Hi everyone
I'm an INFP. Found out about 5 months ago when a friend refered me to the Keirsey test. Ive always been a big fan of personality tests but this is the first one I've taken seriously. I took the Keirsey test, its on his website but you have to register to take it. Id recommend it, its a great test. It got me as an NF and then just by looking at the titles I was able to pick out the Healer as my type. I was completely astounded by the description as it fit me perfectly, better than I've ever been able to describe myself.
So I went out and immediatly bought Please Understand Me II. Absolutely loved the book, it explained so much to me. The NF description was too me, it was almost unreal. Its so nice to feel that. I relate a lot to some of the things in the NT description as well but that's because
1) The N similarity
2) I like to think a lot too, just because im an F doesnt mean I'm not good intellectually 3) I value many of the NT traits and so try to apply them to my life
Basically, I'm an NT wannabe lol. But in all I love my type, I wouldn't want to be anything else no matter what I (or others) say. Ever since I've taken the test my interest in the subject as grown very highly. I've read a ton about Keirsey but have been expanding to the Jung/MBTI theory as well. I also think the Enneagram can help explain some of the differences in similar types but that takes even more research.
The main difference in Keirsey and MBTI is that Keirsey is based more on observations while the MBTI is based more on theory. I personally find the theory wonderful and that the observations support it a lot. But I think it takes the perspective that we are not tied to categories, not confined or limited by our types. Rather, they help us explore ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, our attitudes, etc that broaden our outlook on life. Every person is unique, type theory does not try to deny that, it is just trying to show similarities.
Personally I do not put much value in tests. For tests the bad part about them is humans are very hard to test, there are so many variables. The principle of "Garbage in, Garbage out" very much applies to this. We all see ourselves differently and our perspective on ourselves changes, from moment to moment, each day through to many years. Some people are more self-aware than others and can see the larger patterns in their behaivor and that can make it easier for them to find their type. It requires putting in effort to discover yourself and look for the knowledge to understand it, one simple test, that may or may not be accurate, can't do that for you on its own. Its up to you.
I've seen many people type themselves wrongly because of these varying issues. Im not immune either. I mistyped myself on the Enneagram and I saw one of the reasons why was I try to identify with many different things, I like to see the good in everything. I also tried to be what I wanted my type to be and now who I really was. The question is, do you want to find your true type or choose one just because you like it?
I also agree that your type doesn't change. BUT everyone has the ability and potential to develop their personality so that they can do many things that are like another type. But its not about the surface traits, its about the underlying truth. Thats the problem with many descriptions too, people look at a word or statement that they dont think is them at all and then try to switch types or are confused about what type they are. Sometimes its important to look at the broader picture. So when your type suposingly changes on tests, its not your true type thats changing, its your perception of it.
Well, I hope I didn't scare off anyone with my long essay I wrote hehe.
Rising Tree, thanks for starting the topic and sharing your knowledge, its very kind of you.
~Anoel
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