Anyway, the other day Jenny Lawson posted about personality tests. I've never taken the Myers-Briggs test because I wasn't a business major in college and we English majors didn't bother with that kind of thing.
Still, I was intrigued when she posted, so I hopped over to 16personalities.com and took their test. Matt wasn't sure he agreed with the results, so I took it a second time 48 hours later. I got the same results. I guess Matt thinks I'm more emotional than I think I am!
 |
| Test 1 Results - INTP-A |
 |
| Test 2 Results - INTP-T |
Anyway, some of the questions were really hard to answer. Like, in what situation are we really talking about here?
 |
| I mean...yes, usually. But not when I'm with people I really mesh well with! |
 |
| Yeah, definitely not. |
The test results come with a breakdown of all kinds of information. It was fun to read about what kind of a friend I make (which was all very true - I'm slow to warm up but fiercely loyal once you're "in") and what I'm like in relationships (I wonder how Matt deals with me).
Here are some general pros of being INTP:
 |
| I think this is fairly accurate! |
 |
| Yep. |
I don't think I was always this way. Teaching has made me a little more analytical and a little more callous. It's made me more assertive and way more confident. I'm not as creative and emotional as I used to be, but I'm still an artist at my core. Seeing as I began running at the same time I began teaching, I wonder if running had anything to do with the change, too.
I wonder what my results would have looked like if I had taken it when I was 20, because I think my confidence and condescension were much lower when I was younger.
Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs personality test, or any others?
What personality type are you, and what does it mean?
Do you think your core personality has changed as you've aged?
ABK
Re: weird questions. When Wes was applying to be a police officer he had to take one of the massive psychological surveys. Examples of the questions:
ReplyDelete"Are you a mixer?" (He refused to answer that on both occasions he had to take the test due to the fact that he had *no* idea what it meant)
"Do you think you would make a good florist?" (What??)
"Do you see demons?" (Paraphrased. And to be fair, I do think it's important to know if future cops see demons that aren't there... Lol!)
I totally want to take this to see what it comes up with for me.
I wonder if a "mixer" is like a swinger?! What weird questions!! I feel like the demons question is checking to see if they have a sense of humor haha!
DeleteI love the Myers Briggs! I took it several times...in college as a psych minor we had to and then I took it after college a few times for fun as well. I'm an ENFP which is ridiculously accurate for me. It's crazy that something can so closely pinpoint your personality. Strangely I found that despite being an extroverted person I rarely sustain relationships with similar people- most of my relationships (romantic and friendship) have been with introverted people. I guess opposites attract?
ReplyDeleteIt really is cool how they're figured out all the combinations of personalities and people really DO fit into them. It makes me feel like we're all so predictable in a way, even though my type is apparently the most rare? I do think introverts and extroverts tend to seek each other out because they provide necessary balance.
DeleteI have NEVER tried one of these! I just might do one this weekend. I feel like you in that my confidence was much lower as I was younger. I'm curious to see what my results would show.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to take it and to see how accurate the results and description was! The best thing about aging is the improvement in confidence.
DeleteI took one of these a while back, but I can't remember what personality type I am. I know that I am not an introvert, but that's about it. I've always been a type B personality, but as I get older, I think I start to care less and less about stuff (good and bad I guess). By the way, I totally agree with you about people's views... :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm Type B about certain things, but I've become more Type A as I've gotten older. I'm not nearly as Type A as what runs in my family, though. I'm a good mix between my mom and dad's anal retentive tendencies. I guess that suggests personality could be genetic?!
DeleteI think Matt sees me as one way because of HOW we interact, which makes sense (plus he's a guy, so maybe he sees me as being more emotional even though I'm not haha), but he can't see the logical side of my brain ticking because it's all in my head!
My boss is a certified administrator of the Myers Briggs, so I've taken the actual test. When he gave me the test, he made a point to emphasize that it is an assessment of preference, not behavior . I thought that was an interesting distinction, since I just assumed the two were intertwined enough that it wasn't significant, but it has made me think more about my results and their application. I am an INFJ, and very solidly so on all 4 counts. Learning about the different types and what they mean has shed a lot of light on why I have trouble relating to and getting along with certain people whose preferences clash with mine. That said, my boyfriend is almost the complete opposite (ESFP) so I guess opposites attract!
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, what mood were you in when you took these tests? One of the most interesting things I've learned about M-B is that when people are stressed, they tend to act the opposite of their preferences. My boss told me this is why it's strongly recommended that people take these tests when they're relaxed in a good mood, so that they type accurately :-)
Long comment, but I've always been a geek about the psychology of personality. I find it fascinating.
Both times I took the quiz I was relaxed and just having fun/watching tv. It's interesting that people's tendencies change based on their stress levels! You'd think stress would make you stick more with your natural preferences, rather than sending you in the opposite direction.
DeleteI found it interesting how skewed my results were...only in the turbulent/assertive section did my results flipflop, and they were split fairly evenly both times anyway. I also think it's interesting that personality tests show us our preferences as opposed to behaviors - I guess sometimes we HOPE to act one way but actually act another!
So interesting! I have not taken one lately but I think the 33 yr old me and the 23 yr old me would yield very different results. I am much more assertive than I used to be- which I think is a good thing. But I used to be more spontaneous and I am not anymore. I wish I were still like my 23 yr old self in that aspect!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I've lost a lot of my spontaneity as I've gotten older. I think it's because as you age, you're more aware of possible consequences of your actions!
DeleteRight, like just being tired the next day, haha!
DeleteNo suprises here, I am ESFP - A the entertainer !
ReplyDeleteI kind of wish I could be an ESFP! I wonder how the personalities skew based on hobbies, habits, and career choices?
DeleteI haven't taken the test in a couple of years, but I have taken it three times in the past and always came up as INTJ. I should take the test again though. The other day a colleague told me that I was the most self-assured person he knew which really blew my mind. I never thought that was something that anyone could ever think of me which makes me wonder if I've become more extroverted over the last couple of years. Or perhaps self-assurance doesn't have much to do with being extroverted... hm!
ReplyDeleteI think the confidence and self-assuredness isn't necessarily linked to be an introvert or extrovert at all. But exuding that confidence may have something to do with that! I'd be interested to see if you get the same a fourth time! It's impressive that you've gotten INTJ three times!
DeleteI had to take a Myers-Briggs test in college because I was a business major, but I forget what my exact personality type was. I loved that test, super fun! Ahhhh 11 hours at school - girl you earned this long weekend!! I hope you relax and enjoy your day off!
ReplyDeleteI took Myers Briggs in undergrad, grad (business both times hehe) and work and always gotten ISFJ. The S and F have always been "in the middle" and I know I has crept towards the middle over the years. I find the positive/negatives pretty accurate (for myself).
ReplyDelete