How did you decide upon your type?

[goodgrief]

Testing and comparing myself to the descriptions. I'm always INTJ borderline INTP.

 

[OrangeAppled]

I took a short MBTI test in a book at age 17 and scored INTP. It upset me....I thought, "I am not a monster!". But I couldn't see myself as "F" because "Feeling" was described as being warm, friendly, making decisions based on emotion, etc, and that's not how I am. The description of the INFP was too fuzzy wuzzy, and I could see myself a bit in INTP, but it sounded so robotic & nerdy. So I wrote off MBTI as being about as valid as astrology ("Only 16 personalities? How stupid!").

Years later I'd take MBTI tests online out of boredom, and I sometimes scored INFP and INFJ. When I read those descriptions, they really hit home. I didn't put much interest into MBTI yet though....but I kept taking tests here & there & tested INxP most of the time, still sometimes INFJ.

I started to wonder exactly which type I was - so I headed over to INFPgc and saw myself in the writing style of some of the people, whereas browsing at INTP central & the INFJ forum left me cold. Finally, reading descriptions of Ti and Fi cemented I was Fi-dom, and I identified as INFP from then on. Plus, once I saw what Fe was, I was like, "oooh no - not me".

The more I continued to learn about MBTI & Jung's theory, the more sure I was of being INFP.

 

[Amethyst]

I've taken the test several times, the actual legit test as well as internet tests to 'check up' but every time...ENTP...I really see myself as a INFP, but that could be because my life has fallen into turmoil, and usually personalities reverse when in such turmoil.

 

[highlander]

I'm going to go ahead and take the liberty of answering for about 25% of people on TypoC:

"I figured ISFJ was too boring so I picked something else."

That's it. ISFJ here.

 

[stalemate]

I threw darts at a piece of paper and it said ENFP and then I carried it around with me and said "does this sound like me?" to everyone I know and they said "yeah, sure."

 

[stalemate]

I have come out ENFP every time I taken a test on this and the description pretty much nails it. Sometimes I say I am going to go read through all the descriptions and try to compare myself to each one just to make sure there isn't a better fit but I haven't really gotten around to it yet.

 

[Donna Cecilia]

You are asking as if the process of defining my MBTI type was like buying a new dress.

I discovered myself being an ISTJ when my actual Psychiatrist handed me a MBTI test, because the former one´s diagnose was a personality disorder. The test result was ISTJ, and at that time I just had some of its "negative" traits highly developed (he explained) I´m not suffering from any personality disorder.

Since then, as he suggested, I started studying MBTI just to accept myself and help other people to deal with me.

 

[Eckhart]

I did few tests 1-2 years ago where I had absolutely no clue about MBTI and the functions etc., plus the tests were more "ideal job direction" orientated I believe. I scored back then as INTP or INTJ; though I wasn't always honest to myself when answering questions, and had wrong image of the different functions which influenced my answering. I had also a different image of myself back then, which was more orientated on my outward behaviour and not on what is in my inner.

Now, some months ago I somehow found back to those MBTI tests and scored as INFP. I started to read profiles of the types and slowly was reading a bit into the functions. I registered on this forum here and asked people to type me and INFP seemed to be the best fit together with the profiles, so I decided on me being INFP. After that it seemed so clear to me, and I felt like I (re)discovered some things about me which underline this.

Of course, from time to time I ask myself whether it would be possible that it is a different type (for example when remembering about my childhood), but I come always to the conclusion that INFP probably fits best.

 

[Aleksei]

I first thought I was INTP and tested as such. Then I realized, wait a minute, I actually like parties and going out and being around people etc. I just don't do it too much because I'm shy. Then I took a test based on those revised assumptions and came up ENTP.

Then when I grew more interested in MBTI typology I spent a good deal of time examining myself to see if maybe I wasn't being entirely honest with myself about my type, and eventually concluded that I indeed am an ENTP and nothing but an ENTP.

 

[Halfjillhalfjack]

I only found out about the MBTI because I was interested in Helen Fisher's book (Why him Why her), and found that it was.....erm.... very lame in comparison to the MBTI .... I did some online tests and almost always came out as INFP, sometimes INFJ...... it really helped me to be around this forum....and to get to know the functions, and how they work together in a type, and after a while I HAD to conclude that I am definitively very INFJ, undeniably Ni and so not Ne .... when I didn't know much I didn't want to be an INFJ because for some reason I thought they were less cool ..... Studying the system more and more, also in comparison to people IRL I find that people are really not "better" because of their type....took me a while, but I found this relieving.... it still works somehow and explains lots of things, but leaves as many things open...... and I like seeing so many stereotypes invalidated ......like all the bright sensors I have in my life or the empathetic thinkers and stuff like these... sorry for rambling....

 

[Luigi]

A lot of research, conversation, and reflection. I have taken a lot of tests, but they don't really mean much to me. That's the best I can do in regards to explaining my experience and process. It hasn't been easy. It hasn't been quick. I've had a hard time being honest with myself about it all.

 

[Dashy CVII]

Typing = taking tests?/reading descriptions? Not quite. Typology is a study of the mind.

Before typing myself anything, I naturally understand I use Internal Abstract Perception as my primary mentality without having to first read any function descriptions. That's number one. INTJ has strong N, fairly equal T/F, and poor S. Ni is innately obvious in oneself even when it's not necessarily in agreement with the common description of Ni which is too specific. Ni is just Internal Abstract Perception, not necessarily anything to do with planning or making predictions, but just a general orientation of perception. That inward perception I know is strongest, followed by T, F, and weak S. Upon comparing myself to a lot of people who use External Abstract Perception, Ne being about picking up on intuitions in the external moment, Ni doesn't attune to externals, if you read Lenore Thomson, she also explains that INxJs are primarily attuned to their internal abstract perception, while Ne is outwardly attuned perception. I agree with Thomson's work on MBTI to the utmost degree. Very fundamental stuff that fixes typology and dichotomies like J/P. I relate best to INTJ based on her profile description and her well-defined dichotomies.

I decided I'd go ahead and write a shorthand for all the functions, though the F descriptions are subject to change, due to numerous conflicting information I have to consider:
Ne - External Abstract Perception
Ni - Internal Abstract Perception
Se - External Concrete Perception
Si - Internal Concrete Perception
Fe - Dependent Value Judgement*
Fi - Independent Value Judgement*
Te - Dependent Rational Judgement
Ti - Independent Rational Judgement

* Consider that F is not about Values, because values in themselves are not a dichotomy, but a primary given in humans. Consider F is instead about ethics as the MBTI tests describe. Fi isn't Independent Ethics, but like Socionics, the individualism and introversion are the primary influence of its brand of ethics, supplying as its ethical ideal upon others, self-sufficiency. IxTPs and ExFJs both tend to have a much more communally open and malleable form of ethics that isn't influenced by an introverted mindset. These descriptions are up for alteration.

If you want more understanding of how I type, see here as well as my signature.

 

[Earl Grey]

Step 1: Take test.
Step 2: 'Does this line up?'
Step 3: Realize it doesn't. Study MBTI.
Step 4: Stumble upon some type which suits you eerily well.
Step 5: Study it.
Step 6: ???
Step 7: Tadaa, type found.

 

[Population: 1]

I tested then read then tested then read etc.

Really it’s the subtle things that I related to from excerpts here and there while I gathered data. Each time something resonated with me it helped to convince me. If I were to have followed the stereotype, I’d still be searching.

 

[Mind Maverick]

• Tested as INTJ originally

• Tested more and did more research, trying to be certain

• Went through stages of thinking I was several types (all NT)

• Tested with a certified practitioner during an unhealthy time, walked away with INTP (Oddly enough, always expressed trouble with Se, even while thinking INTP)

• Stuck with that for a while

• Had some people point out my not-so-inferior Fe a year or two later

• Wondered if ENTP again, then eliminated as option (I'm definitely cognitively introverted)

• Read a particular INFJ source that resonates with me very well.........dismissed it but kept wondering as I interacted with others and noticed how different my responses were from other INTPs

• Everyone kept suggesting I have abnormal Fe for an INTP / saying I seem like an F type in general, and I was certain of Nx, Ti, Fe, and massive Se issues by now, certain of introversion that borderlines social extroversion at times, and 100% certain of not being Te inferior INFP bc I'm "tremendously logical," (probably looping) as one friend put it and I struggle more with Se than Te by a landslide, and I'm too firmly Ti, not Te

• ENTP friend helped me to get past the bias of wanting to be NT and come to terms with INFJ (he insisted I was one, too)

• It forced me to look across my memories / my life and realize INFJ fell into place for my entire life, including cognitive function development timing and placement. Everything all in order, and at the right times. Everything just suddenly made sense, and MBTI was no longer a convoluted jigsaw with pieces flying around everywhere. It all fell into place, naturally, just happened, not forced. It was just there and it lined up.

• It came to a checkmate, I had 0 evidence against INFJ, 0 counter-arguments once everything clicked. No more questions at all. Suddenly it made sense, and so did MBTI (which I was previously getting ready to discard).

So basically, I just didn't want to be an F.

Entire process was 4-5 years.
Practitioner testing was the 3rd year.
I never got an INFJ result in my entire time, not once. I had to learn the cognitive functions and get past my bias of needing to be a T. (I was raised to esteem logic highly.)
This is another possible reason for it all:

INFJ Ni-Ti loop: An INFJ in an Ni-Ti loop attempts to suppress their emotional side, shutting themselves off from others and becoming unable to share their feelings with those around them. They will become extremely withdrawn and private, attempting to become analytical and logical without employing their feeling side. They will attempt to view everything in a logical light while shutting off their tendency to consider things in the light of the feelings and values of those around them. In addition, they will repress their feelings.
Can you describe what each loop looks/acts like,... - Confessions of a Myers Briggs-aholic

Ni-Ti can easily be mistaken for Ti Dom and N type.
Honestly though...all along it was right in front of my face. I never doubted the N for a second, I've had others outside of MBTI interest circles comment on various things that MBTI calls N traits so I know it's not just self-delusion, and Se was what I claimed as my Achilles Heel even if it wasn't what I thought was my inferior function. That should have told me that I was Ni-Dom and Se-Inferior rather easily. With that, it leaves either INTJ or INFJ and since I know Te is consciously forced and exercised, while Ti is more natural...the answer is clear.

 

[Morpeko]

Well, as many people did I got into MBTI through the stupid tests. They pointed me in the direction of ISTJ so I typed that way for around three years. All the letters applied to me. I did a couple of questionnaires back then and those who replied overwhelmingly typed me as INTJ or ISTJ, and with my ignorance regarding the cognitive functions I ended up dismissing the possibility of me being an intuitive type because I'm very here-and-the-now and I dislike theories.

I didn't really think about typology much until a year ago when I got back into it. I did more questionnaires and actually read about cognitive functions, and gradually it became clear to me that I am definitely a Se user. I went by ISFP for a while when I was unhealthy but eventually I read about inferior Te and I don't think that applies to me. I'm pretty settled with ISTP nowadays, I'm currently searching for my enneagram tritype.

 

[Dashy CVII]

• ENTP friend helped me to get past the bias of wanting to be NT and come to terms with INFJ (he insisted I was one, too)

Well, INFJs and ENFPs are the NT of the NFs. My secondary and tertiary often seem equal to one another as well.

INFJ ≠ NF
INFJ = NFT

The thing with being an INTJ/ENTP is, upon tapping into your emotions/hanging out with people, they might think you're more F because you're using relateable emotions. What they could understand to type more holistically is, that emotions show up more around people, and that people might not understand what Feeling is, as Feeling is not necessarily about emotions, but about as Carl Jung said, one's values. Being around people for anyone brings out more emotions of relating, but not necessarily any strong Feelings.

 

[Lexicon]

There was no decision to be made, on my part. It’s all that ever made sense.

 

[Jaguar]

Ni-Ti can easily be mistaken for Ti Dom and N type.
Honestly though...all along it was right in front of my face. I never doubted the N for a second, I've had others outside of MBTI interest circles comment on various things that MBTI calls N traits so I know it's not just self-delusion, and Se was what I claimed as my Achilles Heel even if it wasn't what I thought was my inferior function. That should have told me that I was Ni-Dom and Se-Inferior rather easily. With that, it leaves either INTJ or INFJ and since I know Te is consciously forced and exercised, while Ti is more natural...the answer is clear.

You are making something normal sound like it's pathological. (That "stuck in a loop" nonsense has been floating around the net for years.)

Read:

The Faces of Personality Type Development
Faces of Personality Type | Myers Briggs

 

[rav3n]

Typed as an INTJ on the dichotomies premised humanmetrics online test since the E/I dichotomy was solely focused on the social element. Posted on an INTJ centric site and noticed a definitive pattern difference between myself and INTJs. Some members pointed me towards resources that focused on cognitive functions, particularly the inferior function which nailed it for me as an eNTJ. Here and there, I still entertain the possibility of INTJ until I interact with them and then the divide is clearly noted. I'm high on assertiveness and low on sociability, not because I can't socialise from feeling drained but because of my cynicism towards the human race.