In my various travels in the real world and beyond, I have noticed that different individuals of one type sometimes seem to possess demeanors which contrast in predictable ways. The first two types I recall noticing this in were ENTP and ISTJ.
ENTPs who are socially integrated in the way they happen to desire, and who are respected for their creativity in that context, tend to be more expressive, and seem happier. I call them ENTP-alpha. ENTPs who, by my assessment, desire to be in this situation but are mis-matched with the social environment they find themselves in, tend to be less expressive overall, and seem quite often displeased. I call them ENTP-beta. Many ENTPs are neither obviously alpha nor beta, sort of a "medium ENTP," and I call them neither alpha nor beta.
ISTJs who are trusted to perform well in an occupation, do so, and are respected for it, tend to possess an air of satisfaction and confidence. I call them ISTJ-alpha. ISTJs whose capabilities either fail to meet an arbitrary standard of excellence, or whose capabilites are not matched with a proper job of work, such as if they're unemployed, tend to possess an air of bewilderment at "what's gone wrong." I call them ISTJ-beta. In contrast with ENTPs, the alpha and beta of ISTJs seems to be quite polar, almost binary. Further observation, of course, is required.
With the terms I use, alpha and beta, I refer to nothing but the greek letters; It is simply a convenient method of categorization, and not intentionally related to the concept of "alpha males," or the like. (Though an alpha under my defintion is probably more likely to be such an "alpha male," truth be told.) Of imperative note is that I believe these qualities are the result of subject-object interplay. That is, often entirely changeable from without. Perhaps ironically, at present it seems likely that very intelligent ENTPs are more likely to be beta than alpha, so I hope it's especially clear that I don't consider the term "beta" derogatory.
Theoretically, I think this concept may be useful for every type, according to each type's motivations and means of satisfaction. I plan to continue analysis down this avenue, which I suspect will be most helpful in the pursuit of understanding behavior...And indeed, helpful at discovering the means to increase individuals' general satisfaction with life.
+This theory occured to me as the common base for all types, during contemplation of the alpha/beta paradigm: A Universal Theory of Social Satisfaction
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As I conceptualize these "traits," they are not innate, but functions of the relation between oneself and one's environment. So I claim that if the environment is changed from one which is likely to induce an "alpha state" to one which is likely to induce a "beta state," or vice versa, said state will eventually change in the individual.
Such qualities are likely oft mis-categorized as "innate" personality traits in the social sciences, because environment tends to stay stable. Consider the case of the ENTP-beta. Often ridiculously intelligent, and one could argue too intelligent to be perfectly satisfied (socially) on Earth today. But if they were cryogenically preserved for 500 years, they may find themselves in an alpha-inducive environment.
In sum, by my best assessment and with some help from at least Tangerine and Keirsey...
Social functions/means of social satisfaction, with specific focus on actual activities of individuals (As opposed to end-results):
INTP: Creation/provision of very unique logical ideas
ENTP: Creation/provision of logical ideas which are likely to be employed
INFP: Embodiment of moral "nobility"
ENFP: Advisement on meaning and purpose
ISTP: Intensive real-world problem solving
ESTP: Extensive real-world problem solving
ISFP: Creation/provision of art of any variety
ESFP: Bringing of joy
INTJ: Task supremacy based on present group desires
ENTJ: Command with respect to achievement of goals
ISTJ: Reliable task completion based on present group desires
ESTJ: Rule construction and implementation
INFJ: Intensive distress alleviation, direct and indirect
ENFJ: Extensive distress alleviation, direct and indirect
ISFJ: Resource management/provision, both concrete and abstract
ESFJ: Embodiment and active transfer of cultural norms
...And the (more tentative) effects of each type's activities:
INTP: Availability of alternative solutions
ENTP: Indirect advancement of efficiency in general
INFP: Group cohesion, stability, and extension
ENFP: Group cohesion, stability, and extension
ISTP: Direct advancement of group success
ESTP: Direct advancement of group success
ISFP: Group cohesion, stability, and extension
ESFP: Group cohesion, stability, and extension
INTJ: Increase of group efficiency
ENTJ: Indirect advancement of group success
ISTJ: Increase of group efficiency
ESTJ: Group cohesion, stability, and efficiency
INFJ: Group cohesion, primarily, also stability and extension
ENFJ: Group cohesion, primarily, also stability and extension
ISFJ: Group stability, primarily, also cohesion and extension
ESFJ: Group stability, primarily, also cohesion and extension
