Typology

I was fully ready to post this days ago because I had so much time on my hands to actually sit down, research, and write. However, something so indescribable happened earlier today that I crave to write about. I almost considered saving this post for later, but I figured that since I'd put so much effort into it, I may as well put it up today.

I promise you, there will come a time when I'll write about this amazing experience of mine. I just don't think now is the right time, when I can barely make sense of it all. Soon, though. Soon...

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Over the past couple of months, I have taken quite an interest in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment. I first learned about this test in a general psychology class I took my junior year, and I was fascinated from the start. I adored the fact that after answering a few yes/no questions, people could be categorized and compared to one another with ease.

If you haven't heard of this before, look no further!

The MBTI test was designed to measure people's preferences in how they make decisions and perceive the world, and it categorizes people into sixteen types. These types are made up of various combinations of these dichotomies: 

• extraversion* vs. introversion (one's attitude towards the world)
• sensing vs. intuition (how one takes in information)
• thinking vs. feeling (how one makes decisions)
• judging vs. perceiving (one's openness to structure)

My friends and I have discussed the credibility of MBTI a few times, and it's always interesting to hear how the world is shaped in other's perspectives... or should I say worldviews?

*is shot for using Belhaven terminology and then revived using the magic of the internet*

WARNING: I apologize for the excessive use of one particular type as an example from here on. I hope you are able to take something out of this post, despite the blithering on about INFPs.

I've also started comparing the types of my friends more often, too.

For example, I asked Michael how he managed to study so well during finals week. He mentioned something about being able to compartmentalize so much material with such ease because he needs structure to live. I was confused until I remembered moments later that he's an INTJ - the analyzer of the MBTI. I'd always wished I could be an INTJ when I was younger because they're so great at putting things together/taking good notes and studying well with no qualms and I just... wasn't.

He also mentioned how odd it was for me to be able to take the world in stride and be content while knowing there was so much to be done. I explained to him that my work ethic either focuses on putting so much effort into something until it's perfect or literally forcing myself to do something because I don't find it important enough to do until the last minute. It's only natural for an INFP like me because deadlines are relative to importance (to me, anyway). Needless to say, he looked more than a little concerned at the thought.

Another thing that I've noticed is that it's impossible to use this test as a guide to one's personality because this merely measures one's cognitive functions. Even people with the same type as you can act so different from you that you wonder how in the world that person is the same type!

Christian is actually an INFP as well, believe it or not. Most people tend to get very confused when I mention this because she's much more outspoken than I am. However, they tend to use the term "introversion" in the context that is both more common and incorrect in today's world. Introversion is present when one draws their energy from him/herself rather than from others. People mistake introversion for shyness just because they just so happen to come together more often than not. One can be sociable and open for conversation, but he or she may not be able to handle it for extended periods of time without feeling drained.

A little-known fact that I've come across is that some people take subtypes into consideration. These subtypes (24 in each type) are created using the order of traits that one receives as a result from highest to lowest. It's odd to think that a simple rearrangement of the letters can affect people so much. For example,  I am an IPNF (one of the most stable INFP subtypes) because I scored highest on introversion, then perceiving, so on and so forth. This may also explain why Christian is so different from me as well - her traits may just be ranked differently.

Lastly, it's odd to think that one person could be one type at a certain point in his or her life, yet they grow into another type later in life! I believe I used to be an INTP when I was younger. I hadn't taken the test, but I do remember having a significant preference for using reason rather than my emotions when making a decision. I'm not sure when or how that changed over the course of my life, but here I am... wishing that I could return to being a thinker and being able to think things through a little better before I act. *sigh*

Since I'm only beginning to research this stuff, I really can't give an in-depth blog post about all of the types and functions and how they work. But hey, maybe I piqued someone's interest enough to do some research of their own. If you're really into this sort of thing, there are plenty of people roaming the internet and sharing their knowledge of this silly little test.

P.S.: For any fellow INFPs that stumble upon this post, you may enjoy this list of traits that I found:

creative, smart, idealist, loner, attracted to sad things, disorganized, avoidant, can be overwhelmed by unpleasant feelings, prone to quitting, prone to feelings of loneliness, ambivalent of the rules, solitary, daydreams about people to maintain a sense of closeness, focus on fantasies, acts without planning, low self confidence, emotionally moody, can feel defective, prone to lateness, likes esoteric things, wounded at the core, feels shame, frequently losing things, prone to sadness, prone to dreaming about a rescuer, disorderly, observer, easily distracted, does not like crowds, can act without thinking, private, can feel uncomfortable around others, familiar with the darkside, hermit, more likely to support marijuana legalization, can sabotage self, likes the rain, sometimes can't control fearful thoughts, prone to crying, prone to regret, attracted to the counter culture, can be submissive, prone to feeling discouraged, frequently second guesses self, not punctual, not always prepared, can feel victimized, prone to confusion, prone to irresponsibility, can be pessimistic

P.P.S. If you want to look into subtypes, there are plenty of pages floating around on the interwebs that will satiate your curiosity. I know this blog post in particular discusses the subtypes of the INFP.

Happy typing, everyone!

- Sara

* Keep in mind that MBTI uses extraversion instead of the more common extroversion. I never understood why until recently, and I thought you guys might like to know the reason! 

 The prefix "extra-" (when used to mean "out of/outward/outside") is actually more correct  than"extro-", in terms of Latin etymology. However, since "extro-" looks nicer to the eye and mirrors "intro-" better, a lot of people tend to use it more often.