Personality Profiling

[woodtick]

I took a Meyers-Briggs personality test a while back and found out I was an INFP type. According to the program, INFP's make up about one percent of the population. Does anybody have an opinion or information as to the merits of Meyers-Briggs testing?
It would explain why I feel like I am "different" from most other people.

[saucy]

I too feel I am " different", maybe for me it is part of being an addict, my son says, Dad you are unique, just like everyone else









'

[woodtick]

I get that a lot also. That and "interesting." When I was an adolescent I decided I didn't want to or have to be exactly the same as everyone else. I've also been described as one who thinks outside of the box.

[2stop]

I've been told I need a box...with a very tight lid! LOL....

I like what your son said saucy...you are unique...just like evryone else. So true isn't it? We are all unique.

[ksos]

Wood...

I've never heard of that acronym INFP. I imagine that Meyers-Briggs is some sort of psychological measure and I suppose that they have a value in the psychology arena. Other mental health professions use the DSM IV for diagnosing specific personality disorders or traits.

Personally and professionally, my opinion is that most of these "profile" tests as well as IQ measures are quite skewed and do not account for many variables such as socio-economic status, cultural factors, or even the primary language spoke by the subject taking them. I do not vest much, if any importance in them. Personality evaluations ought to be done, in my opinion, by trained mental health professionals face to face.

You and I can take any test and manipulate the results in order to make it show what we want it to. I think that we are different because of other dynamics which cannot simply be stamped into a little box. Do we need a test to inform us that we are alcoholics or drug addicts?

Many people have asked similar questions to me about their diagnosis because they took a Beck Depression Inventory Test and the results yielded that they were morbidly unhappy when, in fact, they weren't. Again, I need to re-emphasize, and this is only my opinion, that these measures are quite flawed.

We all are nuts, in one way or another That's my diagnosis for today and Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I wish that I can do one of those things that Lilya or Tammie does with the moving pictures, LOL!

[woodtick]

2stop, you're funny!LOL! I love people who aren't too proud to poke a little fun at themselves once in a while. You will see me do it to myself occasionally.

K,
Good points. I did a quick research on this and the results verify your opinions. The credibility of the results are not solid. That's not to say they are necessarily incorrect but they are vulnerable to factors such as intentional or unintentional manipulation. With a small amount of research, one can deliberately choose answers to get a desired result. The other issue is unintentional slanting. One's perception of oneself insn't necessarily reality. The person taking the test could be chosing answers that relate to the person he or she wants to be and not necessarily is.

Here is a link that describes the test results, the testing system has credibility to a point. It is very well done. http://www.hiresuccess.com/myers-briggs.htm
Apparently it is also used as a hiring aid. The people on this link are using it in a commercial application and charging fees to assess the results, yet they have a disclaimer at the bottom that specifically states not to hire people based on these results. Go figure!

I can see how this test would be more acurate if conducted by a health professional as you pointed out. To be even more scientific, the professional would have to observe the test subject intimately over a period of time to find consistencies.

Yes, it appears there is personality information that can be derived from these tests. I suppose like much in the mental health field it is not an exact science. What one puts into it and how honest he or she is has a bearing on it's benefits.

I like your diagnosis! Have a great Thanksgiving as well!

Wood

[ksos]

Thanks for the link, Wood. Seems like a Human Resources tool and I think I even did this myself, LOL!

[Lilya]

I once took a 10 page personality and career choice test and got 100% score as a fighter pilot and an army general! Shows the reliability of these test! LOL But, I have done parachuting... :p

Use adversity

[lurkings]

I decided to take it because I couldn't remember what mine was...

INFJ
Introverted Intuitive Feeling Judging


Pretty interesting.. I took mine here

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

if anyone else want to try it.

[ksos]

Originally posted by Lilya
I once took a 10 page personality and career choice test and got 100% score as a fighter pilot and an army general! Shows the reliability of these test! LOL But, I have done parachuting... :p

So that explains why a delightful French woman landed in my garden the other day, LOL

[Cecilia]

Woodtick

Are you my evil twin?
I been an INFP for years. Last time I checked I was still one. LOL.

The way I understand it, its not just the letters are. You also have to look at where you are on the chart. My INF is almost dead center but the P is off the chart.

So not only am I outside the box. Im trying to figure out where it came from, who built the first box, could I build a better one, can I get 6 elephants and frog in there, should I paint mine green, I wonder if it would look better over there, should I have hinges or not, should they be on the inside or the out, can I get as chair in there, maybe I should turn it on its side and use the lid as a door, what if I.........

I do think you can manipulate any test by the way you answer the questions. But knowing why people act a certain way has helped me to have more patience with them. For example my Huz sees everything in black and white. I tend to think out loud and consider all possibilities no matter how far fetched. Now I know why it drives him crazy and I dont take it personal.

I dont take this stuff as gospel but I can see the different traits in other people.

I have never fit in. And Im proud of it. LOL. When I was small I read "THE UGLY DUCKLING". I decided right then and there that I was a SWAN. And thats why I never fit in with the rest of the DUCKS.

[clancy]

Well im an ENFP!!!

We are also rare, she proudly anounces. only 3% of the population.

Not as rare as woodtick, but still.

Isn't it funny, this desperate clutching on to individuality.

Its only been like that since the industrial Revolution you know!!!

Before that time people wern't so into their precious 'otherness' i think its really interesting.

Could be im weird.

Cx

[clancy]

I really do think its time i was a senior member. What does one have to do?

Hrrrmmmppphh!

[Cecilia]

Go to "my profile" and click on edit profile. Go down to where it says new member and change it to whatever you want and reset.

[clancy]

wow, im enlightened! thats how people put funny things in that box!

[Cecilia]

I dont know about Woodtick but the first thing I did when I saw The Box was try to see what was under it. So of course when I came here I just had to play with all the bells and whistles. LOL.

[woodtick]

Cecilia! INFP's rule huh? Only a few of us stamped out of that mold. Just don't expect us to finish anything LOL! I went through my files from last semester to find my test results and couldn't find them. I wanted to find out how severe of an infp I was, now I'm going to go crazy wondering. My (ex?)wife either hides or throws away everything. Her idea of organizing was putting things out of sight.

I have found myself to be an idealist with a long range or bigger picture mentality. The last two years I have delved into politics, religion, economics, philosophy, sociology, and psychology. The idealist in me aspires to find some solution to the world's problems I think. I have read numerous books, researched internet sites, listened to lectures and written papers. I don't know if I have delutions of grandeur or what but I have an inner hope that I will someday understand it all and find something everybody has overlooked. Attending college has been a great outlet for me. I was so unhappy working my 9 to 5 job. It was good to have money but I'd rather be somewhat broke and happy. I think it was a large contributor to my depression at the time.

I have also found myself to underestimate resources to reach goals and leaving lots of projects incompleted, although I am getting better. I bite off a lot more than I can chew sometimes but I put 110% into everything I do. I get a vision in my head, think about how I will do it and just go for it. I'm really a busy-body. Other traits with infp's is that we delay projects due to perfectionism, try to please too many people at the same time and spend more time in reflection than in action.

I found out a high percent of INFP's have ADD or ADHD. I went online and took some evaluation tests out of curiosity. My scores said that I had an 80 or 90 percent chance that I had either ADD or ADHD. I brought this up with my doc and she subsequently put me on meds for it.

My wife was an INFJ. When it came to making decisions for us and our life we could not agree at all. I can't think of any situation where I so strongly disagreed with someone. At the time, I concluded that she just didn't believe in me. Maybe these personality profiles have merit and some personalities just don't make good lifetime partners. I often wonder what kind of a personality type INFP's are compatable with in that situation.

Does any of this sound familliar to you?
Here is how a handout describes us: "Quiet observers, idealistic, loyal. Important that outer life be congruent with inner values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, often serve as catalysts to implement ideas. Adaptable, flexable, and accepting unless a value is threatened. Want to understand people and ways of fulfilling human potential. Little concern with possessions or surroundings."

Clancy,
Her is the description of the ENFP's : "Warmly enthusiastic, high-spirited, ingenious, imaginative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Quick with a solution for any difficultyand ready to help anyone with a problem. Often rely on their ability to improvise instead of preparing in advance. Can usually find compelling reasons for whatever they want."



Ok now I have to find out about that box in "my profile" that you two are talking about.

Wood

[woodtick]

Ok, there we are. Now how do you do the picture thing?

[woodtick]

I figured it out.

Cicilia the Who from Whoville,
What is a codie?

Wood

[Cecilia]

Hey Woodtick

Just stuck my snoot in cause I was nosey. Do you know we have the same birthday? LORD HAVE MERCY!!! LOL.

When I first started I kinda stayed over with the AlAnons. Then curiousity got the better of me. Started checking out all the new posts. I like to see things from other prospectives.

Codie is short for codependent. Usually spouses, SO's or relatives. WE're the enablers and the fixers. LOL. Been married to Elvis for 32 years so I guess I qualify as a spouse. And we're just refering to thinking outside THE BOX.

I dont know if INFP's rule. Its pretty obvious I dont have control of my kingdom. LOL.

I didnt have to worry about Elvis/the Huz hiding things. He didnt touch much around here. Spent most of his time wrestling the sofa into submission. I think he thought he was a guest and should be catered to.LOL. And no kids so if I cant find things the only one I can blame is the dog. Ive always been the one who fixed stuff around here. I have my own power tools. LOL.

I usually have at least 10 projects going in various stages but I DO finish them. I like to have things out where I can see them. Otherwise I forget about them and/or lose them. I TRY to put things back in the same place cause I know Ill never remember if I dont. Dont get the impression Im a neat freak tho. If the police came to my house today they would say there was evidence of a struggle. LOL.

I have aLL the traits you described down to the possesions and surroundings. Im a Nester. Been in my house for 20 years and I collect STUFF like a magpie does. Im very attached to my STUFF.

I dont have ADD or any of that stuff but I have always been a SWAN. College was a loooong time ago for me. Ive always been a nerd. Top of my class yada yada. Back in my day it wasnt fashionable for women to be smart and Im tall so I kinda didnt fit in too well.

When I retired I was doing tellicommunications tech support for 6 states. And I was very good at it. I love puzzels and figuring thngs out. Worked with all guys. In the bigining I was the only one but after 10 years or so we got few more women.

[woodtick]

Cecilia,
Good grief Charlie Brown! I think you are my twin! We are both INFP's, have the same birthdays, no kids and worked in the telecommunications industry. Are you an alcoholic too or by being a codie just an enabler?

I am a second generation telephone man. My Father retired from Qwest-UsWest-Northwestern Bell after 34 years. He started in construction/cable splicing and spent the last 20 in installation/maintainence. I started working in the industry when I was 18. I'll PM you and we can share some stories!

I guess what I meant to say is INFP's rock! Poor choice of words. I don't have a ruling mentality, it's not my personality at all. The whole idea of power hungry people is one of my biggest turn-offs.

LOL! Elvis the spousal couch wrestler! He sounds like a real character.

I always seem to have several projects going at once and usually laid out in different stages of completion, not to mention ten more waiting in the wings. When I reach a point of impasse on my personal projects, I will wait until I have the right tool, materials, conditions or what have you until I resume work. My dad says I gold plate everything but that's coming from who family members consider the master of mediocrity, so I don't think I'm all that bad. I have a real problem letting other people do anything for me if it is my automobiles or house. My perfectionism trait often leaves me feeling disappointed with other peoples work. I really like to see people put 100% into what they do especially when it is something permanent.

Fortunately my ADD is mild. I take Straterra for it and it helps tremendously with concentration and focus.

I bet you were great at tech support. I spent many hours on the phone with tech support people and know how much of a blessing a sharp one can be. My dad knew all his his tech support people by his or her voice. He said he would hang up when the less desirable ones would answer his calls and keep calling back until he got his favorites!LOL! I laughed so hard when he told me that. My dad is sort of a character.

[Cecilia]

I have GOT to remember to subscribe to the threads. I forget what I posted on. Sorry.

Well I dont think its possible anymore for us to be twins. You were born in 1969 and I graduated from high school in 1968. LOL. Ill be 54 on OUR birthday. And no I dont want to adopt you. LOL.

I never did drink much. Lucky if I had 2 drinks in a year. Im the Codie. Elvis my alkie/HUz of 32 years is jail for vehicular homicide.

I like to take my time on my projects too. Thats why I have so many going at once. If I get out of the mood, I quit for a while and work on something else. Im not a total perfectionist. It should look good to the naked eye but you dont have to measure it down to the milimeter.

3o yrs for SBC. Operator, records, drafting. Moved up to Outside Plant Eng. Then Circuit Design. Long range Planning. Feeder and Distribution. Building Ind Consulting. Message Design. Service Order Error Resolution. Interlata Deregulaion.

Last 10-15 years before I retired I did Field Assistance and then Tech Support. AS You can see I been around. LOL. I enjoyed Field and Tech Support.

I helped lots of guys like your Dad. Guys didnt hang up ME. I always had guys sneaking and calling me on my second line. LOL. Truthfully I enjoyed fixing problems other people couldnt.

I know all about the hang ups. I used to get grovelers all the time. PLEEESE dont make me call in and talk to THEM.

When I first went into Outside Plant in 1980 I was the only woman and they were MEAN to me. Ask you DAD about way back when. I could tell you stories. LOL.

Sometimes even after I went to Tech I would get a throwback. "Honey we need an experienced person. Put one of the guys on". Id be like okay, Ill put Fred on hes been here 6 mo. About that time the other guys on the like would start yellin " NO, dont hang up! Quick! Tell her your sorry! You fool shes the only one who can fix it." LOL.

[woodtick]

Well, we still have a lot in common and I like telephone people!

OMG. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. That is very tragic. I hope you're doing ok.

I did cable splicing and line-crew work when I left. Boy was our outside plant a mess. Years and years of temporary fixes and nobody keeping track of hardly anything. It was company policy to frog cable pairs in a bad cable section until all the vacant pairs were gone. Then they would lay "temporary" wires on the ground until the engineer wrote up a job to fix it. Then it would take six months to a year before a plow crew placed it, after that we would try to get to it between our emergencies.


I remember a 10 mile long highway construction job where the company had a 100 pair cable laid out across peoples driveways and lawns for three years. Man were some of those homeowners pissed. I was so embarassed when I cleaned the cable out of thier yards.

There was a serious lack of resources where I was working. I couldn't begin to tell you all the ridiculous scenarios. It made everythig we did ten times harder than it had to be and was simply unprofessional. Morale was terrible and there was a lot of tension. People were stealing tools from each other because there weren't many to be had.

After 911 I decided I didn't want to do this for another 25 or 30 years. I quit and started college. Now I do contract splicing in the summertime. I have found a company that is family owned to work under and I'm really happy doing work for them. They treat me really well and I bend over backwards and look out for them.

I can just imagine how it was twenty years ago being a woman at your job. There is some of that old boy mentality around still but it's not tolerated for the most part. The women won't let the guys talk to them like that and the company backs the women. All I ever heard was the occasional "that stupid woman in the office- blah blah blah" It was only to other guys and was always the macho-man type saying it.

[Cecilia]

Yes it was tragic. People lost their loved ones cause he drank and drove. And he wasnt even a hard core Alkie yet. This was his first DUI. Didnt even have any tickets. His luck always held out. But when it failed it failed big time. Im glad that your giving it up. I hope you succeed.

Boy you must have worked for a rinky dink outfit. SBC had problems with their outside plant but nothing like that. The PUCO would have been all over them.

Worked with spicers & linemen in outside plant engineering. They were kinda ruff but I always got along. I volunteered to ride for a month each so that I could do better work prints. Sometimes what looks good on paper doesnt translate well in the real world.

I had some problems in the beginning but I never took it personal. They did the same stuff to everybody. Once they found out I could actually do the job they settled down.
Some of the other women tried to be "one of the boys". They didnt last long. The BOYS couldnt stand it. LOL They just werent satisfied until they embarrassed them and proved them wrong. I told them right off, I can do this job just fine the way I am. I dont feel the need to be "one of the guys". And I made it a point to never cuss except on special occasions. That way they didnt have to spend all their time trying to one up me. Besides when non cussers do cuss everybody runs cause they think all hells gonna break loose. LOL.

Lots of the male engineers would refuse to change their work prints but if the field guys could show me a better way I didnt have any problems with it. I always thought it was funny that the guys on both sides would spend DAYS proving whose fault something was. Im not into that **** and mark your territory stuff. My take on it is assigning blame is a waste of time. Even if you prove its not your fault, you still have to fix it. And now youre behind.