The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of the Yellowstone Characters

As an MBTI® practitioner, I find myself psychologically assessing characters when I watch TV shows and movies. My husband and I can barely get through 10 minutes of a show before we’re verbally dissecting certain character’s personality preferences and psychological tendencies. . Lately we’ve been watching Yellowstone, so of course I’ve had a lot of fun analyzing the Dutton family and all their dysfunctional relationships. My husband (an ESTP) finds Beth’s antics hilarious and prefers her, while I find myself getting angry and dissecting all the ways the Dutton family is hypocritical, emotionally immature, and inconsistent. But even if the show frustrates me, I still find it intriguing, have my favorite characters (Jamie and Jimmy, because everyone’s mean to them), and I look forward to watching it every night before I go to bed.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Myers-Briggs® personality types of the main characters in the series. Keep in mind, this is a fictional show and I can’t have a consultation with any of these characters. Because of that, there is always a margin of error and I’m having to guess based on very limited information.

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Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of the Yellowstone Characters

John Dutton III: ESTJ

John Dutton is a classic ESTJ, deeply rooted in tradition and fiercely protective of his legacy. His dominant Extraverted Thinking (Te) makes him a natural leader, but also at times a controlling one. He keeps a tight ship and won’t easily hand over authority to others.

John’s Si (Introverted Sensing) comes alive when he reflects on the history of the ranch. Remember the scene where he recounts how his late wife made cookies for Kayce? His attention to those tiny, sentimental details shows just how deeply tied he is to the past. He is constantly revisiting the past, trying to maintain his legacy, and create a stable future for his ancestors. But while his Si makes him nostalgic, it also traps him in a cycle of obsessively preserving what was. John’s desire to hold onto every square inch of land shows just how much he clings to the legacy his ancestors built.

John’s occasional flashes of Ne (Extraverted Intuition) surface when he’s scheming to defeat his enemies, like when he strategizes about political moves or land grabs. His inferior Fi (Introverted Feeling) shows most clearly in his strained but heartfelt moments with his family. He wants to mend relationships and be the kind of father he should have been earlier in life, but he often seems awkward and unknowing as he tries to build bridges with his children.

Find out more about ESTJs: 10 Things You Crave Every Day as an ESTJ Personality Type

Beth Dutton: ENTJ

Beth is an ENTJ fireball. She’s strategic, bold, and relentless in pursuit of her goals. Her dominant Te (Extraverted Thinking) combined with her tertiary Se (Extraverted Sensing) drives her aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude, especially in business and family warfare. She takes action quickly, strategizes effectively, and, thanks to her intuition, always has her sights on the bigger picture. She’s always sizing people up, figuring out how to break them down, or manipulate situations to her advantage.

Beth’s Ni (Introverted Intuition) is razor-sharp. She reads between the lines, anticipating what others are going to do before they even know it themselves. Her insights often make her the ultimate chess master in the Dutton family.

But when her inferior Fi (Introverted Feeling) takes over, Beth is a whirlwind of emotion. She loses her cool, calculated demeanor, and becomes a volcano of furious emotion that is intimidating to everyone around her. I believe Beth is also an Enneagram 8 type, which adds to the intensity of everything she does.

Find out more about ENTJs: 10 Signs of an Unhealthy ENTJ

Rip Wheeler: ISTJ

Rip is the ISTJ poster child. He’s loyal to the Duttons and honors the traditions of the ranch, no matter the cost. His dominant Si (Introverted Sensing) drives his deep attachment to the routines and rules that govern life on the ranch. He knows exactly how things are done, and he doesn’t tolerate deviations. Rip’s practicality and grounded nature make him the perfect enforcer, always focused on the job at hand.

His Te (Extraverted Thinking) shows up in his no-nonsense approach to leadership. If someone steps out of line, Rip’s the first to put them back in their place with swift, brutal efficiency. His inferior Ne is barely noticeable, as Rip prefers to stick with what he knows rather than entertain alternative possibilities. He’s not a dreamer; he’s a doer.

Find out more about ISTJs: 10 Things You Crave Every Day as an ISTJ Personality Type

Jamie Dutton: INTJ

Jamie was a difficult character to type. I’ve seen many theories about his type, but he has so much emotional brokenness and dysfunction that it is difficult to find the true personality preferences underneath it all. He keeps his thoughts and feelings close to the chest, except for in moments of charged stress and betrayal. Socially he’s restrained, formal, and often uncomfortable, except when he’s working as a lawyer. He’s confident as a lawyer, sure of himself, strategic, and meticulous. Overall, I believe that he is an introvert due to his more thoughtful, constrained approach to conversations and relationships. As an introvert, he needs time to think things through and is not particularly comfortable immediately sharing his thoughts and getting into a quick back-and-forth of verbalizing.

Second, I think he’s a Thinking-Judging personality type. When he is confident, it’s in the world of strategy, competition, numbers, metrics, and return on investment. This is the world of Extraverted Thinking, the cognitive function that TJs use. We see Jamie the most confident when he’s doing what he does best: being a lawyer. He has no issue recalling facts and legal rules and stipulations and using those to win in an argument. In home life, Jamie seems uncertain, uncomfortable, and perpetually frustrated. But in the legal world he seems confident, sure of himself, and competent. This tells me that he’s more at home in the world of business than in the world of relationships; something that’s very common with TJ personality types.

Jamie’s tertiary Fi (Introverted Feeling) is strong but repressed, which makes his internal turmoil all the more agonizing. He desperately wants his family’s approval, and is continually denied it. Some people have said that because of his desire for approval he is a Feeling-Judging personality type. But this longing for approval is a hard-wired human trait; especially when it comes to one’s family. All 16 personality types will crave belonging in their family because that’s how we as a human species survive.

The desire to belong is a fundamental part of human nature. In fact, the same brain regions associated with the experience of physical pain are activated when people experience social ostracism or a sense of “not belonging.” So Jamie’s desire to find a place where he belongs is not a type-related need, but a psychological norm that all people experience to some degree.

The big question that leaves us is whether Jamie is an intuitive (N) or a sensor (S). This part is hard. I’m going to lean towards intuitive because Jamie tends to be more perceptive about how future patterns will unfold, and where that will leave the Dutton ranch. Rather than being tied to the history and past and preserving it against all odds, he immediately sees the long-term impacts of current financial choices the Dutton family is making. That said, the show doesn’t reveal enough of Jamie in his quieter moments to really give us a clear idea of Introverted Intuition (Ni) or Introverted Sensing (Si). So I’m only slightly leaning toward INTJ over ISTJ at this point.

Kayce Dutton: ISFP

Kayce follows his heart even when it leads him into danger or conflict. His dominant Fi (Introverted Feeling) is clear in how he navigates the world—he’s always trying to do what feels right to him, whether that’s leaving the ranch for Monica or serving in the military. His Se (Extraverted Sensing) makes him quick on his feet, especially in physical or tactical situations, like when he’s fighting or dealing with ranch problems.

Kayce’s laid-back, go-with-the-flow demeanor is classic SP (Sensing-Perceiver), but don’t be fooled by his calm exterior—when his values are challenged, he’ll fight like a lion to protect what matters.

Find out more about ISFPs: Why ISFPs Need Freedom to Thrive

Monica Dutton: INFJ

Monica has the serious, forward-thinking nature of the INFJ. She’s on a constant search for meaning, trying to raise awareness about history, the current plight of Native Americans, and why we should all try harder to take care of each other as humans. She also has the Judging tendency to want security, certainty, and a clear path forward in her life. The unpredictability and uncertainty of life on the Dutton ranch can be overwhelming, and she yearns for a life of home, hearth, safety, and friendship. Like many INFJs, she’s at times disillusioned with the world and the shallow, materialistic nature of it. But she also cares deeply for people, and puts them first, even if it means she’s wearing herself out or putting herself in danger in the process.

Find out more about INFJs: 10 Things You Crave Every Day as an INFJ Personality Type

Thomas Rainwater: INTJ

Rainwater is composed, calm, and forward-focused. He wants to bring the land and freedom of the Native American people back to the present, and he does this through shrewd business deals and a methodical, step-by-step approach. While he always appears calm and steady on the outside, he has deep inner yearnings to help his people. He lives according to his values, methodically thinking ahead in order to make a path for freedom. This showcases his tertiary Introverted Feeling side. One of the things that stands out about Rainwater is his tendency to speak in metaphor. Sometimes this confuses people who are talking with him, “Politicians are like crabs,” he stated, “we move sideways to go forwards.” His speech is often sprinkled with symbols, analogies, and pictures. His calm inner wisdom and eye for strategy help him to compete with the likes of John Dutton, in a less short-sighted and impulsive way than Dutton often does.

Find out more about INTJs: The Childhood Struggles of INTJs

Walker: ISFP

Walker is the quintessential artistic ISFP. He’s casual, laid-back, and introspective. More than anything he wants to live a free life, one where he can follow his instincts and his musical yearnings. His Fi (Introverted Feeling) drives his personal code of ethics, which often puts him at odds with the harsh realities of ranch life. He doesn’t want to break the law or do what doesn’t sit right with him, and he won’t change even if it means he’s putting himself in danger. When he is forced into a situation where he has to dole out some Dutton-style revenge, he makes it work with his inner value system “If you’ve got the brand, you’re not a good person. And if these people don’t like you, you must REALLY not be a good person.” These aren’t his exact words, but I can’t find them and if you’ve seen the show you’ll know which scene I’m referring to. Walker wants to do what he believes is right, and when he’s backed into a corner he’ll either find a way to escape or find a way to make the situation more in line with his ethical compass.

Teeter: ESTP

Teeter is an ESTP wildcard, full of energy and spirit. Her Se (Extraverted Sensing) makes her live for the moment, whether she’s cracking jokes, riding a bull, or getting into a fight. She’s fearless, competitive, and always ready to take on a challenge. At the same time, she has a good-natured, laid-back charm and can easily adapt and crack a few jokes even when she’s taking some tough punches (or hooves in Season 3).

Christina: ENFJ

Christina is an idealist. She knows how to make a campaign work, how to win people over, and achieve her goals. Her big-picture focus and her desire to improve the world on a grand scale align with the ENFJ personality type. Unlike most people in the Dutton clan, Christina knows how to work with people, make an impression, and speak to their inner feelings and values. She has a vision for Jaimie and wants him to believe in himself as much as she does, but when he reverts back to serving his father she’s had enough. She distills everything down to two choices: “Serve your father’s family or serve your own. Like it or not, that choice is coming.” She can anticipate what is likely to happen, what likely has happened, and uses that insight to persuade people to her vision.

Dan Jenkins: ESTJ

Dan Jenkins showcases the confident, decisive nature of an ESTJ, always taking charge and pushing for results, often to his own detriment. His dominant Te (Extraverted Thinking) drives his business-first mentality, leading him to focus more on profits and land acquisitions than on building meaningful relationships. His rapid decision-making, however, can sometimes backfire—like when he rushes into conflict with John Dutton without fully considering the long-term consequences, or making a deal with Rainwater without going over the details as carefully as he should. He seems to be in a Te-Ne loop, looking for opportunities and pushing for results without being as cautious as he should be.

Lloyd Pierce: ESFJ

Lloyd Pierce embodies the loyalty, warmth, and deeply rooted sense of duty that defines an ESFJ. As one of the most experienced ranch hands on the Dutton ranch, Lloyd’s dominant Fe (Extraverted Feeling) shows up in his strong connection to the people around him, always looking out for the well-being of the crew. He’s the kind of guy who’s more than willing to mentor the younger ranchers, giving them guidance and support when they need it. His bond with Rip, in particular, reflects that natural ESFJ tendency to form tight-knit, familial-like relationships at work.

Lloyd’s Si (Introverted Sensing) is seen in his respect for tradition and the way things have always been done on the ranch. He’s a firm believer in maintaining the old ways, and his nostalgic storytelling often gives insight into his attachment to a way of life that’s slowly disappearing. Whether it’s a lesson learned in the saddle or a story from his younger days, Lloyd’s Si keeps the ranch’s history alive.

Jimmy Hurdstrom: ISFP or INFP

It is really hard to get a clear type for Jimmy Hurdstrom. He is in many ways the everyman of Yellowstone. He has dreams and hopes, but people often make him the butt of their jokes. He works hard, but life on the ranch is entirely new for him and he struggles to adapt. Throughout season 4 we see him start to believe in himself and form healthy relationships, which is really inspiring. His quiet, thoughtful approach to life makes me think he’s an introvert.  Yes, he has moments of being talkative, but everyone does. In general, when you really observe him through several seasons, you learn to see that he’s more of an observer than a doer, like an extrovert would be. Jimmy also has deep inner feelings that he tries to reconcile with throughout the series and he seems more guided by his feeling side than an analytical, logical side. He has the perceptive, conscientious nature of the IFP (along with a certain impulsivity), but the N or S preference is hard to gather from what I’ve seen so far. I’ll make sure to modify this if his type becomes clearer in later seasons.

What Do You Think?

What are your opinions on the types of the Dutton clan? Have a different opinion than what I’ve shared? Let me know in the comments!

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