Myers-Briggs Personality Types

[Mark Arbour]

I noticed that in the "let's talk" topic a few people listed their Myers-Briggs personality type. If you want to know what yours is, go to this link:

 

http://similarminds.com/pref_jung.html

If you try to type this in manually, note that there is an underscore between pref and jung.

 

I'm an ENFP.

[NickolasJames8]

Actualized type: ESTJ

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 75.76% Introverted (I) 24.24%

Sensing (S) 54.76% Intuitive (N) 45.24%

Thinking (T) 56.25% Feeling (F) 43.75%

Judging (J) 67.5% Perceiving (P) 32.5%

 

 

 

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: ESTJ

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 77.42% Introverted (I) 22.58%

Sensing (S) 59.09% Intuitive (N) 40.91%

Thinking (T) 50.94% Feeling (F) 49.06%

Judging (J) 59.09% Perceiving (P) 40.91%

 

 

 

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: ESFJ

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Extroverted (E) 68.97% Introverted (I) 31.03%

Sensing (S) 51.28% Intuitive (N) 48.72%

Feeling (F) 52.08% Thinking (T) 47.92%

Judging (J) 58.82% Perceiving (P) 41.18%

 

 

 

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

[rknapp]

I am an Architect, but prefer to be a Mastermind...

[JamesSavik]

I took this some time ago.

 

INTJ- whatever that means.

[Caipirinha]

Actualized type: ENFP

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 83.87% Introverted (I) 16.13%

Intuitive (N) 55.26% Sensing (S) 44.74%

Feeling (F) 55.26% Thinking (T) 44.74%

Perceiving (P) 61.11% Judging (J) 38.89%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

Preferred type: ENFP

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 86.21% Introverted (I) 13.79%

Intuitive (N) 55.56% Sensing (S) 44.44%

Feeling (F) 57.5% Thinking (T) 42.5%

Perceiving (P) 54.76% Judging (J) 45.24%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

Attraction type: ENFP

(who you are attracted to)

Extroverted (E) 76.67% Introverted (I) 23.33%

Intuitive (N) 55% Sensing (S) 45%

Feeling (F) 52.5% Thinking (T) 47.5%

Perceiving (P) 51.85% Judging (J) 48.15%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

 

 

Interesting that I got that considering I'm a fairly classic Gemini, which is heralded as the 'messenger', 'town crier', or 'journalist' of the Zodiac. Coincedence? Hmm...

Edited February 5, 2006 by Caipirinha

[Adit]

Jung Explorer Test

 

Actualized type: ENFP

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 54.55% Introverted (I) 45.45%

Intuitive (N) 51.52% Sensing (S) 48.48%

Feeling (F) 54.29% Thinking (T) 45.71%

Perceiving (P) 54.05% Judging (J) 45.95%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

 

Preferred type: ESFP

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 59.38% Introverted (I) 40.63%

Sensing (S) 57.89% Intuitive (N) 42.11%

Feeling (F) 57.89% Thinking (T) 42.11%

Perceiving (P) 58.54% Judging (J) 41.46%

 

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

 

 

Attraction type: ENTP

(who you are attracted to)

Extroverted (E) 57.58% Introverted (I) 42.42%

Intuitive (N) 52.94% Sensing (S) 47.06%

Thinking (T) 50% Feeling (F) 50%

Perceiving (P) 53.33% Judging (J) 46.67%

 

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population.

[lagomorph]

Actualized type: INFJ

Introverted (I) 73.33% Extroverted (E) 26.67%

Sensing (S) 50% Intuitive (N) 50%

Feeling (F) 51.35% Thinking (T) 48.65%

Judging (J) 54.55% Perceiving (P) 45.45%

INFJ - "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1.5% of total population.

 

 

Preferred type: ISFJ

Introverted (I) 65.52% Extroverted (E) 34.48%

Sensing (S) 54.29% Intuitive (N) 45.71%

Feeling (F) 54.29% Thinking (T) 45.71%

Judging (J) 58.82% Perceiving (P) 41.18%

ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population.

 

 

Attraction type: ENTJ

Extroverted (E) 60% Introverted (I) 40%

Intuitive (N) 55.56% Sensing (S) 44.44%

Thinking (T) 51.16% Feeling (F) 48.84%

Judging (J) 51.43% Perceiving (P) 48.57%

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm complex...

[magickalme]

Actualized type: INFP

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 61.54% Extroverted (E) 38.46%

Intuitive (N) 65.79% Sensing (S) 34.21%

Thinking (T) 50% Feeling (F) 50%

Perceiving (P) 79.41% Judging (J) 20.59%

 

INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

 

 

Preferred type: INTP(who you prefer to be)

Introverted (I) 59.38% Extroverted (E) 40.63%

Intuitive (N) 65.85% Sensing (S) 34.15%

Thinking (T) 56.25% Feeling (F) 43.75%

Perceiving (P) 84.38% Judging (J) 15.63%

 

INTP - "Architect". Greatest precision in thought and language. Can readily discern contradictions and inconsistencies. The world exists primarily to be understood. 3.3% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

 

Attraction type: INFP(who you are attracted to)

Extroverted (E) 50% Introverted (I) 50%

Intuitive (N) 79.41% Sensing (S) 20.59%

Feeling (F) 55.81% Thinking (T) 44.19%

Perceiving (P) 69.44% Judging (J) 30.56%

 

INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

[AFriendlyFace]

Actualized type: ENFP

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 68.57% Introverted (I) 31.43%

Intuitive (N) 74.29% Sensing (S) 25.71%

Feeling (F) 63.41% Thinking (T) 36.59%

Perceiving (P) 50% Judging (J) 50%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

 

Preferred type: ENFJ

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 70.59% Introverted (I) 29.41%

Intuitive (N) 81.25% Sensing (S) 18.75%

Feeling (F) 69.23% Thinking (T) 30.77%

Perceiving (P) 50% Judging (J) 50%

 

ENFJ - "Persuader". Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be. 2.5% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

 

Attraction type: ENFP

(who you are attracted to)

Extroverted (E) 55.32% Introverted (I) 44.68%

Intuitive (N) 61.9% Sensing (S) 38.1%

Feeling (F) 56.25% Thinking (T) 43.75%

Perceiving (P) 59.09% Judging (J) 40.91%

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

*The current algorithm breaks the tie randomly so refresh the page to see alternate results

 

LOL it's funny that I came out as a dead tie for Perceiving vs. Judging, but then I usually do. I've taken similar tests many times before and what I get on that category is pretty random. I'm almost always Intuitive and Feeling though. I value thinking and sensing too, but I seem to naturally be more I and F. It's odd that my extroversion score was quite that high. I usually tend to be slightly more E than I, but not often to a significant extent.

 

BTW I didn't like this version at all because it kept asking "I'm attracted to____", but I'm attracted to EVERYONE! LOL I literaly marked being attracted to everyone except "regular people" who I was indifferent toward and "conventional people" whom I was slightly opposed.

 

EDIT: Isn't it funny that three of us got "journalist" but it's only supposed to be 8.5% of the pop? Of course my results were a tie for P or J and it randomly picked one for me.

Edited February 6, 2006 by AFriendlyFace

[PartsBoy]

Actualized type: ISFJ

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 69.7% Extroverted (E) 30.3%

Sensing (S) 57.14% Intuitive (N) 42.86%

Feeling (F) 54.05% Thinking (T) 45.95%

Judging (J) 51.61% Perceiving (P) 48.39%

 

ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preferred type: ESFJ

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 55.56% Introverted (I) 44.44%

Sensing (S) 54.55% Intuitive (N) 45.45%

Feeling (F) 60.53% Thinking (T) 39.47%

Judging (J) 54.29% Perceiving (P) 45.71%

 

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attraction type: INFP

(who you are attracted to)

 

Introverted (I) 63.33% Extroverted (E) 36.67%

Intuitive (N) 51.43% Sensing (S) 48.57%

Feeling (F) 55% Thinking (T) 45%

Perceiving (P) 57.58% Judging (J) 42.42%

 

INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population.

 

Hmmm.... <shrugs> :wacko:

[SonoLuminus]

Actualized type: INFJ

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 87.1% Extroverted (E) 12.9%

Intuitive (N) 62.16% Sensing (S) 37.84%

Feeling (F) 53.33% Thinking (T) 46.67%

Judging (J) 64.52% Perceiving (P) 35.48%

 

 

 

INFJ - "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1.5% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: INTJ

(who you prefer to be)

Introverted (I) 86.21% Extroverted (E) 13.79%

Intuitive (N) 62.16% Sensing (S) 37.84%

Thinking (T) 53.33% Feeling (F) 46.67%

Judging (J) 59.38% Perceiving (P) 40.63%

 

 

 

INTJ - "Mastermind". Introverted intellectual with a preference for finding certainty. A builder of systems and the applier of theoretical models. 2.1% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: INFP

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Introverted (I) 67.74% Extroverted (E) 32.26%

Intuitive (N) 72.97% Sensing (S) 27.03%

Feeling (F) 58.14% Thinking (T) 41.86%

Perceiving (P) 59.26% Judging (J) 40.74%

 

 

 

INFP - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population.

[reapersharvest]

Actualized type: ENTP

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 55.56% Introverted (I) 44.44%

Intuitive (N) 73.53% Sensing (S) 26.47%

Thinking (T) 69.23% Feeling (F) 30.77%

Perceiving (P) 51.72% Judging (J) 48.28%

 

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population.

 

Preferred type: ENTP

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 68.75% Introverted (I) 31.25%

Intuitive (N) 74.29% Sensing (S) 25.71%

Thinking (T) 68.57% Feeling (F) 31.43%

Perceiving (P) 59.46% Judging (J) 40.54%

 

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population.

Attraction type: ENTP

(who you are attracted to)

 

Extroverted (E) 67.74% Introverted (I) 32.26%

Intuitive (N) 67.5% Sensing (S) 32.5%

Thinking (T) 66.67% Feeling (F) 33.33%

Perceiving (P) 54.76% Judging (J) 45.24%

 

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population.

[Lugh]

<center><u>Jung Explorer Test</u><br>Actualized type: <b><font size="+2">INFP</font></b><br> <font size="-1">(who you are)</font><br> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#dddddd"> <tr> <td width="250"> <div align="center"> <font color="black"><b>INFP</b> - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population. <font></div> </td> </tr> </table> <center>Preferred type: <b><font size="+2">ESFP</font></b><br> <font size="-1">(who you prefer to be)</font><br> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#dddddd"> <tr> <td width="250"> <div align="center"> <font color="black"><b>ESFP</b> - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population. <font></font></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> Attraction type: <b><font size="+2">INFP</font></b><br> </div> </center> <center> <div align="center"> <center> <font size="-1">(who you are attracted to)</font><br> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#dddddd"> <tr> <td width="250"> <div align="center"> <font color="black"><b>INFP</b> - "Questor". High capacity for caring. Emotional face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values. 4.4% of total population. <font></font></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> <br> <a href="http://similarminds.com/pref_jung.html">Take Jung Explorer Test<br> </a><font size="-1"><a href="http://similarminds.com">personality tests by similarminds.com</a></font></div>

[Masked Monkey]

Actualized type: ISFJ

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 72.22% Extroverted (E) 27.78%

Sensing (S) 55.56% Intuitive (N) 44.44%

Feeling (F) 52.94% Thinking (T) 47.06%

Judging (J) 54.55% Perceiving (P) 45.45%

ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population.

Preferred type: ISTJ

(who you prefer to be)

ISTJ - "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time- honored institutions. Dependable. 11.6% of total population.

Introverted (I) 68% Extroverted (E) 32%

Sensing (S) 60.98% Intuitive (N) 39.02%

Thinking (T) 54.55% Feeling (F) 45.45%

Judging (J) 65.22% Perceiving (P) 34.78%

Attraction type: ESTJ

(who you are attracted to)

Extroverted (E) 50% Introverted (I) 50%

Sensing (S) 62.5% Intuitive (N) 37.5%

Thinking (T) 58.54% Feeling (F) 41.46%

Judging (J) 60% Perceiving (P) 40%

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Hardly news

[TheZot]

Huh. I'm an INFP, I want to be an INFP, and I'm looking for an ENFP. Questing for a Journalist, or so it seems. Maybe I better start buying the local paper again...

[dkstories]

Actualized type: ENFP

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 65.63% Introverted (I) 34.38%

Intuitive (N) 64.29% Sensing (S) 35.71%

Feeling (F) 63.33% Thinking (T) 36.67%

Perceiving (P) 71.88% Judging (J) 28.13%

 

 

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: ENFP

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 65.63% Introverted (I) 34.38%

Intuitive (N) 67.74% Sensing (S) 32.26%

Feeling (F) 64.29% Thinking (T) 35.71%

Perceiving (P) 67.74% Judging (J) 32.26%

 

 

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: ENFP

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Extroverted (E) 55.26% Introverted (I) 44.74%

Intuitive (N) 73.33% Sensing (S) 26.67%

Feeling (F) 54.55% Thinking (T) 45.45%

Perceiving (P) 70% Judging (J) 30%

 

 

 

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

[DomLuka]

Hmm... I don't know if I like the sound of me.

 

Actualized type: ENTJ

(who you are)

Extroverted (E) 68% Introverted (I) 32%

Intuitive (N) 55.26% Sensing (S) 44.74%

Thinking (T) 54.55% Feeling (F) 45.45%

Judging (J) 54.29% Perceiving (P) 45.71%

 

 

 

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: ESFJ

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 70.83% Introverted (I) 29.17%

Sensing (S) 52.27% Intuitive (N) 47.73%

Feeling (F) 51.11% Thinking (T) 48.89%

Judging (J) 52.17% Perceiving (P) 47.83%

 

 

 

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: ENFJ

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Extroverted (E) 69.57% Introverted (I) 30.43%

Intuitive (N) 52.17% Sensing (S) 47.83%

Feeling (F) 56.76% Thinking (T) 43.24%

Judging (J) 55.17% Perceiving (P) 44.83%

 

 

 

ENFJ - "Persuader". Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be. 2.5% of total population.

[Guest djd]

A couple of things to keep in mind about MBTI or Cognitive Style Inventory. While fun to play, none of the on-line inventories are considered (by the pros, i.e., people who charge you for the test) to be the real thing, failing to meet psychometric standards for reliability and validity.

 

Also, your MBTI represents your cognitive style at the time you took the inventory. Your MBTI inventory can (and does) change over time. Some suggest that if you think back and answer the inventory as you would have before puberty it will reveal your true underlying cognitive style. This is obviously nonsense.

 

MBTI is useful in helping you to understand your personal communication and learning style and the styles of those you interact with, and why those interactions go wrong. However, as a guide to choosing a career, life partner, or breakfast cereal... well, not such a good idea.

 

Dennis

 

(I'm not a doctor. I've only played one on stage.)

Edited February 10, 2006 by djd

[TheZot]

A couple of things to keep in mind about MBTI or Cognitive Style Inventory. While fun to play, none of the on-line inventories are considered (by the pros, i.e., people who charge you for the test) to be the real thing, failing to meet psychometric standards for reliability and validity.

This is so very true. Arguably silly web quiz things like Who's Your Happy Bunny are at least as accurate, if not moreso...

[sparrow]

The last time I took the test I was an INT/FP.

 

Arguably silly web quiz things like Who's Your Happy Bunny are at least as accurate, if not moreso...

 

Well I thought I'd give it a try...

 

 

 

 

For some reason that doesn't offend me.

 

At least I'm cute.

[Julian Alexander]

Jung Explorer Test

 

Actualized type: ISTP

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 57.58% Extroverted (E) 42.42%

Sensing (S) 51.35% Intuitive (N) 48.65%

Thinking (T) 56.76% Feeling (F) 43.24%

Perceiving (P) 54.55% Judging (J) 45.45%

 

 

 

ISTP - "Engineer". Values freedom of action and following interests and impulses. Independent, concise in speech, master of tools. 5.4% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: ESTP

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 54.55% Introverted (I) 45.45%

Sensing (S) 52.63% Intuitive (N) 47.37%

Thinking (T) 57.14% Feeling (F) 42.86%

Perceiving (P) 55.88% Judging (J) 44.12%

 

 

 

ESTP - "Promotor". Action! When present, things begin to happen. Fiercely competitive. Entrepreneur. Often uses shock effect to get attention. Negotiator par excellence. 4.3% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: ENTP

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Extroverted (E) 51.61% Introverted (I) 48.39%

Intuitive (N) 51.28% Sensing (S) 48.72%

Thinking (T) 52.63% Feeling (F) 47.37%

Perceiving (P) 52.78% Judging (J) 47.22%

 

 

 

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population

 

HMM

[vlista20]

Actualized type: INFJ

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 60% Extroverted (E) 40%

Intuitive (N) 51.61% Sensing (S) 48.39%

Feeling (F) 62.96% Thinking (T) 37.04%

Judging (J) 79.17% Perceiving (P) 20.83%

 

 

 

INFJ - "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1.5% of total population.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Preferred type: INFJ

(who you prefer to be)

Introverted (I) 66.67% Extroverted (E) 33.33%

Intuitive (N) 51.52% Sensing (S) 48.48%

Feeling (F) 68.97% Thinking (T) 31.03%

Judging (J) 72.41% Perceiving (P) 27.59%

 

 

 

INFJ - "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1.5% of total population.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Attraction type: ESFP

(who you are attracted to)

 

 

Extroverted (E) 69.23% Introverted (I) 30.77%

Sensing (S) 54.84% Intuitive (N) 45.16%

Feeling (F) 51.43% Thinking (T) 48.57%

Perceiving (P) 57.69% Judging (J) 42.31%

 

 

 

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

[Mark Arbour]

MBTI is useful in helping you to understand your personal communication and learning style and the styles of those you interact with, and why those interactions go wrong. However, as a guide to choosing a career, life partner, or breakfast cereal... well, not such a good idea.

 

Personally, I think the MBTI is useful ONLY as a personal indicator, and perhaps as a suggestive source for career paths. It is useless as a general communication aid because, unless you know the other person and their MBTI type, the rating system is too internalized and complex to give you adequate guidance on how to effectively communicate with another person. I think it's a good introspective tool, and a crappy external resource.

 

Incidentally, while you're right about professionals discounting the validity of online tests, they tend to lump all of them into one category and lambast them singly. Many of them are comprehensive enough; the true margin of error found in their psychometric analyses is negligible. It is always a good idea to realize that these professionals have a vested interest for their critiques.

Edited February 11, 2006 by Mark Arbour

[AFriendlyFace]

Also, your MBTI represents your cognitive style at the time you took the inventory. Your MBTI inventory can (and does) change over time.

Yes this is very true. My own results often vary depending on my mood and the time in my life. I've gone through periods in which I've leaned a little introspective, periods of high "balance" between the two, and periods of more outward looking. Similarly I used to value the "thinking" side of my personality to much a greater extent; now however, I tend to lean toward the feeling/emotional side.

 

It's also true that someone completely lacking in self-awareness could get the exact opposite results with regards to their "true personality". I. E. a meek, rational person who fancies himself assertive and creative can get those results if he truely believes he's assertive and creative or if he's willing to "pretend" that he is, or ignore evidence to the contrary.

 

Incidentally, while you're right about professionals discounting the validity of online tests, they tend to lump all of them into one category and lambast them singly. Many of them are comprehensive enough; the true margin of error found in their psychometric analyses is negligible. It is always a good idea to realize that these professionals have a vested interest for their critiques.

Also VERY true. The degree of quality and comprehensiveness vary significantly from test to test.

 

I think the key thing to remember with these tests is that they don't spell out your destiny. They're alot of fun (at least I think). In all honesty I could probably quite happily spend the evening doing nothing but taking various personality tests. What it comes down to though is what you do with the test. It can be a useful tool in pointing out things that you like about yourself (nice little ego booster), and in pointing out possible shortcomings or qualities you don't consider ideal. The trick, IMO, is to use this knowledge to build your confidence and illuminate problems areas which you can then work on.

 

In other words DON'T go into a party expecting to have a lousy time because "I'm an introvert"; go into the party saying "I'm going to have to make a special effort to be friendly and warm because I have a tendency toward shyness in these situations."

 

DO face a complicated, multifaceted problem saying "I'll nail this, I'm a very rational, thinking person"

 

Sure it would be just as easy to do the opposite; to use your results as self-fullifing prophesies of failure.....but that's counterproductive, and just plain no fun!

 

Take care all and be all that you can be

Kevin

Edited February 12, 2006 by AFriendlyFace

[Mark Arbour]

Kevin,

 

Excellent points. One of the ironies of the MBTI is that the first letter, E or I, does not necessarily represent shyness, it represents our source of energy/motivation/stimulation. E's tend to get charged up by being with others, wheras I's usually require more solitude for that. I think that is one of the weaknesses of MBTI; The terms used (E/I, S/N, F/T, P/J) have no apparent relationship to their conventional meaning.