Does Personality Type Influence Circadian Rhythm?

Science tells us that our circadian rhythm – a 24-hour internal clock of sorts – regulates our patterns of sleep and wakefulness. In general, this cycle syncs up naturally with daylight and darkness, so that most people wake in the morning and sleep at night. For many people, circadian rhythm can shift, so that some people (“early birds” or “larks”) wake up a few hours earlier in the morning, and some (“night owls”) stay up a few hours later at night.

Outside factors, like work schedules and other daily obligations, can force us into specific sleep schedules, but most of us tend to have a fairly consistent pattern regarding when we go to bed, when we wake up, and when we are most (and least) alert throughout the course of the day. At 16Personalities, we wondered, does our personality type influence these patterns too?

To find out, we asked our community if they agreed with the following statement: “You are a night owl rather than an early bird.” Interestingly, while we might have expected to find fairly balanced or perhaps neutral responses, the overall results were decidedly skewed: 70% of all respondents agreed that they are night owls. We also saw some clear differences in the Energy, Tactics, and Identity personality aspects – Intuitive types, Prospecting types, and Turbulent types were all notably more likely to agree that they are night owls.

Which personality types are the least likely to be “early to bed, early to rise”? Let’s take a closer look, starting with the Roles.

Roles

Analysts and Diplomats (79% and 76% agreeing)

Based on our survey, most Analysts and Diplomats are night owls, and they have their Intuitive personality trait to thank for it. Intuitive types overall (77% agreeing) were 15% more likely than Observant types (61%) to identify themselves at night owls.

Intuitive personalities’ brains are always working – imagining creative ideas, ruminating on solutions to problems, coming up with new projects, and so forth. Since the rest of the world tends to slow down at night, this can often be the best time for Analysts and Diplomats to retreat and focus, without all the distractions and hustle and bustle of daily life.

Logicians (INTP) (85%), the personality type most likely to agree that they are night owls, tend to take the image of focused dreaminess to the extreme – that is, they get so caught up in their thoughts and ideas that schedules and day-to-day details, like remembering to go to bed, frequently fall by the wayside. When other types are winding down for the night, Logicians are just getting started, and they may stay up until the wee hours of the morning pushing the limits of their intellects. 

Explorers (72%)

Explorers also agreed at a high rate, but their agreement was tempered slightly by their Observant personality trait, which makes them more down-to-earth and more attuned to when they’re feeling tired than Analysts and Diplomats are. Even so, the Prospecting trait makes Explorers far more likely than Sentinels to be night owls. In fact, the Prospecting trait was the most influential factor in this survey, with 78% agreeing, compared to 62% of Judging types.

Prospecting personality types in general don’t like to miss out on any opportunity, which may motivate them to stay up later and see what the evening brings. An unconventional schedule could offer Explorers more time to do what they want, whether it’s socializing or engaging in personal interests. For the more social Explorers, there’s no better time than nighttime to meet people and have some fun, especially when the buttoned-down crowd goes to bed and spontaneity rules!

Sentinels (55%)

Only a slim majority of Sentinels agreed with our statement. For Sentinels, the Observant and Judging traits combine to give them a conscientious, orderly mindset, which might explain why a greater proportion of these personality types prefer early mornings.

Keenly aware that they need to be rested for the following day’s pursuits, Sentinel personalities may believe that rising early gives them more time to tackle challenges and meet obligations, making the day more productive. Their tendency for methodical planning might also make Sentinels less likely to stray from a set schedule, and knowing when the alarm will ring in the morning is good motivation to get to bed “on time.”

Consuls (ESFJ) were the personality type that agreed the least, at just 51%. Like most Sentinels, Consuls usually prefer structure and routine and like to get an early start so they can be more productive during the day. As Extraverts, Consuls enjoy doing things with friends – or getting out and making some new ones – and that tends to be easier to do during the daytime and evening hours than it is late at night.

Strategies

Constant Improvement and Social Engagement (75% and 73% agreeing)

The Turbulent trait was another important factor in this survey, with Turbulent types (74%) being 9% more likely than Assertive types (65%) to agree that they are night owls rather than early birds. In general, Turbulent personality types may hold on to every day longer than Assertive types because they still have more they want to accomplish. This attitude likely comes from the perfectionistic tendencies that Constant Improvers and Social Engagers share.

For Constant Improvers, nighttime can be useful, offering some time away from others to work on what matters to them – whether it’s personal or professional, productive or recreational in nature. Even if they get up early in the morning, Constant Improvers may keep pushing themselves late into the evening. For these Introverted personalities, a controlled, solitary environment can be a source of tremendous energy, allowing their best work and their greatest comfort to happen at night.

Social Engager personality types may use late-night hours to socialize and network with others, or to put in a little more work toward a goal. As Extraverts, Social Engagers are energetic, vigorous people who are not likely to be satisfied with the end of any day, no matter how early they get started.

Confident Individualism and People Mastery (66% and 64%)

Confident Individualists and People Masters showed a more modest preference for late nights. Their Assertive Identities lead them to be pretty self-confident and relaxed in their pursuits. Because they feel less pressure, whether from outside or internal expectations, these personalities may feel less need for the solitude and freedom that late nights can offer. In other words, they are going to do what they want, when they want!

Introverted Confident Individualists are better able to accomplish tasks and enjoy their interests when they don’t have to deal with other people being around. But these personalities may be more flexible about whether they take time for themselves early in the morning or late at night.

People Masters, as Extraverted personality types, might be more inclined to go out and socialize at night, when the responsibilities of life weigh on them less heavily. But for individuals belonging to both of these Assertive Strategies, if they tend to be night owls, it’s probably more a matter of personal preference than a feeling of being compelled to stay up late.

Conclusions

As much as our natural circadian rhythm may determine whether we prefer early mornings or late nights, our survey makes it clear that personality type plays a role too.

People with busy, curious minds who like to be spontaneous or who like to push themselves to achieve their best – like Intuitive, Prospecting, and Turbulent personality types – tend to be more driven to stay up late. People who prefer to take a structured, sensible approach to life and who are more confident in themselves, on the other hand, are more likely to be early birds. In both cases, we may be trying to keep up with our responsibilities or to make time for our personal interests – we’re just going about it from slightly different approaches, at different times of day.

What about you? Are you a night owl or an early bird, and why? Let us know in the comments!