INTP

Please enjoy these photos of my cat Lunyu, doing what she enjoys best (aside from eating).

This post will be about introversion & the Myers-Briggs test but before we delve into that topic, I’m just going to leave a shameless plug & gratuitous images from Lunyu’s blog >> CAT PICS HERE.

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Now that that’s out of the way, let’s discuss the title of this blog post.

INTP is a personality type resulting from the Myers-Briggs questionnaire developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Cook Briggs (mother/daughter). They based their evaluations from Carl Jung’s theory that there are psychological functions that a person uses to process information to experience the world.

This theory was meant to demonstrate the differences in how each person processes and perceives things, as well as to portray the underlying preferences, values and motivation for each individual.

This theory, and in turn the Myers-Briggs questionnaire is often criticized to be unreliable due to studies being based on clinical observations, anecdotal evidence, and the fact that the test is a self-evaluation that depends on the test taker being completely honest.

So what’s my stance on this?

I personally believe that a single questionnaire or evaluation is not enough to peg one’s personality down pat. Things like this and the Western Zodiac might have a few traits that resonate with a person (which might make them more aware of certain things, creating the “ooh, magic!” effect in some and the “finally I have a label! Life affirmed!” for others), but I see human emotion & personality as fluid with biology and past experiences helping shape the foundation.

So why even participate in these evaluations? Because I’m curious.

I also find it challenging at times to explain myself to others and have found that if I provide a label, some thing that is easier for them to relate to, then any future information I present will be easier to digest.

Example:

Person: “Do you want to do [this thing]?”

Me: “No”

Person: “Why not?”

Me: “I don’t really feel like it”

Worst case scenario: Discussion occurs where I must now explain myself, get pulled into a debate where I am being persuaded on why [this thing] is so great and I must do it and I have to present a counter-argument on the fly on why I don’t find it so great for me in this particular moment in time. It’s exhausting and I risk hurting the person’s feelings, especially if they are enthusiastic about [this thing], which in turn makes me feel extremely shitty.

Now let’s try it again – BUT WITH LABELS!

Person: “Do you want to do this thing?”

Me: “No”

Person: “Okay. I understand (because of [insert trait here]). I’ll leave the invite open in case you change your mind but if you can’t do it I totally understand”

There is no pressure to do said task and it’s up to me if I feel like I am capable to push myself that day. Sometimes I will choose to expand my horizons and challenge myself. Other times I will choose to become a blanket burrito and binge on Netflix instead.

Of all the labels I have chosen to arm myself with, Introvert seems to be the main badge I wear. I feel like it validates my hesitation to participate in large social settings, my preference to spend my days off by myself exploring and expanding on my hobbies, finding new interests, and getting to relax without worrying about obligations to others for a day. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do things if I must, and I often enjoy going out in the company of others.

I think this is why Lunyu and I get along great – we do our own thing alongside each other. It also helps that she reminds me to eat when I get too engrossed in whatever it is that I am doing.

In regards to my results in the Myers-Briggs personality quiz (that being the title of this blog post), I will describe what each letter represents.

The “I” is for Introvert. Introverted people are seen as shy, contemplative, with interests mainly pertaining to the self, and do not actively seek the company of others.

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The “N” is for Intuitive (don’t ask me why it wasn’t another “I”).  An instinctive knowledge of what is thought to be true, the ability to make quick insights usually based on beliefs.

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The “T” is for Thinking. Analytical, reflective, using the mind to evaluate and rationalize.

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The “P” is for Perceiving. Using the senses to identify, envision, observe and distinguish.

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I type this in hopes that you, the reader, will be able to use this information to be able to better relate to me and understand where my thoughts are coming from.

After all, I am T.P.