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Input would be appreciated

tsumatachi_san

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
91
MBTI Type
ISTJ
Enneagram
4w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
1) What aspect of your personality made you unsure of your type?
I've been doing some browsing and had some people comment. I don't really want to say too much so I can avoid influencing opinions.

2) What do you yearn for in life? Why?
To create something good - good by my standard of the word. I want to make something I can be proud of and reach a high level of proficiency at my writing. I also want to learn several languages, if possible, because if I travel and find myself in a country with a language I can't understand, I feel disturbed (happened recently when I went to France to visit a friend).

3) Think about a time where you felt like you were at your finest. Tell us what made you feel that way.
When I was thinking up a plot to a story/solving plot issues/working things out in the world of the story. Solving problems and puzzles is fulfilling. Getting into the flow of the story is also a great feeling.
Also, when I was able to actually protect/stand up for people I care about.

4) What makes you feel inferior?
When people tell me I'm unable to do something. When people jump to conclusions and won't listen to reason - so if it's like I'm talking to a brick wall or they just don't understand what I'm getting at. When I'm caught off-guard and don't have a moment to process.

5) What tends to weigh on your decisions? (Do you think about people, pro-cons, how you feel about it, etc.)
Mostly pros and cons. I used to worry more about people getting upset and/or angry and there being an argument (they're tiring), but now I tend not to be very affected by arguments.
With decisions such as which course to take in university, I worked out what I enjoyed/found fulfilling (writing and languages), then which would be the most useful in the long run/which I thought I needed teaching to help me with (languages), so went with languages.

6) When working on a project what is normally your emphasis? Do you like to have control of the outcome?
I write a vague idea out, then begin to fill it in. I'll do reading to check there are enough sources and they're reliable enough, then use the information I (scan-)read in those to fill in areas I'm unsure of. I'll then work through it until it has a good flow and makes sense.
I don't enjoy group work because of having to remain aware of what everyone else is doing, and creating back-ups for if they don't do it.

7) Describe us a time where you had a lot of fun. How is your memory of it?
It's hard to remember exactly. I had fun when my mum, sister, and I went out for a walk the other day and got to look around an old house/museum. I also enjoyed getting a new idea for a story and working through it to see how it could turn out. It's not so much a memory a vague idea of 'that happened'.

8) When you want to learn something new, what feels more natural for you? (Are you more prone to be hands on, to theorize, to memorize, etc)
I read it until I understand it, then check my understanding by comparing my idea to the source. I'm very visual, so most of my revision is reading.

9) How organized do you to think of yourself as?
I have a general idea of where I want to be in the future and a few ideas of how to reach that point. I used to be much more rigid when I was younger and firmly decided on a career choice long before most of my friends. Now I'm more open to waiting to see how things go, while getting work experience along the way for a variety of positions.
With work, I just sit down and get on with it. I work almost solidly until it's done.
In terms of organising space like my desk, everything is within arm's reach, but it's been called 'organised chaos' before.

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?
I tend to think on it for a while, do some research if I'm interested, and work out (mostly using the context of when/where it appeared) why it would be presented in such a way and if that makes it less valid.

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?
By being allowed to go at my own pace and not being interfered with. I prefer it when people aren't arguing, but I won't go out of my way to avoid an argument if something really bothers me (i.e. a friend trying to leave my sister's boyfriend at the time out of playing an online DnD session, which just got on my nerves because there was no reason for it, so I decided to leave, which led to an argument).

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?
I think before most things, so much so I tend to miss out of actually doing things sometimes. I prefer one-to-one communication, because it's easier to keep track of. In groups, I tend to go off with one person or zone out.

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?
I prefer to know a bit about where I'd be going. I might still go regardless, but I'd feel uneasy.
Actions show more generally, but it depends on the person.

14) It's Saturday. You're at home, and your favourite show is about to start. Your friends call you for a night out. What will you do?
If it's a really good show and wherever they are is a long way away, I'd leave it. I might arrange to meet up some other time instead.

15) How do you act when you're stressed out?
I get very critical. I get clumsier and forgetful. I feel like I'm juggling too many things, even if I'm not, and that I just want to go somewhere quiet and sleep. I get filled with anxiety and want to be left completely alone. I can also be more emotional/have bursts of sudden emotion.
I tend to fight the urge to get away from the stress and face it instead. Sometimes it can take a while to work out what's causing it though.

16) What makes you dislike the personalities of some people?
It's not so much about certain traits so much as an overall collection. I could say I don't like selfish people, but a lot of my friends and even myself could be considered selfish to a certain degree.

17) Is there anything you really like talking about with other people?
Language, ideas, things which we can delve into for a long time. But only if I'm close to the person I'm discussing them with.

18) What kind of things do pay the least attention to in your life?
Everyday things like food shopping, tidying, cooking etc. I can get very lazy with them and, for one year of university, I lived off the same meal most days because it was fast and easy (I did get bored with it though).

19) How do your friends perceive you? What is wrong about their perception? What would your friends never say about your personality?
I asked, because I have no idea:
"You have an air of being a bit sad, very smart, like your brain's working a lot, very singular logic (your own, no one else's), caring but forgetful, when you're stressed you tend to get upset easily, you don't like to let on that people's opinions matter to you, you're very protective, you hate invasions of personal space, you like to have fun, but also enjoy learning a lot, you like to be with people but also away from them, your face reveals your emotions easily."

I wasn't aware I came off as sad, or that my emotions showed easily. I think I'm not as smart as they make out, maybe I just look thoughtful. When I'm stressed, I can get upset, but not much these days (when I was young, I cried a lot when stressed).

I have no idea what they'd never say about my personality.

20) You got a whole day to do whatever you like. What kind of activities do you feel like doing?
Sleep until I'm rested, study some Japanese, play video games, read, write (a lot), go to the cinema to see a good film, find an interesting article to read (probably about writing, anthropology etc.), listen to some good music. I'd like to take everything at my own pace.
 

tsumatachi_san

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
91
MBTI Type
ISTJ
Enneagram
4w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
Just boosting this however many months later. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 

Dopa

New member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
37
MBTI Type
INTP
I decided to just re-quote you and add my comments in [bold brackets]:

1) What aspect of your personality made you unsure of your type?
I've been doing some browsing and had some people comment. I don't really want to say too much so I can avoid influencing opinions. [These forums are predominantly INxx types, so that's a bit of a partial filter right off the bat (it takes an introspective sort of person to even be interested in this stuff, let alone write posts like these trying to analyze and get to the bottom of it). Everything is a partial filter, btw, because there are always exceptions in typology.]

2) What do you yearn for in life? Why?
To create something good - good by my standard of the word. I want to make something I can be proud of and reach a high level of proficiency at my writing [This is very Ni - both in terms of consciously wanting to reach a high level of proficiency (NTJ especially), and the taste for writing in general]. I also want to learn several languages, if possible, because if I travel and find myself in a country with a language I can't understand, I feel disturbed (happened recently when I went to France to visit a friend)[Again, very Ni. Ni types love seeing and analyzing different languages and cultural perspectives. They enjoy things of a cerebral nature in general, as opposed to physical].

3) Think about a time where you felt like you were at your finest. Tell us what made you feel that way.
When I was thinking up a plot to a story/solving plot issues/working things out in the world of the story[Very Ni]. Solving problems and puzzles is fulfilling[Also very Ni]. Getting into the flow of the story is also a great feeling.
Also, when I was able to actually protect/stand up for people I care about.

4) What makes you feel inferior?
When people tell me I'm unable to do something[NTJ 'competency' drive]. When people jump to conclusions and won't listen to reason [NT] - so if it's like I'm talking to a brick wall or they just don't understand what I'm getting at. When I'm caught off-guard and don't have a moment to process [Hints at introversion].

5) What tends to weigh on your decisions? (Do you think about people, pro-cons, how you feel about it, etc.)
Mostly pros and cons. I used to worry more about people getting upset and/or angry and there being an argument (they're tiring), but now I tend not to be very affected by arguments [I could see this going either way, but I don't rule out INFJ; more, though, I think it has to do with maturity level regardless of type.].
With decisions such as which course to take in university, I worked out what I enjoyed/found fulfilling (writing and languages), then which would be the most useful in the long run/which I thought I needed teaching to help me with (languages), so went with languages [Seems kind of like an NJ vibe to me. NJs are strategic in their approach to life and career, and it is on the forefront of their mind].

6) When working on a project what is normally your emphasis? Do you like to have control of the outcome?
I write a vague idea out, then begin to fill it in. I'll do reading to check there are enough sources and they're reliable enough, then use the information I (scan-)read in those to fill in areas I'm unsure of. I'll then work through it until it has a good flow and makes sense [Again, a strategic, organized approach with an NJ vibe].
I don't enjoy group work because of having to remain aware of what everyone else is doing, and creating back-ups for if they don't do it [Suggests introversion, introverts prefer to work alone.. again, not definitive.].

7) Describe us a time where you had a lot of fun. How is your memory of it?
It's hard to remember exactly. I had fun when my mum, sister, and I went out for a walk the other day and got to look around an old house/museum [Old houses / museums are a sort of Ni-porn]. I also enjoyed getting a new idea for a story and working through it to see how it could turn out. It's not so much a memory a vague idea of 'that happened'.

8) When you want to learn something new, what feels more natural for you? (Are you more prone to be hands on, to theorize, to memorize, etc)
I read it until I understand it, then check my understanding by comparing my idea to the source [Ni]. I'm very visual, so most of my revision is reading.

9) How organized do you to think of yourself as?
I have a general idea of where I want to be in the future and a few ideas of how to reach that point. I used to be much more rigid when I was younger and firmly decided on a career choice long before most of my friends. Now I'm more open to waiting to see how things go, while getting work experience along the way for a variety of positions [Getting a very NJ vibe from this].
With work, I just sit down and get on with it. I work almost solidly until it's done [J's tend to operate this way more than P's].
In terms of organising space like my desk, everything is within arm's reach, but it's been called 'organised chaos' before [Could be NP, but NJs also tend to be a bit more chaotic in the physical landscape than SJs. Their thinking is more what is organized.].

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?
I tend to think on it for a while, do some research if I'm interested, and work out (mostly using the context of when/where it appeared) why it would be presented in such a way and if that makes it less valid [You are almost definitely an N, that is the strongest of the 4 I am seeing.].

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?
By being allowed to go at my own pace and not being interfered with. I prefer it when people aren't arguing, but I won't go out of my way to avoid an argument if something really bothers me (i.e. a friend trying to leave my sister's boyfriend at the time out of playing an online DnD session, which just got on my nerves because there was no reason for it, so I decided to leave, which led to an argument). [You seem to have a somewhat strong aversion to arguing, which suggests not INTP, and may indicate INFJ over INTJ. INFP isn't totally ruled out either, but I'm still leaning toward J with you, especially because of the career thinking. Career stuff is anathema to INFPs.]

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?
I think before most things, so much so I tend to miss out of actually doing things sometimes. I prefer one-to-one communication, because it's easier to keep track of. In groups, I tend to go off with one person or zone out. [Strongly suggests introversion.]

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?
I prefer to know a bit about where I'd be going. I might still go regardless, but I'd feel uneasy.
Actions show more generally, but it depends on the person.

14) It's Saturday. You're at home, and your favourite show is about to start. Your friends call you for a night out. What will you do?
If it's a really good show and wherever they are is a long way away, I'd leave it. I might arrange to meet up some other time instead.

15) How do you act when you're stressed out?
I get very critical. I get clumsier and forgetful. I feel like I'm juggling too many things, even if I'm not, and that I just want to go somewhere quiet and sleep. I get filled with anxiety and want to be left completely alone. I can also be more emotional/have bursts of sudden emotion.
I tend to fight the urge to get away from the stress and face it instead. Sometimes it can take a while to work out what's causing it though. [Seems kind of inconclusive, but perhaps this is best classified as an IxxJ approach to stress - the wanting to be alone and having a hard time with emotions, but facing it despite the urges. An IxxP is more likely to put it off.]

16) What makes you dislike the personalities of some people?
It's not so much about certain traits so much as an overall collection. I could say I don't like selfish people, but a lot of my friends and even myself could be considered selfish to a certain degree.

17) Is there anything you really like talking about with other people?
Language, ideas, things which we can delve into for a long time. But only if I'm close to the person I'm discussing them with. [Sounds INxx again.]

18) What kind of things do pay the least attention to in your life?
Everyday things like food shopping, tidying, cooking etc. I can get very lazy with them and, for one year of university, I lived off the same meal most days because it was fast and easy (I did get bored with it though). [Ns aren't to concerned with any of that stuff, generally, unless they can make some intellectual game of it, which many NJs do with something like cooking.]

19) How do your friends perceive you? What is wrong about their perception? What would your friends never say about your personality?
I asked, because I have no idea:
"You have an air of being a bit sad, very smart, like your brain's working a lot, very singular logic (your own, no one else's), caring but forgetful, [All of these indicate introverted-intuitive]when you're stressed you tend to get upset easily, you don't like to let on that people's opinions matter to you [Could indicate T over F], you're very protective, you hate invasions of personal space [Introversion], you like to have fun, but also enjoy learning a lot, you like to be with people but also away from them, your face reveals your emotions easily."

I wasn't aware I came off as sad, or that my emotions showed easily. I think I'm not as smart as they make out, maybe I just look thoughtful. When I'm stressed, I can get upset, but not much these days (when I was young, I cried a lot when stressed).

I have no idea what they'd never say about my personality.

20) You got a whole day to do whatever you like. What kind of activities do you feel like doing?
Sleep until I'm rested, study some Japanese, play video games, read, write (a lot), go to the cinema to see a good film, find an interesting article to read (probably about writing, anthropology etc.), listen to some good music. I'd like to take everything at my own pace. [Again, your interests are very Ni sounding, but I am not as sure about whether your auxiliary is Te or Fe.]

So overall I would say it is very likely that you are introverted and intuitive. It is less certain whether you are thinking or feeling, and I feel moderately confident that you are a J and not a P. Overall I would probably say INTJ, partly because that's what you already seem to identify as, and the tests are usually pretty good, but also partly because you seem to be more interested in "things" than "relationships". I've noticed that INFJs are career people often times, but they see their intellectual pursuits as somewhat secondary to their social lives, and thinking about relationships and people. You seem to go more out of your way to emphasize your interest in languages, writing, etc. So INTJ sounds like a pretty good fit to me.
 

tsumatachi_san

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
91
MBTI Type
ISTJ
Enneagram
4w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
I decided to just re-quote you and add my comments in [bold brackets]:

So overall I would say it is very likely that you are introverted and intuitive. It is less certain whether you are thinking or feeling, and I feel moderately confident that you are a J and not a P. Overall I would probably say INTJ, partly because that's what you already seem to identify as, and the tests are usually pretty good, but also partly because you seem to be more interested in "things" than "relationships". I've noticed that INFJs are career people often times, but they see their intellectual pursuits as somewhat secondary to their social lives, and thinking about relationships and people. You seem to go more out of your way to emphasize your interest in languages, writing, etc. So INTJ sounds like a pretty good fit to me.
Thank you for the reply. I do enjoy studying things a lot, but when I was younger I used to be almost equally interested in people (and was a lot 'nicer'). As I am now, I have a strong interest in anthropology and studying people and cultures, but I find interpersonal relationships very difficult.
I was wondering if you could give me some more examples of INFJs vs INTJs, if possible? Just things you've noticed would be interesting.
 

Dopa

New member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
37
MBTI Type
INTP
[MENTION=8240]tsumatachi_san[/MENTION] Well, let's break it down.

INTJ is Ni/Te/Fi/Se
INFJ is Ni/Fe/Ti/Se

I think of Te as a sort of "managerial" function and Fe as a "social ritual" one. Things can be a bit confusing because often times, the social ritual is to be managerial. I think INFJs tend to be career oriented because for one thing, they are smart, and for another, it's what you do. You get a career and you try to succeed in it.

What was odd to me about the INFJs I have known, though, was the compartmentalization they seemed to demonstrate. I knew a few fellow chemistry majors who were INFJs. While I enjoyed talking about chemistry for its own sake outside of class, the INFJs all but forgot about science when they weren't doing it for some planned reason. They were good about it, but they didn't care too much about it for its own sake.

INTJs tend to care about these things, and more. They like academic or technical details which others often find dry or esoteric. Ni-Te is big on logistics, too. Specifications. Procedures. Data and analysis. Going on a camping trip with one can be a whirlwind of well-thought-out gear, maps, routes, landmarks, skills, etc. A couple examples I can think of are Walter White and Jean Luc Picard. INTJs can wind up being the "stiff" in odd-couple pairings quite frequently, often accompanied by the free-wheeling, rule breaking, joke-cracking, improvising ExxP. The NASA program may be the true archetype of the INTJ, with its insane level of detail oriented planning and logistical know-how, along with the far-outness of space as opposed to more ISTJ matters which involve similar detail, like police work. And yes, an INTJ can certainly be just as interested in languages and cultures - it seems to me quite possible to sort of see relationships as things, but still have a sort of fundamental difference with the feeling-types. Any T who dabbles in typology engages in that sort of thing quite a bit.

INFJs honestly kind of baffle me. For some reason I have a history of them developing crushes on me, somewhat to my dismay, because I don't tend to find much common ground with them. I think the initial connection happens because we both realize the other is smart and intuitive. But that is something an INFJ finds attractive in a much more superficial sense, IMO. To me it isn't about the other person just being a smart person. It's about talking about smart people things with them. I have found that INFJs have the intelligence but prefer instead to emote. They are both highly intelligent and they care about social ritual. That just kind of blows my mind. Granted, they care about it differently, and are often open to more enlightened thinking about it... but they center on it nonetheless. With auxiliary Fe, that's going to happen by definition.

A few examples of INFJs, hm.. I think Leonard from Big Bang Theory is an INFJ. And Evan from Superbad. INFJs are kind of like dorks in disguise a lot of the time. Smart, cerebral, and well prepared, but at the same time trying to fit into to a mainstream of sensates.
 

tsumatachi_san

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
91
MBTI Type
ISTJ
Enneagram
4w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
[MENTION=8240]tsumatachi_san[/MENTION] Well, let's break it down.

INTJ is Ni/Te/Fi/Se
INFJ is Ni/Fe/Ti/Se

I think of Te as a sort of "managerial" function and Fe as a "social ritual" one. Things can be a bit confusing because often times, the social ritual is to be managerial. I think INFJs tend to be career oriented because for one thing, they are smart, and for another, it's what you do. You get a career and you try to succeed in it.

What was odd to me about the INFJs I have known, though, was the compartmentalization they seemed to demonstrate. I knew a few fellow chemistry majors who were INFJs. While I enjoyed talking about chemistry for its own sake outside of class, the INFJs all but forgot about science when they weren't doing it for some planned reason. They were good about it, but they didn't care too much about it for its own sake.

INTJs tend to care about these things, and more. They like academic or technical details which others often find dry or esoteric. Ni-Te is big on logistics, too. Specifications. Procedures. Data and analysis. Going on a camping trip with one can be a whirlwind of well-thought-out gear, maps, routes, landmarks, skills, etc. A couple examples I can think of are Walter White and Jean Luc Picard. INTJs can wind up being the "stiff" in odd-couple pairings quite frequently, often accompanied by the free-wheeling, rule breaking, joke-cracking, improvising ExxP. The NASA program may be the true archetype of the INTJ, with its insane level of detail oriented planning and logistical know-how, along with the far-outness of space as opposed to more ISTJ matters which involve similar detail, like police work. And yes, an INTJ can certainly be just as interested in languages and cultures - it seems to me quite possible to sort of see relationships as things, but still have a sort of fundamental difference with the feeling-types. Any T who dabbles in typology engages in that sort of thing quite a bit.

INFJs honestly kind of baffle me. For some reason I have a history of them developing crushes on me, somewhat to my dismay, because I don't tend to find much common ground with them. I think the initial connection happens because we both realize the other is smart and intuitive. But that is something an INFJ finds attractive in a much more superficial sense, IMO. To me it isn't about the other person just being a smart person. It's about talking about smart people things with them. I have found that INFJs have the intelligence but prefer instead to emote. They are both highly intelligent and they care about social ritual. That just kind of blows my mind. Granted, they care about it differently, and are often open to more enlightened thinking about it... but they center on it nonetheless. With auxiliary Fe, that's going to happen by definition.

A few examples of INFJs, hm.. I think Leonard from Big Bang Theory is an INFJ. And Evan from Superbad. INFJs are kind of like dorks in disguise a lot of the time. Smart, cerebral, and well prepared, but at the same time trying to fit into to a mainstream of sensates.

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain in such detail. After reading through that, I think I'm fairly sure of INTJ over INFJ as I'm not really into people themselves, but rather the study of people/behaviours etc. Still, I'm not sure if that's something which developed more over time, as when I was younger, I wasn't sociable at all, and kind of lived in my own bubble, but I had more awareness... maybe? Plus, I used to type as INFJ all the time, but that was when I was still learning about MBTI etc.
 

tine5

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
52
MBTI Type
ISTP
Enneagram
6w7
Instinctual Variant
sx/so
1) What aspect of your personality made you unsure of your type?
I've been doing some browsing and had some people comment. I don't really want to say too much so I can avoid influencing opinions.

2) What do you yearn for in life? Why?
To create something good - good by my standard of the word. I want to make something I can be proud of and reach a high level of proficiency at my writing. I also want to learn several languages, if possible, because if I travel and find myself in a country with a language I can't understand, I feel disturbed (happened recently when I went to France to visit a friend).
Fi? - subjective, 'good', self achievement.
3) Think about a time where you felt like you were at your finest. Tell us what made you feel that way.
When I was thinking up a plot to a story/solving plot issues/working things out in the world of the story. Solving problems and puzzles is fulfilling. Getting into the flow of the story is also a great feeling.
Also, when I was able to actually protect/stand up for people I care about.
Fi with the protecting etc bit, Te with the being productive bit.
4) What makes you feel inferior?
When people tell me I'm unable to do something. When people jump to conclusions and won't listen to reason - so if it's like I'm talking to a brick wall or they just don't understand what I'm getting at. When I'm caught off-guard and don't have a moment to process.
Maybe inferior Te?
5) What tends to weigh on your decisions? (Do you think about people, pro-cons, how you feel about it, etc.)
Mostly pros and cons. I used to worry more about people getting upset and/or angry and there being an argument (they're tiring), but now I tend not to be very affected by arguments.
With decisions such as which course to take in university, I worked out what I enjoyed/found fulfilling (writing and languages), then which would be the most useful in the long run/which I thought I needed teaching to help me with (languages), so went with languages.
Again, not completely logical and more subjective - not taking something that will make you secure but taking something fulfilling.
6) When working on a project what is normally your emphasis? Do you like to have control of the outcome?
I write a vague idea out, then begin to fill it in. I'll do reading to check there are enough sources and they're reliable enough, then use the information I (scan-)read in those to fill in areas I'm unsure of. I'll then work through it until it has a good flow and makes sense.
I don't enjoy group work because of having to remain aware of what everyone else is doing, and creating back-ups for if they don't do it.
Intuitive?
7) Describe us a time where you had a lot of fun. How is your memory of it?
It's hard to remember exactly. I had fun when my mum, sister, and I went out for a walk the other day and got to look around an old house/museum. I also enjoyed getting a new idea for a story and working through it to see how it could turn out. It's not so much a memory a vague idea of 'that happened'.

8) When you want to learn something new, what feels more natural for you? (Are you more prone to be hands on, to theorize, to memorize, etc)
I read it until I understand it, then check my understanding by comparing my idea to the source. I'm very visual, so most of my revision is reading.

9) How organized do you to think of yourself as?
I have a general idea of where I want to be in the future and a few ideas of how to reach that point. I used to be much more rigid when I was younger and firmly decided on a career choice long before most of my friends. Now I'm more open to waiting to see how things go, while getting work experience along the way for a variety of positions.
With work, I just sit down and get on with it. I work almost solidly until it's done.
In terms of organising space like my desk, everything is within arm's reach, but it's been called 'organised chaos' before.
Seems quite xxFP in the 'seeing how things go' bit. Work experiece etc is just being prepared. Organised chaos makes me think xxFP.
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?
I tend to think on it for a while, do some research if I'm interested, and work out (mostly using the context of when/where it appeared) why it would be presented in such a way and if that makes it less valid.
This seems more perceiving dominant than judging...
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?
By being allowed to go at my own pace and not being interfered with. I prefer it when people aren't arguing, but I won't go out of my way to avoid an argument if something really bothers me (i.e. a friend trying to leave my sister's boyfriend at the time out of playing an online DnD session, which just got on my nerves because there was no reason for it, so I decided to leave, which led to an argument).
A bit Fi? Not avoiding conflict if you care?
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?
I think before most things, so much so I tend to miss out of actually doing things sometimes. I prefer one-to-one communication, because it's easier to keep track of. In groups, I tend to go off with one person or zone out.

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?
I prefer to know a bit about where I'd be going. I might still go regardless, but I'd feel uneasy.
Actions show more generally, but it depends on the person.
Sensing?
14) It's Saturday. You're at home, and your favourite show is about to start. Your friends call you for a night out. What will you do?
If it's a really good show and wherever they are is a long way away, I'd leave it. I might arrange to meet up some other time instead.

15) How do you act when you're stressed out?
I get very critical. I get clumsier and forgetful. I feel like I'm juggling too many things, even if I'm not, and that I just want to go somewhere quiet and sleep. I get filled with anxiety and want to be left completely alone. I can also be more emotional/have bursts of sudden emotion.
I tend to fight the urge to get away from the stress and face it instead. Sometimes it can take a while to work out what's causing it though.

16) What makes you dislike the personalities of some people?
It's not so much about certain traits so much as an overall collection. I could say I don't like selfish people, but a lot of my friends and even myself could be considered selfish to a certain degree.

17) Is there anything you really like talking about with other people?
Language, ideas, things which we can delve into for a long time. But only if I'm close to the person I'm discussing them with.

18) What kind of things do pay the least attention to in your life?
Everyday things like food shopping, tidying, cooking etc. I can get very lazy with them and, for one year of university, I lived off the same meal most days because it was fast and easy (I did get bored with it though).

19) How do your friends perceive you? What is wrong about their perception? What would your friends never say about your personality?
I asked, because I have no idea:
"You have an air of being a bit sad, very smart, like your brain's working a lot, very singular logic (your own, no one else's), caring but forgetful, when you're stressed you tend to get upset easily, you don't like to let on that people's opinions matter to you, you're very protective, you hate invasions of personal space, you like to have fun, but also enjoy learning a lot, you like to be with people but also away from them, your face reveals your emotions easily."
Probably introverted dom?
I wasn't aware I came off as sad, or that my emotions showed easily. I think I'm not as smart as they make out, maybe I just look thoughtful. When I'm stressed, I can get upset, but not much these days (when I was young, I cried a lot when stressed).

I have no idea what they'd never say about my personality.

20) You got a whole day to do whatever you like. What kind of activities do you feel like doing?
Sleep until I'm rested, study some Japanese, play video games, read, write (a lot), go to the cinema to see a good film, find an interesting article to read (probably about writing, anthropology etc.), listen to some good music. I'd like to take everything at my own pace.
Hope that helps!
 

tsumatachi_san

New member
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Oct 12, 2009
Messages
91
MBTI Type
ISTJ
Enneagram
4w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
I've recently had the comment I might be INFP. Would anyone have any helpful input they could give?
 

robert666

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Mar 16, 2015
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148
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INTJ
I've recently had the comment I might be INFP. Would anyone have any helpful input they could give?


I've been looking through your posts in this thread and the other three where you have been struggling with nailing down your personality type.

http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/what-s-my-type-/56046-infp-intp.html
http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/what-s-my-type-/59719-intp-intj-4.html
http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/what-s-my-type-/66301-intp-infp-6.html

You don't quite fit perfectly in terms of the type descriptions for the types you've been looking at, at least at first glance. So I'll give you my perspective and ask some questions. I do believe that you are an INFP, and I'll try to confirm that with you as you provide more information to my questions. It is however important that you be honest with yourself when answering.

This first post in one of the threads is very telling.
I've been typed as an INFJ for a long time, but I've never really felt I understood the functions properly. And, after some research, I looked up Ne and discovered that's there instead of the Ni I first thought. I still know I lead with an introverted function, but it's pretty close between Fi and Ti (a bit more to Fi).

I tend to make judgements based on logic, but a logic that is very flexible and can change quickly without me even realising it. However, I also tend to judge based on what I believe to be right, as well as it being logical. I don't like to colour situations with my feelings if they aren't about me, as it takes away from the external situation. I do, however, use emotions a lot as a judge and a sort of 'filter' for things - if I like/dislike things, if something bad/good has been done etc..

I find that, often, I am polite to people because that keeps people from getting angry/engaged with me and if I smile (which I seem to do a lot as a nervous tick) I get left alone. I very rarely argue with anyone, only the people I'm closest to, or if I can't let something go. I don't really hold grudges or take criticism badly, but I am sensitive to people's words and am affected by them greatly (recently, my mum told me not to take things employees in somewhere said personally, and as I went to deny that I did, I realised I couldn't).
It seems that your judgements are based on logic, but you do feel the emotions significantly and manage to keep them in check.
You also are to be quite sensitive to what other people say. But it appears that you don't quite want to admit it or acknowledge the feelings. Would it be fair to say that avoiding engagement with people ensures that you are not hurt? The underlined portion in the quote above is a complete contradiction. You're saying that you don't take criticism badly and yet you are very sensitive to people's words.


Here are some more examples from your posts. I've bolded the parts that show you doing things to avoid conflict, and also where you are socially anxious or sensitive. The underlined portion is where you seem to be denying how sensitive you are to other people's criticism.

Hmm, maybe. I tend not to be concerned with social expectations and pretty much do my own thing (as long as I don't stand out, I'm fine). I do feel I'm being polite to avoid confrontations a fair amount of the time, but also that being polite is kind of... good. I keep telling my sister that manners cost nothing, lol.


list of traits:
-very independent
-dislikes confrontation
-hard worker (but could work harder)

-slightly obsessive
-doesn't need much time with people, but enjoys close friends' company on and off
-struggles with work (I'm very unsure of myself in the workplace)
-doesn't struggle with education (I feel very confident in a classroom)
-very shy and socially anxious


I used to be more emotionally driven and use my emotions to judge something (good/bad, right/wrong etc.), but now I detach myself from things and look at them very objectively - even on personal matters. I can rationalise things to myself, but I guess in the end my emotions are still 'in charge' because I can say 'this is this', but I'll still feel a certain way about it.


With the 'dread of the opposite sex' thing, I feel more concerned by the idea of people being interested in me and focusing on me.


When I worked in a bakery (which was very fast-paced) I did each task exactly the same, in the same order and at the same pace. I never bothered to think about how to improve it, because I just didn't care about the job enough - however, I still worked a lot more efficiently than my co-workers and only got told off a couple of times for speaking too quietly (I tried a little to speak louder and practised projecting my voice, but it just didn't work, so I explained about having chronic throat infections etc.). Overall, I did just what was expected/needed and no more.
When I worked in a clothes shop, I tended to work at the pace set (given an hour to tidy the sale rack, did it a little faster, but kept fiddling with it until time was up). I also didn't mind the tasks everyone else said were awful, like cleaning gum out an escalator (mostly because I didn't have to talk to people while I did it).
In both jobs, I had the habit of trying to figure things out by myself rather than ask - I went and searched for something for a while until my boss came to find me and told me to ask next time, and in the clothes shop I walked very confidently in the wrong direction when asked to get some shoes.


I can get slightly scattered when stressed, and I tend to get stressed in customer service jobs, so that's one explanation.


I find that I try to reason out emotions, like if I'm feeling unhappy, I ask myself why and try to find the root cause. I also rarely act purely on either gut feelings or emotions, because each time I have previously, it led to an unpleasant situation. I do have very strong principles and do tend to call people up on things I think are incorrect or 'wrong', unless it's related to me. I guess I am quite impersonal.


5) What tends to weigh on your decisions? (Do you think about people, pro-cons, how you feel about it, etc.)
Mostly pros and cons. I used to worry more about people getting upset and/or angry and there being an argument (they're tiring), but now I tend not to be very affected by arguments.
With decisions such as which course to take in university, I worked out what I enjoyed/found fulfilling (writing and languages), then which would be the most useful in the long run/which I thought I needed teaching to help me with (languages), so went with languages.


19) How do your friends perceive you? What is wrong about their perception? What would your friends never say about your personality?
I asked, because I have no idea:
"You have an air of being a bit sad, very smart, like your brain's working a lot, very singular logic (your own, no one else's), caring but forgetful, when you're stressed you tend to get upset easily, you don't like to let on that people's opinions matter to you, you're very protective, you hate invasions of personal space, you like to have fun, but also enjoy learning a lot, you like to be with people but also away from them, your face reveals your emotions easily."


Hm, what exactly makes you say that? Can you elaborate? One thing I find is that I'm not particularly sensitive, so I'm not easily offended or hurt by others.
What are your thoughts on this?


Now here are some questions:


As for the question: I guess not seeing the results of their actions, not noticing their impact and stuff. Being unreasonable (cutting off their nose to spite their face etc.), or suddenly changing their mind about something important.


15) What makes you dislike the personalities of some people?
I don't like rude, unimaginative people who can't see anything other than their own opinion and way of life. Also people who force their opinions on others or cause harm. Selfishness is also really annoying.

The above quote has your responses to questions about what you don't like in some people. I notice there are no strong feelings being expressed here. Also I notice that you haven't mentioned anything about bullies (something that you have experienced yourself). Would it bother you to talk about strong negative feelings when it comes to people you don't like, such as bullies?


However, when I did work experience in a library (and was a lot more comfortable) I did every task in a surprisingly fast time and didn't mind asking where things were.
Could you say more about why it was more comfortable to work in the library rather than the other two places.



2) What do you yearn for in life? Why?
To create something good - good by my standard of the word. I want to make something I can be proud of and reach a high level of proficiency at my writing. I also want to learn several languages, if possible, because if I travel and find myself in a country with a language I can't understand, I feel disturbed (happened recently when I went to France to visit a friend).
Could you say more about why it is disturbing to not know the local language? Does this have anything at all to do with wanting to connect with the people in the most authentic manner possible?


-hard on self (only recently realised I'm pretty mean to myself)

-I'm very driven, almost perfectionistic - if something doesn't live up to my standards, I want to alter it (including myself - for example, if I don't do so well in a test, I'll throw myself into studying for the next one as well as reviewing everything I did wrong).
Does doing well and being competent eliminate one possible reason for criticism from others?


Generally, I find they usually have something to do with a persona they wish to present to an audience, their friends. Except for a couple of friends who appear very geniune and mostly seem to have motivations like caring for others or, in the case of one, being in control of her environment, I tend to find these out by watching people for a long time in various situations to see how they respond. But I don't like immediately cataloguing people, as simple as that would be, because it would be unfair and disrespectful to them.
I take it, this is a strong value?
 

tsumatachi_san

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ISTJ
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sp/so
Thank you for the reply. I've put my responses in bold below.

It seems that your judgements are based on logic, but you do feel the emotions significantly and manage to keep them in check.
You also are to be quite sensitive to what other people say. But it appears that you don't quite want to admit it or acknowledge the feelings. Would it be fair to say that avoiding engagement with people ensures that you are not hurt? The underlined portion in the quote above is a complete contradiction. You're saying that you don't take criticism badly and yet you are very sensitive to people's words.
Hm, possibly. I think it's a combination of not wanting to get involved, thus losing time and energy, but I also don't like that I can be sensitive to things. I'm not massively sensitive overall - not like some of my friends - but I have certain things which I'll react stronger to. I.e. I'm very aware of being considered 'smart' and feel pressure because of that. The thing is, it's not a contradiction; I don't take criticism badly (as long as it's constructive) because I know I can always learn more and improve, but I'm sensitive to (not offended by) things people say sometimes.

Here are some more examples from your posts. I've bolded the parts that show you doing things to avoid conflict, and also where you are socially anxious or sensitive. The underlined portion is where you seem to be denying how sensitive you are to other people's criticism.


What are your thoughts on this?
Well, I don't really get offended by things or take things personally. It's more that I make note of things people say and a seemingly harmless comment can haunt me for a while after - not because I'm wondering what they meant or anything, but more that it just bothered me subconsciously and it keeps popping back up.

Now here are some questions:




The above quote has your responses to questions about what you don't like in some people. I notice there are no strong feelings being expressed here. Also I notice that you haven't mentioned anything about bullies (something that you have experienced yourself). Would it bother you to talk about strong negative feelings when it comes to people you don't like, such as bullies?
I don't really tend to severely dislike people. I mostly get frustrated when they're causing me, or people I care about, problems. There are some people who do things which are awful, like animal and child abusers, which gives me a feeling of strong sadness and anger overall. Bullies I find difficult, because a lot of the time either they're just not thinking that their actions are causing hurt, or they've had something happen to them which makes them want to hurt, and that's pretty depressing. I tend to get frustrated at the schools/systems/parents that allow it to happen.


Could you say more about why it was more comfortable to work in the library rather than the other two places.
Because it was a quiet, slower environment without too much going on and I could concentrate entirely on just a couple of tasks at a time. There was almost no human interaction either, bar asking a few questions and getting some instructions, so I was left to work independently. I really don't like working with the public.



Could you say more about why it is disturbing to not know the local language? Does this have anything at all to do with wanting to connect with the people in the most authentic manner possible?
Hm, I don't think so. It's more that I can't stand the feeling of being completely unable to understand. I want to be able to say simple things without being confused by them as well as understanding things.


Does doing well and being competent eliminate one possible reason for criticism from others?
It's more self-criticism I'm afraid of. My friends and family are very supportive and genuinely just want me to do my best - or even just as much as I want to do. My mum is always proud of anything I achieve, so I don't feel any pressure from outside.


I take it, this is a strong value?
Fairly, but not the strongest. It's more that it's very easy to label people or things and put it into a box, which makes it comfortable to think about because it's easily comprehensible, but that's lazy and reduces them/it to much less than they/it should be.
I hope that helps!
 

robert666

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Mar 16, 2015
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148
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INTJ
Based on the information that I provided in my previous post it would seem clear that you are very socially anxious and sensitive to what other people say. Yet you seem to not consider this significant because you are not offended by it. If I were socially anxious or sensitive to people and deliberately avoided engagement or contact because I was afraid that they would be angry, then I would see this as having a serious impact on my life. Unfortunately since we are in disagreement on this, it is not possible for me to confirm your personality type with you.
I wish you the best in determining your personality type.
 

tsumatachi_san

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Based on the information that I provided in my previous post it would seem clear that you are very socially anxious and sensitive to what other people say. Yet you seem to not consider this significant because you are not offended by it. If I were socially anxious or sensitive to people and deliberately avoided engagement or contact because I was afraid that they would be angry, then I would see this as having a serious impact on my life. Unfortunately since we are in disagreement on this, it is not possible for me to confirm your personality type with you.
I wish you the best in determining your personality type.
I'm not sure if you've misinterpreted my previous posts. I have been recovering from social anxiety/agoraphobia for a while, but that's different from being sensitive to criticism - it's more of an anxiety of making a fool of myself in public. I don't deliberately avoid contact/engagement with others, but instead am very selective, as I don't like to waste time/resources on unrewarding investments in both people and activities. I don't disagree it has an impact on my life, but it's not as bad as I think you've interpreted it to be.
Thank you for your input, it was very interesting.
 

Forever_Jung

Active member
Joined
May 23, 2009
Messages
2,644
MBTI Type
ESFJ
Your behaviour under stress "outbursts, clumsiness", your lack of interest in your food/surroundings sounds like inferior Se. You also seemed more concerned with being competent than with knowing things for their own sake. You certainly have your own interests, but you also sound more practical than most INTP's. Also, I find an INTP's face is usually very hard to read. INFP's have a similar thing, where they're feeling a lot, but it's not manifesting itself on the surface. I think it's a Ji thing.
 

tsumatachi_san

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ISTJ
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sp/so
Your behaviour under stress "outbursts, clumsiness", your lack of interest in your food/surroundings sounds like inferior Se. You also seemed more concerned with being competent than with knowing things for their own sake. You certainly have your own interests, but you also sound more practical than most INTP's. Also, I find an INTP's face is usually very hard to read. INFP's have a similar thing, where they're feeling a lot, but it's not manifesting itself on the surface. I think it's a Ji thing.

Thank you for the reply. What do you think would be your best guess? Even just functions without order would be helpful.
 
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