a couple days ago, an MBTI personality type and preference discussion popped up on the streams thread. i had planned to respond to some of the posts that people made.
rather than post what i wrote in streams, i'm going to create a new thread for this discussion, since i feel that there are still a lot of people who don't understand the value, intention, and limitations of this information.
i'm afraid that several of you have misunderstood the whole point of personality typing. i have found the MBTI evaluation as a helpful tool for understanding myself and others for many years, starting back when i was in college and took my first MBTI evaluation--not in any negative, label-limiting situation, but as a means of getting to know somebody better, since i've found it to be very helpful, when viewed and utilized correctly.
firstly, the Meyers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI) measures roughly four things about the individual:
1. flow of energy
2. how we take in information
3. how we prefer to make decisions
4. the basic day-to-day lifestyle that we prefer
Within each of these categories, we "prefer" to be either:
1. Extraverted or Introverted
2. Sensing or iNtuitive
3. Thinking or Feeling
4. Judging or Perceiving
these things are all measured on a dual polarity continuum scale. your answers rank your preference and type is drawn from where on that scale you fall. introversion is on one end of the scale, and extroversion is on the other end. and so on, for the four scales.
after you've answered the questions, you'll be given your type preferences, as well as percentages that measure the intensity of that preference. those "letters" are the type preferences your answers reveal, and form to become that "type". with each of the four continuum scales, there are 16 types in all.
what the MBTI it is not:
+ a heirarchy of better or worse traits or personality types. there is no better or worse type, since they all have inherent strengths, weaknesses, giftings and vulnerabilites. there simply is no better "type" to be, regardless of what people tell you. i've met amazing people with lots of different types.
+designed to reflect personal or spiritual growth, since personality preference is more about how our brain is wired, not how well we use it
+a diagnosis designed to "cookie cutter" you or your potential for success in anything, or create a mechanism for excuses
what the MBTI is:
+to help you understand how your brain is wired, and how you relate to others, learn and discover your natural strengths and weaknesses
+to help you understand understand better how others relate to you, the world, learn and express themselves
+to help you identify natural compatibility between people, and to locate potential for conflict when relating, counselling, working with, or communicating with others
+to help you identify your vulnerabilities and strengths for the purpose of self-awareness, helpful in many circumstances, such as job, and relationship scenarios
more details, using myself as an example:
i have taken the MBTI several times in my life, starting when i was first in college. i have always consistently scored as an ENFP. in fact, the only thing that has changed is the "percentages" that reflect how strongly those preference types exist.
for example, when i was much younger, i was considered a high extrovert. now, i'm considered a low extrovert.
to those who think your personality should change, because you've "grown": if you've been well "typed" by your
test, i would assert that you probably won't change "types" but only shift within the "intensity" your given type. in my experience, i find that if your "personality" changed, i'd question the test, or how the test was taken.
as to its value? well, it's helped me to validate my choices and help me better understand my weaknesses. it's also helped me to understand that many of my strengths also come with inherent vulnerabilities.
+it helps me to understand why i'm compassionate and empathetic towards people that many can't find sympathy for. it also helps me identify that potential liability in me.
+it helps me to understand why i love the beauty of illustrative words and the poetry of expression, while others want the "bottom line" and logical and linear information.
+it helps me understand why i know people who love the routine-driven tasks of their life, and why i struggle with any kind of forced routine.
we are only as successful in our work and personal relationships by our own ability to communicate, work with, cooperate, love and respect one another. for me, the MBTI has spared me enormous frustration, many words of dialogue, and helped me to see that those who do things differently than me are no more wrong than i am right for doing them my way.
rather, it's the way God made me, and it's how God made you. : )
further resources:
do you want to take the test for yourself? i recommend this one. it's not that long either, i promise.
+ the preferences explained
+ the 16 different personality types
+ an earlier CC MBTI thread with lots of helpful/compiled information
rather than post what i wrote in streams, i'm going to create a new thread for this discussion, since i feel that there are still a lot of people who don't understand the value, intention, and limitations of this information.
i'm afraid that several of you have misunderstood the whole point of personality typing. i have found the MBTI evaluation as a helpful tool for understanding myself and others for many years, starting back when i was in college and took my first MBTI evaluation--not in any negative, label-limiting situation, but as a means of getting to know somebody better, since i've found it to be very helpful, when viewed and utilized correctly.
firstly, the Meyers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI) measures roughly four things about the individual:
1. flow of energy
2. how we take in information
3. how we prefer to make decisions
4. the basic day-to-day lifestyle that we prefer
Within each of these categories, we "prefer" to be either:
1. Extraverted or Introverted
2. Sensing or iNtuitive
3. Thinking or Feeling
4. Judging or Perceiving
these things are all measured on a dual polarity continuum scale. your answers rank your preference and type is drawn from where on that scale you fall. introversion is on one end of the scale, and extroversion is on the other end. and so on, for the four scales.
after you've answered the questions, you'll be given your type preferences, as well as percentages that measure the intensity of that preference. those "letters" are the type preferences your answers reveal, and form to become that "type". with each of the four continuum scales, there are 16 types in all.
what the MBTI it is not:
+ a heirarchy of better or worse traits or personality types. there is no better or worse type, since they all have inherent strengths, weaknesses, giftings and vulnerabilites. there simply is no better "type" to be, regardless of what people tell you. i've met amazing people with lots of different types.
+designed to reflect personal or spiritual growth, since personality preference is more about how our brain is wired, not how well we use it
+a diagnosis designed to "cookie cutter" you or your potential for success in anything, or create a mechanism for excuses
what the MBTI is:
+to help you understand how your brain is wired, and how you relate to others, learn and discover your natural strengths and weaknesses
+to help you understand understand better how others relate to you, the world, learn and express themselves
+to help you identify natural compatibility between people, and to locate potential for conflict when relating, counselling, working with, or communicating with others
+to help you identify your vulnerabilities and strengths for the purpose of self-awareness, helpful in many circumstances, such as job, and relationship scenarios
more details, using myself as an example:
i have taken the MBTI several times in my life, starting when i was first in college. i have always consistently scored as an ENFP. in fact, the only thing that has changed is the "percentages" that reflect how strongly those preference types exist.
for example, when i was much younger, i was considered a high extrovert. now, i'm considered a low extrovert.
to those who think your personality should change, because you've "grown": if you've been well "typed" by your
test, i would assert that you probably won't change "types" but only shift within the "intensity" your given type. in my experience, i find that if your "personality" changed, i'd question the test, or how the test was taken.
as to its value? well, it's helped me to validate my choices and help me better understand my weaknesses. it's also helped me to understand that many of my strengths also come with inherent vulnerabilities.
+it helps me to understand why i'm compassionate and empathetic towards people that many can't find sympathy for. it also helps me identify that potential liability in me.
+it helps me to understand why i love the beauty of illustrative words and the poetry of expression, while others want the "bottom line" and logical and linear information.
+it helps me understand why i know people who love the routine-driven tasks of their life, and why i struggle with any kind of forced routine.
we are only as successful in our work and personal relationships by our own ability to communicate, work with, cooperate, love and respect one another. for me, the MBTI has spared me enormous frustration, many words of dialogue, and helped me to see that those who do things differently than me are no more wrong than i am right for doing them my way.
rather, it's the way God made me, and it's how God made you. : )
further resources:
do you want to take the test for yourself? i recommend this one. it's not that long either, i promise.
+ the preferences explained
+ the 16 different personality types
+ an earlier CC MBTI thread with lots of helpful/compiled information
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