Of Personality Types and Confusion

I have heard so much about the different personality types and the tests you can take to find out what your personality type is.  So, out of curiosity, I decided to take a test to see what type of personality it said that I have.  My results?

Introvert(67%)  Sensing(1%)  Thinking(38%)  Judging(1%)

• You have distinct preference of Introversion over Extraversion (67%)
• You have marginal or no preference of Sensing over Intuition (1%)
• You have moderate preference of Thinking over Feeling (38%)
• You have marginal or no preference of Judging over Perceiving (1%)

In other words, my personality type is probably ISTJ.  But some of my results were so marginal that it said I could also be INTJ, ISTP, or INTP…  So, I have four different personality types??  Or a mishmash of all four?

Or maybe I’m just confused.

No, make that definitely —  I’m definitely confused.

After reading through a description of each of these personality types, I decided that, while none of them entirely described me, different things about each one described me.  So, after asking for opinions from a couple of people who know me pretty well, these are the results that I came up with.

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~  ISTJ  ~
(Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

As do other Introverted Thinkers, ISTJ’s often give the initial impression of being aloof and perhaps somewhat cold.
ISTJ’s are easily frustrated by the inconsistencies of others, especially when the second parties don’t keep their commitments.  But they usually keep their opinions to themselves unless they are asked.  And when asked, they don’t mince words.  Truth wins out over tact.

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~  INTJ  ~
(Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging)

When it comes to their own areas of expertise, INTJ’s will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you and, if so, how.  INTJ’s know what they know and, perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don’t know.
Many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.
INTJ’s are usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misread and misunderstood.
Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJ’s really want people to make sense.
Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to “work at” a relationship.  Although as T’s (thinkers) they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that many F’s (feelers) do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expression.  This ability can be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about; and those relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communication.

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~  ISTP  ~
(Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)

Unlike those with an Extroverted type personality, ISTP’s do not present an impression of constant activity.  On the contrary, they lie dormant, saving their energy until a project or adventure worthy of their time comes along — and then they launch themselves at it.  The apparently frenzied state that inevitably ensues is actually much more controlled than it appears, but the whole chain of events presents
a confusing and paradoxical picture to an outsider.
ISTP’s are equally difficult to understand in their need for personal space.  Because they need such a lot of flexibility to be as spontaneous as they feel they must be, they tend to become as inflexible as the most rigid J (judging-type) when someone seems to be threatening their lifestyle.
Communication tends to be a key issue, since they generally express themselves non-verbally.

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~  INTP  ~
(Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

INTP’s are pensive, analytical folks.  They may venture so deeply into thought as to seem detached, and often actually are oblivious to the world around them.
Precise about their descriptions, INTP’s will often correct others (or be sorely tempted to) if the shade of meaning is a bit off.  While annoying to the less concise, this fine discrimination ability gives INTP’s so inclined a natural advantage as, for example, grammarians and linguists.
INTP’s are relatively easy-going and amenable to almost anything until their principles are violated, about which they may become outspoken and inflexible.  They prefer to return, however to a reserved, albeit benign, ambiance, not wishing to make spectacles of themselves.
A major concern for INTP’s is the haunting sense of impending failure.  They spend considerable time second-guessing themselves.  The open-endedness (from Perceiving) conjoined with the need for competence (from Intuitive/Thinking) is expressed in a sense that one’s conclusions may well be met by an equally plausible alternative solution, and that, after all, one may very well have overlooked some critical bit of data.

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So, as it turns out, the personality type that is supposed to most likely mine is the one I relate to the least.  I think I relate most to that last one, but I’m not entirely sure.  At least the test results provided some interesting reading.  😛

Have y’all ever taken one of these tests?  Would you like to?  Click HERE to take the test yourself.  Did you find your results helpful or confusing?  Care to share?  Please leave me a comment!  🙂