How do you define "preference"?

[Xander]

Seems to be a poignant question at present.

I was just thinking that there's a lot of difference between a present preference, a general preference, preference in regards to which one is favourite, preference in regards to which one if is most commonly used.. the list is quite long.

So anyway how do you interpret this most central concept to the MBTI?

 

[wildcat]

Seems to be a poignant question at present.

I was just thinking that there's a lot of difference between a present preference, a general preference, preference in regards to which one is favourite, preference in regards to which one if is most commonly used.. the list is quite long.

So anyway how do you interpret this most central concept to the MBTI?

The definition of consciousness precludes choice.

 

[Night]

The definiton of consciousness precludes choice.

Very well said.

 

[Xander]

The definiton of consciousness precludes choice.

There is always choice oh architect. That is why we have the one.

You do see how the word "preference" can be perverted though right? With some people it seems to be "I prefer this functions description, ergo it's my preferred function" whilst others analyse from the standpoint of "I do this a lot and that seems very Xx ish so I must be an XXXX". I just figured that since preference pervades all levels of the MBTI that it warranted more investigation.

 

[wildcat]

There is always choice oh architect. That is why we have the one.

You do see how the word "preference" can be perverted though right? With some people it seems to be "I prefer this functions description, ergo it's my preferred function" whilst others analyse from the standpoint of "I do this a lot and that seems very Xx ish so I must be an XXXX". I just figured that since preference pervades all levels of the MBTI that it warranted more investigation.

The choice is already there.
The beginning is second hand.

To see is to zero the irrelevant.
The outcome precedes the election.

 

[Xander]

The choice is already there.
The beginning is second hand.

The sun is already there but your perception of it (your beginning) is extremely important to the accuracy of your outcome and it's relevance on a larger stage.

I'm not sure which one of us is being obtuse. The question seems perfectly logical to me.

 

[Wandering]

I'd describe it as: which one naturally comes out first when you act/react in a healthy way?

It's not necessarily the one we like best, it's not necessarily the one we use most (because we could be stuck in an unhealthy pattern for some reason, for example), it's not necessarily the one that appeals to us most. Those are all potential pointers as to our true preference (especially if they all point to the same function/letter), but they don't define it.

JMO, of course.

 

[Xander]

I'd describe it as: which one naturally comes out first when you act/react in a healthy way?

It's not necessarily the one we like best, it's not necessarily the one we use most (because we could be stuck in an unhealthy pattern for some reason, for example), it's not necessarily the one that appeals to us most. Those are all potential pointers as to our true preference (especially if they all point to the same function/letter), but they don't define it.

JMO, of course.

I love that bit. Very true

 

[Wandering]

I love that bit. Very true

Thanks

 

[INTJMom]

...
You do see how the word "preference" can be perverted though right? With some people it seems to be "I prefer this functions description, ergo it's my preferred function" whilst others analyse from the standpoint of "I do this a lot and that seems very Xx ish so I must be an XXXX". I just figured that since preference pervades all levels of the MBTI that it warranted more investigation.

What's with people anyway.
"I prefer this functions description"
I know you would never do that. People do that?!


The "preference" as used in MBTT refers to a person's natural, most automatic tendency.

 

["?"]

So anyway how do you interpret this most central concept to the MBTI?

Preference is unconscious and as Wandering said, we do it naturally. The fact that I prefer to Ti-Se is based on my genetic who I am. All this system has done is to define what I knew naturally. Following up on Wandering's comments, we get stuck in a rut or become unhealthy and mistype our preferences. I would say that the average person who was healthy would most likely not seek out such questions.

 

[Seanan]

I would say that the average person who was healthy would most likely not seek out such questions.

Yeh, but threads like this sure can make you think about what you do.

 

["?"]

Yeh, but threads like this sure can make you think about what you do.

If you think long, you think wrong!

 

[Seanan]

If you think long, you think wrong!

 

[Wandering]

I would say that the average person who was healthy would most likely not seek out such questions.

I disagree. I'd say that some types are naturally inclined to soul-searching, whie others are not, and that's fine.

If you think long, you think wrong!

Spoken like a true Se !!

 

[Mempy]

The "preference" as used in MBTT refers to a person's natural, most automatic tendency.

I think that's a good way of putting it. With this definition, the axiom that one cannot change one's MBTI type would seem to remain true. One cannot change that which is most natural for one, but one may develop other functions such that...

Wait a second. I wonder what definition of "preferences" would support the axiom that one cannot change one's type?

For if the definition of preference is simply that which is most natural for an individual, could an individual not develop other functions such that one day, other functions became as natural as the first set, if not more natural? Or is it the law that one cannot develop use of unnatural functions to the point that they dominate the orginal dominants?

Anyway, Zergling, I was just thinking of starting a topic like this! I really was. Except I didn't want to focus the discussion on MBTI (in fact, I was going to mention that people should avoid talking about MBTI unless they could be informed and interesting, because sometimes I get tired of hearing about MBTI), but rather on wants in general and the extent to which wants can be coerced, manipulated and conditioned.

I have long, long thought that people can't choose their sexuality. The desire is there before they even realize it. My hunger for men certainly was. I still believe that, but I also wonder how much one can condition oneself, through exploration and thought, to like or appreciate something that one previously did not, or to avoid or dislike something that one previously wanted?

What does distinguish sexual responses from the responses one's mind and body have to, for example, music? If one can learn to appreciate classical music where before they cast aspersions on it...

 

[Seanan]

Anyway, Zergling, I was just thinking of starting a topic like this! I really was. Except I didn't want to focus the discussion on MBTI (in fact, I was going to mention that people should avoid talking about MBTI unless they could be informed and interesting, because sometimes I get tired of hearing about MBTI), but rather on wants in general and the extent to which wants can be coerced, manipulated and conditioned.

Go for it! I tend to shut up when discussions only concentrate on the MBTI perspective. Of course, you might want to consider that.

 

[Zergling]

Anyway, Zergling, I was just thinking of starting a topic like this! I really was.

When did I enter into this? (Or is it just a typo?)

 

[Wandering]

When did I enter into this? (Or is it just a typo?)

Xander, Zergling... Mempy IS an INFP, you know

Love you Mempy , just making fun of some INFPs' apparent inability to remember people's names correctly, or even who they are actually talking to