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People on the cusp

substitute

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May 27, 2007
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ENTP
I can't think of any other way to put it, but I'm talking about people who have one or more letters of their MBTI type in question, or who have a pretty close call on one of them.

I'm interested to hear from people who are like this, or about them. For me it seems to represent the potential for going either way, where a person is theoretically suddenly made aware of a choice that's quite iminent, quite 'now', as to how they're going to be, how they're going to continue.

I mean, suppose you get a result of INFJ, with the F being only a very slight preference, only just enough to 'knock it over'. Do you go with F as your guide? Or do you consider the possibility of going with T? Do you have a sudden realisation that you could choose either one for your main mode, or that you have been alternating between the two all your life, with no major preference?

I say this because I was looking at the welcome thread for the IxFP, who wasn't sure whether she was S or N. My immediate thought was that, a while back, I wasn't sure whether I was E or I, having taken it as read for most of my life that I was an introvert - and nobody who knew me even up to six years ago would've disputed that. My personality gradually became more extraverted, until I found myself scoring a 60% preference for E in a test. Suddenly it opened up a new road to me - it got me thinking - hang on a minute, maybe my social skills and aspirations have changed a lot. Maybe I'm getting better at this. And it forced an alteration of my self-image. That in turn led to even greater extraversion so that now my preference is almost absolute towards E, and I find myself just as frustrated with introverts sometimes as I used to be overwhelmed and intimidated by extraverts.

I want to know how people who have a preference 'on the cusp' feel about it, or for people who are more sure about their preferences, whether they've ever doubted it or had a period in their life which, looking back, they can doubt whether they've always been the type they are now.

I'm just interested in that whole thing. Just give me your thoughts - any thoughts. Feed my Ne! :)
 

INTJMom

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I'm an INTJ with a high degree of INFJ.

When I read the positive attributes of each, I don't feel like either one describes me. As a matter of fact - since I am so self-critical - it was the descriptions of the negative traits that finally helped me decided which type I was.

I see F as a trait which helps people be diplomatic, but any diplomacy I use has all been learned and is awkward and mechanical for me. I didn't think I had that much F, but since I've come here, I have been very surprised to discover how much I think like the INFJs here.

I have changed a lot since I was young, but I'm sure I'm still an INTJ. I just work on being nicer than I started out to be. I care more about the impression I make on people than I did when I was a kid. I used to not care what people thought. I would be weird on purpose just to confuse them! I have learned some social skills so I don't embarrass my kids. :D

I'm not too cohesive tonight. Sorry.
 

Athenian200

Protocol Droid
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Jul 1, 2007
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8,828
MBTI Type
INFJ
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4w5
I've always been weak on the T/F scale. I've very rarely tested as T, though. I think it fits with the INFJ having Ti and Fe close to each other in functional order, all but overshadowed by Ni at times. It also fits with my enneagram type, 4w5.

Incidentally, I've heard 4 called sentimentalist, and 5 called the analyst. I heard a somewhat sensitive 5w4 call themselves a "mildly sentimental analyst," so I decided that I would call myself an "analytical sentimentalist." :)
 

The_Liquid_Laser

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Jul 11, 2007
Messages
3,376
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ENTP
I say this because I was looking at the welcome thread for the IxFP, who wasn't sure whether she was S or N. My immediate thought was that, a while back, I wasn't sure whether I was E or I, having taken it as read for most of my life that I was an introvert - and nobody who knew me even up to six years ago would've disputed that. My personality gradually became more extraverted, until I found myself scoring a 60% preference for E in a test. Suddenly it opened up a new road to me - it got me thinking - hang on a minute, maybe my social skills and aspirations have changed a lot. Maybe I'm getting better at this. And it forced an alteration of my self-image. That in turn led to even greater extraversion so that now my preference is almost absolute towards E, and I find myself just as frustrated with introverts sometimes as I used to be overwhelmed and intimidated by extraverts.

My experience in life has been very much like this. (Although I don't think I was ever overwhelmed by extraverts...just really shy in general.) Actually the first time I took some form of MBTI my result was xNxP. I identify with the descriptions of INTP, ENTP, and ENFP quite a bit, but after analyzing it I thought I was just a bit closer on ENTP than the others. Over the years though, the more I've found out about the three types, the more I realize that I am ENTP.
 

htb

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May 14, 2007
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Suddenly it opened up a new road to me - it got me thinking - hang on a minute, maybe my social skills and aspirations have changed a lot. Maybe I'm getting better at this. And it forced an alteration of my self-image. That in turn led to even greater extraversion so that now my preference is almost absolute towards E, and I find myself just as frustrated with introverts sometimes as I used to be overwhelmed and intimidated by extraverts.
One year ago I was beginning to scrutinously take personality tests, and as such results changed from INFJ to INTJ. At present, I would conjecture that as long as extraversion means "energized by the outer world" and/or "focus on people, things" as opposed to "the inner world" or "thoughts, concepts"; and that the cognitive sequence Te-Ni-Se-Fi results in a directive individual who prefers an executive/coordinator role to a specialist role; then I am very likely an ENTJ.
 

Recluse

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Sep 3, 2007
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213
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INXP
I scored close to the Thinker-Feeler divide but have always struggled with assimilating emotional content (both my own and others) into my thinking process.

I suspect that I may have scored as I did due to vacillating over the meanings of the questions themselves. For example, I recall wondering about a question concerning subjective thoughts: How can one's own thoughts not be subjective to some degree, since one cannot possibly know all and must therefore fall back at least partially on subjective data? I applied a similar line of reasoning to a question about biased thoughts.

Then again, I am aware of making some decisions based on what is important to me, which could qualify as values-based thinking.
 
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cascadeco

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If I'm honest about it, I think I'm quite on the cusp of T and F. I can honestly see both sides, and for me, being on the cusp actually gives me more issues, I think, because I feel like it's a constant tug of war - in the sense that I sometimes have no idea how I WANT to respond, because I can see both approaches/viewpoints. So it's almost like I can become...paralyzed?? I think this is where a lot of my thinking goes in circles. So it can truly becoming confusing for me, on more of a self-identity level. Which causes stress. And, I fear it would become perplexing to others that I meet - like I'm somehow inconsistent, or something.

In college, I hung out almost exclusively with engineers. There were about 8 total of us - a core group - and we pretty much hung out the entire 4 yrs. Some of the 'cool' engineers, hahaha. :p So I certainly have interacted with a lot of NT's and ST's in my life, and am friends with a few. But since college, I've become friends with mostly NF's, and can relate to them equally well.

I do think both preferences are necessary in life, and I see value in both; so in that sense I like where I'm at. But the tug of war thing, and being able to identify on some level, but not all levels of each, can leave me feeling extra 'undecided'? I AM a moderate, and I do strive for balance, but at the same time, it feels like a lack of strong commitment one way or another, even though I think a balanced approach is a commitment in itself.......just might not be viewed that way by others (or obviously even by myself sometimes ;-)....

My value system and how I want to treat others - with respect and kindness - means I ultimately lean towards F, and aspire more towards F, if you will. But I often have an internal 'T' dialogue, which bothers me, because I don't want to view people in a judgemental light. I really want to be open to others, and I do feel that I have that more empathetic, less strictly rational and more...warm? outlook towards others. I value harmony so much, and see no 'logic' in disharmony or total objectivity, so I can't relate to a strong T attitude.

I actually just got back from coffee with my best friend - a definite INFJ. We're both very into mbti stuff, and personality stuff definitely enters our conversations on a regular basis. I brought up the fact that I still think I'm on the cusp of F and T (I did use that word - funny to come home tonight with a new thread just about that! :), and she told me she could see both INFJ and INTJ in me.

So...I'll have to trust that she knows me best - we've been very close for about 3 yrs now. :)

Edit: I just took the cognitive functions test, and this is when I'm in a very non-stressed state, and my best fit was INFP. hehe. Bottom line is that my Ni and Fi are of excellent usage, Te is limited, and everything else is average (% differences are non-significant). Ah, I throw my hands up!! ;-)
 
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shimsham

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Oct 15, 2007
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infj
I'm pretty unclear on whether I should label myself as an INXJ or an INFJ (or even an INTJ, for that matter). I've always scored strongly on I,N, and J, but tend to vacillate between the T and the F. I more consistently score with a weak F, but occasionally get INTJ. I don't know whether this is because I work in science, so I'm constantly honing my Thinking skills, or whether I truly have no preference either way. My score definitely depends heavily on what I'm feeling and thinking about at the time.

I do know, however, that I consistently see the most "me" comments, if you will, when INFJs post, while I see little of myself in the INTJ comments.

I don't think that really clarified anything for anyone, but those are my two cents.
 

cascadeco

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I'm pretty unclear on whether I should label myself as an INXJ or an INFJ (or even an INTJ, for that matter). I've always scored strongly on I,N, and J, but tend to vacillate between the T and the F. I more consistently score with a weak F, but occasionally get INTJ. I don't know whether this is because I work in science, so I'm constantly honing my Thinking skills, or whether I truly have no preference either way. My score definitely depends heavily on what I'm feeling and thinking about at the time.

I do know, however, that I consistently see the most "me" comments, if you will, when INFJs post, while I see little of myself in the INTJ comments.

I don't think that really clarified anything for anyone, but those are my two cents.

I can relate to everything you posted!!! :) And also see more of 'me' when INFJs post, and can really relate on a deep level with my INFJ friends. Perhaps I should change my 'type' to INfXJ :D
 

Vortex

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Aug 29, 2007
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WOLF
I'm on the I/E thing. As a child I was very withdrawn and didn't particularly enjoy being near other people. That sounds wrong. As I child I was more drained by social interaction than I am today and needed to recharge alone to a much higher degree. I still have frequent times of what I would define as introversion, but not for longer stretches.
 
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substitute

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So it seems quite a few people who are reasonably sure of their dominant function are not so sure of their secondary one. This is interesting, because the effect on behaviour might be different to that experienced by someone whose 'doubt' lies in the E/I area, therefore not really knowing what your actual dominant function is. If it's supposed to be dominant, you'd think we wouldn't miss it! So how come we do?

I've often heard ENxP's say similar to what Vortex said there, myself included - that they were quite withdrawn and tended towards 'sedentary' hobbies as a child, such as drawing, reading, writing. And later in life developed a new sort of confidence, the lack of which seemed to be all that was holding them back before from fully engaging in the external world with a thirst for exploration both physical and social.
 

cascadeco

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So it seems quite a few people who are reasonably sure of their dominant function are not so sure of their secondary one.

And when you get into cognitive functions, this is where I become a mutant. ;) Because, with the cognitive function tests, both Ni and Fi are excellent usage, Te is limited, and everything else is average, with non-significant % differences between all the rest.

Te being limited builds a strong case for why I don't identify much with INTJ, and the high Ni is why I DO relate to INTJ, and have tested as one in the past.

High Fi throws in another wrench, though, because that speaks more towards INFP and ISFP. But ISFP is out of the question because I know some ISFP's in real life, and I'm nothing like them.

So, INFJ, INTJ, and INFP. I'm a blend of all 3? hahaha.
 

Totenkindly

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I suspect that I may have scored as I did due to vacillating over the meanings of the questions themselves. For example, I recall wonder about a question concerning subjective thoughts: How can one's own thoughts not be subjective to some degree, since one cannot possibly know all and must therefore fall back at least partially on subjective data? I applied a similar line of reasoning to a question about biased thoughts.

Exactly. of course, INTPs are subjective thinkers because they are centered internally, not externally. Being Ti means that the internal truth process is separated from outer reality, even if external data is being used to fuel the creation of the internal model. The INTP relates to the external environment not a thing in itself (objective -- see just what is there) but as something that impacts the internal world/model of the INTP (subjective -- the internalized world).

Anyhoo, I think only an omniscient person could be purely "objective." Since our POV is never all-inclusive, we can never be entirely "objective."

Then again, I am aware of making some decisions based on what is important to me, which could qualify as values-based thinking.

You're going to wear yourself out thinking so much. :)

Your posts remind me more of INTP (caught up in the "nature" of things and all the nuances and how things should be defined) rather than INFP (caught up in the personal evaluation of things as good/bad, not so hung up on the impersonal abstractions).

I do tend to see INFJs veer more into this style of thinking (if they have a strong Ti tertiary).
 

INTJMom

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So it seems quite a few people who are reasonably sure of their dominant function are not so sure of their secondary one. This is interesting, because the effect on behaviour might be different to that experienced by someone whose 'doubt' lies in the E/I area, therefore not really knowing what your actual dominant function is. If it's supposed to be dominant, you'd think we wouldn't miss it! So how come we do?

I've often heard ENxP's say similar to what Vortex said there, myself included - that they were quite withdrawn and tended towards 'sedentary' hobbies as a child, such as drawing, reading, writing. And later in life developed a new sort of confidence, the lack of which seemed to be all that was holding them back before from fully engaging in the external world with a thirst for exploration both physical and social.
Or maybe we just don't know as much as we think we do about how and when the different types and styles develop. :)
 

Totenkindly

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Or maybe we just don't know as much as we think we do about how and when the different types and styles develop. :)

We don't, really. :) The theoretical usually ends up being simpler than reality.

There are probably multiple common paths into each type (and the various ways it can "look" in reality). If we could examine the early life and maturation of individuals, we might be able to see some common patterns based on the starting points and ending points.
 

INTJMom

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We don't, really. :) The theoretical usually ends up being simpler than reality.

There are probably multiple common paths into each type (and the various ways it can "look" in reality). If we could examine the early life and maturation of individuals, we might be able to see some common patterns based on the starting points and ending points.
That goes to show me that we should really be careful and avoid being hard and fast in our judgments.
 

substitute

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And when you get into cognitive functions, this is where I become a mutant. ;) Because, with the cognitive function tests, both Ni and Fi are excellent usage, Te is limited, and everything else is average, with non-significant % differences between all the rest.

Te being limited builds a strong case for why I don't identify much with INTJ, and the high Ni is why I DO relate to INTJ, and have tested as one in the past.

High Fi throws in another wrench, though, because that speaks more towards INFP and ISFP. But ISFP is out of the question because I know some ISFP's in real life, and I'm nothing like them.

So, INFJ, INTJ, and INFP. I'm a blend of all 3? hahaha.

Sounds about right.

Though I definitely know Ne is my biggest function, I also have pretty strong Te, which I sometimes think is stronger than my Ti, but not stronger by any means, than my Ne. But then again, I often feel a great need to withdraw from the people I know, and though I often end up just going for a change of scene by seeing other people or going to other places, rather than being alone and 'still', there are times when I do need to be alone, even though being 'still' never recharges me and always makes me feel lethargic.

All I know is that I'm very much oriented towards action in the external world, but not just action - interaction with it. I can go for long periods when I don't see people and am quite happy that way, but I still don't think this makes me any more introverted because during those times i still need to be 'out there' and doing stuff, but alone. I couldn't just spend my days in front of a computer screen or at a desk - I'd wither away and die!! I really enjoy exploring and have such a high sense of wonder and appreciation for the things I discover, the places I see, I'm like an INFP sometimes, though when I read about Fi, I just don't relate to it at all, I don't know if I even have an Fi function, let alone a stunted one!! lol
 

Aven

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Apr 23, 2007
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I want to know how people who have a preference 'on the cusp' feel about it, or for people who are more sure about their preferences, whether they've ever doubted it or had a period in their life which, looking back, they can doubt whether they've always been the type they are now.

I'm just interested in that whole thing. Just give me your thoughts - any thoughts. Feed my Ne! :)

I actually seek out Ne-situations, and I did during my growing-up a lot, I still do, I am not sure what that means.

As to what you are referring to above, I test INTP and INTJ consistently, INTJ less so, but before I knew I was an INTP I was almost sure I was an INTJ, and in fact I most likely was.

I have never really doubted being a T, however people have seen me be really really extroverted and have said to me that I AM an extrovert, so to be honest, it really depends.
 

hotmale

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Oct 12, 2007
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ESTJ
People on the cusp on all traits have the best of everything.
 
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