The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an assessment in the form of a psychometric questionnaire. It is designed to help understand how people make decisions.
The basis of the MBTI is the theory of psychological type which was described by C.G. Jung, it helps make it understandable and more useful to people.
As the assessment is designed to implement the theory of Jung, his theory should be understood before implementing the MBTI. Jung proposed two dichotomous pairs of cognitive functions, rational (Judgement) functions such as thinking and feeling, and irrational (Perception) functions such as sensing and intuition.
Briggs and Myers then went on to develop their own theory loosely based on Jungs, on which the MBTI is based.
The MBTI contains four separate dichotomies, which lead to sixteen different types, all of different descriptions and characteristics. Each person is seen to normally prefer one of the pair in each dichotomy and work towards using that select one when in the correct circumstance. The four dichotomies are:
- Extraversion (E) & Introversion (I)
- Sensing (S) & Intuition (N)
- Thinking (T) & Feeling (F)
- Judgement (J) & Perception (P)
The user of the MBTI would select what they feel they use more from each pair to form their personality type. For example my type ended up being INFP, which is seen to be the same as only 2% of the population.
What does INFP mean for me?
After reading various portraits of an INFP personality online, I was extremely surprised to basically see a description of my personality, there were a couple of differences between me and the INFP personality, but I understand this will always be the case.
Various portraits online see the INFP personality to focus primarily on living internally, dealing with things according to how I feel about them and how they fit into my system of values. I am seen to be highly intuitive about people and I rely heavily on these intuitions to guide me. Other traits including being thoughtful and considerate, good listener, reserved in expressing emotion, valued friend and confidante. I am seen to be flexible and laid back, except when a value of mine is threatened, in which I can become aggressively defensive.
One part of a particular portrait described the following of an INFP:
“INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.” I found this to be exactly how I see myself, avoiding conflicts and sometimes focusing arguments to much on how I feel, sometimes not even caring whether or not I am correct.
I would also agree with the personality portrait on the basis that I am a more talented writer than talker, I find it awkward and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a better ability defining and expressing feelings on paper.
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