The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator section of PORTfolio really
got me thinking about myself and how I deal with and experience the world.
According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a person's preferences can be
identified using four scales. These four scales deal with certain personality
traits and how a person experiences life. These four scales are:
introvert/extrovert, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and
judging/perceiving. From these four scales, a person has an individualized
profile type “that result from the interactions among the preferences” (The
Myers & Briggs Foundation).
The introvert/extrovert scale deals with where a person likes to focus their
attention. Introverts "focus on the inner world of ideas and
impressions" (Personality). They are quiet and like to spend time alone.
Introverts like to reflect before taking action and like to work alone or with
a close group of one or two people. Extroverts "focus on the outer world
of people and things"(Personality). They talk a lot and prefer to be around
lots of people. Extroverts are easily distracted and would rather
solve problems by talking out loud and listening to other's ideas. I
am a strong introvert with a score of 67. The description of an introvert
describes me perfectly. However, I do like to listen to other's ideas when
solving problems.
The sensing/intuition scale deals with how a person gathers information.
Sensors like facts and details. They think realistically and prefer to
experience things first hand. They also like things to be practical. Intuitive
people are more creative and imaginative and, therefore, find more
possibilities. They see the big picture and like ideas instead
of detail and facts. Intuitive people would rather think about
the future than the past and like to try new things. I am a weak sensor with a
score of 12. Because I am a weak sensor, I tend to use both traits.
Though I do like facts and details rather than abstract ideas, I look like
to focus on the future rather than the past. I love to try new,
different things like an intuitive person. I also prefer to experience
things on my own to understand things.
The thinking/feeling scale deals with how a person makes decisions. A thinking
person prefers to make decisions based on "logic and objective
analysis of cause and effect"(Zenberg). They are highly motivated by
personal achievement and are critical of themselves and
others. Feelers are very concerned about other people's feelings. They
make decisions based on what's best for everyone and put other's opinions
before theirs. They love to please others and are motivated by being
appreciated. I am a weak thinker with a score of 12 so, like my
sensing/intuition scale, I am comfortable with using both. I believe that I am
more of a feeler actually because I possess more of their traits. I am
motivated by my own personal achievement; I really don't care if others approve
of me. I, however, care more about other people's feelings than my own. I will
put another's preferences before mine if it means that they will be happy. I
also do not like confrontation.
The judging/perceiving scale deals with how a person relates to their
environment. A judger is very serious and organized. They do not like it when
things get piled up so they "work first, play later"(Tieger &
Barron). A perceiver is casual and spontaneous. They like to wait for other
opportunities to arise so they usually "play first, work
later"(Tieger & Barron). I am a fairly high judger, though I see some
perceiver traits in myself. I do like to be very organized and hate for work to
get piled up, however, I tend to put other things before my work. If something
fun comes up and I have a paper due the next day, I will do that activity
first, and then finish the paper later, even if it means staying up all night.
My overall type is an ISTJ. ISTJ's are described as being "very loyal,
faithful, and dependable" (Portrait...3). They are "quiet and
reserved...interested in security and peaceful living"(Portrait...2). I
believe that both of these traits describe me perfectly. I am a very reserved
person but once I make friends with someone, I am very loyal to that person. I
place great importance on being a good friend to others and I would do almost
anything for them. According to the "Portrait of an ISTJ" article,
ISTJ's strongly believe in tradition and laws. This is one trait that I do not
have. I tend to be untraditional in almost everything that I do. One trait
that really surprised me was that "under stress, ISTJ's...see nothing but
all of the possibilities of what could go wrong" (Portrait…13). I did not
realize it, but I do this. When a lot of things come at me at once, I kind of
shut down and think about everything going wrong. After a while of thinking of
all the negatives, however, I eventually start completing some of the tasks.
According to a handout given in class, some of the careers I would be best
suited for are: engineer, geologist, file clerk, police officer, and
pharmacist. While some of the career choices sound like something I would
be interested in, I would not want any of them to be my career. The only career
I would even consider would be a pharmacist or a dentist. These two are the
closest to what I really want to do. I want to be a doctor and I have always
wanted to be a doctor. I was disappointed with the career choices they gave me
so I researched other possible career choices online. I found a couple of
websites that had many of the career choices from the handout, but it had a few
new ones, including my actual career choice.
From this section, I have become better in tune with what kind of
person I am and what my preferences are. Even though I make
these decisions and think the way I do everyday, they are
all subconscious so I never think about it. From now on, when I make a
decision or solve a problem, I will know where that solution or decision
came from. I now have a better understanding of
myself from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test.
Works Cited
“Careers for ISTJ Personality Types.” The Personality Page. 28 Mar. 2006. 15 Oct. 2007 <http://personalitypage.com/ISTJ_car.htm>.
The Myers & Briggs Foundation. 15 Oct. 2007 <http://www.myersbriggs.org.>
"Personality." Stanford Chinese Institute of Engineers. 31 Jan.
1999.
“Portrait of an ISTJ.” The Personality Page. 28 Mar 2006. 11 Oct. 2007 <http://personalitypage.com/ISTJ.htm>.
Tieger, Paul D., and Barbara Barron. "What's Your Personality Type?" PersonalityType.Com. 13 Nov. 2007 <http://www.personalitytype.com/quiz.asp>.
Zenberg, Monica. "Want a Winning Personality? Learn Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type." Gather. 7 Nov. 2007. 13 Nov. 2007 <http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977170043>.