pompeii
Posts: 934
Joined: 1/4/2007
From: Silicon Valley, San Jose, California
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DoctorDubious
Take a test.
Then we put you in
one of sixteen boxes.
I'm not yet a world famous psychologist, but even I know there are quite a few more than just sixteen boxes because of the variety of the depth of each trait. Some people, for example, score around 10% for a particular preference while others score 100% for a trait. Are they the same? Nope. These 10% MB-switches are different than those whose preferences are more MB-str8 ... and these 10% MB-poly preferences are treated very differently on the professional tests (but not necessarily on the free tests we find on the web).
So, my premise is that those who pooh pooh the test might be those who are MB-bi because the strength of their preference isn't as incontrovertible as others' perhaps more decidedly MB-str8 traits.
Huh? Let me "try" to explain ...
Given INTJ predominates here, let's say you have two individuals who score NT for their gathering and processing of data respectively. Both score 100% for I and J, let's say, which tells us how they strongly relate themselves to the world and how they just as strongly relate the world to themselves. Yet, one scored 10% on N data gathering and T decision making while the other scored 75% on the N and T data gathering and decision-making traits respectively.
Are they in the same box? No way! Do they act the same way. Nope! Are they both INTJ profiles? Yep!
The first INTJ is, what I'll call, an MB-switch while the other INTJ is an MB-str8. They're very different and the professional tests do treat them differently. One is "bi" the other is "straight" (from a personality preference standpoint on the gathering and processing of data). Because of the "strength" of each preference, there are vastly more than 16 "boxes" in the professional tests (I've seen the results since I've done this at my work more than a few times in a group setting). The web-based tests only scratch the surface so the "xNxJ" types out there need to not jump to conclusions too quickly without taking in more data (xSxx types would tend to dig much deeper than simply assuming there are only 16 boxes, for example).
BTW, often, the "switch" who scores 10% NT is generally a fantastic analytical problem solver who comes to the right answer most of the time, whereas the "straight" who scores 75% NT always "thinks" they are right (because of the very strong J) and once in a while they are right (because of the moderate T), but, often their well developed intuition leads them astray (moderate N) because they "had enough data" (often not enough data, as it can turn out so often with Ns).
The first INTJ will likely take much longer to make decisions, may often have trouble deciding what to do with complex emotional events, yet is the classic "mother of invention" type of thinker and decision maker who comes up with a better solution, more often than not - due to their ability to take in and process the data.. The "switch", while being a bit more "confused" at the start, is able to make use of more capabilities than is the str8 so they can handle more situations when complex decisions need to be made.
On the other hand, the second INTJ will take vastly less time mulling over what to do and will often come up with the "right" solution (due to the moderate T), but, as it always is with pronounced Ns, will sometimes, often too quickly, make the wrong decision, which they often stick with long after others see their folly (due to the 100% J). In essence, the str8 has less confusion but isn't as adaptable to the variety of decision-making tools available to others.
Point is, these two personalities are actually vastly different due to the ability to switch to non-preferred traits, and the professional tests certainly take this into account, yet, the web-based tests barely scratch the surface. So please don't jump to the conclusion that the MB test "puts you in one of 16 boxes" because that just isn't the case.
I suspect (but need more data) that those who belittle the Myers-Briggs test as only having 16 slots, are doing so because they may be the folks who are actually "switches" in one or more traits, which means they have the nice ability to switch between capabilities while others, who may be stronger in their straight personality preferences, would be less likely to be confused by the results.
As always, YMMV.
NOTE to SELF: I just realized my S causes me to look for more data while my strong P is the reason for the YMMV signoff allowance! Interesting. Very interesting.
< Message edited by pompeii -- 12/17/2008 6:44:28 AM >
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RE: Myers-Briggs personality types - 
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