MBTI personality types

[Clues_Of_Blue]

I have had an ongoing fascination with analysing personality, and what makes myself and others tick, and have found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to be a surprisingly accurate measure of such things. I have catalogued the types of many of the people in my life, and probably driven them nuts with my project. It's an interesting study, though, observing consistent traits among the types, how they relate to life skills, coping strategies, how they function in different settings and why.

If you know your type, feel free to share, and things you may have discovered about yourself or that have helped you relate to others using resources about it. If you don't know your type, and want to, I found the site 16 Personalities pretty good for testing and dissecting the types.

If it's of any interest, I am an INTP, and the information about my type on that site is pretty spot-on. I've only used that as a starting point for my research. There is so much information out there on the types, and the differences between them that actually goes a long way to breaking down the core of otherwise confusing conflicts, or getting the most out of a person at work or in a friendship, etc.

Anyway, it's a bit of a project of mine, and I wanted to open it up to anyone who wants to contribute.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Not too late, Pet. I'm glad you're finding this thread and the MBTI helpful to you. I don't know how much of the thread you've read so won't assume you know - I have a handful of INFPs in my life, my sister being one of them (and there are a few others here on the forums). You mentioned on your other thread that you've done a lot of "going it alone". That's a very INFP thing to do, not wanting to trouble anyone, or feeling like they're causing conflict in addressing their own needs. I've noticed INFPs are chronic conflict avoiders, which causes them quite a few problems down the track if they don't get on top of it. (Sorry if that was a bit critical, just an observation.) But those I know are also very thoughtful, quirky (in the good way), creative and empathetic people, and pretty low-maintenance, which I find easy and pleasant to be around.

I'm an INTP, myself, basically the most logical variety of creature on the planet, and not at all common, which suits me just fine. That can result in some miscommunication with the feely types, though, so I've had to do a lot of learning about how to come across as just human enough to make sense to people. 😉

Blue.

[Petra]

Hi Blue

Thank you for this. No need to apologise. I don't get offended easily. These days I find it refreshing when others say things as they see it. I'm grateful because it gives me the opportunity to agree or disagree, or clarify if the listener musunderstands my intention or meaning. I'm up for a debate! I just had breakfast with logical friend. She's good value too.

I'm pleased you are nurturing your 'humanness' and very thankful for your smarts. Means you can articulate the importance of logic to the folk who aren't in a good place or able to do it for themselves.

Pet xx 😊

[Petra]

Hi Blue

How are you feeling now?

I like your profile pic. Very cute, I liked the other too with you peering out behind a book. I love reading and the smell of a paper book takes me back to when I was a girl where I'd stay in bed for hours on weekend mornings reading until the hunger pains hit, that is! Actually, I haven't changed much! I get out of bed first though these days and feed the fur babies otherwise there's no peace! I settle them and then it's on the lounge, reading through my phone or a paperback.

I've been thinking about the MBTI a little. Do you think certain personality types are more prone to certain mental health issues? Have you seen patterns in your research? I ask this because I get overly anxious and upset where I see people being hurt by others, as I see us all as equal. This I see is a personality trait of the Mediator.

Apologies if I'm being a bit too deep with this. Im interested. I'm going to go the next step with the MBTI as it suggests. I guess I want to know a little bit more of the science of it all. I like to know 'why' and 'how' sometimes. Then I make my mind up.

No rush to answer back, if at all. When I'm not feeling the best I can't put the energy in to writing, as was the case for me this last week.

You are in my thoughts my esteemed logical friend.

Pet 😊 xx

[Wednesday]

Hi Petra,

I'm an INFP too! Good to know there are a few of us around. I did the test at work and was the only person in a large group, with ISTJ's being the dominant type.

I was never able to get in the right group with these sort of tests! We did one where we plotted the results on a graph, everyone in the room had a triangle , mine came out as a diamond, go figure!

xx

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hey Pet,

Is "How am I feeling?" a trick question...? Beep. Malfunction. Feelings not recognised. 😛

Thanks for the compliment on my picture. The birds are willy wagtails, about to fledge, and the nest is in my carport. They were breeding there for three years, and raised I think about 15 little ones in that time. There was much indignant chirping from protective parents when I had to park my car, or go out. As for reading, I mostly read in bed before I fall asleep. The downside of my insomnia easing is that it takes me a lot longer to finish a book. I'm big on fantasy and science fiction, and the odd classic. What do you read?

I'm not sure that I'd peg any specific types as more prone to certain mental health issues, but the perspectives on them are vastly different, I think. That is, depression for an INTP like myself is a whole different ball game than for an INFP, as our priorities and thinking processes are different, as are the sorts of things that will trigger depression. My research has largely been what you might call "field" research; that is, I observe what is around me and follow up on anything that catches my interest within that scope. There's pretty much no-one close in my orbit without some sort of mental problem, so I couldn't give a good assessment of general susceptibility, only the differences I see within that scope. I haven't yet tracked down a mentally healthy control group...

You're not going too deep with it at all. I'm glad to see someone taking an active interest in it. Coming back to your feelings about seeing others hurt, you're definitely mirroring sentiments I have observed from the INFPs in my life. You're a sweet, sensitive lot, prone to feeling the hurts of others and taking too much on yourselves. But for a feeling type, I have noticed a trend toward trying to find objectivity. For me, that is a matter of pure logic and extracting truth and consistency, inasmuch as that is attainable from humans. For an INFP, I think it is a matter of understanding and accepting the perspectives of others (sounds like something a mediator would do, yes?).

I gather the past week has not been entirely kind to you? Sorry to hear it. Hasn't been that friendly to me, either (I won't expand here, it's all pencilled in on my main thread, Blue's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day in Depression). Suffice it to say I'm glad you came along with something more intellectual to throw at me than I've had for a while. Thank you.

Blue.

[Emmy.]

Just did the test and got the below. It was very accurate!!! Don't understand what the letters mean though INFJ-T

What does that say about me haha....

Personality type: “The Advocate” (INFJ-T)

Individual traits: Introverted – 84%, Intuitive – 60%, Feeling – 91%, Judging – 72%, Turbulent – 99%.
Role: Diplomat
Strategy: Constant Improvement

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi Emmy,

I can tell you INFJs are pretty rare. You're only the second I have met. I'll give you a rundown of the letters:

I means Introverted - you get your energy from being on your own. The one other INFJ I know didn't actually realise she was an introvert until recently, and was confused by her social activities being so draining for her. Do you find the same?

N means iNtuitive (I wager they went with that so we wouldn't get confused with another I in the mix) - which is fairly self explanatory.

F is Feeling - you lean more to emotional considerations than intellectual ones.

J is Judging - which doesn't necessarily mean you're judgemental, but that you can make judgements or decisions about various things, maybe not too bad for procrastinating?

T is Turbulent. It's opposite is Assertive, which is a bit more grounded. You may waver when it comes to asserting yourself.

It's definitely a diplomatic type, and one that takes others into consideration and is very intuitive about what's going on around them, aware of the feelings of others and how they themselves make others feel.

Wednesday, nice to have another INFP on board. I have loads of INFPs around me these days. Did you think the description was an accurate fit?

Blue.​

[Emmy.]

Thanks for the explanation Blue. I never thought I was an introvert either until I started this journey on my mental health and realising how panicked I got from socialising. And realised I'd always been like this - remember telling my Mum when I was little (9) that I didn't want birthday parties as I'd worry if people weren't having fun. I'm not sure about the intuitive part of my personality. Would need to look into that further.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Glad I could be of help, Emmy. It's interesting that you didn't realise you were an introvert, either. Could it be a pattern in INFJs? Perhaps because you're inclined to care about and empathise with people? I guess it's not always clear that liking people and not getting your energy from social contact aren't the same thing. Personally, I always knew I was an introvert. My empathy isn't overly deep in general, is often a matter of curiosity, collating data or gaining or using my knowledge. Which isn't to say I don't care, I just don't take the hurts of others on board, can easily detach from the emotion of a situation and am not at all a people pleaser (basic respect and diplomacy notwithstanding). All traits that support objectivity, logic and clear thinking.

Sorry, kind of went off on a tangent, there. I do find the different aspects of introversion interesting, though. Sounds to me like it's caring that's exhausting for you, where for me it's that I need to go away and ruminate on things and sift through data.

[Emmy.]

Don't say sorry hun. I love learning more about it. xx