I like personality tests. They provide me with insight, because they make me think about myself. They provide me with an opportunity to connect to my authentic self. One of the tests that I learned a lot from is MBTI, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
MBTI uses four dimensions to classify a person’s character, and thus defining 16 different types. The dimensions are:
- Attitude: Introversion vs. Extraversion (I / E)
Where do you get your energy from? Is the energy flow inward (thoughts, ideas and impressions) or is the energy flow outward (focus on interacting with people)?
- Perceiving function: iNtuition vs. Sensing (N / S)
How do you observe the outer world? N-types focus on the future, with a view of possibilities and patterns. S-types focus on the present, making concrete and factual observations.
- Judging function: Feeling vs. Thinking (F / T)
How do you decide? Do you decide with your heart, or with your head? Is it based on values or on logic?
- Attitude of functions: Judging vs. Perceiving (J / P)
Is the perceiving or the judging function dominant? Judging-dominant types have the F / T preference dominant and tend to like an organized approach to life. They like quick closure. Perceiving-dominant types have the N / S preference dominant and tend to experience life as it comes to them. They tend to avoid closure.
There are a lot of resources on the web about MBTI. A list of sites is at the bottom of this article.
My MBTI-type
The first time I took the test was in 2000. The result of the test was INTP. My preferences for the four dimensions were:
- I: Weak
- N: Very strong
- T: Strong
- P: Very strong
I had some doubts, but generally recognized myself in the type. The second time I took the test was in 2002. The result came in ENFP. Two out of the four dimensions were different. My weak preference for I turned into a weak preference for E. And my strong preference for T turned into a strong preference for F. This time, my doubt was gone (at least, I convinced myself that I had no doubt).
The third time I took the test was last year. The result came in INFP. My previously weak preferences for either I or E, now turned into a fairly strong preference for I. This time, I’m sure this is the accurate description of my preferences.
What the heck happened to me?!
Well in many aspects I’m still the same guy, with the same preferences. What happened was that my eyes opened to the massive influence of expectations from society and from people around me.
On the first dimension (attitude; Introversion vs. Extraversion) my switch from I to E was mainly because I subconsciously convinced myself that my preference was Extraversion. I deeply felt that E was better than I, so I needed to be E. And I told myself that there are a lot of times where I get all energized when interacting with other people, so I must be an E. But my real preference has always been Introversion.
On this dimension I gave in to societal pressure. People with extroverted characteristics are generally regarded as nice, outgoing, friendly, sociable people, and this is often labeled “better” than the people with introverted characteristics. Add to this that Extraversion is generally rewarded better than introversion in a lot of aspects.
My switch on the second dimension (judging; Feeling vs. Thinking) has a different background. On this dimension I was taught to value Thinking higher than Feeling, both by our school system and by my upbringing. Our school system overemphasizes Thinking in my opinion. Add to this that expressing feelings in my family was far from encouraged, and my resulting preference for T was no surprise, and I felt it was correct.
The test made me aware of the difference, and as time went by I noticed that my decision-making wasn’t as rational as I thought it was. I noticed that I relied on my feelings when making decisions, and afterwards tried to rationalize them. But if the numbers are right, and the feeling is not, there’s no way I’m going to do it.
Something to think about
So MBTI gave me a lot to think about, and it made me aware of the effects of education, upbringing and societal pressures. It made me also very aware of the fact that being authentic requires effort. MBTI, or personality tests in general, will not tell you who you are. They do provide an excellent foundation for self-exploration and for developing self-knowledge.
As to my type, I’m INFP, and I’m pretty sure that this is a good representation of my preferences. You know what really convinced me? The fact that Calvin is INFP. As a kid I was só Calvin, and in many aspects I still am…
Spaceman Spiff signing off.
MBTI resources on the web:
