don’t judge

When I first took the Myers-Briggs test over a decade ago, I was right on the line between ENFP and the introverted counterpart, INFP. Not one for ambivalence, I took it again, with a result of INFP. I thought it was pretty fascinating for about a week, then promptly forgot about it.

Then last week, I was required to retake the test in preparation for a workshop I enrolled in that is supposed to give me insights into other people and help me learn to interact more effectively with them. So I did, this time with a Scantron sheet, so it wasn’t self-scored. The result was INFJ. And not just a little on the Judging side, versus Perceiving; it’s my clearest dichotomy.

Reading the materials supplied by the workshop coordinators, I’m surprised that I was so convinced of my INFP-ness for so long. I was initially a bit horrified by the Judging part, but I was assured that it doesn’t stand for “judgmental”, though I certainly have been. The creepiest part was the mention of how INFJs, when stressed out, tend to obsess over trivial data or reorganize things that are already organized.

It’s not like I ever pack and unpack my purse, trying to ascertain the best way in which to order the items in the pockets, quadruple-checking the essentials, which might include a hidden $20 bill and an “in case of emergency” card and a half-dozen hand wipes.

Um.

Anyway, I already know I’m a bit buggy; I’m looking forward to this workshop so I can learn how to better figure out other people. Also, I would like to be completely healed, and I want my Moo cards to arrive in the mail already, and I want to learn Catalan. Also it would be nice to have peace in the world, and in my neighborhood a Goodwill donation place open until midnight. Or really anything open until midnight. Other than the liquor store. Thank you and goodbye.

Posted on 25 Oct 2006 in Diary

http://www.sneakypanda.org Jen

um, make that INFJ – yeah, what SHE SAID
http://www.sneakypanda.org Jen

I’m pretty sure it’s not a surprise that I, too, am an INFP. For awhile in high school I registered as an ENFP but I think that was some forced extroversion.
http://www.sneakypanda.org Jen

Also isn’t weird how when we do these tests on our own we come up with different answers? I remember when this was administered in HS I was an ENFP and then later in life I did it for a work thing and got INFP but it never seem to fit quite right. I got INFJ results when I did the test on my own (a result I find more in keeping with my personality than INFJ), so I had the opposite experience as far as accuracy is concerned.

I’m hogging your comments this evening.
miabella

i tested as intj in grad school, and i’ve identified as intj since then. not bad, since my designation is “mastermind,” i’m 1% of the population, and my kind is most likely to retire early. i should take the test again, though….
http://www.towse.com/blogger/blog.htm Sal

OK. Very weird.

I came across your um. gestalt a way time back through StumbleUpon where your stuff and my stuff are very in synch. I’ve enjoyed your links and your ramblings.

I have a friend who is a certified Myers-Briggs practitioner and years back she gave me a reading for a bday present and scoped me out as either an ENFJ or an INFJ. Checking out the dichotomy, I realized I was an INFJ and could not hardly never ever be an ENFJ.

The fact that you’ve now settled on an INFJ-ness mindset makes me think that my Meyers-Briggs practitioner those years back probably knew whereof she spoke.

Are all of us INFJs a little bit OC?

Do you hang your prayer flags to make sure the-flying-horses-on-the-prayer-flags are flying upward (as I did today when I had to rehang my new prayer flags after raccoons (really!) tore down my aging prayer flags?)

Do you straighten pictures that are askew at open houses (when no one is watching might think you’re a bit weird?).

Anyway. Fun to read your ramblings. Sorry if it makes you feel weird that someone you have never heard of in forever is reading what you write.
tanya

I worked at a relocation/career assistance firm until a year ago, and we began using the Myers-Briggs while I was there, having “official administrators” in the office and all that. All of us consultants were required to take the assessment, and I came out on the line between INFP and INFJ.

What I always found fascinating was this: the administrators would stress to us and clients that your Myers-Briggs type can and frequently does change over time; in particular, if you take the test when you’re relatively young, you’re more likely to find it changed when you’re older. (Even a time distance like the one between your first time and this most recent time can change, as you’ve noticed, and with time, it’s more likely that your results will become more firmly in one range or another.)

And having it officially administered is always the way to go. IMHO.

It’s a great assessment; I hope your workshop goes well!
http://tommx.livejournal.com tommx

Every time I’ve ever taken the Myers Briggs Test, I’ve always firmly been an ENTJ. First time I took it was in 1988, and I recently took it again after a good many years, and got the exact same result.

Guess I’m set in my ways.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinhole Mark

I’ve found the MBTI a useful tool at work, it has helped me understand people’s different communication styles and their approaches to deadlines.

-Mark (ENTP)
http://www.seeginablog.com Gina

I posted my results – self-administered – on my blog not long ago. I don’t put much importance on any test really, though. Go figure.

I adore your quirkyness and hope to experience it in person one day if we ever finally meet. :)
j david

bon dia halsted, hope that you’re feeling better!

I am an INTJ, as tested before, during and after grad school. It pegs me pretty well. Curiously, the weakest dichotomy for me is the introvert/extrovert score. I can’t ever see myself as extroverted, but a couple of times I’ve been close to the borderline.

Anyway, enjoy your workshop!
http://www.livejournal.com/users/davidfrazer/ David

Have you got any particular reason for learning Catalan?
http://gailwilliams.wordpress.com Gail Williams

these psych tests are built on stupid questions that really are so easy to answer honestly more than one way — by making up questions that are meant to be revealing you do see changes in personality over time, but you also get state of mind, what mood, how’s your self esteem lately kinds of stuff. The psych professionals don’t want that to be true, but you sure see people report varying results a lot if you poke around.

That said, i support you for judge, any time you like. You’d be great!
http://emilyann.vox.com emily ann

INFJ here too. I’ve only ever taken self-adminsitered tests and would be curious if my results would change in a more controlled testing situation.
http://theeye.kimjac.com/ Eyebee

Am I the only one that has never come across this test before, never heard of it?