Myers-Briggs Types in The Big Bang Theory: Bernadette Rostenkowski (ESTJ)

Bernadette Rostenkowski from The Big Bang Theory is typically identified as the ENTJ Myers-Briggs personality type (often referred to as MBTI). It takes this character a little while to hit her stride, so to speak, but once Bernadette settles into a consistent personality, the Te is clear. So with that being said, we primarily debated between ENTJ and ESTJ for Bernadette, and ultimately landed on ESTJ. I hope this makes sense! If you’re interested in reading about other characters from this series, be sure to check out Myers-Briggs Types in The Big Bang Theory: Sheldon Cooper (ISTJ).

The Myers-Briggs Personality Type of Bernadette

Dominant Te:

“I remember the first time I looked through a microscope and saw millions of tiny microorganisms. It was like a whole other universe. If I wanted to, I could wipe it out with my thumb like a god.”

“Faster faster faster! Do you not know that word? It means ‘more fast’!”

“Have you ever played a game with Bernadette? Have you ever gone into a steel cage with a wolverine?” – Howard

“Oh boo hoo! You’re not going to space.”

“Hey Romeo! Repair your relationship on your own time!”

When she’s initially introduced into the series, Bernadette comes across as sweet and even meek, perhaps like an FJ. However, the longer the show runs, the more her bossy, assertive side emerges. Of course, an FJ can be bossy and assertive, but Bernadette does it in a markedly TJ way. For instance, when dealing with others, Bernadette often dismisses their feeling, preferring to just make demands. This default approach, no-nonsense approach makes her struggle with children. When working with Howard on a magic show for a kid’s party, she’s unable to take a gentle approach, quickly resorting to yelling and threatening. She approaches Sheldon similarly, by ordering him to go to bed during one of their early interactions. Of course, for him, that approach
worked.

Bernadette is highly competitive. Howard likens playing a game with Bernadette to being stuck in a steel cage with a wolverine. When she’s teamed up with Leonard on a scavenger hunt, Bernadette spends the entire time berating him, telling him to move faster and stop getting distracted by his irrelevant relationship problems. Naturally, this competitive nature translates into her work environment.

Bernadette is very ambitious. She’s willing to use underhanded methods to get ahead or get what she wants. Many of her coworkers are intimidated by her, including her boss. It’s to such an extent that she gets perks that no one else gets, like her own private bathroom.

Lastly, Bernadette clearly prefers to be in control. This is hinted at when she talks about her first experience with a microscope. She essentially reveals that she enjoyed the power of being able to wipe out millions of tiny organisms with her thumb. In her marriage, Bernadette’s instinct is to boss Howard around. She even gives him a chore chart. When he tries to manipulate her emotionally to get out of something, she’s quick to see through the act, dismiss it without a second thought, and reinforce her original command. In many ways, Bernadette treats Howard like a child. When he refuses to do chores, she hides his Xbox. When he spends money unwisely, she cuts him off from their funds.

Auxiliary Si:

“You’ve tried to work with him before, and it hasn’t gone well. Why is this time going to be any different?”

“But imagine how impressed they’d be if you showed up already familiar with the material.”

“I just wanna make sure you’ve thought this through.”

Bernadette has a practical mindset, and prefers to avoid unnecessary risk. She keeps control of the finances, often preventing Howard from making impulsive purchases. This includes the time that he wanted to become part owner of the comic book store. She shuts down that idea quickly, seeing it as a risky investment.

Similarly, Bernadette values preparation, which is why she keeps pushing Penny to learn all the material prior to the start of her new job as a pharmaceutical rep. (Of course, she pressures Penny to such an extent that it causes discord between them.) Generally speaking, Bernadette believes decisions should be thought through carefully, which is something she reminds Howard of when he’s considering working with Sheldon.

Bernadette often brings to mind past events when it comes time to make a decision or give advice. For instance, Howard considers going to space a second time, even though he hated it the first time. Bernadette reminds him of how miserable he was the first time, and discourages him from going. Similarly, when Howard considers working on a project with Sheldon, Bernadette reminds him that he’s tried to work with Sheldon before, and says “Why is this time going to be any different?”

Tertiary Ne:

“He’s just not laughing because he’s feeling blueberry.”

“But sometimes there’s muffin you can do about it.”

Bernadette’s tertiary Ne mostly surfaces in playful puns that she’s incredibly proud of, even when no one else is laughing. For instance, Bernadette and Howard stop by Raj’s office with muffins. Raj asks what they’re doing there, and she gleefully says, “Muffin much!” while offering the muffins. Howard says, “Told you. Not funny.” However, Bernadette just doubles down on the pun, saying that he’s just feeling “blueberry” but sometimes “there’s muffin you can do about it.” There are other instances throughout the series where she derives a lot of pleasure from simple puns such as this. Other ways in which her Ne surfaces is that she is relatively quick on her feet, and easily comes up with plans or solutions when people present her with different problems. Not all of the ideas are good, but is has a relatively easy time coming up with things and is rarely at a loss as to what to do.

Inferior Fi:

“I thought everybody liked me, but I’m just a monster.”

“No, that’s not what this feeling is, is it?”

“Raj, why don’t I care about anything?”

Bernadette has a very high opinion of herself, but she doesn’t always realize how everyone else sees her. She learns from Penny that people are afraid of her, which shocks Bernadette. She exclaims, “What? I’m like the sweetest person I know. Look at me. I should be in a tree baking cookies.” However, while she acts dismayed by this newfound knowledge, Bernadette uses it to her advantage, acting distressed to guilt her boss into allowing her to keep the perks she’d gained from her coworkers’ fear.

Bernadette is somewhat detached from her own emotions and feelings in general, which becomes a struggle once she gets pregnant. She struggles to see herself as a mother, and struggles to get excited about planning the little details like her baby’s nursery theme. She wonders why she can’t get excited about anything, and feels generally insecure. Another hint of her detachment from feelings is shown after Stuart leaves, when Howard realizes that they miss him, and she says, “No, that’s not what this feeling is, is it?”