Distinguishing Thinking-Feeling Preferences Through the Content Analysis of Natural Language

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between natural language and personality characteristics. In particular, an effort was made to determine whether "thinkers" and "feelers," as defined by Jung's typologies, differ in terms of the language they use to express themselves. First, a linguistic content analysis scale was developed. Next, 5-min verbal samples were obtained from subjects and content analyzed. Content analysis scores were correlated with subjects' self-evaluations and their scores on the Thinking-Feeling scale of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Gender differences relating to thinking-feeling preferences were also investigated. Significant correlations between content analysis and MBTI scores were obtained, suggesting that valid information regarding individual preferences for thinking versus feeling may be obtained through the analysis of natural language. Males and females differed significantly in terms of their MBTI scores and self-evaluations, but not in their content analysis scores.