The Myers-Briggs Indicator was created by Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in 1942, based on Carl Jung's personality theory. Before proceeding with the system, it is important to understand that the study is not 100% accurate, nor pretends to be, but it shows general behaviors that personalities have according to its category. Five features are taken into account when entering the classification of personalities: mind, energy, nature, tactics and identity.
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Mind
This aspect shows how do we interact with our surroundings.
The
introverts usually prefer solitary activities, and they exhaust themselves when they participate in social activities. They tend to be sensitive to external stimuli (ex: smells, sounds... ).
The
extroverts prefer social activities because it gives them energy. They tend to be more enthusiastic than introverts.
Energy
This aspect determines how we see the world and how we process information
The ob
servant individuals are quite practical, pragmatic and "down to earth". They tend to have strong habits and concentration on what is happening or what has already happened.
The i
ntuitive individuals are very imaginative, open minded and curious. They prefer novelty to stability, and concentrate on hidden meanings and future possibilities.
Nature
This aspect determines how we make decisions and how we deal with emotions.
Thinking individuals (
T) concentrate on objectivity and rationality, prioritizing logic over emotions. They tend to hide their feelings and seek for efficiency, rather than cooperation.
The feeling individuals (
F) are sensitive and emotionally expressive. They are more empathetic and less competitive than the thinking type, and concentrate on social harmony and cooperation.
Tactics
This aspect reflects our approach on work, planning and decision-making
The
judging individuals are decisive, thorough and very organized. They value clarity, prediction and conclusion, preferring structure and planning over spontaneity.
The
prospector individuals are very good at improvising and visualizing opportunities. They tend to be flexible, relaxed non-conformists who prefer to have their options open.
Identity
Shows our confidence on decision-making and showing our skills.
The assertive individuals (
-A) are self-confident, fair and resistant to stress. They refuse to worry too much and not push themselves too hard when they want to reach a goal.
The turbulent individuals (
-T) are self-conscious and sensitive to stress. They are prone to experience a wide range of emotions and to be driven by success, they are perfectionists and eager to improve.
As you can see, I've put a letter in bold in each feature, and this is because each letter will form part of the acronym that will make up the name of the personality type. For example, my personality type is the
ENTP-T "The Debater"
The ENTP personality type is the ultimate devil’s advocate, thriving on the process of shredding arguments and beliefs and letting the ribbons drift in the wind for all to see. Unlike their more determined Judging (J) counterparts, ENTPs don’t do this because they are trying to achieve some deeper purpose or strategic goal, but for the simple reason that it’s fun. No one loves the process of mental sparring more than ENTPs, as it gives them a chance to exercise their effortlessly quick wit, broad accumulated knowledge base, and capacity for connecting disparate ideas to prove their points.
Playing the devil’s advocate helps people with the ENTP personality type to not only develop a better sense of others’ reasoning, but a better understanding of opposing ideas – since ENTPs are the ones arguing them.
ENTPs’ capacity for debate can be a vexing one – while often appreciated when it’s called for, it can fall painfully flat when they step on others’ toes by say, openly questioning their boss in a meeting, or picking apart everything their significant other says. This is further complicated by ENTPs’ unyielding honesty, as this type doesn’t mince words and cares little about being seen as sensitive or compassionate. Likeminded types get along well enough with people with the ENTP personality type, but more sensitive types, and society in general, are often conflict-averse, preferring feelings, comfort, and even white lies over unpleasant truths and hard rationality.
Sources:
MBTI main website
The complete ENTP article.
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