Assessing Watchword Type

Assessing Psychological Type from the Watchword Matrix

Principles of Assessment

In order to determine your Jungian Psychological Type from a Watchword matrix, you need simply to consider the kinds of words written at each key location (these are the eleven word locations within the central rectangle of the matrix).

To begin, you should consider the psychological function (i.e., Sensation, Intuition, Thinking or Feeling) implied by each of your eleven key words. When the functions have been identified, you may examine the psychological attitude that seems to dominate the matrix (i.e., Introversion or Extraversion).

Generally you should aim to identify:

• The dominant function (e.g., Intuition)
• The secondary or auxiliary function (e.g., Thinking)
• The dominant attitude (e.g., Extraversion)

This will enable you to identify your final psychological type as, for example, Extraverted Intuitive Thinking (Intuition Dominant).

When you have done this you may, if you wish, determine your equivalent Myers Briggs (MBTI)® Type.

Assessing the Psychological Functions

In Jung's theory of psychological type, the dominant and auxiliary functions come from different pairs of opposites (Intuition-Sensation, and Thinking-Feeling). This means that Intuition and Sensation can have only Thinking or Feeling as an auxiliary (and vice versa)

To determine your dominant function, consider which one of the following four functions is most strongly indicated by the 11 key words.

To determine your auxiliary function, consider which function from the other pair of opposites is more clearly indicated by the key words.

Sensation

Sensation is suggested when key words refer to concrete objects or to purely physical or sensory experiences. There should be no strong evidence of an emotional or sentimental attraction (repulsion) towards these objects or experiences. Also there should be no clear indication of psychological metaphor or symbolism. Even though a major assumption of the Watchword technique is that seemingly banal, concrete words can represent or symbolize deeper psychological processes, such a possibility should not be immediately apparent to the casual observer.

Examples of Sensation Words

CAR, CHAIR, SHOE, BOOK, CHALK, SNOW, TREE, PIANO, APPLE, TASTE, HOT, HUNGER, LOUD, SHARP, DRY, SMOKY, CANDLE, SHINE, RED, YELLOW

Intuition

Intuition is often the most difficult of the four functions to identify in the Watchword matrix. It is implicated when words reveal a recognition or interpretation of basic processes and inherent possibilities. It thus involves a deeper appreciation of reality than does Sensation. Generally it points to underlying social or psychological phenomena, profound human experiences, or fundamental drives and motives. There is also invariably some indication that the individual is personally and creatively involved with these processes and possibilities to a degree that goes beyond a purely conceptual understanding (cf. Thinking) or straightforward sentimental reaction (cf. Feeling). Intuition is also indicated when there is a strong sense of psychological metaphor or archetypal symbolism in words that might otherwise be considered sensory. This will usually need to be assessed in terms of the overall 'feel' of the matrix.

Examples of Intuition Words

GROWTH, CAREER, AMBITION, ACHIEVEMENT, CREATION, DESTRUCTION, FREEDOM, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL, TRUTH, WISDOM, ENLIGHTENMENT, TIME, ETERNITY, FUTURE, IMAGINATION, FAITH, SACRIFICE

Thinking

Thinking is suggested by words at key locations which are analytical, abstract and conceptual. Such words are generally emotionally neutral or, if emotional, seem to imply a conceptual understanding of the affective dimension rather than an actual feeling response (e.g., 'punishment' rather than 'hurt', 'altruism' rather than 'help', 'attachment' rather than 'boyfriend'). Also there should be no clear indication that concepts have been derived from a deeper probing of reality that attempts to identify fundamental underlying processes or possibilities (cf. Intuition).

Examples of Thinking Words

SIMILAR, DIFFERENT, OPPOSITE, FORM, PATTERN, CIRCULAR, POSITION, HERE, SOMETIMES, MANY, MIDDLE, SUBSET, NEARLY, THEORY, OBJECTIVE, LINK, READING, LIBRARY, QUOTATION

Feeling

Feeling is indicated when key words reflect a personal emotional reaction or sentimental response to the object, person or concept mentioned (e.g., 'mother', 'upset', 'sex', 'dirt', 'happy', 'pet'). The words always clearly imply a sense of liking or dislike (pleasantness or unpleasantness) which should dominate any other considerations.

Examples of Feeling Words

GOOD, BAD, HAPPY, SAD, ENJOY, HATE, PRETTY, LAZY, VIOLENT, ANGRY, LOVE, SMILE, COSY, SCREAM, PANIC, ALONE, DANGER, RAPE, ILL, PERVERT, CONFUSED, MUM, TEDDY, BABY

Assessing the Psychological Attitude

To determine the psychological attitude in your matrix, you should consider whether the primary direction of interest indicated by your key words is in the inner world (thoughts, feelings, impressions, etc.) or in the outer world (other people, work, nature, social realities).

Introversion

Introversion is suggested when key words refer to private, intimate, uncommunicated experience, or to the inner, psychological dimension. There is little reference to, or sense of connection with, the outside world of physical and social events. Instead the words generally imply an attitude of self-absorption and insularity.

Examples of Introverted Words

STUDYING, DESPAIR, SILENCE, HIDDEN, SLEEP, THOUGHTS, MEMORY, HOME

Extraversion

Extraversion is indicated when key words point outward to (or suggest communication with) the physical or social environments. Even though the matrix may mention thoughts, feelings or psychological processes, these are always clearly related to external events, physical objects or shared beliefs.

Examples of Extraverted Words

PARTY, HOLIDAY, TOWN, COLLEAGUE, OUTBURST, TELEPHONE, SPORT, FASHION

Assessing Final Type

To determine your final psychological type, you should combine your attitude with your dominant and auxiliary functions. There are 16 possible types. These are listed in the following table, with their corresponding Myers Briggs® Types.

Reading your Type Characteristics

The following two sites provide explanations and descriptions of the psychological types

M-B Psychological Type

Jungian Psychological Type

® Myers Briggs Type Indicator and MBTI are registered trademarks of Consulting Psychologists Press Inc. Oxford Psychologists Press Ltd has exclusive rights to the trademarks in the UK.