Skip to main content

Nr. 40

I was first made aware of Myers-Briggs by a guy I met at a social gathering back in 2009 I think. Something like that. But I didn’t take the test until 3 years ago. I did the proper one and paid real money for it too. I ended up as an INTP. I have done several online tests after that to confirm and have consistently ended up as an INTP (except that one befuddled and drunken INTJ incident...). Now, the test in itself is in no matter perfect, and like most psychological tests they aren’t scientifically waterproof. However it can be a powerful tool in self examination if used “correctly”. 

As an INTP I’m stereotyped as being lazy, socially awkward, arrogant, intelligent, highly logical in an almost robotic fashion, creative, intuitive and brutally honest. I think those are quite extreme and there are differences between a mature INTP and an undeveloped one. Basically on how aware you are of your impact and surroundings. It also depends on what an INTP sees as interesting. I for instance enjoy studying ‘the humanoids’...commonly referred to as ‘people’. This also means I like interacting and gather intel and data to best understand our social behavior. However I also enjoy being helpful and caring. I like being in love and offer my all to another person in a romantic relationship. Not a natural thing for an INTP at all according to the type. Except that it is. Being honest/rude/condescending hasn’t so much to do with our lack of interest for people we find less intelligent than us. I think that means you’re just not developing the potential an INTP is capable of. 

As there aren’t that many INTPs in the world I actually don’t know any other than myself. I may have encountered them along the way, but never as a confirmed type. It would be interesting to one day meet one and talk about the experience she or he has had regarding the stereotype. 

Most of my circle consists of introverts, which sounds like a contradiction. But even though introverts enjoy and need alone time to recharge doesn’t mean we don’t find happiness in social settings. I prefer one on one. As stated, I respect honesty and something happens when you are just two having a conversation. You get a proper connection and you’re able to reach a bit deeper. These are the conversations that I enjoy. I don’t have any problems being in larger groups, I just prefer one on one. 

My point is that I think the test has some real merits on how to better understand yourself. But it’s crucial to learn about the test and the real meaning of each letter. Not just take them as separate traits. If you do then the test might seem incredibly simplistic and void of any nuances, which isn’t the case. 


If you read this and are interested, there is a free online test on ‘16 personalities’ which is one of the better ones if you don’t want to pay. 👍🏻

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nr. 54

Right now it’s half an hour until my psychiatry appointment. I’m on the bus. The radio is humming Scorpions with ‘Wind of Change’. How serendipitous or ironic. I also forgot my coke bottle at home. Great.   Going from the two hour conversation with my Dad about renovation and other practical things to explaining deep emotional and psychological turmoil will be interesting. Oddly enough I see that as a challenge which bodes well. I’m slightly more optimistic about this session than my first. But I’m still not yet settled. It feels frightening. Not to talk about things, but to fail.  Well, at least I’m here now. Lets do this then.  Edit: a stranger smiled at me today. It’s interesting how incredibly powerful such a small thing can be. Thank you. ❤️
Post a Comment
Read more

Nr. 60

Next month I’m attending a wedding. I’ve been so busy thinking about practical things (like finding a suit to wear and what to bring as it is for a weekend getaway) that I didn’t realize until now that I actually need to socialize. Meaning talk about my current situation. I’m officially on sick leave due to depression which isn’t really the most festive conversation starter at a wedding (or any event really). As much as I really want to celebrate my friends getting married, I simultaneously feel stressed as to have I’m gonna phrase this. I know there are people out there with far greater difficulties than me, even within my friend circle probably, which makes me even more frustrated about my worry. I’m positive I will get through it of course. I even know despite my definite self torment of reviewing my ‘performance’ I will get by.  But I still feel slightly anxious about it. I used to be ok attending events with strangers when I could smalltalk about my work and then swiftly...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nr. 23

I’ve noticed an increase in my perfectionism. It’s subtle and not entirely destructive. Or perhaps it is but more indirectly if that’s the case. I have started to multitask quite ferociously. I noticed the other day that whenever I do something, like say cooking, I also use my iPad to read or watch something. I bring it with me and do the cooking automatically. I also do this whilst watching a TV-show...I have my iPhone and I read news articles at the same time. I am able to concentrate on both things but I might be more detached emotionally if I’m watching something. And I guess herein lies the crux of it. It feels l might be either avoiding or protecting my emotions at the moment. Distracting myself. And I know that just watching some tv-show or movie won’t do it alone, I need to fully immerse myself, all the time.  I have also theorized that perfectionism might be one of the reasons I stay up so late and refuse to sleep; I want to avoid missing out and rather utilize a...
Post a Comment
Read more