Personality
Characteristics from MBTI report
Louise Usher – 000850856
What is
the MBTI?
The Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator (MBTI) is a personality type questionnaire. Finding out about oneself within the
reflective report that follows can be a useful tool for those wishing to pursue
interests within certain fields of life.
Career, relationships and even simply an understanding of oneself can
prove useful to know to create a more harmonious life.
Katherine Cook Briggs (1875-1968)
and her daughter Isabel Briggs constructed the introspective self-report
questionnaire system. The purpose would
see indicative values of different psychological preferences and assessing how
personalities can affect the viewpoint of the surroundings we live in. Decision making processes can be heavily
influenced depending on the personality typings ascertained with the MBTI
report.
Carl Jung proposed a
conceptual theory which gave speculation to four principal functions of
sensation, intuition, feeling and thinking.
As one of these four functions is a dominant part of the personality it
is claimed that emphasis will be placed on the differences experienced within
individuals yet within a naturally occurring environment.
Often, the MBTI questionnaire
will become an important part of the business world, frequently being applied
within the workplace or at entry level interviews.
Reliability and validity seems to
be under dispute at times as depending on the occasion, reports may show
different results. Yet the majority of subjects asked would agree that there
are definite similarities within their personality trait results.
Another similar framework to be
used is one of the Big Five Personality traits when factor analysis is applied
to personality survey data. This is a very well accepted idea.
What the letters mean
E – extraversion
I – introversion
S – sensing
I – intuition
T –Thinking
F – feeling
J – Judging
P- Perceiving
Answering a set of questions will
give the applicant a guide as to which personality traits they may carry and
which type of jobs and relationships they may be best suited to. Possibly leading to a more fulfilled life as
opposed to going against their own inner guidance.
My MBTI type
An initial quiz from “Best Fit
type” carried out within the lecture showed a quick personality assessment and
I was shown to be INFP. An accurate
characteristic description to which I found relatable. Pointing out the importance of people and loyalty. A caring nature showing very much that
decision making comes from a place of feeling. As opposed to thinking. Within this quick description points out a
loyalty to values and people who are important to me in my life. External life
must lie within those values.
While this personality type is
quick to see the possibilities available all around, there is also a curiosity
which can be great to act as catalysts for implementing ideas. The values within an INFP personality type,
are so important to them that while they are adaptable, flexible and accepting,
this is never at the detriment of their own strong values.
Upon further investigation, the
16personalities.com quiz showed extensive questioning pointing to a strong
result of ENFP.
(ENFP
stands for Extravert, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving and represents
individual's preferences in four dimensions characterising personality type,
according to Jung's and Briggs Myers' theories of personality type.)
An interesting result as I would
have considered many onlookers likely to assume I am more extroverted than
introverted. Yet personality traits seem
to point to both, depending on mood and current experiences.
ENFP types view everyone and
everything as part of an entire cosmic whole.
Full of ideas and definitely ‘people people’. Humanitarian values are of utmost importance
to ENFPs and they love to be admired by others and be known for being helpful.
A genuine warmth for people, many
ENFPs have a charm which may be perceived as slightly zany. While their values
and viewpoints are strong and often surprising, they are never at the detriment
of upsetting others. This is a totally important part of the ENFP personality.
As a friend, an ENFP can be the
warmest and kindest to know. Empathy is spontaneously available. Those around
them list ENFPs as illuminating and they light up their lives and the room in
which they have just walked into.
There is a cost to this
personality typing which can be they are often excited by adventure and those
around them need to support their latest path of ideas.
Procrastination is a typical trait
of ENFP and they are productive when working in groups. Often they can be typically great in
brainstorming sessions.
Some of the most softhearted
people you can expect to meet are ENFPs and very much tuning into the
atmosphere around them. Often funny which can be switched off when needed.
Business and intellect is a trait for these types too.
Many ENFPs are great storytellers
and love to be writers or journalists.
They hold up their end of
the relationship, sometimes being victimized by less caring individuals. A
skill is allowing strangers the indulgence of feeling like old friends. Which
sees them opening up to ENFPs.
ENFPs do not always evenly
distribute their effort when learning and studying, and may put off work until
the last minute. Describing themselves as working best when ‘up against it’.
Learning well in subjects which are engaging of feelings. Those typical
hindering learning traits are when material is logical and not engaging of
human feelings.
Fear of rejection is a
concern for ENFPs and should they be given the opportunity to help others and
be accepted they flourish. Emotional withdrawal
and rejection is when you will witness ENFPs at their worst.
Many people trust the
ENFP. They totally understand human relationships and will pay attention to
others feelings.
Most ENFPs love company in
everything they do. Yet diverse interactions
are the best type here as they love to give a mix of communication to keep
things interesting and people interested in them.
An ENFP will have an
extensive and diverse circle of friends and acquaintances. They do a great deal
of active communicating at receptions and meetings, or during public events and
recreational activities.
EXTRAVERTED
FEELING
TURBULENT
GET RESULTS BY E-MAIL
(ENFP, -A/-T)
It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to
dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams
– for the adventure of being alive.
Oriah Mountain Dreamer,
Fig 1. - (http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/enfp-communication-style)
Wanting it all
Within the results of the quiz,
in depth discussion of the ENFP neglecting their nearest and dearest whilst
attempting to change the world is a part of the quiz I disagree with. For me as an ENFP I want it all. To change
the world and give my nearest and dearest everything. As well as being
accountable for running a perfect house and life. Which of course is unachievable
and can lead to frustrations.
Careers
Many ENFPs are fascinated by new
ideas and realizing there is a world of opportunity presenting itself to
them. All things new confirm a sense of
wonder and excitement. This is definitely
something I relate to as I love the idea of adventure and aiming to create that
in as many areas of life as possible, including work. Wanderlust for travel is definitely high on
the list of priorities. Coupled with freedom.
Many ENFP will be well suited to
jobs in writing, journalism or acting.
For me, I have a total passion for writing and would happily sit and
write all day. Recently, I have signed into
a programme called 750words.com. This
encourages the individual to write 750 words a day, ideally emptying the brain
onto the keyboard, and at the end of it there is a report with graphs showing
which personality traits are showing through in the writing. Every time my writing has shown me as
introverted. Which I do believe I
am, yet can often be extroverted in
social situations when many other traits have been aligned. For example, if things are going well on a
night out and people seem to be pleased with me, finding me interesting etc I
will very much reflect this within my personality and seem more
extroverted. Should the evening be the
opposite, it is likely I will leave and be full of anxiety.
Fig 2 – From 750words.com
What’s it like being
me?
My results showed
Extravert of 22%
Intuition 34%
Feeling 69%
Perceiving 31%
Many of the traits I agree
with.
I do hope for idealism and the
pressure that can come with such high expectations of perfectionism is really
difficult to live with at times and often very disappointing. Yet with plenty of reasons to know I might not
achieve perfectionism, there is a way I can prepare myself for less than
perfect achievements and accept that I have enjoyed the ride, having done well
in the process. The enthusiasm I can
give when learning something new could show a strong personality and definitely
an air of determination to give it all I have got to achieve the highest
possible result. Yet using the people
skills I have to help me on my way to the top definitely have to be a success
as part of the principles. Without pleasing enough people on the way up, I feel
deflated and disappointed. I need to know I have done more than well
enough. Despite the results. Part of goal setting has in the past been
setting unachievable goals yet these more recent years have seen me being more realistic.
A strength is detailed in the
report as being an infectious personality.
People suggest I brighten the lives around them and its been known for
others to say I light up a room.
Personal growth sees me very
imaginative. Often wanting to reach for the stars which again can often result
in disappointment. Deciding which star
to reach is a better approach to aiming in the first place.
Self esteem can be fragile at times. It very much depends on the ability to create
original solutions. As well as pleasing
those around me. With perfectionism
expectations this is often a threat to ones happiness. With a prism of emotion, compassion and
mysticism often one can be found looking for a deeper meaning which may not
always be there and making an easy situation more complex. Often relying on
intuition way too much can lead to over anticipation. Misreading signals and making frustrations
out of otherwise simple plans would have made life much more simple.
As an emotional and sensitive
individual, I feel stepping on someone’s toes very painful and we both feel
it. Finding it hard to forgive someone
for harsh words which were unecessary is definitely a strong reality to live
with.
Even upon writing this piece, I
am finding a self critical approach and wondering why so much of what I am
writing is about heart felt feelings and
Emotions However, I have felt
since becoming involved in science that this personality typing might well be
wrong for someone within the black and white environment of science. Not being able to relate to those who operate
without any heart led feelings leaves me upset and frustrated.
Work related successes are likely
to come from me working with those who need to be listened to and perhaps get
their stories out by someone who listens with heart and empathy. This is the area I sense I would like to
work. So speaking to others about their
health needs and how they are feeling with nutrition playing a part in how they
feel physically and emotionally.
While I sense I have an
infectious enthusiasm, the threat of this is the reverse, without the
enthusiasm comes the lack of motivation. Yet at times having fun and
experiencing life’s joys are so important too. Taking the moment as it happens
and loving it here and now.
ENFPs are often popular and
friendly. Yet this works against them
when doing the overthinking that couples with this personality type. Often losing sleep wondering why something
happened. A highly emotionally charged
personality.
In personal situations, it takes
an ENFP lots of time of exploring in
social relationships, feelings and ideas before finding something with depth.
Once they commit their heart there is an unshakable devotion.
Weaknesses
Being less forgiving to those who
are unfeeling is something I need to work on.
Accepting we are all different is difficult when such a polar opposite
value is demonstrated. For instance,
someone with absolutely no compassion for others who may be in a difficult situation
creates a very uncomfortable feeling within me.
Overthinking situations and
aiming to figure out people’s perceptions is a definite potentially weak
area. Aiming to relax more in these
situations and just realize that certain things happen at times with little or
no explanation would facilitate avoidance of upset.
Strengths
As a determined and passionate
individual, I produce excellent work when focusing on something I feel inspired
about. Which now I realize to be writing
about those who need inspiration and stories of improvements within life. Working
alone is something I enjoy and working within groups needs to be carefully
orchestrated due to the sensitive nature of working in groups of conflicting
personality typing’s.
Focus is a definite strength and
I can give hours of dedicated work to a project I am passionate about.
As a creative, I know I enjoy
projects which are illuminating to the eye and the heart.
Conclusions
The MBTI confirms many traits
within myself which I would whole heartedly agree with. The report makes for
interesting reading and allows oneself to realize why one might act a certain
way in a given situation.
However, on a personal note, many
changes have happened recently within my life. I find very much that things are
changing and I do sense this report is something which might change over time
dependent on mindset and to a degree be influenced on outside circumstances.
With the assistance of personality
type quizzes and also aiming to listen within to what might feel right in any
given situation, life could be very much what you make it. Work and personal
life situations should be much more pleasurable if we play to our strengths.
