Am I really an ISTJ?

[Kathi]

Hello out there!

I'm new here and shortly want to introduce myself: My name is Kathi, I'm 18 years old and I'm from Vienna, Austria. English is not my native language, therefore please forgive me for making several (horrible) mistakes.
I hope you can understand at least what I'm trying to say

Sooo, back to topic! I'm interested in the MBTI test (do you say test after MBTI? I honestly have no idea) for a couple of days now and did several versions of the test. I mostly scored ISTJ, but also INTJ and sometimes even ISFJ.
Perhaps the most interesting result for you guys to analyze is this one here:

extraverted Sensing (Se) *********************** (23.9)
limited use
introverted Sensing (Si) ***************************************** (41.3)
excellent use
extraverted Intuiting (Ne) ****************************** (30.1)
good use
introverted Intuiting (Ni) ********************** (22.7)
limited use
extraverted Thinking (Te) ***************************** (29)
average use
introverted Thinking (Ti) ****************************** (30.9)
good use
extraverted Feeling (Fe) ************************** (26)
average use
introverted Feeling (Fi) ************************************ (36.1)
excellent use

It's from Keys 2 Cognition. I don't really understand everything about the whole Se/Si/... etc. stuff, but of course I have did some research so I know what's it mainly about.
But I'm faaaar away from being an expert: so if anyone cold help me to analyze this result, I'd be really grateful!

The thing is, I don't really feel like a true ISTJ. Partly I do, but there are some things I can't relate to.
I don't believe that strictly in laws and traditions, safety is so not my priority, I don't set much value on punctuality, I'm pretty chaotic, I really have a bad memory (especially when it comes to my photographic memory), I don't remember a lot of facts and I don't like working with data. I do organize a bit and make a plan (in my head...I never write anything down, I don't even have a calendar) but I don't really keep to it (because I'm easily distracted) and I also don't have a great sense of space and function. The more I read about ISTJ, the more points I find that won't fit. I know, there can't be a personality type that fits perfectly, but the main points about ISTJ's are organization, arrangement, punctuality, aren't they? So, yeah, I'm having a bit of a identity crises right now. I'm really asking myself which type I really am.

Maybe you can help me in any way - thank you in advance!

PS: I've noticed that there are some people who are able (or at least try) to define one's personality type by analyzing the writing style. I don't know if this also applies for non-native speakers, but I'd be interested in your ideas, if you have some

 

[Rosabel]

Hello out there!

I'm new here and shortly want to introduce myself: My name is Kathi, I'm 18 years old and I'm from Vienna, Austria. English is not my native language, therefore please forgive me for making several (horrible) mistakes.
I hope you can understand at least what I'm trying to say

Sooo, back to topic! I'm interested in the MBTI test (do you say test after MBTI? I honestly have no idea) for a couple of days now and did several versions of the test. I mostly scored ISTJ, but also INTJ and sometimes even ISFJ.
Perhaps the most interesting result for you guys to analyze is this one here:

extraverted Sensing (Se) *********************** (23.9)
limited use
introverted Sensing (Si) ***************************************** (41.3)
excellent use
extraverted Intuiting (Ne) ****************************** (30.1)
good use
introverted Intuiting (Ni) ********************** (22.7)
limited use
extraverted Thinking (Te) ***************************** (29)
average use
introverted Thinking (Ti) ****************************** (30.9)
good use
extraverted Feeling (Fe) ************************** (26)
average use
introverted Feeling (Fi) ************************************ (36.1)
excellent use

It's from Keys 2 Cognition. I don't really understand everything about the whole Se/Si/... etc. stuff, but of course I have did some research so I know what's it mainly about.
But I'm faaaar away from being an expert: so if anyone cold help me to analyze this result, I'd be really grateful!

The thing is, I don't really feel like a true ISTJ. Partly I do, but there are some things I can't relate to.
I don't believe that strictly in laws and traditions, safety is so not my priority, I don't set much value on punctuality, I'm pretty chaotic, I really have a bad memory (especially when it comes to my photographic memory), I don't remember a lot of facts and I don't like working with data. I do organize a bit and make a plan (in my head...I never write anything down, I don't even have a calendar) but I don't really keep to it (because I'm easily distracted) and I also don't have a great sense of space and function. The more I read about ISTJ, the more points I find that won't fit. I know, there can't be a personality type that fits perfectly, but the main points about ISTJ's are organization, arrangement, punctuality, aren't they? So, yeah, I'm having a bit of a identity crises right now. I'm really asking myself which type I really am.

Maybe you can help me in any way - thank you in advance!

PS: I've noticed that there are some people who are able (or at least try) to define one's personality type by analyzing the writing style. I don't know if this also applies for non-native speakers, but I'd be interested in your ideas, if you have some

Interesting, by your result, you're ISTJ, but if you don't feel like one, so you're not.

I will recomend two websites for you to make some research:

www.cognitiveprocesses.com

http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Jung/types.htm

Have you read some INTP profiles? I would recommend. INTPs have tertiary Si, and sometimes, when they are using too much this function ther may have an ISTJ-ish behavior, but even in this case, they're far from resembling a true ISTJ.

Hope it helps!

 

[KDude]

I get ISTJ often in tests too. I'd disagree with it on the same grounds as you.. take a look at the two ITP types.

 

[Impact Calculus]

Interesting, by your result, you're ISTJ, but if you don't feel like one, so you're not.

I will recomend two websites for you to make some research:

www.cognitiveprocesses.com

http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Jung/types.htm

Have you read some INTP profiles? I would recommend. INTPs have tertiary Si, and sometimes, when they are using too much this function ther may have an ISTJ-ish behavior, but even in this case, they're far from resembling a true ISTJ.

Hope it helps!

I seem to disagree with you quite a bit. But to make this easier for both of us, I'll quickly scroll a few paragraphs into C.G Jung's psychological types and explain why.

Naturally, at first, one is inclined to regard such differences as mere individual idiosyncrasies. But anyone with the opportunity of gaining a fundamental knowledge of many men will soon discover that such a far-reaching contrast does not merely concern the individual case, but is a question of typical attitudes, with a universality far greater than a limited psychological experience would at first assume. In reality, as the preceding chapters will have shown, it is a question of a fundamental opposition; at times clear and at times obscure, but always emerging whenever we are dealing with individuals whose personality is in any way pronounced. Such men are found not only among the educated classes, but in every rank of society; with equal distinctness, therefore, our types can be demonstrated among labourers and peasants as among the most differentiated members of a nation. Furthermore, these types over-ride the distinctions of sex, since one finds the same contrasts amongst women of all classes. Such a universal distribution could hardly arise at the instigation of consciousness, ie. as the result of a conscious and deliberate choice of attitude. If this were the case, a definite level of society, linked together by a similar education and environment and, therefore, correspondingly localized, would surely have a majority representation of such an attitude. But the actual facts are just the reverse, for the types have, apparently, quite a random distribution. [p. 414] In the same family one child is introverted, and another extraverted.

Since, in the light of these facts, the attitude-type regarded as a general phenomenon having an apparent random distribution, can be no affair of conscious judgment or intention, its existence must be due to some unconscious instinctive cause. The contrast of types, therefore, as a, universal psychological. phenomenon, must in some way or other have its biological precursor.


You see, the attributes described by jung are deep, subjective and are in no place to be cross applied to conscious decisions or intention. This is completely out of context with the kind of personality referred to on these profiles. Also, ISTJs aren't necessarily anything like what was described in the OP.

However, Jung's book is probably the best thing that could be possibly read by individuals who are interested in typing themselves. Thanks for sharing that. I also found Beebe's model rather helpful. The model, itself, isn't necessarily accurate, but he does a good job explaining some of Jung's terminology and what he had been trying to explain regarding the framework of his concepts.

 

[Kathi]

Thank you all for your replies

The first link was really helpful, but the second one was a bit too complicated for me, I have to admit. Still, I can't really decide. No matter which type, there are always some points that won't fit.
ISFJ, for example: "They value harmony and cooperation, and are likely to be very sensitive to other people's feelings. People value the ISFJ for their consideration and awareness, and their ability to bring out the best in others by their firm desire to believe the best."
I feel like I'm a different person when being with my family and when I'm around my friends.
My parents would so not agree about me being considerate or sensitive to other people's feelings. They'd rather describe me as egoistic, dominant and self-centered. It's true, that's the kind of person I am at home (not that I'm proud of it...) but my friends would never describe me this way. They know me as a warm-hearted, kind person. I always have arguments with my parents, especially with my father about peanuts, basically, but in the "real world" (if you say so) I avoid arguments and try to find compromises. At home, however, I'm very stubborn and never deviate from my opinion. So it really seems like I have two different personalities.

Perhaps it'd be a good idea if I give you some more information about my personality.
Practically everyone would describe me as indecisive. Out of all persons I know, I'm definitely the most indecisive one. I always need help making decisions, no matter if they are difficult ones (like my subjects for university) or easy ones (which key ring should I buy?) - I always need help. If there's no one there to help me, I get really desperate, f.e. concerning my key ring. My parents didn't want to choose for me, so I chose randomnly. Luckily they helped with my subject choice at least. I hate making decisions, I hate making commitments. Mainly because I fear I'm going to regret my choice. I'm never happy with my decisions. I didn't even want to unwrap my key ring for this reason.
Furthermore, I delay decisions. I should have chosen the subjects when I was still in school, but I always found excuses to delay bothering with the topic. Now I'm going to do my driving license, but I just can't go to the registration because that would mean that I have to do it. Not that I don't want to! But I just don't like the idea of being committed.
I always have a hard time answering test questions "Do you decide with your brain or your heart?" because I really don't know. Probably both. It doesn't help me to inform myself about different opportunities. Concering my subject choice, I didn't even want to inform myself. I was so scared that no subject would fit or that there would be no subject I'm going to like, that I just did the most necessary research, but not more. Now I'm not really satisfied with my choice (Journalism & Communications) - my parents helped me to make the decision, but that's not the reason. I just can't be happy when something's definite. I'd probably say I decide with my heart. But I'm much too slow for heart decisions, so I really don't know. (does this even make sense?)

By the way...when there were only four subjects I could choose from, I mainly thought about my future job and not about the curriculum. Does that mean I'm more concerned about the future than about the present?
Concerning my future job: I really can't imagine being a boss (although I'm quite dominant at home) I'd be more like an assistant, probably. I don't like to assume responsibility and I don't want to work on my own. I'd like to work with colleagues. When I was in school, I always preferred partner work. It was such a relief not being alone with the task!

Furthermore, I plan a lot. In my head - I don't write lists. I don't like lists because I don't want to see all the things that have to be done, so I do it all in my head. That's why I don't have a planner, that's why I always looked in my school friend's planner to see the dates of the next exams (I know, that's not going to work my entire life that way). When I forget something, it can't have been that important - that's the way I think. But usually I don't really stick to the plan. When I say: "Tomorrow I'm going to do this and that" I follow the first points, but then I basically do whatever I want because I'm easily distracted. I don't care so much if I don't get everything done that should've get done on that day. However, it's different with presentations. Then I even plan every single word I say and I stick to it. But the reason might be that I'm not a confident talker. I'm really nervous when I have to talk in front of several people. In general, I'm quite a nervous and anxious person. That's why I don't like changes...but it depends. Some changes like university I really enjoy (I'm so happy that I finished school!) but others I don't like, especially "unnecessary" ones. So it always depends if the change makes sense to me.

Okay...I wrote much longer than I actually intended to - I'm sorry, I always write way too much. I could probably even tell you more about me, if this might help in any way to define my personality type. Perhaps you could ask me some specific questions? I'd be glad to answer them!

(I really hope you don't mind the mistakes)

 

[Kathi]

Hello! It's me again, three years later 21 now and still struggling with my personality type.

Thing is, almost every test says I'm an ISTJ. I'm still not really sure about it, sometimes I feel I'm more of an ISFJ but I just don't know!

I did the Keys 2 Cognition Test again, however, and these are my results:

extraverted Sensing (Se) ******************** (20.8)
limited use
introverted Sensing (Si) ******************************************* (43.5)
excellent use
extraverted Intuiting (Ne) *********************** (23.9)
limited use
introverted Intuiting (Ni) ***************** (17.5)
limited use
extraverted Thinking (Te) *************************************** (39.2)
excellent use
introverted Thinking (Ti) **************************** (28.7)
average use
extraverted Feeling (Fe) ************************* (25.8)
average use
introverted Feeling (Fi) **************************************** (40)
excellent use

It's a bit different now, but I guess it's only natural since I'm older and maybe - maybe! - somewhat more mature.

I'm still having a hard time to identify myself with ISTJ properly. But ISFJ sounds almost too...nice for me. I am polite and helpful, but I don't really care a lot about people. Many would describe me as shy and unapproachable. I just have a really hard time showing people that I like them. I do like them (not many, but still), but it may almost seem like I don't. Affection is really hard for me. I'm not a big fan of hugs or just...touching people in general. I want to, but I just can't. It'd feel unnatural and fake of me to do it. So, is this usual behaviour for any particular MBTI-type? Or am i just really weird?

Maybe some of you could help me or ask me some questions or...I don't even know. I'd just really like to know my personality type! Three years later, and still not any wiser *sigh*

I'm really looking forward to your replies!

 

[wolfnara]

From what I've read (so far) I think you are a thinker, and that ISTJ seems likely. I don't think you should rely on tests, they should be used as a starting point for finding your actual type. You should give more information or fill out a questionnaire

 

[Kathi]

Thanks for your reply! Is there any specific questionnaire that I can fill out? I'll gladly do it

I did some research myself, but I'm still stuck. No personality type seems to fit. I know a 100% match is highly unlikely but still, it's never enough for me to say: "Okay, that's it, i must be xxxx" There are so many doubts, it makes me crazy!
If there was a MBTI specialist or something like that in Vienna, I would definitely go there and ask for advise but MBTI isn't very popular in Austria (which is a shame). That's why I'm relying on tests, even though I don't even know what I'm hoping for anymore.
And now I'm asking you guys for help, as you seem to know what you're talking about (despite all the research I'm not exactly an expert on the subject)

 

[Hawthorne]

[MENTION=16288]Kathi[/MENTION]

This a good one.

1) What aspect of your personality made you unsure of your type?
2) What do you yearn for in life? Why?
3) Think about a time where you felt like you were at your finest. Tell us what made you feel that way.
4) What makes you feel inferior?
5) What tends to weigh on your decisions? (Do you think about people, pro-cons, how you feel about it, etc.)
6) When working on a project what is normally your emphasis? Do you like to have control of the outcome?
7) Describe a time where you had a lot of fun. How is your memory of it?
8) When you want to learn something new, what feels more natural for you?
9) How organized do you think of yourself as?
10) How do you judge new ideas? You try to understand the principles behind it to see if they make sense or do you look for information that supports it?
11) You find harmony by making sure everyone is doing fine and belonging to a given group or by making sure that you follow what you believe and being yourself?
12) Are you the kind that thinks before speaking or do you speak before thinking? Do you prefer one-on-one communication or group discussions?
13) Do you jump into action right away or do you like to know where are you jumping before leaping? Does action speaks more than words?
14) It's Saturday. You're at home, and your favorite show is about to start. Your friends call you for a night out. What will you do?
15) How do you act when you're stressed out?
16) What makes you dislike the personalities of some people?
17) Is there anything you really like talking about with other people?
18) What kind of things do you pay the least attention to in your life?
19) How do your friends perceive you? What is wrong about their perception? ? What would your friends never say about your personality ?
20) You got a whole day to do whatever you like. What kind of activities do you feel like doing?