Okay thank you so much! That makes a lot of sense and isn't as categorized as the test sounds! I'm not sure if certain life events impact typing, but just in case, there are some things that could effect it possibly. I had PTSD (but overcame it) from sexual abuse when I was young, my mother has borderline personality disorder (very controlling...and I was very compliant mostly), and I excommunicated with her a little over 2.5 years ago after about 30 years of emotional abuse. I considered my paternal grandparents to be like parents to me, and we're extremely close. There was also physical abuse on and off from one of her boyfriends for four years. I won't go into detail about those, but I have overcome them and they have given me a much softer, kinder few of the world somehow in terms of empathy, wanting to help others, etc. Anyway, here's the first questionnaire that is crazy-long, but I wanted to write as much information as possible just in case it was needed. I really appreciate your help! I'll go fill out some other questionnaires, but make I'll make them shorter.
I've taken the MBTI twice, five years apart at a therapist's office, and I got INFJ each time. I never bothered learning about it at the time, but now since I've started doing these tests online, I've become very interested in the types. I'm filing out any and all questionnaires that I can find in this forum. I found the link to an old questionnaire (it appears it was outdated and has since been replaced with an updated one) in a sticky post in the forum, but I'll warn you. . .my answers are ridiculously long. I mean, ridiculously to the point I'm embarrassed. I'm really sorry about it, but I feel that I got the most information out that I needed to, and all other questionnaires after this one will be of a reasonable length. Please be patient with me
Questionnaire -
1.*When working on a project where do you place your emphasis? the process of putting it together? or the final product? (Do you experiment with your perspectives to create ideas?
I first start with the final product and then think of the steps that could make it happen. For example, I like to write (poetry and novels). When I write a novel, the entire story comes to my mind in it's complete form, like a movie rather than starting to think of the beginning, or pieces of it that I'd fit together. Once I have the entire idea of the novel, then I'll begin to write it and plan it as I go along so that it supports the final story. I do the same with any type of paper (essays, research papers) in my classes...the final paper how I want it comes to me, and then I go back and think of the steps to make it happen.
2.*Are you a realist? Are you more of a no nonsense type of person? (I find these people like to call bullshit on everything)
I'm not a no-nonsense type of person, but with being a realist, it depends on the situation. I don't necessarily believe in being only optimistic or pessimistic, but some situations warrant it, while it's better to be optimistic or pessimistic in other situations. Reading back over what I said, I guess I'm a realist to a degree, but I love to talk about ideas, opinions, theories, concepts, etc.
3.*Would you say you make decisions quickly? or do you take a while coming to a conclusion, because you hope you're not missing some vital information that will change your mind?
It depends on the situation. If it's something I have experience with in the past, then I rely on that to help me make my decisions, which helps me make decisions fast(er) than I normally would. If it's a new concept, no, I like to think about it for a while, consider the different options and possible outcomes. With the new concepts, I'll actually try to find information about it if it's an important issue that could result in any type of bodily harm, health effects, death, etc. so that I won't hurt myself or anyone else. However, for ethical or opinion-related, or less important types of decisions that isn't about life or death, safety, etc., again, I like to think about it for a while because I always consider what is equal for everyone (including myself) and how my decision will impact others.
4.*Do you ever experience nostalgia? For instance being able to completely remember a mood of a past experience/time?
Absolutely!! I can do this even all the way back to an experience I had when I was two years old, but I'm able to do this for actually any age. I feel that sometimes I can also somehow apply this to time periods from before I was born and somehow have great interest in, such as the 60's and 70's...I'm not into drugs, but I love music from that era, understand the general feel and attitude of the era, I can relate to people from that time, and I liked the healthy aspects of that era (most of the era wasn't healthy, I admit) such as the shift in focus to equality, freedom, love, peace, but at the same time, I'm not a hippie (and while I think about these type of topics a lot and imagine how the world would be different if these were possible, I know that it won't actually happen). My favorite music is from that era...I LOVE the meaning behind the songs that promoted the aspects I mentioned above, and I loved how they used music and the lyrics for protesting...lyrics and music had more substance (I like meaning).
5.*Are you of the rebellious sort? The sort who rebels for no reason other than to rebel against authority?
I don't rebel without a reason, however, I will rebel if there's a reason. I won't normally go along with the crowd internally with my beliefs, and I'll write about my true feelings. It depends on my level of comfort with the people involved as to whether or not I ever vocalize my feelings though. . .if the person is very hostile, arrogant, rude, talks too loud like they want to argue instead of discuss, then I'll stay quiet to avoid the issue from escalating. However, I try to avoid hanging around people like this at almost all costs because it seems they're bent on controlling the other person's thoughts, beliefs, etc. . .I will rebel if I feel manipulated or controlled. Otherwise, I'm pretty peaceful and easy going. I need a cause to rebel...religious intolerance, racism, hate, someone bullying another person, some type of exclusion of a group or individual, etc.
6.*When watching a film and critiquing it? Do you critique it based on details in the film, for instance on how you thought a certain portion of it was un-realistic (or something along those lines) or based on the idea or point they were trying to get across/how well they got it across? (It can be a combination of both sometimes too)
Generally, I critique the idea or point because I feel that even fiction can make people think, and it may have effect on people. I love movies that are emotional, stories of overcoming the odds, historical fiction, movies that that some moral or message they're trying to get across (such as how the Native Americans were treated). I like when they really try to feel like you're experiencing the movie, feel empathy and/or sympathy for the characters, and still impact me or make me think after the movie is over. For example, when I watched Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, or even Dances With Wolves, I felt like I could experience the movies as they were happening because they were done so well. I'd cry, jump, get angry, etc., or if someone got injured, I'd jump and grab that part of my body, or cover my face and look away (I do that with any movie). But when those movies were over, it made me want to learn about how Native Americans were treated in that time (I know Dances with Wolves was fiction, but it stimulated my interest). That's what a lot of people don't understand about me. Many will say I'm very intelligent and seem to know everything (I don't), etc., but it's because something really emotional sparks the interest for me to learn about them...usually something about the human condition, inequality, injustice, etc. If a movie stimulates that response in me, their point was very successful. I generally don't critique the details of the film though.
7.*When debating with others, do you ever get the feeling or state for that matter, that you can see where your opponent is coming from? For instance I have gotten into arguments over things I honestly don't believe (or could care less if it were true), but it all started when someone would tell me about a certain topic and how this certain stance is stupid.
Absolutely. Sometimes they've changed my point of view, or modified it, but not against my will where I felt they manipulated me. I generally don't like debates, though I've found myself in them plenty of times (even though I'm not argumentative) because either the person was rude, hostile, name-called and insulted, and/or invalidating toward me and/or others and showed little to no tolerance toward my or another person's point of view. I don't feel everyone has to believe the same, but I do not feel it's okay for one to force their view on another and dehumanize them to the point they can be so insulting, hostile, mean, invalidating, etc. to the other. At least agree to disagree and be repectful. It isn't the issue that will make me argue, but rather how tolerant and respectful the person is toward others. The biggest example of this is any religious discussion that turns into a debate where one tries to force his/her religion on another and invalidates the other person's religion and dehumanizes and attacks them when they refuse to convert. I feel, to each their own because some topics (such as religion) are subjective or is a matter of cultural beliefs, etc. with no way to really prove if it's real or not. Even if it's real, I feel it's important that even though someone else may be wrong, it's a matter of being respectful and a good person, and keeping peace, to respect the other person.
8.*Do you notice symbols in the world, do you ever try and wrap the symbol back to an idea that you believe?
Yes, but I can't say I do in terms of the illuminati or anything like that because I'm not a believer of the vast majority of conspiracy theories. I believe conspiracies exist, but some are. . .eh. . .a little too much for me, and I get the feeling some of it's based on paranoia.
9.*Are you hurt by criticisms? Do you get personally offended when people try and criticize you? or are you thick skinned?
It depends on the type of criticism and the intention behind it, and how they approach me with it. If it's constructive criticism and the person is kind to me, not rude or insulting, and is respectful to me overall, I can take the criticism well because I feel it's coming from a place of love and concern. Other types of criticism that are just blunt statements with harsh body language and/or tone of voice, and depending on the words they use, I can get hurt and/or offended by it. I think some people see me as weak because I'm quiet and not afraid to really talk about my opinions and feelings (only if asked, or if I feel comfortable), while others view me as strong and brave. The latter tend to think that way of me because they got close enough to learn more about me and the things I've been through, overcame, and still came out as a good person wanting to help others, etc. I'd like to think I'm thick-skinned overall, though I'm not afraid of talking about my opinions, ideas, and emotions around certain types of people and circumstances.
10.*Say for example your learning about cameras in school, would you be more inclined to go home right away and read a whole shit load on cameras so you feel confident in your knowledge of cameras? or would you feel perfectly comfortable when the teacher calls on people to come try it out, to just hop up there and start using it?
I'd probably read about it. . .but also watch a bunch of YouTube videos on the topic as well. I wouldn't want to be the student called up and have no clue what to do...embarrassing!
11.*When you are out do you worry about how people will interpret any action you take? (sort of in a seinfeld sort of way, where they over analyze actions people make, trying to find their true motivation) Do you feel a sort of pressure from this?
The majority of the time, no. Unless I was coming out of a dressing room in a store with a bikini on, but that'll never happen! Only sometimes, or in certain situations, such as when I'm in a room with people who like to gossip, judge, are two-faced (they don't know that I know they're that way), or have any type of strained relationship with them because of how they treat me.
12.*In a classroom setting do you ever find yourself helping other people out with projects or homework when you see their struggling? Do you do this to make yourself feel more comfortable?
Yes, I help people when I notice, but usually they would come to me and ask for help since I'm horrible at initiating conversations. It has to be a really good day for me, or an established friendship I trust, for me to initiate conversation. I don't do it to make myself feel better, I just want them to learn the material so they can understand and do well. . .and also because the material being learned is crucial since it will impact the lives of others when that student/friend will one day be a licensed mental health counselor. At the same time, the person will be really annoying to me (yet I'll still help. . .most of the time) if they're asking me a million questions (especially during a lecture) that shows that the reason they don't understand is because they didn't do any studying at all and don't pay attention in class.
13.*Do you find yourself ranting to your friends about how a certain something could have been done way easier? Or how someone went about doing something (anything like a project,work,etc.) was really stupid and you could have done it way better and in a more simple fashion?
Sometimes, but I normally like to see the different ideas that people have to reach the same conclusion. . .people are interesting. While some of them may pay way too much attention to detail or go way off track and miss the point in the end, there's plenty of people that also impress me with their ideas. However, I will not rant to anyone (though I will in my mind) if I didn't really like their project or presentation. Instead, I tend to daydream or go into a trance, or use selective attention/hearing if it's that boring. If it's bad, don't really say anything, but if it's good, I'll praise them and give them my full attention.
14.*How does your average day go in general?
Wake up (not a morning person), eat breakfast, do some meditating, do some yoga at least 2-3 times per week, read messages online, take a shower, read or study (I don't work because I'm studying for my master's, which takes up the majority of my time in general), get ready and go to class after I eat lunch, sing the entire way to a CD while driving to class (but stop if I think someone sees me), sit through class, drive back home doing the same thing I did while driving on the way), take my vitamins, eat dinner, study until 2-3 a.m. (my husband usually has the TV on for part of this time until he goes to bed, and I halfway pay attention to the shows), brush my teeth, wash my face, go to bed, and repeat. Saturdays, grocery shopping and going out with my husband. This isn't an exact schedule, and it changes, but overall this is what it's like because I'm a student.
15.*What things do you value the most?
I value a lot of ethical/moral things...love, equality, respect, tolerance, empathy, sympathy, caring for others, loyalty, trust, warmth, nature, animals, education, helping others, people, music (singing, learning guitar), meditating, peace, family, freedom (not only as a nation or as a people as a whole throughout the world, but also my own personal freedom), etc. I'm not materialistic at all though.
16.*What things regularly bug you?
Rude, hostile, arrogant people, bullies, ampathy, liars, repitition with no purpose, racists, religious intolerance, war, materialisim, selfishness, greed, people judging others quickly and negatively, controlling people, injustice, hate, inconsiderate people, people who think they're superior to others, abuse, people who don't discipline their children enough (or too much), people who invalidate others and their feelings (people who are on the happy pill 100% of the time and want to force it on others, and are intolerant of anyone who isn't afraid to experiene all of their feelings, both good and bad, in order to remain genuine to themselves...but not emo). . .things along those lines.
17.*What do you value most in other people and what qualities do you find most repulsive in others?
What I value the most in people is the opposite of everything I wrote in the previous question (saves space!), and the qualities that I find repulsive are the same things I mentioned in the previous question.
18.*How do you evaluate people in general?
I evaluate people by how they treat me and others. I don't care about how they look, their interests (as long as they aren't hurting anyone or themselves), their sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, gender, age, etc. I care about whether or not they're a good person and how they treat others. Otherwise, I can get along with almost everyone as long as they're respectful, empathetic, caring, considerate, etc.
19.*How do you arrive at your decisions?
Wow. . .a balance between how I feel and facts. . .though I listen to gut feelings if they're very strong. An example of this would be that I don't believe in drinking during pregnancy no matter what any studies show because if how many drinks I'm able to handle has to do with my bodyweight, etc., then I know that a developing baby wouldn't have the bodyweight to possibly handle one. Overall, it's a combination of what I feel (instinct, etc.), information/facts, but also how my decisions will impact myself and others (for example, if that baby was born with problems because I drank, then I'd never be able to forgive myself). I give the consideration to others that I would hope they'd have for me. An example of when I'd listen to studies or a fact over my feelings, or advice from a woman from an earlier era, is what position I'd allow my child (if I had one) to sleep in as a baby. They may insist on the baby sleeping on it's back or side, while studies showed a 50% decrease in deaths from SIDS when babies are placed on their backs to sleep. In that case, I'd listen to the studies and statistics...but I'm not a human computer.
20.*What factors are you most likely to pay attention to when deciding on things?
How it will impact myself and others overall. Pros and cons. User/buyer reviews if it's a product. Whether or not I need it. Price (I'm not materialistic, so I can't see spending $200 on a handbag, for example, or hundreds of dollars on one pair of shoes). Quality. If it supports my morals and values.
The message was too long to submit the rest, so I'll include the rest in the next post.
