hierarchy.

Judging types – workplace habits

Let us now see how judging personalities behave when they play different roles in the workplace.

When a judging person is your colleague, he would be very particular about keeping all the files on the desk and doing work in an organized manner. 

He will force his colleagues to do the same. He would keep a planner or sticky notes to manage deadlines. These people are task-oriented. 

Work is their top priority and they make sure that their colleagues follow the requisite protocols to get the job done.

A judging subordinate would make sure that he follows his boss’s instructions in the desired manner and get work done on time. 

If his decision-making capability is getting stifled for some reason, he will be straightforward in communicating his doubts to his manager. 

Judging subordinates will always find a way to fulfill the organization’s targets.

The manager’s role is ideally suited for judging type people. They love to plan and tend to organize stuff before doing a job. 

Planning and organizing are two essential qualities that any manager should possess. A manager of judging personality would know how to communicate the company’s vision to everyone.

Perceiving types – workplace habits

People do not just need to maintain healthy relationships in their personal lives. They also need to develop and maintain cordial relationships in their workplace.

The same is applicable for perceiving individuals as well.

When a perceiving personality type individual is your colleague, he would spontaneously react to any statement or activity of his team member and act accordingly. 

This individual will sometimes work on impulse. He will share his thoughts with his colleagues on how to improve their work as a team.

While working as a subordinate, a perceiver would always want more data from his seniors to complete his duties effectively. 

He would hate to follow any rule or set pattern but follow his sensing and intuition functions to fulfill his professional commitments. 

Perceivers possess the gift of foresightedness. They will use this gift to offer ideas that can help propel a business.

As a manager, perceiving personality type individual frame strategies and make a business run well. He would want someone to take those ideas and put them into action. 

A perceiving manager will always nurture and empower their people. There will be openness to trying new stuff. They will dare to act differently, deviating from the norm and reap benefits.


Judging vs Perceiving in Relationships

When it comes to relationships, judgers and perceivers perform differently in their personal relationships.

Judgers may prefer partners who are serious and no-nonsense types. They may want them to be morally strong and have conventional qualities.

However, perceivers prefer easy-going and relaxed partners just like them. They may not relate well with rigid and inflexible partners who may try to dominate them at some point in their lives.

Judging type – relationships

If your partner has a judging personality, expect them to abide by rules and structure. They are focused, open, and deal in honest communication. 

A judging partner would sail through relational issues to seek consistent growth with their partner. These individuals value those partners who offer a fresh perspective in the relationship and think unconventionally. 

In friendship, a person of judging personality would communicate their thoughts, needs, and feelings with their friends. 

He would use his wisdom before any decision. They would rub off their ambitious nature on their peers. 

Judging personality people as parents appreciate the proper value of structure and bring forth organization and order to their family lives. 

Therefore, children learn the importance of leading their lives by following norms. Hence, they grow up to become systematic and focused individuals.

Perceiving type – relationships

We all have to maintain different kinds of relationships in our personal lives. All are essential to make our lives meaningful and happy. People perceiving nature also have to do the same. 

When you have a partner who is a perceiver, they will give the utmost respect for your space and freedom. 

Hence, you will have the luxury to do whatever you wish. There will be no pressure to maintain schedules. They would love to spend time with you.

In friendship, a perceiving personality type person will allow their friends to remain as they are. They will offer support, make new and exciting plans to ensure their relationship is free from boredom. 

He/she would bring spontaneity to their friendship and always be ready to face challenges.

Perceiving parents would teach their children the need for being spontaneous, which will help them grab crucial opportunities in their lives to grow. 

They would let them stay in the moment, become flexible to adapt to changing circumstances.


A word from ‘ThePleasantPersonality’

Summing Up, it may be said that judgers are systematic planners who want to be prepared all the time. They hate failures and may feel highly anxious and disappointed if they fall short of standards.

Contrary to this, we have the perceiver types who are spontaneous, happy souls and feel that there is always more time to do things at a convenient pace.

In reality, judging vs perceiving function depicts a dichotomous variation where one prefers to have a systematic plan to move ahead in life or can actually move with the flow of life and accept everything as it is.

Are you interested to know more about ‘Thinking vs Feeling’ then click here?