Self-identification

[andrewducker]

I was intrigued by how few people identified as "an introvert" on the previous poll. Looking down the list, it seems to me that the majority of people on my friends list are reasonably introverted - insofar as they get energy from time away fom people, and feel drained by prolonged periods around others, however it seems that they don't feel the same.

So, I'm intrigued how people come out on the Myers-Briggs personality types.

If you've never taken this before then take the test here (takes about five minutes) and report back...

[Poll #1446310]

Comments

[andrewducker]

Not my definition. One that I've seen in use all over the place. On the introversion/extroversion scale, it's generally described as extroverts get energy from being around people and introverts use energy up being around people. I know extroverts who put a lot of energy into social occasions - and they come out with _more_ than they went in with...

[johncoxon.livejournal.com]

It may be a definition that is commonly used, but it conflicts with what the word actually means. Introverted people are shy people, people who don't like engaging with other people, people who tend to look inside themselves. If you're comfortable to plunge into new social situations and go "hey, I'm John!", then I'd argue that you're not really introverted no matter how much energy you find it could take up.

By the way, I am, apparently, ENFJ, although that could change to ESFP if I answered slightly differently, I think, given how slight the N and J are. Some of the questions were badly worded, I felt.

[likeneontubing.livejournal.com]

Introverted and extroverted are not in the 'normal' definition within these tests.
It's about looking at the world, ie the whole perspective/big picture or the details.

It's a lot more complicated than that obviously

[johncoxon.livejournal.com]

Perhaps in those tests, but I have a feeling that people who responded to Andy's previous polls were probably judging whether they were introverted or not by the definition of the word, rather than in the test's context, which would be why so many people that Andy would define as introverted would come out as being extroverted – if you use a definition that isn't the dictionary one without making that clear, then you're going to find there are discrepancies between what you think things should look like and what they actually look like.

[andrewducker]

Which is a very good point!

[johncoxon.livejournal.com]

Why thanks! :D

[erindubitably.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of the opposite - I always come out as extroverted in the Myers-Briggs tests but would call myself introverted by the classical definition. I absolutely love being around people and don't mind crowds/big groups, but I can also be pretty quiet within said groups, unless I have a reason to be otherwise. I can be shy around new people and take a while to 'come out of my shell', but I don't find people draining and indeed find that being around them can help soothe me when I'm feeling ruffled or otherwise 'off'. So I guess it helps to clarify which definition you're talking about in order to make sure everyone's on the same page, otherwise you might get mixed results.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

I don't find people draining and indeed find that being around them can help soothe me when I'm feeling ruffled or otherwise 'off'.

Thats the MB definition of an extrovert. It's not about being quiet or loud. I am loud, but score extreme I. My partner who is quiet is nearer the middle.

[erindubitably.livejournal.com]

Yup - as I said, I come out as E on tests even though by the 'classical' definition I'm not always loud or gregarious and outgoing. The term can actually mean different things depending on how you look at it, so while I'm happy to accept that it does mean it can get confusing if you're not sure which one you're looking at. :)

[johncoxon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wasn't trying to discredit the test, more just pointing out that it's important to be clear with your definitions. You seem like an awesome person so I've added you as a friend, hope you don't mind. :)

[lilitufire.livejournal.com]

*nods* I'm the converse, I'm moderately introvert on the tests, which feels right to me, but when I tell people, people always think I am introvert, because I do make time to generate social interactions. I just don't want them *all* the time, IYSWIM.

[lilitufire.livejournal.com]

Um, I meant extrovert the second time. Editing fail.... :)

[likeneontubing.livejournal.com]

True dat :)

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where I get energy, but I know there's a boundary that requires energy to get over from "time by myself" to "time with others" that I often don't feel the energy to climb.

"Your" test [1] gives ENFJ for me today, but J with a "1%". (though retaking the test, with some different answers [2], I get ENFJ again but with a stronger J!)


[1] There are many of these tests online, this is the one you chose.
[2] I retook the test reading the questions like "You prefer to act immediately rather than speculate about various options" in a different way. First time I read that I felt it unfair as I like to do both, and answered "yes" as I like to act immediately otherwise things don't get done ... but I also like to speculate about the various options, so the second time I said "no" as I don't prefer one to the other, I like both.

[bookzombie.livejournal.com]

My version comes from the 'formal' version I did on a work course a few years ago rather than any of the online ones that are available, so may be a little more reliable.