# Do any dopers know their Meyers-Briggs personality type? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 28, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431 "2003-12-28T18:23:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/21 "2003-12-28T23:52:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alterego \* > \*\*Maxxxie i have been told that it really wont be accurate unless you have an actual test done by a doc…if you are taking the online tests that could be why! \*\* Myers-Briggs tests are neither accurate nor meaningful no matter who’s giving you the test; they are not quite as ridiculous as astrological signs, but they’re pretty close. They’re total junk, made believable by the Forer effect. Here’s a description of one of the 16 possible “types” I dug up: [A Myers-Briggs type](http://www.smc.qld.edu.au/intj.htm) I would guess that probably 50% of all people would read that and say, “Yup, that’s me!” It includes, as possible occupations for such a person: LAWYERS, SCIENTISTS: RESEARCH WORKERS: ENGINEERS: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYSTS: PHOTOGRAPHERS: TEACHERS: University PSYCHOLOGISTS: SOCIAL SCIENTISTS: COMPUTER SPECIALISTS: AUDITORS: WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS: DOCTORS OF MEDICINE: ADMINISTRATORS: BANKING AND FINANCE: TECHNICIANS: MANAGERIAL - in other words, almost any possible good job. None of the types had occupations like “Laborer,” or “Truck Driver,” I am fascinated to note. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/22 "2003-12-29T00:01:26Z")
The last two you mentioned would probably be under industrial, maybe? I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re either Introverted or Extroverted and most share the same qualitys in between. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/23 "2003-12-29T00:09:02Z")
Given our supposed rarity I am surprised to see others here testing out as INTJ. I think many take it way too far but all my lovers have tested out at some point as INFP (I don’t test them, it is just something many folks do at some point and I enjoy healthy relations with all my exes so I hear the results) so there must be something in it I guess. It also goes a long way towards explaining why they are exes, as I tell them, lesbians should not have p-ness, that is where all the stuff that drives me batty seems to reside 😉 [The Keirsey Temperament](http://keirsey.com/) is an extension and update to the original Myer-Briggs and that site has a lot on the web including online tests if you must. ---
**Author:** ![geewhiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@geewhiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geewhiz)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/24 "2003-12-29T00:49:44Z")
It says I am a Gaurdian…and then of course asks for money for the rest of the report. I don’t put much faith in it. It really didn’t describe me. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/25 "2003-12-29T01:10:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by danceswithcats \* > \*\*ENFJ \*\* Me too, although my T-F score is right on the line. This supposedly means we are catalyst-visionary. From the back of my score sheet: "Responsive and responsible. Generally feel real concern for what others think or want, and try to handle things with due regard for the other person’s feelings. Can present a proposal or lead a group discussion with ease and tact. Sociable, popular, sympathetic. Responsive to praise and criticism. ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/26 "2003-12-29T01:41:47Z")
Me three, ENFJ that is. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/27 "2003-12-29T01:53:41Z")
MBTI is not the same as the Keirsey, though they are similar in many ways. **Maxxxie,** assuming that your different administrations were comparable and accurate, some elements of type may change over time. This idea is accounted for in the MBTI discussions of Jung’s typology and the notion that the less-preferred styles may be enacted more as you mature. **RickJay,** I’m not going to go to work to pull out the manual, but the MBTI is certainly more reliable and valid than astrological signs. I’ve given tons of them and people are quite good at identifying their code type when the differences are presented well by a trained educator/examiner (i.e., the trainer doesn’t say, “Are you an introvert or an extrovert?” but rather operationalizes the two styles and gives descriptions of typical behaviors or approaches to problems that typify each). This is particularly true in group training situations where people have opportunities to compare their approaches to issues and problems with their coworkers. Only a small proportion of people do not agree with their earned code type after administration and interpretation. This is true of all cognitive/psychological/personality testing. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/28 "2003-12-29T02:08:21Z")
I’m afraid I’m with **RickJay** and if anything I think astrology has a better basis than MBTI. At least astrologers make up their stuff from scratch. Myers-Briggs gets you to self report whether you are for example an extrovert and then surprise surprise agrees with your decision. [The Skeptic’s Dictionary](http://www.skepdic.com/myersb.html) has a little food for thought. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/29 "2003-12-29T02:11:54Z")
INFJ here. ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/30 "2003-12-29T02:18:41Z")
Never been tested by a professional, but I apparently am ENFJ. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/31 "2003-12-29T02:20:22Z")
**Nichol\_storm** Chalk up another INTP ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/32 "2003-12-29T02:56:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shoshana \* > \*\*MBTI is not the same as the Keirsey, though they are similar in many ways. > \*\* I know that but there is a lot more about the Kiersey Temperament Sorter and the types on the web than MBTI and given folks are doing this online which is going to be even less reliable than professional testing I figured it didn’t matter much. Everyone I know who has taken both has received the same result. I find it useful as a tool in some circumstances (work relationships in small offices and so on) but I have friends who will blame everything on their type _of course I’m late, I’m a P, we are always late_ and to me they may as well tell me they are a Leo with a moon rising in Uranus, what they are is inconsiderate and what I need is for them to apologise and try harder next time. ---
**Author:** ![Paco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Paco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paco)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/33 "2003-12-29T03:05:50Z")
INFJ ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/34 "2003-12-29T04:38:44Z")
INTP, with about 50/50 for introvert/extrovert. Classic engineer type, no surprises there. I base this on the fact that I got this exact same result for about four or five different tests. I really can’t take it now, though; I second-guess myself and end up with results that sound nothing like me at all. ---
**Author:** ![peritrochoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@peritrochoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peritrochoid)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/35 "2003-12-29T04:49:15Z")
INTP ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/36 "2003-12-29T04:58:00Z")
Whee, another INTP. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/37 "2003-12-29T05:47:49Z")
And yet another INTJ. Isn’t it likely that certain types, more than others, would be drawn to SDMB? Yet it _is_ hard to imagine Gandhi hanging out here. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/38 "2003-12-29T05:54:51Z")
I’m an INTJ too. Maybe that’s why I don’t think it’s all bunk. I read about the other 15 types and none of them matched me at all. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/39 "2003-12-29T06:20:26Z")
I’m an ISTP. Opal had something on her webpage a long time ago that had all of our types. I wonder if she still has it? I’d be interesting to compare it to what I am now. ---
**Author:** ![Themis00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/13edae/32.png) [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-dopers-know-their-meyers-briggs-personality-type/221431/40 "2003-12-29T06:31:05Z")
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