I bet you think I'm extroverted. That's a pretty reasonable assumption to make based on the fact that I've taken you along with me to my mammogram. An introvert probably wouldn't do that.
Only I did. And I am. Honestly.
I'm not shy, I'm not socially awkward or maladjusted, I'm just a loner. Some people thrive on crowds and parties and wearing lampshades on their heads. I thrive on solitude and often need a day of recuperating after an especially social outing like buying gum.
Admittedly I'm just a borderline introvert which is why I I'm not uncomfortable in social situations or afraid of them ... I just find them tiring.
How do I know this about myself? Well I'm pretty astute. Plus I took the famed Myers Briggs personality test a few weeks ago and it indeed confirmed everything I already knew about myself.
The Myers Briggs test is a personality test that was developed by a woman in the 1940s based on research done by Carl Jung in the 1920's. It breaks everyone down into 1 of 16 different personality types based on whether they are Extroverted or Introverted, Sensory or INtuitive, Thinking or Feeling, and Judging or Perceiving.
It's the most popular personality test in the world and it's also one of the most criticized. Not unlike the Seinfeld finale.
I turned out to be an "INTJ". Which means I'm an Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Judging kind of person. Which makes perfect sense because when I first heard about this test my first instinct was to judge it. I'm not a huge fan of this kind of nutshelling. But then it was accurate and I didn't know what to do. I mean I'd already judged the way a judgey judger would. I'll Intuitively Think about what to do with this information while being Introverted one night.
No personality type is deemed any better than any other type in the test. They're just different. "INTJs" (me) for example tend to be interested, innovative, single-minded in concentration, unimpressed with authority and naturally high achievers. On the other hand an "ENFP" is charming and enthusiastic, people oriented, knows everyone and everything that's going on and will b able to do almost anything that he or she wants. See? Not better. Just different.
Only obviously anyone who is an INTJ is better.
Wanna know what you are? This sample Myers Briggs test only takes a few minutes to do. Go do it then in the comment section tell us what you are and if you think it's true!
I really did find mine to be a fairly accurate representation of me.
Curious about famous people? Of course you are because we're all interested in what famous people are really like for some bizarre reason. Actually it isn't bizarre at all, I know exactly why. It's because we either want to know that they're exactly like us or nothing at all like us, depending on what famous person we're talking about.
This site has a great long list of all the different personality types and famous people they attribute them to. I'm linking to the INTJ page, but just look in the left hand column for your type and click on that.
Since we know I'm an INTJ, here are a few others in this world who were as well.
Sir Isaac Newton
Physicist
Mark Zuckerberg
CEO of Facebook
Stephen Hawking
Physicist
Ted Kaczynski
The Unibomber
Jay Z
General all around mogul
I was pretty excited about my list of INTJ celebrities until I couldn't find David Letterman on it. Turns out he was on the ENTJ list. Which no way in hell is true. David Letterman is not an extrovert, he's a classic introvert so now I'm back to questioning the validity of this test.
Not that I'm one to judge. But I am.
Did you take the test? Do you know what you are?
Lay it on me.
[shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5342563"]
Linda J Howes
ENFJ and I am in some really good company
Jane
ENFJ....sounds pretty accurate!
jainegayer
I had to take the Myers-Briggs in '93 for a graduate course. I am an ISFP and it was right on. It was amazing to read a description of myself that was so accurate and all my faults or supposed weaknesses were not so bad after all. I still have the test and when I have started a project and haven't finished it, I reread the test and feel better knowing that eventually I will finish the project. Took me 3 years to lay vinyl tile in my basement but I got it done.
Rondina
E(17) S (15) F (2) P (27)
Mine was administered to me by a professional years ago. The F/T part manifests itself in being able to see both sides of any argument or decision. As a professional genealogist, I write proof summaries/arguments for a living. A good fit. I'm very much like you on the extrovert part. I'm very social, but I have to have a goodly amount time spent alone. Happiest when sitting in the dirt working on the garden.
STELLA
INFJ, me Mother Theresa and Hitler!
Diane
I'm an ENFJ. I was okay with that until I saw that Joe Biden and Michael Moore were on the list as well! I think I need to retake the test.
Susan
I'm INTJ as well, but think I lean more towards the practical than the theoretical. A couple of the questions were a little ambiguous...one was actually a statement and I wasn't sure how to answer it. Yes, the statement is true? Or no, the statement is true but I don't think that way? So my results could be a little skewed by overthinking the questions. Another thing about tests like this is that you are obviously going to answer some of them "yes" whether it's true or not. Are you empathetic? No, I'm a cold-hearted people-hating bitch. For some reason, people seem to think the best of themselves. :-)
BTW, I read a definition of introverts and extroverts somewhere that was a "whoa!" moment. I've always thought I was an introvert but couldn't see how it was true. I have always dealt with the public in some way and love it. Right now, I own a convenience store and I'm in my glory socializing with the customers. But if they invade the sanctuary of my home, I am incredibly peeved.
The gist of the article was that both extroverts and introverts can be people lovers. The difference is that an extrovert is feeding off the energy of other people. An introvert is feeding their energy to other people. So although they can both enjoy a party, the extrovert will be still be energized at the end of the evening and the introvert can't wait to get home because they need solitude and quiet to recharge their batteries.
It made so much sense and explained a lot to me, so I hope I haven't mangled the meaning by rephrasing.
Su
ISFJ - for the most part... but I'm not that organized...or that fatalistic.... introverted, sort of, but when I do go to a party or out to socialize I can turn it on and have a great time....
Langela
Finally! Someone else that's ISFJ. Doesn't seem to be too common on here. It was mostly right for me too, but off on just a few things. I'm not quiet or gentle or good with money. Maybe I just appear that way to others because I'm busy judging them before I talk to them. :)
Su
you judge people too before you talk to them???? finally someone else who admits it! whenever I'm in the airport waiting, I'll make up stories about people and what they are doing and who they are to amuse myself, based purely on appearance :)
Staci
ISFJ here too! I could sit in an airport all day and watch people - as well as come up with great stories about their lives, based solely on their demeanor and appearance. :)
I don't think all of the test is applicable to me though - I am not a "quiet" person. I am loyal and dedicated and I do like to be recognized - financially - not a "hey here is a stupid plaque for your desk" kind of recognition. Be quiet and give me a raise that no one else knows about thankyouverymuch.
I do agree that I can remember all the details of just about any situation - especially if someone slighted me. And I will sit back and let you dig your hole in silence - until I'm done being quiet. Then? Whoa boy, watch out, because I will make you feel an inch tall when I'm done ripping you a new asshole. And I don't forgive and forget either. :)
I also have problems with doing things "because I said so" or "that's how it's always been done" when I'm at work. I am going to be the first to ask why. WHY are you doing it that way?!! Just because Sally did it that way for 20 years doesn't mean it's the best, or even the right way! Sally could be dumb! LOL!
I'm a terrible person...clearly. :)
Donna
I took the test, did not submit it--where does it go. who scores it, who are we giving info about yourself to ?? Privacy anyone ??
Karen
It's just automatically scored by an online program Donna. No one gets any of your information. And even if they did it's pretty innocuous information. Plus you don't give your name when you take the test. So you don't need to worry. ~ karen!
~JackieVB
INFJ and INTJ here - I agree with both actually - it just depends on the day.
Heather
I haven't done the test yet (I will) but I am always curious why people take tests to figure out who & what they are. Like having your handwriting analyzed or any other myriad of personality tests. Do we really not know what we're like? Why do we need a test to tell us? Are you expecting to find out something about yourself you didn't know? I don't get it.
Judy Jackson
Me too! Me too! Another INTJ. Noticed about a quarter of the commenters are INTJ's... Hhhhhhmmmm... Must be why I/we love your blog so much... the kindred spirit thing.
Fred Barrett
INTJ too! Vaguely satisfied with that.
Bernard
ENTP - dead on!
Doreen
INFJ! But I'm loving your blog
Tracie
ISFP...pretty accurate.
Leslie
INTJ too! Much prefer doing things by myself and feel "violated" when my privacy is interrupted.
Janet
I've taken the full test a few times (its lonnnnggg) - once as a student and I was an ISFJ at the time. After a few years of soul-sucking corporate work, I had to take it again (for work) and was an ISTJ ;) I've probably been borderline F/T all along. Not even knowing you, Karen, I don't think it's surprising you're an introvert. An extrovert could never work alone as often as you do without sucking some energy from other people like a vampire! I kid, but as an introvert, that's exactly how I feel after being in crowds for too long or at a party - like I need to recharge my batteries because all the vampire E's in my life sucked the life right out of me ;) My SJ combination is the exact opposite of my husband's NP so we've actually found ways to communicate better with each other because of this test. I usually don't put a lot of stock in these tests either, but I think this one is pretty accurate and useful.
Catherine Gibson
Oh yeah! we extroverts make remarkably bad solo workers. The people taking work to Starbucks? They are probably extroverts who work from home and who are being driven completely nuts by the sound of the crickets chirping in the background. No bueno. I'm an E and the hubs is an I so we routinely have to plan activities that meet our different preferences. When he needs quiet time I go shopping where I can chat with clerks and other shoppers all I want.
That's actually a big downside to being an extrovert, you generally can't extrovert alone.
Beckie
ISTJ
It is spot on...with one exception, I am also a Cancer, so I do tend to be quite emotional. Otherwise, this is me.
mimiindublin
ESFJ, which is a good match! Love doing these tests, haven't looked at the celebs list yet, not that interested in celebs anyway, I prefer ordinary people, or esfj people.
Sally
INTJ here too! Karen, I'm just like you in the sense most people don't really think of me as an introvert because I am really good in social situations, I just don't like being forced into them. I'm not totally surprised a lot of your readers share this personality! We all like you cause we think you are like us! we ARE the BEST! haha ;)