‘Brain Types’: Mixing Neuroscience, Jung

Jonathan P. Niednagel is carving out a niche for himself in sports psychology by combining the work of Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung with the latest neuroscience.

His theories about the connection between personality types, or “brain types” as he calls them, and control of certain muscle groups has drawn the attention of professional franchises in nearly every sport.

Jung believed personality is decided by a combination of four sets of trait preferences--Introverted or Extroverted, Sensing or iNtuitive, Thinking or Feeling, Judging or Perceiving--and classified the 16 combinations by four letters, such as ENFP.

A simplified explanation of each preference:

* Extroverts get their energy from the outside world of people, action and things; introverts are charged by ideas, contemplation and reflection.

* Sensing types perceive the world around them by things they can see, hear, smell, feel or taste; intuitive types like to follow hunches and imagine what could be instead of what is.

* Thinkers make decisions with an objective approach that seems to be clear and logical; feelers reach decisions based on personal, subjective values while weighing the effect they will have on others.

* Judging types are not judgmental but they are conclusive, decisive and want closure; perceiving types like to keep their options open and remain flexible.

Apparently, how those four pairs mix and match has much to do with the way one relates to the world.

For example, Tim Allen, Woody Allen, Jason Alexander, Dan Aykroyd, Roseanne Barr, David Brenner, Jim Carrey, Johnny Carson, Dana Carvey, Chevy Chase, Bill Cosby and Billy Crystal are all ENTPs.

And not surprisingly, the combination of the mental and physical plays an important role in determining success in a specific sport, or a certain position within a sport.

ISTPs--Michael Jordan, Michael Johnson and Mike Tyson are examples--are considered consummate athletes. But quarterbacks Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Brett Favre and John Elway are all ESTPs.

“They are right-brain dominant, have great spatial logic, great peripheral awareness and an uncanny ability to focus on the moment without thinking a step ahead or a step behind,” Niednagel said.

“[Green Bay Packer Coach] Mike Holmgren had a script of short-pass plays set for Green Bay’s first possession of [last season’s] Super Bowl. And what does ESTP Brett Favre do? He audibilizes on the second play and throws a bomb for a touchdown.”