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.

[lookingforme]

I'd like to interject here and say I don't find fart jokes particularly funny either. That is all.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

You INTJs. Just can't appreciate a good fart.

[lookingforme]

Personalitist 😛

[Petra]

I'm laughing alreaddy, jokes aside!!!! You two......

Pet 😀 xx

[Wednesday]

Thanks Blue,

I know what you mean. Somewhere in the back of my head I though I heard/read that you tend to go more to centre as you age, as in if you are a J you will more more towards being a P, but that was probably a long time a go The current research on how brains work is moving very fast.

Have you read "the self illusion " by Hood. He talks about how the brain works. It seems I only think I am in control, my brain is a step ahead of me? I find it fascinating and a little confronting. Must read it again!

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Can't say I've read that, Wednesday. Sounds like an interesting read. I'm not so sure about personality traits leaning more toward the centre with age, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a theory out there that runs that way. I imagine it depends a bit on individuals and circumstances, but I would guess conscious modification toward less extreme traits probably happens for a lot of people. As I've said before, I've only touched the tip of the iceberg with this stuff. There is so much more to learn.

Blue.

[Guest_5218]

Hi Blue,

I have been wondering whether you treat people any differently once you are aware of what their individual personalities are? You are obviously well read on most of the personalities, at least to some extent. Do you find that you are able to use this knowledge in the workplace? Perhaps you even use this knowledge on the forums here when you respond to some of us whom you know our personality type? I guess it could prove useful to consider the individual's 'type' and taylor your advise and response to better fit the personality involved.

As I am apparently an ISFJ-T, or Defender personality, do you take this into account when you respond to any of my posts?

Just briefly my personality summary says of me: You have a hugely positive impact on others. Your empathy, commitment and loyalty are invaluable. You take care of others, work hard, and at times your altruism shines like a beacon of light in the darkness. But having a Defender personality can be a blessing and a curse... Your dedication often goes unrewarded. And sometimes you feel like you’re sacrificing your own happiness to help others. Your values and beliefs are important to you – but sometimes it seems like the rest of the world works differently.

Sorry if this is a silly question Blue, but I am curious as to just how far you can take this personality thing. You have piqued my curiousity somewhat.

Sherie xx

[Clues_Of_Blue]

It's not a silly question at all, Sherie. I like that you ask questions - curiosity is a valuable trait in the eyes of an INTP. When it comes to directly interacting with people, I tend to rely on my Intuitive trait to tailor my responses, as a general rule. What I know about your personality and those of others largely helps me understand where you're coming from, and how you respond to me in turn. It helps me fill in the blanks a bit if someone half-describes an experience or emotion, because I know the sorts of things that make them feel certain ways, and how they might react to or perceive certain experiences. So in that way, more subconsciously than overtly, I guess my understanding and my advice are tailored to the personality.

Blue.

[Rock]

Hi, nothing much interesting to add but I was just sort of amused by how similar our relationships sound. I'm an INTP and my partner is, I suspect a INTJ or INTP. That means that we share very similar patterns of thinking, behaviour, views and values. I can say that all of what you stated about you and your partner is very true of my relationship too. Is there any evidence that these personality types have difficulty in finding a partner? Since it seems that they are attracted mostly to similar types because they value intelligence, and that these types are of the rarer ones. (And, are typically introverts I think, so less chance to meet anyone.)

[Clues_Of_Blue]

I haven't done a lot of research on the types finding partners, but from experience and personal observation and a small amount of reading on it, I know finding the right partner is a job and a half and some do struggle to find one at all or just give up trying. INTJs in particular have this problem as far as I can tell because they are more sensitive and vulnerable than INTPs and inclined to protect themselves more thoroughly. INTPs on the other hand are relatively open as a matter of being honest to a fault, and that can drive people off, also. As you say, both types are fairly rare and introverted, and moreover are the most logical/intellectual/emotionally standoffish types there are, so whether or not we put ourselves in social situations, we're not at all well understood from close range, so finding a partner that's a good fit isn't at all easy. The other point is that neither type is much concerned with conforming or with gender norms, so we don't do the standard things that are expected of our genders in or out of dating situations. I think that's especially true of INTPs, and I can tell you it isn't well received by many. Those are my thoughts on it, anyway, without having looked into any studies on it, at this point.