Your fail-proof way of distinguishing S from N and vice versa

Sytpg · 01-04-2009, 10:02 PM

Okay, I'm gonna be honest here : I can never picture someone I consider intelligent as a S. In a way I don't think I'm misguided since intelligence is subjective to begin with, and I admit I do associate the concept with abstract thinking ever since I was a little kid. Conversely, I highly doubt all the people I consider intelligent (whether I'm consciously using my own definition or not) are all N. So I know I'm not right but I'm not necessarily wrong either.

That being said, I'd like to know how you guys type people when it comes to the N/S dichotomy. What makes a S a S and a N a N, for you, and how can you tell?

placebo · 01-04-2009, 10:05 PM

How weirdly they look at me on average. Weird looks usually come from S's, the rest are N's.

EcK · 01-04-2009, 10:07 PM

IQ is correlated with the use of the right brain. And right brain use seems to be correlated with N.

I'm just too lazy to give details. So there some truth in it (if you correlate iq with intelligence).

Sensors often have much more sharp memories, and will talk about facts.
My sensor mother is a real encyclopedia. SJ will be the most likely kind to tell me 'for god sake shave\dress your hair'.

Also S are less likely to get my jokes, and will stare hoping for an explanation. but it's not like it's a rule or something.

Evan · 01-05-2009, 01:02 AM

I know a few very smart S types. Some of them are focused on different kinds of things than I am, but it doesn't mean they're not smart.

I happen to prefer Ns on average -- but I honestly think most people are stupid and annoying, no matter what type they are...

When I find smart/chill people, I don't care what the hell type they are, I'm just happy to find them. I do tend to type people I think are cool as N at first, for some reason (confirmation bias). But I try to consciously challenge my assumptions, so eventually I'll probably type them correctly.

Anyway, it's hard to type people. Especially smart/mature people -- they sometimes have good use of Thinking AND Feeling or Sensing AND Intuition.

Typing people is somewhat useless, anyway.

nolla · 01-05-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sytpg

how can you tell?

Tie them up, throw them in a lake and see if they float.

Mondo · 01-05-2009, 02:35 AM

I know a lot of smart Sensors.
They are often intelligent, very practical, but unimaginative.
That is the difference between a smart Sensor and a smart iNtuitive: Creativity.
Smart Sensors have the same superior reasoning skills as smart Intuitives.

Jeffster · 01-05-2009, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondo

I know a lot of smart Sensors.
They are often intelligent, very practical, but unimaginative.
That is the difference between a smart Sensor and a smart iNtuitive: Creativity.
Smart Sensors have the same superior reasoning skills as smart Intuitives.

In contrast, I'm a dumb Sensor, which must be why I'm very imaginative and creative.

Randomnity · 01-05-2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sytpg

...but I'm not necessarily wrong either...

lmao. thanks. But ignoring the intelligence potshot, my way of telling N vs S is the same as any trait - talk to the person, listen to what he's saying, figure out his interests and motivations as best you can, and go from there....

As you said, it's a preference for abstract thoughts over more realism-based ones. Ns tend to be more interested in talking about patterns/symbolism than, let's say, people/places/things. General over specific - philosophy over neurology/psychology, physics over biology. etc.

As with any trait, there isn't a "fail-proof" test because 6+ billion people don't fit neatly into 16 boxes, let alone 2. You can make some rough generalizations and predictions, but nothing can ever be absolute.

Going back to intelligence and creativity, obviously neither type has a monopoly on creativity or intelligence, although the way it's manifested is often related to type (and not just S vs N, either).

Lady X · 01-05-2009, 03:08 AM

of course there are a lot of s types that are intelligent and a lot of n's that are not...i would just think the n's are more likely to come up with new ideas.

Eldanen · 01-05-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcK

IQ is correlated with the use of the right brain. And right brain use seems to be correlated with N.

*bangs head on table*

01-04-2009, 10:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sytpg No added sugar Join Date: Aug 2008 Type: DULL Location: Mongolian steppes Posts: 2,505	Your fail-proof way of distinguishing S from N and vice versa Okay, I'm gonna be honest here : I can never picture someone I consider intelligent as a S. In a way I don't think I'm misguided since intelligence is subjective to begin with, and I admit I do associate the concept with abstract thinking ever since I was a little kid. Conversely, I highly doubt all the people I consider intelligent (whether I'm consciously using my own definition or not) are all N. So I know I'm not right but I'm not necessarily wrong either. That being said, I'd like to know how you guys type people when it comes to the N/S dichotomy. What makes a S a S and a N a N, for you, and how can you tell? __________________ "By idolizing those whom we honor we do a disservice both to them and to ourselves...we fail to recognize that we could go and do likewise." - Charles V. Willie

01-05-2009, 01:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
Evan . Join Date: Nov 2007 Type: INTP Location: Berkeley Posts: 3,062	I know a few very smart S types. Some of them are focused on different kinds of things than I am, but it doesn't mean they're not smart. I happen to prefer Ns on average -- but I honestly think most people are stupid and annoying, no matter what type they are... When I find smart/chill people, I don't care what the hell type they are, I'm just happy to find them. I do tend to type people I think are cool as N at first, for some reason (confirmation bias). But I try to consciously challenge my assumptions, so eventually I'll probably type them correctly. Anyway, it's hard to type people. Especially smart/mature people -- they sometimes have good use of Thinking AND Feeling or Sensing AND Intuition. Typing people is somewhat useless, anyway. __________________ INTP 9 sx/sp (9>5>2)

01-05-2009, 02:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mondo What A Sweetie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Type: ENTP Location: Long Island, NY (Home)-->Durham, NC (College) Posts: 1,473	I know a lot of smart Sensors. They are often intelligent, very practical, but unimaginative. That is the difference between a smart Sensor and a smart iNtuitive: Creativity. Smart Sensors have the same superior reasoning skills as smart Intuitives. __________________ MBTI Type: ENTP Enneagram Type: 7-3-9

01-05-2009, 03:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lady X *** love baby... Join Date: Oct 2008 Type: ENFP Posts: 6,484	of course there are a lot of s types that are intelligent and a lot of n's that are not...i would just think the n's are more likely to come up with new ideas. __________________ The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!" Jack Kerouac

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01-04-2009, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
placebo Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Type: INFP Location: Canada Posts: 491	How weirdly they look at me on average. Weird looks usually come from S's, the rest are N's.

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