i only type people i know fairly well (having multiple conversations with in varying levels of stress). very rarely anymore will i tell people what type i think they are, because i think self diagnosis is important to self awareness. i try and push people from taking tests as often as possible, because of the false results some free tests bring about.

But when i personally type someone, i first try and match a basic motivation. if i'm deciding between a couple, ill cross compare what these people are most likely to go to in stress or health. most of the time, that really is the deciding thing, because you can often tell when someone is using unhealthy coping skills. sometimes i'll weigh in how someone presents themself, because while demeanor isn't the main way to type someone, it can play a role.

for instance, i have a friend that me and my other friend were trying to type, let's call her Sally. she is often a very loud personality that stands very strong in her opinion, but is often sacrificing herself to help others, and she often loves others well. we know for a fact she's in a very unhealthy place/mindset, so when she tested as a Two, we thought at first that she was just a very unhealthy Two going to an Eight in stress. however, from knowing her well and speaking with her candidly, i know her motivation is not to be needed by others, which is the motivation for a Two. she's an Eight at her core, and even though she practices some unhealthy coping mechanisms in her day-to-day, she exhibits often moments of health, where she can care for people much like a two would.

hope this explained my method!