Personality Traits, Essay Example

Test and results

After taking the Myers-Briggs personality test, the results I received revealed the pattern of INFP. This shows that I am generally intuitive, introverted, I prefer perception and feeling over thinking. Although I have always known that I liked having my own way and rules in life, figuring out things rather than following the rules, the test possibly did not reveal one side of my personality, and this might have been because sometimes the questions related to empathy and individualism were contrasted. In my life, I have never imagined that there is a real contrast between being sociable with people and going on one’s own way. I feel like one can get accepted the way they are, even if they are different. Although some people feel like they do not fit in the society, because they are different, some of them – just like me – get accepted, because they build up their confidence in themselves. I have never had difficulties getting to know people on holiday, socializing and having fun at the workplace, although, I did never initiate relationships. For me, the accuracy of the test is at least questionable, and in the next part I would like to compare the main personality traits and my perception of my own values and patterns to reveal some of the details.

Relationships

As I have always been taking time before making decisions or taking important steps, this analysis seems to be correct. I like thinking a new idea through and analyzing the consequences, and this sometimes annoys my partner and friends. When I face an important decision I usually answer them that I need to think about it, and this might take weeks, even months.

Type Dynamics

My mental muscle diagram showed that the most important dynamics were feeling and intuition, and the least important one was thinking. Although I agree that in many ways I do tend to listen to my intuition, I like thinking things over rationally. I think that when I will grow older and will have a greater level of responsibility, the thinking element will become more dominant, while today, I am more conscious about discovering what is important for me, rather than what would be useful long term.

Leadership

The test determined me as an ideological leader, and today I cannot think of myself as one. Although people tend to become my “followers” and ask for advice, I try to provide them with practical advice, instead of ideas. It is true that – based on my past experiences – I tend to build up patterns and apply rules, the strong beliefs of my traits are not strong enough to be forced on others. I do not tell people to do what I think is right, however, I can get passionate about causes I think are right and useful.

Careers

Although I understand that too much introversion is not good for me, I would possibly choose to work individually, instead of a part of a team. However, there are some times when solitude is not appealing at all, and I need people to discuss work with, therefore, a work without communication –just like the test results show – would possibly not be perfect.

Conclusion

Although there are sixteen different personality traits determined by the Myers-Briggs personality test, and they describe mental processes, it is also true what authors say (Myers, 1993 and 1994) that every person uses all of the dynamics, just in a different way or on another level. It would be untrue to say that all people in the same group have the same beliefs and attitudes, however, the model is the most widely used all over the world to determine basic personality types.

References

Myers, Isabel and Myers, Peter (1993). Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. CPP Books. Palo Alto, CA.

Myers, Katharine and Kirby, Linda (1994) Introduction to Type: Dynamics and Development. Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. Palo Alto, CA.