Thursday, March 21, 2013

Myers-Briggs: Meet the Real You


Ever wonder what personality type you are? Maybe you already know which of the sixteen varieties you fall into on the Myers-Briggs test? Not sure what I’m talking about?

In college, my wife and I took the 70+ question Myers-Briggs test for kicks, and based on our responses to a variety of psychological and hypothetical questions it determined our very specific personality traits based on factors such as extrovert/introvert, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perception. Needless to say, I thought this was a pretty cool test, not only in telling us more about ourselves, but also in the variety of other personalities other people had, ranging from intriguing titles like Mastermind to Fieldmarshal. My personality turned out to be an Idealist Champion and my wife’s a Guardian Protector. I leave it to you to look up the meanings here.  

Not only do these personalities tell us about other people, I thought that they could be some pretty neat characters in literature. Imagine the complex three-dimensional characters you could build by modeling them on actual psychological personality models. So have you taken a Myers-Briggs test? How did it turn out? Did you meet the real you?

26 comments:

  1. Haven't taken the test, but I can see where that would help in dealing with people and in creating believable characters.

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  2. I honestly think we're a little bit of each of these, at any given time. Sure, we have strengths, but only because we feed them more. "My Stroke of Insight" is a wonderful book which teaches how our brains work. Limits are often self imposed. We are drawn to certain things, but categorizing and labeling ourselves can be self defeating too.

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  3. I did an entire blog series on the Kiersey. I'm fascinated by it. I'm an EXFJ (I test dead even between the N and S).

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  4. I almost always come out an INTJ -- does that make me a mastermind? I've never seen those titles attached to the types before. But, yeah, it's good stuff to use when deciding on character types. I've also used astrological signs when putting together a character's personality. Whatever works. :)

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  5. I took the test years ago, and I am pretty even. No big blips here or there. Maybe I should take it again, now that I am post-menopausal. THAT can really screw one's personality up.

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  6. Gosh - I'm not sure I dare have my personality analysed! It would probably say -"Go back to bed and stay there you mad British fool" However, I''m tempted.

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  7. INFJ, but the names are way off. Here it's called "Counselor" and there's nothing I hate more than having to give advice to people who are upset! Yikes. Laurel's the one for that job.

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  8. I think I took the test years ago but I can't remember the results... at least I didn't fail ;)
    (giggle)

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I haven't taken the test. Will have to try it sometime.

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  12. That is the coolest thing! I'd love to take the test. Can it be found online?

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  13. This would be a really cool and useful tool for writing, and enhancing characters. :) I think I HAVE taken the test, but I can't recall exactly what I was. An "I" for introvert, for sure. ;)

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  14. Ah, yes. The Myers-Briggs. I have access to those, but they aren't called for very often. :)

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  15. Oh, but what if they get me wrong, then I might be scarred for life thinking I'm not who I think I am or that NO ONE will ever truly know me! Or am I being paranoid?

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  17. I've taken it. I just remember that I'm E. Very, very E. Haha.

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  18. I think I was either INFJ or ENFJ or something like that -- but I'm pretty sure it was half-wrong!

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  19. I love all the personality types people have tested for, especially the aspects that reveal new things about themselves:) Very rad!

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  20. Mark, I just wanted to add that anyone interested in personality types and how this can help in character development in novels needs to check out Catherine Ensley's a-z posts on Enneagram Personality Type MATCHING. You are in for a real treat!! Here is her link: http://wordsworldandwings.blogspot.com/

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  21. p.s. I also wanted to add that there is something wrong with your post links. I could not read your post on 'self-publishing' today, and had trouble reading this one until now.

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  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. Hi, spoke too soon. Problem is with Google Reader and Blogger Reading list, which is where I read posts. I can read other blogs fine--no problem (tested several). I can see your post, but when I click on 'more...' it takes me to the post 'image' only (no text or comment option; no blog profile; no history; just the video below). If I click on your avatar, no problem--it takes me to your 1st post and shows everything. Hope this helps.

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  24. I have heard about these tests but have never taken one. They sound intriguing, maybe I should give it a go!

    I seemed to have a similar problem to Sharon above with reading post today.

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  25. This test sounds intriguing. Thanks for the post and information!

    Nas

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  26. I recall taking this test in college, too, but I have no idea what the conclusion was. lol

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