Thursday, December 20, 2007

I'm Less Introverted than I Thought I Was

I just found out about the online Myers/Briggs personality test at personality.info. I accidentally clicked on the wrong test at first and got fooled into signing up for all kinds of offers. If you take the test, you shouldn't have to sign up for anything (other than an account). So make sure you click the right button. Here's my personality:

Click to view my Personality Profile page

Last time I took this, I came up as an introvert. The first time I took this, I came up thinking. I guess I'm close enough to the middle that I can fluctuate somewhat between them. But I'm high in the N and P categories. Anyone that knows me (and knows the categories) is probably not surprised by that.

I probably wouldn't have taken the test, but I like the fact that it gives percentages instead of just assigning you letters. I am probably closest to being XNXP, since I'm really only one question off in the first and third categories.

So here's what they said about me, bearing in mind that, as an extrovert I'm not very extroverted, and for being feeling-oriented I'm not that feeling-oriented.

About the ENFP
"They can't bear to miss out on what is going on around them; they must experience, first hand, all the significant social events that affect our lives."

- The Portrait of the Champion Idealist (Keirsey)"ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it."

- Portrait of an ENFP (The Personality Page)"Friends are what life is about to ENFPs, moreso even than the other NFs. They hold up their end of the relationship, sometimes being victimized by less caring individuals. ENFPs are energized by being around people. Some have real difficulty being alone, especially on a regular basis."

- ENFP Profile (TypeLogic)
"outgoing, social, disorganized, easily talked into doing silly things, spontaneous, wild and crazy, acts without thinking..."

- ENFP Jung Type Descriptions (similarminds.com)"ENFPs are energetic and enthusiastic leaders who are likely to take charge when a new endeavor needs a visionary spokesperson. ENFPs are values-oriented people who become champions of causes and services relating to human needs and dreams. Their leadership style is one of soliciting and recognizing others' contributions and of evaluating the personal needs of their followers. ENFPs are often charismatic leaders who are able to help people see the possibilities beyond themselves and their current realities. They function as catalysts."

- ENFP - The Visionary (Lifexplore)"Ranked 1st of all 16 types in using social and emotional coping resources and 2nd in using cognitive resources. "


Since the more detailed reports rank me as INFP, that's how I will continue to describe myself.

3 comments:

Pascalian Awakenings said...

Hi Ryan,

I posted this on Jeremy's blog, but thought you might appreciate it.

If you are interested in some fascinating material on how type and temperament and Scripture, check out this free audio download:

https://www.wizardacademypress.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=186

It is called "A Jungian Look at the Bible." The speaker is a Jungian Psychologist named Dr. Richard D. Grant, Jr. He is literally one of the smartest people I have ever met. The Wizard Academy has several free downloads by him.

Ryan Jones said...

Yvette, I don't know when I'll get a chance to listen to it, but it sounds very interesting. I enjoy personality tests, but I have to admit that I am somewhat skeptical about reading the Bible through an extratextual grid like Jungian Psychology. Not to say that he's necessarily doing that (especially if he's as smart as you say) - only that I cannot help but approach a work like this with at least a bit of skepticism. Thanks for the link, though! I'll try to play it soon.

J. K. Jones said...

I've been type-watching for a while. I'm an INTJ.

I did not test out in high school what I test out to be now. I tested out as an ISTJ. I found out that this is not uncommon for NT's (I'm using the shortcut Kersey-Bates temperment types: NF, NT, SJ, SP.) There are very few of us (1% of population), and we have no one around us to model the type of behavior we prefer. We have allot of social presure to be a different way. As we grow older, we care less about what people think, and our true preferences surface.

Might be something similar going on with the NF thing. NF's are great people, but men experience allot of social presure to be "thinkers." It makes no sense to do that, but societies seldom make sense.

A word of warning: the last time I changed my e-mail address was because I signed up for an NT discussion group. I recieved about 100 e-mails a day, and I couldn't unsubscribe.