Myers-Briggs and Me

[Amazing Rando]

I recently had the opportunity to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test as part of my Ministry Competency Evaluation. I was asked to write a reflection on it for my coursework and for my files at the seminary, so here's my essay! :read: I would love to hear your comments on what I have to say or your reflections on your own experience with the Myers-Briggs personality type test. Has it helped you? have you found it useful? What personality type are you? :idea:

[Amazing Rando]

Here's my essay-

In exploring my personality profile from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment tool, I was surprised at its accuracy in defining the trends in my preferences and personality. I came off as a solid INFP, with no scores lower than a 15. The small chart of characteristics associated with each personality type was very useful as a condensed summary of the test itself. INFP’s are described as: “Quiet observers, idealistic, loyal. Important that outer life be congruent with inner values.” This describes me perfectly- especially the last part about outer life matching up with my inner convictions. If there’s one thing that’s very important to me, it’s integrity. I find that one issue I wrestle with a great deal is my own personal hypocrisy. I hear Jesus’ repeated call to practice what you preach (Matt. 23:3) and to clean the inside of your vessel rather than worrying about the outside (Matt 23:25) and I’m profoundly convicted because- that’s me! My outside may appear squeaky clean, but I can identify deeply with the portrayal of the disciples in the synoptic gospels as failing time and time again. One of the ways in which my failure is most apparent to me is in this area of ensuring congruency between outward living and inner values. It’s so important to me, but time and time again, I fail to live up to it! That hurts. Makes me question my devotion to the Lord and my worthiness to be a leader of his people. I have difficulty keeping my eye on the grace he’s revealed to us in the light of my own personal failures.

The MBTI analysis of INFP characteristics continues, “Curious, quick to see possibilities, often serve as catalysts to implement new ideas. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.” This second component is an apt descriptor of my personality. I’m ultimately easy-going, and live my life attempting to keep my eyes focused on eternity rather than being bogged down in the daily frustrations and mundanities of this world. In this, I find that I’m fairly skilled at being “farsighted,” so to speak. This came about largely as a result of my struggles with my father’s death, about two years ago. After a great deal of self-examination and a deep exploration into Christian attitudes toward death, I came to the conclusion that death is simply no big deal.

I preached my first sermon ever this past May in my home congregation, and I reflected on the incredible life and vitality found in Paul’s writings- notably 1 Corinthians 15 and his discussion of the resurrection. Paul quotes from Hosea in asking, in light of what Jesus has achieved, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” If, as Paul says, death has been swallowed up in victory, what more do we have to fear? This thought has given me an incredible amount of hope through my father’s death, and I try to live my life according to the principle of eternity. This is an example of how I frequently wrestle with difficult issues. I try to take a step back, examine the big picture, and guided by my trust in the Lord’s promise of ultimate deliverance and redemption, seek the good, beautiful, and true, regardless of the situation. I see this same profound optimism expressed in the writings of the prophets of old, and I read in the MBTI analysis that this type of “big picture” thinking is common of people who scored consistently in the “Intuition (N)” range. Perhaps the prophets were “N’s” like me!

Myers-Briggs says that another common characteristic of INFP’s is that they have “Little concern with possessions or surroundings.” This, I believe, also describes me. I’m not overly concerned with them. In fact, my wife would probably tell you she wishes I were a bit more concerned with them! I’ve just never valued things as much as I’ve seen others treasure them, even in my days of de facto unbelief. This characteristic has enabled me to thrive when I do not have much in the way of material wealth.

But I believe it can pose a risk to my stewardship of the things I’ve been entrusted with. I constantly walk the tightrope of balancing my strong aversion to materialism with an all-too-frequent neglect of the things God has given me. This is why I said Lori might wish I did treasure them a bit more. I’m a horribly disorganized person, and without the awesome love and assistance from Lori, I’d likely live in squalor. It’s a difficult thing to know the appropriate limits, and how to toe the line between the two extremes when I have such a propensity toward the one.

I’ve got time for one final reflection on the strength of my scores in the four scales. I’m told that the lower your score is on each given scale, the easier it is for you to draw upon the attributes of the other side of each measure of the scale. If this is so, then I’m in some trouble! I scored a 15 on the “I” or “Introversion” side of the first scale. Had I taken this test prior to my flourishing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my trust in God, and my opening myself up to others, I would have scored much deeper on the Introvert side. As it is, however, I’ve been establishing real relationships and reaching out to others through my vulnerability for the first time in my life, and I can draw at least somewhat on the strengths of the Extroversion side of the personality scale.

The other scores were much deeper into their respective scales. I scored a 49 on the Intuition (N) side of the second scale, a 31 on the Feeling (F) side of the third scale, and a chart-busting 61 on the Perceiving (P) side of the sixth. What this means is that on three of the four scales, I’m deeply anchored in one side with little ability or preference to draw upon the strengths of the other. This will likely manifest itself in some frustrating personality clashes and difficulty in relating to others of different personality types in the future if I do not learn to recognize the challenges I’m faced with and develop effective strategies of dealing with them. Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunity to take the Myers-Briggs and use it as a diagnostic tool to help me assess my strengths, weaknesses and abilities and for its insight into the various ways of knowing that I utilize.

Any comments?

[spiritmech]

I think I'm INFP or INTJ. I forget.

[Amazing Rando]

How long ago did you take the test? I'm a decided INFP.

[spiritmech]

How long ago did you take the test? I'm a decided INFP.

It's been a few years. I like to take those kind of psychological tests. There's even a test based on ordering colors, from some guy in Germany. The enneagram is interesting, too. I don't know how much it really tells you, but it's a good tool for self-knowledge, just to have something to bounce your termperament off of.

Steve

[kiwimac]

ENFP, very strongily so. They tell me I'd make a good franciscan friar. Pity I'm married really. :D

Kiwimac

[kofh2u]

I recently had the opportunity to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test as part of my Ministry Competency Evaluation. I was asked to write a reflection on it for my coursework and for my files at the seminary, so here's my essay! :read: I would love to hear your comments on what I have to say or your reflections on your own experience with the Myers-Briggs personality type test. Has it helped you? have you found it useful? What personality type are you? :idea:


This Myers/Briggs Type Test, MBTT, is the wave of the future for ministers. The slow start of Pastorial Counseling will become the major service rendered to Christians.
The biggest draw back to present psychological counseling services is that the profession lacks credibilty with the client base that most needs the service. The superimposition of psychology upon the ready believers of religion will, because of their faith, cure them.

The MBTT is based on mea uring the relative strengths of the eight personality factors:

N,T,S,F,I,E,J,P

Id =N, Libido =S, Ego =E, Anima =N, Self =S, Harmony =J, Superego =T):


Rev. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars, (the sevenfold
spirit of the psyche: Id =N, Libido =S, Ego =E, Anima =N, Self =S, Harmony =J, Superego =T):

[BlackOpal12]

This Myers/Briggs Type Test, MBTT, is the wave of the future for ministers. The slow start of Pastorial Counseling will become the major service rendered to Christians.
The biggest draw back to present psychological counseling services is that the profession lacks credibilty with the client base that most needs the service. The superimposition of psychology upon the ready believers of religion will, because of their faith, cure them.

The MBTT is based on mea uring the relative strengths of the eight personality factors:

N,T,S,F,I,E,J,P

Id =N, Libido =S, Ego =E, Anima =N, Self =S, Harmony =J, Superego =T):


Rev. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars, (the sevenfold
spirit of the psyche: Id =N, Libido =S, Ego =E, Anima =N, Self =S, Harmony =J, Superego =T):

Ahem... no.
Read the what the guys who wrote it said, notice your own repitition of letters, and then stop.

I repeat - stop.

[Amazing Rando]

Ahem... no.
Read the what the guys who wrote it said, notice your own repitition of letters, and then stop.

I repeat - stop.

Ditto. No inventing tests in this thread, please.

[elysian]

I'm an INTP (http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP.html) which I have been told is a bizarre type for a woman, since most women are extraverted feelers (like my mother, as well as my son) rather than introverted thinkers (http://www.intp.org/intprofile.html).

I tend to think my personality developed on these lines at least partially because my sisters beat me up a lot when I was a kid. When you're the only person you can trust, well, you tend to live inside your mind. I didn't really have any advocates growing up outside of books and music- my parents more or less threw me to the wolves- making me "play" with those little heathens and their friends, and actually locking me out so I would have to "play" with them. For me the "game" was trying to find quiet places to avoid them all. For them the "game" was who could inflict the most innovative form of torture once they did find me. My whole family is comprised of slap-happy, loud, huggy-feely extraverts who drive me insane if I'm surrounded by them for any length of time. For most of my childhood I honestly wondered if I'd been switched at birth, but then realized the closer I get to middle age that there is a genetic link, if for no other reason than I've inherited all their genetically influenced diseases. :lol:

[One Bad Pig]

I'm an I(S/N)TJ. I don't recall the numbers, but I'm entirely an I, evenly split on S/N, and definitively T and J (although not overwhelmingly so). The book I took the test from had a second test for those who came close to being even on S/N. I evenly split that one, too. :hehe:

[kofh2u]

Ahem... no.
Read the what the guys who wrote it said, notice your own repitition of letters, and then stop.

I repeat - stop.


Interesting.

Certain mind-sets are closed to ideas that are count-intuitive... anti-N.

You caught only one of the inconsistencies in my post. That was all you needed in order to rush to J-udgement.

Max Lus her's Functional Color Psychology, mentioned in a post above is related to these "personality dimensions" in the MBTT, not that Briggs would announce such an association.

RED........S... Libido...........Satan
BLUE.......J....Harmony.......False Shepherd
YELLOW..P...Conscience...Good Shepherd
GREEN.....E...EGO............Mammon
BROWN....F.. Self............Baalzebub
PINK........N.. Intuition......Devil
BLACK.....T.. Superego.....False Prophet
GREY...... I .. Id.......... Lucifer

The kingdom of God is within.

[One Bad Pig]

You caught only one of the inconsistencies in my post. That was all you needed in order to rush to J-udgement.

Why bother to look for more? Once one is found, the argument unravels.

[spiritmech]

Interesting.

Certain mind-sets are closed to ideas that are count-intuitive... anti-N.

You caught only one of the inconsistencies in my post. That was all you needed in order to rush to J-udgement.

Max Lus her's Functional Color Psychology, mentioned in a post above is related to these "personality dimensions" in the MBTT, not that Briggs would announce such an association.

RED........S... Libido...........Satan
BLUE.......J....Harmony.......False Shepherd
YELLOW..P...Conscience...Good Shepherd
GREEN.....E...EGO............Mammon
BROWN....F.. Self............Baalzebub
PINK........N.. Intuition......Devil
BLACK.....T.. Superego.....False Prophet
GREY...... I .. Id.......... Lucifer

The kingdom of God is within.

If these two tests are close to one another, it's probably because both MB and the Color Test work off of Jungian assumptions about the human psyche.

[kofh2u]

If these two tests are close to one another, it's probably because both MB and the Color Test work off of Jungian assumptions about the human psyche.

Correct.

Yes, the permutations of the four Jungian Functions of Thinking (in the two states of mind, internally, Introversion, and externally, Extroversion) account for the fact that these two psychological approaches to understanding how we think are similar in their "chemical" mix.

Max Luscher's colors seem to read out our emotional content while MBTT psychology seems to relate to behavioral regimentations as seen in itsvapplications in vocational aptitude.

Nevertheless, they are, as you said, both directly informativeabout the "four faced cherubim" within us.

"Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living
creatures,
And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces,

[Amazing Rando]

Interesting.

Certain mind-sets are closed to ideas that are count-intuitive... anti-N.

You caught only one of the inconsistencies in my post. That was all you needed in order to rush to J-udgement.

Max Lus her's Functional Color Psychology, mentioned in a post above is related to these "personality dimensions" in the MBTT, not that Briggs would announce such an association.

RED........S... Libido...........Satan
BLUE.......J....Harmony.......False Shepherd
YELLOW..P...Conscience...Good Shepherd
GREEN.....E...EGO............Mammon
BROWN....F.. Self............Baalzebub
PINK........N.. Intuition......Devil
BLACK.....T.. Superego.....False Prophet
GREY...... I .. Id.......... Lucifer

The kingdom of God is within.

Kof, you don't seem to know what you're talking about. The acronym is MBTI which stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The chart you posted above has absolutely nothing to do with the Myers-Briggs test. For your reference,
here (http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_intro.html) is a site with information about the REAL Myers-Briggs test.

In a post here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43167) , Sylas has taken you to task for your misinformation. I'd ask that unless you would like to discuss the real Myers Briggs test that you please not participate in this thread. Thanks!

[kofh2u]

Kof, you don't seem to know what you're talking about. The acronym is MBTI which stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The chart you posted above has absolutely nothing to do with the Myers-Briggs test. For your reference,
here (http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_intro.html) is a site with information about the REAL Myers-Briggs test.

In a post here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43167) , Sylas has taken you to task for your misinformation. I'd ask that unless you would like to discuss the real Myers Briggs test that you please not participate in this thread. Thanks!

Real MBTT? (Early literature refers to the present acronym of MBTI as a test.)

The Myers/Briggs is well know in educational circles, and I have used the inventory many times.

It is one of the foundations of Learning Style Theory.

The purpose of the test in educational environments is to identify which of the four (4) learning styles is the perferred style of a particular student. This is done in order to tailor lessons in that style.

And, the four (4) styles are directly related to our human archetypical psychic apparatus.
The "S," Jungian Functional Sensation, is obviously Libidinal in content. (See how the "hands-on lesson planning is so important in our pedagogy today?)

The dominant "N" personalities posting here (so far) are sckewed toward the intuitive apparatus of their psychic Anima. As you said, ". Perhaps the prophets were “N’s” like me!" The psychic Anima is our source of "spiritualistic" thinking, the Latin word means Mind common to women, and the English word Animus refers to beliefs in a spirit world. So, on this Tweb it is not strange that you (INFP ), pig ( I(S/N)TJ), spiritmech (INFP or INTJ), and Kiwimac (ENFP) have all admited to an dominant "N" factor.

The human SELF is identifiable with the Reality Principle that influences our Feelings, "F," and the Logical/mathematucal complex of our Superego is coded with Jung's Functional Thinking symbolized by the notation, "T."

What I have researched in symbolic dictionaries and other supporting sources suggests powerful association between these four concepts in human thinking and the following symbolism in Ezekiel:

"F" .....SELF (reality princible).....Face of Ox... banner of Ephraim

"N" ..... Intuition (animism) .... Face of Lion... Banner of Judah

"S"...... Libido (Senses)...... Face of the Eagle.... Banner of Dan

"T"..... Superego (Logic)...Face of Man...Banner of 1st born Reuben

It is really not complicated rocket science, and any research in the library will quickly confirm the basic ideas I set before you.

As intuitive people, all "N" types, though Pig is N/S... certainly, it must disturb your equilibrium to find soooooooo much bible in psychology emerging from our most recent secular investigations.

But, fear not, the Truth is the truth, the kingdom of God IS within.

(The literature on MBTT is rather extensive, so, though I appreciate your re-direction for my personal edification, perhaps you might be more direct in regard to what it is you infer I need more research to better understand?)

PS:
Sylus is an admitted secular atheist who I would guess measures as INTJ, because his intuition draws him to this Christian site, while his trained dominant T is expressed in his logical mind. He must I, introverted to spend so much time with Christians he decidedly disagrees with. His decision making J factor accounting for his choice of Logic in opposing the belief inferences of his Anima. He could easily flip. J could decide on the irrational but true think9ng of his intuition. IMO, he is a closet Christian.)

As you know, Jung is the basis for this approach. Using his Four Functions of Thinking in permutations of Extraversion and Introversion, the sets of possible human personality emerge.

[One Bad Pig]

So, on this Tweb it is not strange that you (INFP ), pig ( I(S/N)TJ), spiritmech (INFP or INTJ), and Kiwimac (ENFP) have all admited to an dominant "N" factor.
Did you read what I posted? :no:

[kofh2u]

Did you read what I posted? :no:


Do you mean the N/S that indicates an oscilation?
That is, between say, hard empirical science and a wise faith in tradition. That you shy away from radical new ideas that have not been grounded, or that you have not yet considered such possible grounding, in fact?

Many of your comments to others, on various matters, have implied an empirical side to your thinking. Empiricism requires logic to confirm itself in sensory ("S") perception, experiencially...

...is that what you are asking?

[One Bad Pig]

Do you mean the N/S that indicates an oscilation?
That is, between say, hard empirical science and a wise faith in tradition. That you shy away from radical new ideas that have not been grounded, or that you have not yet considered such possible grounding, in fact?

Many of your comments to others, on various matters, have implied an empirical side to your thinking. Empiricism requires logic to confirm itself in sensory ("S") perception, experiencially...

...is that what you are asking?
:no: I specifically said I was not N-dominant (and even elaborated on it). Why did you use me in your example?

[kofh2u]

:no: I specifically said I was not N-dominant (and even elaborated on it). Why did you use me in your example?



Semantics.

Speaking in lay terms,... regarding these MBTT results, "N" is PRE-dominantly expressed in everyone's score.

N vs S is an equal distribution in MBTT. Half of us are N, and the other half S.

"N," intuitive, "spiritual," thinking OUGHT be expected equally balanced and expressed in a random sample.

It is interesting that Intuition, "N," is expressed in everyone's MBTT in t is Twb environment, not random.
The Jungian Functional Intuitive mode on a religious site seems very muvh to give a degree of confirmation to the MBTT.

Speaking in the professional semantics,...
... for a MBTT reading of INTJ, the Dominant Attitude IS clinically considered to be "N."

It is introverted and doesn't show in the person's external "face" or persentation of self.

Using the jargon of MBTT, an N/S type oscillates between a dominant N and a dominant S.

[Solly]

INTJ here, my results are in the personality test thread somewhere.

Here it is:

Myer Briggs/Enneagram

http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html

Myers Briggs Jung Test Results


Introverted (I)[break] 63.33%
Intuitive (N)[break] 53.85%
Thinking (T)[break] 60.71%
Judging (J)[break] 61.54%


Your type is: INTJ

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.

Enneagram Test Results

The Enneagram is a personality system which divides the entire human personality into nine behavioral tendencies, this is your score on each...


Type 1[break]Perfectionism[break]46%
Type 2[break] Helpfulness[break] 30%
Type 3[break] Image Awareness[break] 50%
Type 4[break] Sensitivity[break] 36%
Type 5[break] Detachment[break] 66%
Type 6[break] Anxiety[break] 30%
Type 7[break] Adventurousness[break] 40%
Type 8[break] Aggressiveness[break] 50%
Type 9[break] Calmness[break] 43%



type[break]score[break]type behavior motivation
5[break]20[break]I must be knowledgable and independent to be happy.
3[break]15[break]I must be impressive and attractive to be happy.
8[break]15[break]I must be strong and in control to be happy.
1[break]14[break]I must be perfect and good to be happy.
9[break]13[break]I must be peaceful and easy to get along with to be happy.



Your conscious personality is Type 5w4 See pic

Your unconscious personality is Type Omni See pic

[kofh2u]

Solly, INTJ!

Another "N" dominant person.

Is it possible that everyone on Tweb is intuitive and functions in the Anima/animus of spirituality?

Science is vocationally indicated as a career for INTJ types. Does the orderly, organized, clinical, cool and aloof characteristics of an introverted science type relate to your actual occupation in someway?

[Solly]

Well, by day I am a mild mannered archivist, filing clerk. by night, and on weekends, a preacher who aspires to be a theologian. I certainly don't consider the latter to require cool aloofness. You'll notice the propensity to systematization and theoretical modelling (theology), but this is tempered by the preachers drive to apply. i have generally favoured abstract thought, and it wasn't until i became a Christian that i found the means to apply such.

[Beanieboy]

I've taken it many times, and come up a INFP every time.
We are only 1 or 2% of the population, and the description fits me pretty well. When given a print off of positions I would be good for, I said, "Hey, that was my major, and that one, and that one..." I was considering teaching English, and one of the positions was "bilingual teacher."

Then I looked at the counselor and said, "they all look great, but... why don't any of them pay well???"

So, I suppose it's good that I am naturally not materialistic, and even have an aversion to brand-dropping. "Yes, I can see you paid $200 for a T-Shirt. That's very nice.."

The strongest drive seems to be helping others, and once I stopped fighting that and was what I was made, I was really happy.

And yes - totally disorganized, very creative, love language, respect virtue over wealth, am constantly taking time for self reflection, and independent in views and actions.

[spiritmech]

My type is INFP:

Introverted (I) 62.86% Extroverted (E) 37.14%
Intuitive (N) 54.84% Sensing (S) 45.16%
Feeling (F) 69.23% Thinking (T) 30.77%
Perceiving (P) 72.73% Judging (J) 27.27%


type score type behavior motivation
5 26 I must be knowledgable and independent to be happy.
3 18 I must be impressive and attractive to be happy.
9 18 I must be peaceful and easy to get along with to be happy.
2 16 I must be helpful and caring to be happy.
6 14 I must be secure and safe to be happy.


Enneagram Test Results
Type 1 Perfectionism 26%
Type 2 Helpfulness 53%
Type 3 Image Awareness 60%
Type 4 Sensitivity 43%
Type 5 Detachment 86%
Type 6 Anxiety 46%
Type 7 Adventurousness 36%
Type 8 Aggressiveness40%
Type 9 Calmness 60%

Your main type is 5
Your variant is self pres

[spiritmech]

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

What's interesting about the test is that I'm more aware of the jerk I can be, and I think I've become more honest about the fact that I'm detached, and not as connecting as I ought to be.

Steve

[kofh2u]

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

What's interesting about the test is that I'm more aware of the jerk I can be, and I think I've become more honest about the fact that I'm detached, and not as connecting as I ought to be.

Steve


Steve,
That is what I meant by saying the future in Christian Counseling is an opportunity just waiting for bible proficient Socio-psychology practitioners.

More than simple self awareness is involved. Insisting on the Truth, about our own character znd motivations, our own subconscious motivations is what we all need to examine for a better life. Our lives can and ought be better, for us and society.

People who now regard these MBTT type self examinations tend to amuse themseves and fi=orget about them. Recognizing that we have a sevenfold psyche and a conscious Conscience supports the insight that MBTT reports we are prisoners, not truly free, captives of our half sleeping mind.

Consider yoir INFP handicap... because it is... if your thinking proceeds actual behaviors, and you think:

I = Introrversion = Id
N = Intuition = Animus
F = Feelings = Self
P = Perception = Conscience

Where, Oh where is your E, S, T, J?

Why?
Becsuse you have these psychic apparati, too, they are just repressed.
They also exist!
Tangibly and concretely!
There are people who think with temperment and attitude that is ESTJ!

AND... this is the most exciting type person for you, too. Your exact opposite is your complement, think aboit it! That person is the you who is missing in your mind!

A mate?
A wise choice as a friend? A perspective on life which you have been missing?
Joy more... more and more... abundant.

And, in our collective perspectives on life, in large numbers of us seeing things thfough the same pink lenses of our MBTT outlook, we form social groups, we find common ground and common understanding, and associations with other who have much in common with us. Where, oh where are the "tribes" of people who truly understand where you are coming from? Where are the ESTJ groups you are totally missing out on?




Ecc 7:24 (KJV plus additions by Sylas and DJL)
All this have I, ("the philosopher"), proved, (or tested), by wisdom, (that sense of the harmony and wholeness so beautifully manifest in the natural workings of Laws of Nature): I said, I will be wise; but, (the futility is only deepened by the bare scientific account of the universe and all the mechanistic understandings of it), it was far from me (in that, we have not learned wisdom, the reasons why such things are).
24 That which is far off, (how to live, why positive charges attract negative, why energy can make things move, why organic life can spring alive from inorganic chemicals), and exceeding deep, (for we have not learned why, but merely cataloged how the order of things are), who can find it out, (no one?).
Ecc 7:24 (NRSV)
All this have I tested by wisdom: I said, "I will be wise"; but it was far from me.
24That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep, who can find it out?

Sylas did not write that and you know it. Do not misrepresent him again.

[elysian]

Gee, I'm all that without the mushy feely part. I see a lot of INFP's among us -and I'm similar in a number of ways except for me thinking is way dominant over feeling. I am deeply pragmatic at best, cynical at worst and I have an aversion to things emotional. When I was a little kid I avoided other kids and physical touch (to this day I find physical touch from anyone other than immediate family or extremely close friends to be offensive and nauseating) so much that one therapist thought I was borderline autistic. I am neither autistic nor do I have Asperger's- I just like my space and I don't like dealing with emotional hoo-ha. I have the actual Myers-Briggs results somewhere in my archives of various stuff.

I took the Myers-Briggs twice- once in high school and again about a year ago and the results were virtually identical. Both times I was very firmly the INTP type. What's weird about this is that my husband is the exact opposite type- his is ESFJ which must be why he drives me nuts sometimes with his melodrama and high maintenance requirements. I'm about as low maintenance as one can get without being comatose. If I want something I will tend to it myself unless it's something I cannot do for myself. He enjoys it when I do things for him that he can do for himself. That mindset is baffling to me. He also gets emotional over the least little things which again is baffling to me, but he tends to react more like the rest of the world does. I envy him his perception- he has a far better grasp on observing people and knowing what they will do than I do, and he sees details that I miss.

[kofh2u]

Gee, I'm all that without the mushy feely part. I see a lot of INFP's among us -and I'm similar in a number of ways except for me thinking is way dominant over feeling. I am deeply pragmatic at best, cynical at worst and I have an aversion to things emotional. When I was a little kid I avoided other kids and physical touch (to this day I find physical touch from anyone other than immediate family or extremely close friends to be offensive and nauseating) so much that one therapist thought I was borderline autistic. I am neither autistic nor do I have Asperger's- I just like my space and I don't like dealing with emotional hoo-ha. I have the actual Myers-Briggs results somewhere in my archives of various stuff.

I took the Myers-Briggs twice- once in high school and again about a year ago and the results were virtually identical. Both times I was very firmly the INTP type. What's weird about this is that my husband is the exact opposite type- his is ESFJ which must be why he drives me nuts sometimes with his melodrama and high maintenance requirements. I'm about as low maintenance as one can get without being comatose. If I want something I will tend to it myself unless it's something I cannot do for myself. He enjoys it when I do things for him that he can do for himself. That mindset is baffling to me. He also gets emotional over the least little things which again is baffling to me, but he tends to react more like the rest of the world does. I envy him his perception- he has a far better grasp on observing people and knowing what they will do than I do, and he sees details that I miss.


INFP's represent only @ 1% of the population. Your "alter-ego" or your repressed opposite, ESTJ, is 13%, so your husband is very lucky to have found you, while he is a "dime a dozen" so to speak.



Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold,
the kingdom of God is within you.

[{Tim}]

Well, I seem to be I(N/S)T(P/J)... INTP seems to describe me best (usually), but I am close to borderline on N/S and P/J.


Your type is: INTP

Withdrawn (I) 67.86% Outgoing (E) 32.14%
Imaginative (N) 53.13% Realistic (S) 46.88%
Intellectual (T) 68.75% Emotional (F) 31.25%
Improvised (P) 54.29% Organized (J) 45.71%


You are an Architect, possible professions include - strategic planning, writer, staff development, lawyer, architect, software designer, financial analyst, college professor, photographer, logician, artist, systems analyst, neurologist, physicist, psychologist, research/development specialist, computer programmer, data base manager, chemist, biologist, investigator.


I'm definitely more withdrawn and intellectual, but then... I tend to be disorganised and yet I like structured environments... but am anti-authority by inclination...; I love to go off into the theoretical or abstract... yet I can easily ignore unrealistic speculation and focus on facts when I choose to. Interesting, no?

But then again, I sometimes even notice aspects of E or F... does anyone else notice that they sometimes exhibit traits characteristic of an opposite category? Or am I just really unpredictable? :wink:

[kofh2u]

Well, I seem to be I(N/S)T(P/J)... INTP seems to describe me best (usually), but I am close to borderline on N/S and P/J.


Your type is: INTP

Withdrawn (I) 67.86% Outgoing (E) 32.14%
Imaginative (N) 53.13% Realistic (S) 46.88%
Intellectual (T) 68.75% Emotional (F) 31.25%
Improvised (P) 54.29% Organized (J) 45.71%


You are an Architect, possible professions include - strategic planning, writer, staff development, lawyer, architect, software designer, financial analyst, college professor, photographer, logician, artist, systems analyst, neurologist, physicist, psychologist, research/development specialist, computer programmer, data base manager, chemist, biologist, investigator.


I'm definitely more withdrawn and intellectual, but then... I tend to be disorganised and yet I like structured environments... but am anti-authority by inclination...; I love to go off into the theoretical or abstract... yet I can easily ignore unrealistic speculation and focus on facts when I choose to. Interesting, no?

But then again, I sometimes even notice aspects of E or F... does anyone else notice that they sometimes exhibit traits characteristic of an opposite category? Or am I just really unpredictable? :wink:

"...does anyone else notice that they sometimes exhibit traits characteristic of an opposite category?"

1) Yes
2) You raise the most important observation with this question. '
Why are these self-help, self examinations important?

There are a number of applications, of course. They have educational, vocational, and psychological-clinical applications.
But, most people miss the point, the really significant point:

3) Consider that there are really only eight different kinds of people, each with two sides to them. We all have an "I" and an alter-ego flip side, "E." I is the introverted eorld inside, E is the world we access through Ego.
[This is the perspective of the ancient idea of the two-faces to people,(Janus?).]

4) You, personally, are aware of six sides to your eight-sided psyche: I, N, S,T, J, P.
You recognize that you are using these modes of "looking beyond" your internal "heavenly" realm. You peek, outwardly, into the "earthy" world which is external to the skull which holds the hardware of your brain.
These MBTTbmodules of perception and judgemental responses, inside, are very analogous to software. They are supe imposed over sensory data, for thinking about stuff.

The biggy is, that, for you, two more modes are working unnoticed consciously. What they "think" is not a "printable" program which you could utilize consciously. In fact, sometimes they influence your actuak bhavior without your :thinking" about "it," ehat they make you do or feel.

4) My point.
No.
Most people are very impressed that the MBTT describes them as well as it does, but they are stuck in four modes.
Self-centeredly, our normal egoistic state of mind, they do not think about studying the other MBTT readings. They don't care to learn more about the neighbors Christians are supposed to love.

In fact, if you read just the commentary in this thread, you can pick up on what I am saying.

How self satisfied are people with knowing the positive descriptions relating to the psychology?
How remiss in avoiding the obvious, that they are deficient in other areas, and worse, pre-set closed minded.
Just how content, in the conceit of their own readings, do they appear, without even a second glance at the short comings of such a fixed perspective?
How unfair are they, in noting that they ignor whole areas of themselves, and distain the importance of understanding the perspective of others?
How devoid are they of the possibility to Self-actualize in their insensitivity to the startling corrallary to MV]BTT, we can...CAN... understand eachother?
How foolish are they, focusing on only their four modes, in a social intercourse that has a transmission of eight "gears?"

5) I would add that each of these MBTT reading emphasizes a Dominant mode or outlook.

In your case, it is clear you are not dominated by just one. You flip from a logical/mathematical intelligence to visual/spatial intelligence.
Logical/mathematical thinking probably dominates in your thinking.
The visual-spatial intelligence is probably your auxillary mode, but it also is enhanced by your ability to augment this intuitive aspect with Kinesthetic thinking, hands-on mechanical aptitude.

In fact, the switchy J-P suggests that your thinking can be Dominant in T, N, or S at any give time. (Are you consciously aware of these states when experiencing them? (The colors of Luscher would make Black, Red, and Pink/fuscha, and Gray prominent.)

Assuming from your training, education, and vocation that you are average or better in these ways of thinking, you have a powerhouse that can let you approach your pursuits with strong intuitions about what to do, physically, (Kinesthetically), using some very cold Boolian logic to accomplish your ends.

However, yoj don't have enough social contact to enjoy the fruits of your gift. Your deep introversion denies you the benefits of reaping more direct rewards, especially material, from the labor of your hands. I wonder if you are realistic in your personal and social life? Or, is social-life an oxymoron for you?

6) The implication of the MBTT is that understanding, human self-understanding is evermore possible. We can discover muchabout ourself. And, with the goal of understanding others, we can see that the spirits that operate in our thinking combine to produce a tower of babel, separate semantical outlooks that keep us from building humanity a tower to the "heavens" of eternal genetic life for our species.

7) Rev. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars, (the sevenfold spirit of the psyche: Id, Libido, Ego, Anima, Self, Harmony, Superego):

[Richbee]

How long ago did you take the test? I'm a decided INFP.

Joan of Arc type?

Very rare as well.

I dated a lady Doctor (Mystic Healer) who was INFP, I am ENFP, but can flip E/I.

Introverts gain energy by being alone. She could be SOOOooooo quiet.

She would always say, Rich, lower your voice, lower, lower, almost to a whisper by my measure.

Fascinating as well, would gather information, gather, and gather, and then come out of the blue witha profound annoucement, spoken softly, but with major consequences. (That is how she dovorced her forst husband - it was a surprise to him, but she knew it for years.)

[elysian]

INFP's represent only @ 1% of the population. Your "alter-ego" or your repressed opposite, ESTJ, is 13%, so your husband is very lucky to have found you, while he is a "dime a dozen" so to speak.



Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold,
the kingdom of God is within you.

I'm a thinker, (INTP) not a feeler. My primary mode is introverted thinking. He's the feeler, (ESFJ.) His primary mode is extraverted feeling and he can be prone to melodrama that drives me nuts. He does have an uncanny ability to read emotions though, while I have a huge degree of difficulty with body language and non-verbals. I don't know what other people are feeling unless they verbalize it, and I tend to be literal to a fault.

[kofh2u]

I'm a thinker, (INTP) not a feeler. My primary mode is introverted thinking. He's the feeler, (ESFJ.) His primary mode is extraverted feeling and he can be prone to melodrama that drives me nuts. He does have an uncanny ability to read emotions though, while I have a huge degree of difficulty with body language and non-verbals. I don't know what other people are feeling unless they verbalize it, and I tend to be literal to a fault.

You have it down right.
Together you are truly one, one fully active psyche.
All eight Jungian factors are at work when you two get your heads together. Really getting eachothers perspctive down to the last detail will touch every base.

Many couple are constantly irritated by one another because they do not see eye to eye on issues. They are mistaken, of course, since they wojld end upmyes men to each other. Forcing another to agree, demanding the your perspective be the one agreed to, moulding your mate to be like you... wrong move.

Two heads are better than one, especially two like you and your husband.
He is actually (not) thinking just like you, in his inferior depressed flip side. And, likewise for you. Also, it is true, he is dominant in using the Reality Principle in his contemplation, more rational and traditional in his perceptions, while you are more cold, logical minded. He wears his Feelings on his face, while you are very well, decidedly, planned oit with a poker face.

Much of the research in this field has been done by a guy named Kiersey. He identifies learning styles based on these factors. The four polar point of styles plot us all in the rectangular coordinates formed by NT,NF,SP,SJ.

Kiersey likens each dsposition to a mythological god, which is good mnemonics, of course, but also an interestinb Freudian slip, IMO.

You are Prometheus to your Epimetheus husband. His stoic work ethnic is an attitude that could back up your Nietzchian Power of the Will. That sounds like a great small business combination.

Look at rando, he's a NF learner, an Existential Humanitarianist. Wow, and he's a minister. The right job.

[kofh2u]

Joan of Arc type?

Very rare as well.

I dated a lady Doctor (Mystic Healer) who was INFP, I am ENFP, but can flip E/I.

Introverts gain energy by being alone. She could be SOOOooooo quiet.

She would always say, Rich, lower your voice, lower, lower, almost to a whisper by my measure.

Fascinating as well, would gather information, gather, and gather, and then come out of the blue witha profound annoucement, spoken softly, but with major consequences. (That is how she dovorced her forst husband - it was a surprise to him, but she knew it for years.)



Your Dominant N, intuition, is her auxillary companior mode to her F, Feelings, and visa versa...
You both tend to view things from the same perspective. Both seem to like working with words.

Discussions and personal interaction between you, even games and showing one another things must have occupied much of your time together?

[Richbee]

Your Dominant N, intuition, is her auxillary companior mode to her F, Feelings, and visa versa...
You both tend to view things from the same perspective. Both seem to like working with words.

Discussions and personal interaction between you, even games and showing one another things must have occupied much of your time together?

INFP Order of Preference:

Feeling

Intuition

Sensing

Thinking

Now, Intoverts aren't big talkers, and I am, she mentioned she never spoke with anyone more than with me.

She is a dancer and liked the interaction of dancing without talking. (Or, sex with little talking.)

We both liked Poetry and she turned me on and tuned me on to poetry.

She still likes the poems I can find for her.

[kofh2u]

INFP Order of Preference:

Feeling

Intuition

Sensing

Thinking

Now, Intoverts aren't big talkers, and I am, she mentioned she never spoke with anyone more than with me.

She is a dancer and liked the interaction of dancing without talking. (Or, sex with little talking.)

We both liked Poetry and she turned me on and tuned me on to poetry.

She still likes the poems I can find for her.


Poetry.
I almost mentioned that. Humanities in general are interests you both ought share with one another.

Introverts are people who withdraw socially. "I" in you MBTT might indicate such behavior.

But, the introversion or the extroversion refers to whether your dominant thinking mode is "active" and observable in your behavior, "E", whether people actually see it in your face, so to speak.

Introversion is "under your hat," people do not realize how Intuitively you understand this around you. Its a poker face, people don't know just how you think from the way you present yourself.

Again, I Must point out that everyone contributing here so far has evidence a Dominant or at least a secondary auxillary "N" thinking mode. Intuition springs from the psychic apparatus of the Anima/animus, and is spiritual in content. The Latin word, Anima, means "mind of women." It is our big momma aspect, our feminine insight.

I wonder if Twebbers prove a statistical frequency which supports the idea. Intuition/belief/"faith in things not seen,"...

I have long noted that most church services would be cancelled for lack of attendence if women did not show up.

Then, perhaps Tweb has "talkers" of the Word? Perhaps, out in the field, "S" dominant practioners are to be found, "doers of the Word?"








Isaiah 11:2, which refers to:
the (1) spirit of the LORD (a good shepherd of Harmony),
the (2) spirit of wisdom (of superego logic) ,
the (3) spirit of understanding (the intuitive beliefs of our Anima),
the (4) spirit of counsel(proceeding Egoistic reaction),
the (5) spirit of might (in our physical Libido),
the (6) spirit of knowledge (in the reality principle of Self),
the (7) spirit of the fear of the LORD (instinctual motivators from the depths of our Id)...