There are 16 Myers-Briggs personality types abbreviated based on the traits exhibited: introvert/extrovert, a sensor/intuitive, a thinker/feeler, and a judger/preciever. I analyzed my type for my psychology class. According to the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, I am both INFP and INTP. At first, this seemed off. Figuring there must have been a mistake, I retook the test, resulting in the same answer. Reading the profiles for each and choosing the one that fit me best seemed like the most straightforward way to proceed, except I realized they both describe me equally. On a surface level, this makes no sense. INFP and INTP seem like polar opposites, with the INFPs focusing on their intuition and emotions while the INTPs favor logical, fact-based approaches to solutions (Heyward, n.d.). INFPs are associated with the arts and fiction, while INTPs are people of science. INFPs tend to take criticism as personal attacks, even finding it when none was intended, while INTPs accept it as long as it seems sound (Heyward, n.d.). INFPs are greatly affected by injustices towards others, while INTPs are able to remain levelheaded during such circumstances (Heyward, n.d.). Their approach to life seems different, and it is. INFPs, by definition, are feelers, while INTPs are thinkers (Heyward, n.d.). Driving deeper into the profiles reveals that INTPs and INFPs are cut from a similar cloth. Due to the fact that they only differ in the Thoughts/Feelings category, much of the mannerisms that distinguish them from others are the same. Both types share auxiliary “extraverted thinking” and tertiary “introverted sensing”, meaning the ways in which they supplement their type’s unique traits is the same (Heyward, n.d.). While INTPs are the more approachable of the two, both are relatively cold to strangers yet extremely protective of their few, close friends (Heyward, n.d.). They tend to come off as strange or aloof to others, either due to an unawareness of social cues or simply not caring to conform to them. Both become very defensive when their values and beliefs are challenged, but INTP’s take information opposing their beliefs more objectively, while INFPs may tend to ‘filter out’ such information from the world (Heyward, n.d.). They thrive when working alone, or take more controlling positions in group work as they have high expectations for their work and are incredibly detail-oriented, especially when stressed (Heyward, n.d.). Both are considered incredibly idealistic, with voyages to reality often followed by diving deep into the protection of the ‘perfect’ world inside their heads. Many are described as having their “heads in the clouds” (Heyward, n.d.). For INFPs this would likely mean they are replaying conversations in their heads or creating stories, while INTPs are more likely to be thinking through a problem or imagining advancements in their favorite fields. As passionate individuals, they tend to “commit themselves” to their current projects or causes, letting more mundane tasks and chores pile up, usually resulting in an unkempt or messy workspace or appearance (Heyward, n.d.). Both types are considered highly creative and intelligent, but often “blow up” in anger or come off as incredibly cynical (Heyward, n.d.). I have always felt this strange duality in my interests in mannerisms. While I highly enjoy the sciences, I find it incredibly difficult to refrain from reading every fantasy novel on the market. In conversations, I find myself either adding sporadic input (incredibly INFP) or transforming the conversation into a rant in which I attempt to prove my latest theory (an INTP trait) (Heyward, n.d.). I commonly face problems either too rationally or too emotionally (often when the other would be favorable), further confirming my near equal use of ‘feeling’ and ‘thinking’. References Heyward, R. (n.d.). MBTI Personality Test. Retrieved May 2, 2020 May 2020, 11th Grade
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