Personality Test

This isn't some kind of Scientology thing?

The Myers-Briggs personality type indicators have been around for a long time, and enjoy respectable credibility. This discussion doesn't belong in this forum. But it is worthwhile dwelling on. The MB tests broadly put a categorisation on what most of us know already . . . that people are different: they think, they process information, and deal with each other in different ways. If we recognise and allow for these broad differences, we can work and comminicate with each other more effectively. The 'Golden Rule' tells us to treat each other as we would like to be treated. This is not very helpful, because how I wish to be treated is not necessarily the same as how you wish to be treated. More useful is the rule: "Treat others as they wish to be treated", which places an obligation on you to find out how the other wants to be treated, rather than the grand assumption behind the Golden Rule. M-B is really useful in chracterisation (i.e. in writing plays, novels or screen plays), because it allows a writer to develop characters that are internally consistent.

MB tests take a bit of unravelling, and some understanding of the concepts and terms is helpful. Like, if you hook up a dynamometer to your car, its read-out won't mean much unless you know a bit about dynamometers. However, random or systematic responses will produce unhelpful drivel, as you've noted.

Here is a very brief summary of the elements that make up Myers-Briggs: 'When Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers designed Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI), they took Jungian typology as the basis. Here you will find some facts about Carl Jung, as well as the most important chapter of his book "Psychological types". Jung used 3 scales to measure people. 'The first one was (E)xtroversion vs. (I)ntroversion. This stands how people prefer to focus their attention(interest) and get/spend energy. In the extraverted attitude the energy flow is outward, and the preferred focus is on people and things, whereas in the introverted attitude the energy flow is inward, and the preferred focus is on inner thoughts and ideas. '(S)ensing vs. i(N)tuition. Sensing and Intuition are the perceiving functions. They indicate how a person prefers to receive data from the environment around him. These are the nonrational functions, as a person does not necessarily have control over receiving data, but only how to process it once they have it. Sensing prefers to receive data primarily from the five senses(sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch), and intuition prefers to receive data from the unconscious, or seeing relationships via insights. Often it is called "sixth sense" or "gut feel". '(T)hinking vs. (F)eeling. Thinking and Feeling are the rational functions. They are used to make rational decisions concerning the data they received from their perceiving functions, above. Thinking is characterized as preferring to being logical, analytical and thinking in terms of "true or false". Thinking decisions tend to be based on more objective criteria and facts. Feeling, which refers to subjective criteria and values, strives for harmonious relationships and considers the implications for people. Feeling decisions tend to be based on what seems "more good or less bad" according to values. 'And the 4th scale even it could be met in the Jungian works was truly added by Myers-Briggs team. (J)udging vs. (P)erceiving. It shows how people relate to the world around them. The J person tends to prefer to create and live in an ordered environment. Words like "structured" and "controlled" come to mind. Js tend to "plan their work and work their plan." They often come across as "decisive". The P individual tends to prefer a flexible, wait-and-see environment. Words like "spontaneous" and "adaptable" and "open-minded" best describe him or her.'