being INTJ

I was cleaning up my room when I came across this piece of paper among a huge piles I've in my room. It was this report of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Some of you might have come across MBTI as some form of personality test online but MBTI is actually a 'psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.' You can read more about MBTI on the official homepage or Wikipedia (go for Wikipedia, a lot easier to understand =)).

I took the test, or the so-called MBTI instrument, back in my 1st year (I think) in medical school as part of our Personal and Professional Development module. The whole thing was a lil' too complicated to be described (although Wikipedia can give you the general idea) but rather than pigeon-holing people into groups of personalities, MBTI indicates the kind of thought processes signifying how one sees the things happening around him or her, thus influencing decision-making. My lecturer said that it would be a good indicator of how we come to our decisions thus giving us a relatively good bearing in thinking of what speciality might be suitable for each of us later.

Anyway, I fell in the category of INTJ.

On my preference scores (how one consistently chooses one preference over the other. They don't measure abilities or development), I scored 11 for Introversion over Extraversion meaning I prefer to be introvert only a lil' more than I prefer to be extrovert. The score did not imply that I can't be extrovert entirely because there are times when I am pretty extrovert. I also scored 21 for Intuition over Sensing and only 7 for Thinking over Feeling. I also scored 41 for Judging over Perceiving. Do read more to understand what the four dichotomies imply.

So yeah, basically I'm INTJ type. Here's what it says on my report:

'Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory persperctives. When committed, organise a job and carry it through. Sceptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance - for themselves and others.'

It's not that far off, I think. I do see a work through when I've made a commitment. I am sceptical, independent and yes, have high standards! Wikipedia also has a page explaining more about people with INTJ Reported Type. Here are some highlights that actually made me feel proud of being in INTJ:

'produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake...' (yup, I do rebel)

'they are most comfortable working alone and tend to be less sociable than other types.' (I am a loner =( )

'not generally susceptible to catchphrases and do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank, or title.' (tut tut...)

'Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel...' (I'm still single) 

'Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense.' (yup, I can't stand it when people or things don't make any sense)

'INTJs tend to seek out others with similar character traits and ideologies...can be demanding in their expectations, and approach relationships in a rational manner...INTJs are usually very loyal partners who are prepared to commit substantial energy and time into a relationship to make it work.' (any takers? =p)

'The emotions of an INTJ are hard to read, and neither male nor female INTJs are apt to express emotional reactions. At times, both will seem cold, reserved, and unresponsive, while in fact INTJs are almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those for whom they care.' (yup, I think this character of mine drives both my family and friends crazeeee)

Of course, the statistical validity of MBTI has been subject to criticism since its conception but it was fun. Nothing is wrong with knowing a lil' more about yourself and even if it's not 100% accurate, a general idea would be good for us to recognise some of our weaknesses.

Oh well, my break is over. Back to cleaning up my room =).