I have been wanting to dig a little deeper on my understanding of ‘Introversion’ and ‘Extraversion’ for a while now. And on Friday, I began taking a couple of tests online and wasn’t satisfied by the results. I needed to understand more so I made sure I had a copy of the book in my hands before the book stores closed on Friday evening. Given it is a hard copy book, I expect to make slower progress than usual. But, this is also one of those books where having a physical copy helps greatly (vs an audio version).
The MBTI personality type is composed of a combination of – E vs I (Extraversion vs Introversion), S vs N (Sensing vs Intuition), T vs F (Thinking vs Feeling) and J vs P (Judging vs Perceiving). And we typically are closer to one or the other – a sample MBTI type would be ISTJ or ENTP. In essence, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator is based on the assumption that we all have certain dominant characteristics. Like all other psychometric instruments, I don’t think the MBTI is anywhere close to perfect. However, it is likely to give us a framework in which to view the world (and ourselves, as I have realized) – and this is often most helpful.
Eager as I was to get a sneak preview of the pages ahead, I went to one of the tables that described the difference between 2 characteristics – P vs J i.e. Perceptive vs Judging.
Judging: Are inclined to regard the perceptive types as aimless drifters.
Perceptive: Are inclined to view the judging types as half alive.
Judging: Aim to be right.
Perceptive: Aim to miss nothing.
Judging: Are self-regimented, purposeful and exacting.
Perceptive: Are flexible, adaptable and tolerant.
I couldn’t help burst out laughing when I read this because I was thinking of the number of times I thought of someone as an aimless drifter and the number of times I’ve gotten annoyed at others thinking of me as half alive thanks to my own routines/organization systems. I have worked hard over time to be more tolerant of other points of views because that doesn’t come easy to me either. I tend to be viewed more as arrogant than accepting and I’ve worked hard (still work in progress) to smooth that edge. And don’t even get me started on how hard I’ve had to work to not try to be right in every argument.
I couldn’t help but laugh because I finally felt understood – by myself.
A touch of understanding. It goes a long way. Exciting times ahead.
I also had a major ‘I am such a geek’ realization on Friday. Getting so excited over a book on personality types? My teenage self must be laughing..
A Learning a Day 