The Houses (was Sorting hat)

[ivogun]

No: HPFGUIDX 156188

Dung:
>... I suggested that if the sorting hat sort people according to what traits they *prize*, 
>rather than which traits they *have*, it makes more sense. So you can have Gryffindors 
>not always behaving with their stereotypical courage (Pettigrew) or Slytherins who appear 
>to have zero guile (Crabbe & Goyle), but you can also have ambitious cunning people in 
>Gryffindor, because they prize having the courage to actually *do* stupid things like 
>feeding magic sweets to Muggles right under their campaigning father's nose.

Ivogun:
I think each of the houses loosely represent one of the basic personality types of Myer- 
Briggs or Keirsey Temperment Sorter.  My understanding is that the philosophical roots of 
this theory originate from Jung--someone whom Rowling has mentioned.  

Two of the houses (Ravenclaw and Griffindor) reside in towers and correspond to the two 
theoretical or intuitive, "heads in the cloud" personality types. The other two (Slytherin and 
Hufflepuff) reside on/in the ground and correspond to the two practical, sensing, or "down 
to earth" types.  According to the theory, students in Ravenclaws would be intuitives with 
thinking (NT) and would tend toward the wizarding equivalent of the sciences, math and 
engineering.  

Griffindors with be intuitives with feeling (NF) and would tend to be drawn to the liberal 
arts. Some of the subtypes of NF personality types are crusaders.  Both Hermione, despite 
her love of books, and Arthur, despite his love of tinkering, aren't Ravenclaws. The drive 
that made Hermione start SPEW and the drive that caused Arthur to campaign for his 
Muggle Protection Act are typically  Griffindorish.  

Following the theory, Hufflepuffs wound be sensing with Judging (SJ)  This type is practical 
with a high need to get things done properly and on time. The Sorting Hat mentions the 
hard work ethic that is typically a SJ and Hufflepuff trait.

Finally the Slytherins would be Sensing with Perceiving (SP) and would be practical types 
not worried about deadlines...the great lovers of freedom...the entertainers and 
promoters.  Rowling really hasn't been fair to this type. SPs may be seen freedom lovers, 
but Rowling has them portrayed as having "a certain disregard for the rules."  Likewise the 
SP type is known for having an appreciation for the finer things of life; well Rowling 
portrays Slughorn as a glutton, not an epicure. Oh well.