What we are driven by in life has a lot to do with what we find important and valuable. And what we find valuable and important is invariably tied to the preferences inherent to our personality. Here’s a general look at what drives you based on your MBTI personality type. Continue reading
ENTPs are extroverts with a mercurial and restless temperament. They are ingenious, alert and fueled by a constant thirst for novelty and intellectual stimulus. They gravitate toward the new and unknown and away from the familiar and routine. However, for all their strengths, and abilities, life can pose special challenges to the ENTP personality type. Here are 7 struggles associated with being an ENTP. Continue reading
We are each a work in progress and the pursuit of self improvement and self betterment is a lifelong process that is never complete. There is always room to grow and learn. This wisdom comes naturally with time and experience, but there are a number of habits you can incorporate into your life that will instantly benefit you. Here are 6 scientifically supported ways to boost your well being and success in life right now.
Perfectionism is a meticulous and consuming desire for precision and completeness. What actually constitutes perfection is subjective and determined by whatever standard or metric of one’s choosing. How perfectionism manifests in each MBTI type likely differs and may be stronger in some types than others. Here is a look at how perfectionism takes form based on Myers-Briggs Type. Continue reading
Criticism can be tough to handle especially if it is delivered harshly. It can be a bitter pill to swallow when our shortcomings are articulated to us but it can also be a medicine we need to take. Here is a brief look at how each Myers Briggs type is likely to handle criticism. Continue reading
Cognitive biases are a natural by-product of the limitations in our perception and cognitive processing. In many cases, cognitive biases allow us to make decisions more quickly and correctly even if they are predicated on faulty logic or info.
It may be difficult for an individual to recognize their own cognitive biases as they often operate under the guise of what is believed to be rational reasoning. Cognitive biases skew choices and cosign ideas that are not rational or in concord with reality. Here is an assessment of the cognitive biases each Myers-Briggs type is likely to exhibit.
The sunk cost fallacy is described as an irrational commitment to an objective or goal that is no longer desired or worth pursuing, but is done so only because of the time and resources already invested into it. Rather than cut one’s losses and move on to other opportunities, emotional attachment accumulated from the effort and time invested toward it’s acquisition actually skews judgment making it more difficult to turn away even when it is in their best interests to do so.
INFJs are said to have difficulty breaking away from unhealthy relationships and have a tendency to hang on longer than they should. They may believe it is a rational decision to avoid throwing away the time and energy already invested in a person but in reality, INFJ’s sentimental idealism may be obscuring them from seeing the truth .
The backfire effect is when in response to criticism or challenges to one’s beliefs an individual then doubles down and believes them even more strongly. INFPs on account of their Fi can be stubborn and rebellious and are bound to have some deeply held core values that would be difficult to change. It is likely that for many of their personal values, INFP would be highly resistant to anyone’s attempts at reforming or restricting them.
What is ‘true’ or ‘right’ to them may defy or transcend conventional standards or strictly empirical ones. Because of their sense of integrity and desire to be true to themselves, there are likely to be some things, however irrational, that INFP is unwilling to compromise on and any opposition against them may only fortify their convictions rather than weaken them.
This bias describes the tendency to make ungenerous assumptions about other people’s behavior and actions while rationalizing one’s own behavior in a more forgiving light. If an orderly person is struggling to manage their schedule, they may rationalize that they have too much on their plate, but if they viewed the same struggle in someone else, they may possibly chalk it up to a lack of discipline.
INTJs have a penchant for reading into situations and past superficial appearances to make solid conjectures about them but with regards to people who under-perform, INTJs may be inclined to dismiss them uncharitably. INTJs can be judgmental and dismissive especially if they are more intellectually arrogant and unempathetic.
The curse of knowledge refers to the tendency to forget what it was like to not know something once it has been learned. INTPs may be guilty of this as they may sometimes take for granted that others understand what for them appears obvious. INTPs may often explain things in a way that others don’t understand fully because they don’t see all the intuitive connections on which INTP has based their reasoning.
Once they form their conclusions or ideas, INTPs may forget the intricacy that went into their formation and when communicating them to others may need to remember to expound on certain details that are not as self evident as they think them to be.
The optimism bias is just as it sounds- an over-optimistic faith in favorable outcomes. ENFJs are idealists and as such they believe strongly that good will always triumph over evil. Even in face of set backs and struggles, ENFJs are determined to find the silver lining in clouds and they try to teach others to do the same.
It is admirable that ENFJ is able to cling so tenaciously to hope, but maybe they sometimes do so to the extent of verging on being delusional and in denial over the truth. ENFJs. ENFJs are committed to their ideals, but it is also important to be realistic and not sugar coat or set their expectations too high especially since not everyone is able to bounce back from disappointments as well as they can.
The halo effect refers to the influence of how we feel about someone or something in one area has on how we judge them in other areas. A convicted felon who happens to be very attractive or famous for example, may receive more favorable treatment or a lighter sentence than someone viewed as less attractive. A successful TV personality on account of their popularity may be favored to run the country as president than other more politically experienced and qualified candidates.
This type of subjective bias may be something in which the idealistic ENFP is guilty of. ENFPs may have a tendency to see their friends and trusted associates in an almost unconditionally positive light and their idealistic faith and loyalty to them could maybe blind them from the actual short comings and personal flaws in their character.
Anchoring refers to the influence that our initial judgments have on subsequent perceptions. If an art dealer offered a painting to you for $500, that price may seem excessive. But if the dealer had preceded that offer with an even higher one such as $10,000, well then the $500 would seem relatively reasonable. ENTJs are likely to use this bias against other people rather than fall victim to it themselves. ENTJs are typically very articulate and skilled in communicating in effective, and persuasive ways. They may employ their powers of manipulation to play with people’s perceptions and ultimately get them to do what the ENTJ wants them to.
Reactance is the inclination for doing the opposite of what is expected of you. ENTPs are notorious for their contrarian tendencies and playing devil’s advocate. If you make one point, an ENTP will try and poke holes in your argument even if they actually agree with you. They pick debates the way bullies pick fights, but maybe ENTPs sometimes take it too far. ENTPs may try to assert their independence and sense of individualism by going left when other people tell them to go right. Their non-conformist nature is what makes them so creative and interesting but sometimes it’s also good to just stick to the script.
It often goes that with the more knowledge you acquire, the more aware you become of how much you don’t know. In many cases it is the people with the least understanding who overestimate their knowledge. ISTJs are inclined to collect extensive knowledge about whatever it is they take interest in and they are probably one of the most thorough and assiduous types with regards to research and knowledge building.
But with Ne as their inferior function, ISTJs may have a hint of awareness regarding the potentially infinite field of things they have yet to understand. ISTJs are typically certain of what they know because they have good memories and practice what they do. However, when it comes to anything outside of their practicing knowledge that may require conceptual leaps and theorizing, ISTJ will likely tread cautiously and waver in their convictions.
The availability heuristic refers to how the emotional strength or recentness of a memory can heavily influence our perceptions and cause us to perceive objects or events as being more eminent or important than they really are. A sensitive feeling type such as ISFJ is likely to perceive threats and emotionally charged situations in a more heightened way. Their memories are likely to be very strong, especially with respect to how they make ISFJ feel.
Their subjective feeling about many things is likely to make them prone to unfounded worries and concerns and exaggerated perspectives. ISFJs may have a propensity for relying on their first impressions and initial notions which may often be predicated on sensationalized or incomplete information.
Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek only information and ideas that support one’s preexisting beliefs. People who display confirmation bias seem to cast a blind eye or show willful ignorance of the holes and flaws in their ideas and beliefs. They are either in denial or feel so strongly in their convictions that any criticism or counter argument would seem irrelevant or of marginal importance in their minds.
ESTJs could be guilty of this as they have a tendency to believe they are always right. ESTJs can be stubborn in what they believe. This may be in part because they are uncomfortable with change and have little patience and tolerance for those who do not share their views and beliefs.
Groupthink bias refers to the tendency to adapt, subordinate and tailor one’s views to accord with the social dynamics of a group. ESFJs being harmony-focused individuals who value community and connectedness, are inclined to fashion themselves to fit whatever form that will win them social points and acceptance. ESFJs tend to lack a strong internal value system and instead tend to model themselves in the image of their surroundings.
For this reason they may be guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of popular opinion to earn brownie points and show that they’re “with it”. They often profess conventional wisdom and ideas that deep down they may not even understand or embody.
The gambler’s fallacy refers to the mistaken notion that a streak of good luck or bad luck impacts the odds future bets when in reality they remain the same. ISTPs enjoy their share of risk taking and living on the edge and many may have a taste for gambling and betting. Since they can get caught up in the moment, they may be susceptible to the irrational but hard to resist temptation to push their luck when experiencing a string of wins. When they get on a roll, ISTPs may feel emboldened to ride that wave longer than they probably should.
The Barnum effect is what happens when we interpret specific validating details out of vague ambiguous statements. When we construe a general statement that could apply to anything or anyone as having a very particular and pointed meaning. The most common examples of this may be horoscopes and psychic readings and possibly even the MBTI.
People with this bias don’t realize that they are validating baseless statements by filling in the gaps themselves. ISFPs with their Fi-Ni may be susceptible to naively drawing false conclusions and connecting dots that shouldn’t be connected. Because ISFPs are creative and open minded, they may be susceptible to believing in unrealistic and irrational suggestions and the ploys of conniving grifters.
The framing effect refers to the influence that the way in which information is presented has on how it is received. It is possible to influence how receptive or unreceptive a person will be to a proposition or message based on how it is presented to them. ESFPs may be susceptible to this since they are so responsive to sensory stimulation and style. ESFPs have strong preferences and feelings about what they like and don’t like. They may be very suggestible and susceptible to the appeals of clever sales pitches and marketers.
The self serving bias is described as a tendency to conveniently cast blame on other people or circumstances for one’s own failures while readily taking all the credit for the successes. This type of bias stems from the ego’s desire to protect and exalt itself. ESTPs are very active and ambitious and with each accomplishment they make, their egos may grow commensurately.
Because they are competitive and always in it to win it, they may react to failures and losses as though it were a threat to their self worth. ESTPs may therefore be guilty of having a lopsided sense of accountability that is heavily biased towards preserving their own self image and self interests.
source: https://yourbias.is/
When people try to butter you up, does your heart melt or do you look at them sideways? Here is brief look at how each MBTI personality is likely to react to compliments.
INFJ appreciates compliments, but flattery can make them feel awkward and embarrassed. INFJs may often downplay their contributions or deflect from them a bit out of modesty. They try not to let praise and acclaim from others go to their heads because words both good and bad can have such a strong impact on their emotions. INFJs take special pleasure in receiving positive feedback because it affirms to them that what they’re doing matters and this can energize them to push harder and do more.
INFPs will take just about any positive affirmation from others they can get. Compliments and other positive sentiments given to them can quickly warm their heart and encourage them to come out of their social shell. It’s easy for INFPs to feel beleaguered and unappreciated for who they are. They desire to assert their uniqueness but sometimes this leads others to view them as arrogant as if they’re trying to be better than everyone else. INFPs just prefer novelty and to be able to express their personal truth and so they deeply appreciate it when other people understand and value that.
INTJs enjoy a little validation through compliments but are likely to take them with a grain of salt. When people compliment them, INTJs are likely to read into their motives wondering what their angle might be. INTJs are probably highly resistant to anyone’s attempts at buttering them up or manipulating them by stroking their ego. They appreciate compliments on their accomplishments and abilities but may feel terribly awkward in response to flattery about their appearance or physical features.
INTP tries not to place too much importance on what people think of them because ultimately INTPs rely on their own judgment and principles. When people pay sincere compliments to INTP, especially regarding things in which INTP prides themselves, it can make them blush and feel a bit validated. INTPs appreciate this, but overall they will likely try to treat both criticism and compliments with a similar regard and not be especially influenced by them one way or another.
ENFJs are pretty modest and self-effacing and may respond to compliments by downplaying or deflecting them in a graceful and humorous way. They try to live up to their personal standards and so compliments help affirm to them that they are doing a good job and makes them feel worthy and appreciated. ENFJs may often deflect compliments onto someone else and avoid taking all the credit. They like to spread the love and emphasize the contributions of others as well as their own.
Compliments mean a lot to ENFP although they may downplay how much. When ENFPs receive compliments, they can get a little embarrassed and their initial response may be to reciprocate and say something nice in return. ENFPs are likely to be admired by many for their positivity and humor but they may often not realize how loved they truly are. ENFPs can get down on themselves and sometimes, validation from others can be just what they need to remind them of what makes them wonderful.
ENTJs take compliments in stride but don’t particularly rely on or need them. They have their own agenda and the value of what they do is mostly confirmed to them by the results and fruits of their labor. Nevertheless, they enjoy being admired and receiving credit for their greatness. When complimented, an ENTJ may feel obliged to explain or elaborate on details about whatever it is they are receiving compliments for and they may be interested in hearing what that person thinks about other things.
ENTPs take compliments as an ice breaker that invite them to ramble about any number of other things. ENTPs tend to think that they’re hot stuff already and so a compliment payed to them will likely be accepted unabashedly. ENTPs are likely to receive compliments for their knack for making clever and timely quips and as well as their overall interesting and unconventional personality. Compliments may have the effect of pumping their ego with steroids at which point their stream of thoughts may take off like a runaway train.
ESTJs have little trouble taking the credit they think they deserve and they invest a significant amount of time and effort into becoming a respected and upstanding member of whatever group they associate with. Because they are often ambitious and image conscious, ESTJs may place high importance on what others think of them. Compliments may be a welcome signal of their competence and value to others and so ESTJs may take great pride in the good words they receive from others.
ISTJ likely receives compliments on their sense of responsibility and reliability. ISTJs are generally quiet and modest. When they receive compliments about their work and personal hobbies, they are likely to take it with honor and pride. Compliments about anything else may make them feel awkward and embarrassed. ISTJs may often take their dutiful and hardworking nature for granted since it is just the way they are built but being appreciated for it can motivate them to do even better.
ISFJs tend to be modest but they crave validation and appreciation from people. They are very selfless and do much in the service of others without seeking any thanks and so any recognition or tokens of appreciation given to them will mean a lot. A meaningful expression of gratitude will melt ISFJ’s heart and make their helpful efforts and diligence feel all the more worthwhile. Afterwards, ISFJs will be motivated to do even more and may put special care into what they do for those appreciative people.
ESFJs desire validation and social acceptance and any compliment they receive will likely be welcomed. They tend to take flattery at face value without suspicion of a person’s motives for doing so. ESFJs in turn are quite generous in paying compliments to others as they generally feel it is important to positively reinforce good behavior and effort. They try to make everyone feel appreciated and they in turn appreciate when others acknowledge ESFJ’s value and contributions.
Flattery will get you everywhere with an ESFP as they love to hear about themselves. Most ESFPs are probably used to receiving flattering comments and may feel slighted when they don’t get enough of them. A positive remark about them can light their spirits up and they generally deserve the recognition but sometimes it can go to their heads. More often though, it just motivates them to show off and be even more magnetic, charming and affectionate in return.
ESTPs enjoy having their ego stroked like a spoiled house cat. Whatever compliment you pay to them, they will likely agree with it and then elaborate on other awesome things about them that they expect you will be impressed by. Complimenting an ESTP is probably a very quick way of getting their attention as they love the acknowledgement and will probably be unabashed in accepting credit for their abilities, attributes and accomplishments.
ISFPs may be slightly distrustful of the sincerity of compliments they receive. Because they tend to be hard on themselves, other people’s compliments may have little sway over their own views and opinions. Despite this, they nonetheless express gratitude for what they may regard as a friendly gesture with well meaning intentions.
When they receive compliments, ISTPs typically are not inclined to gush or blush about it. They may hesitate in how to respond because they are more accustomed to and comfortable with criticism. ISTPs do not give out compliments often unless they really mean it. If possible, they would prefer receiving compliments in the form of a message they can read in private because it is very awkward for them in person.
The storm catcher by iNeedChemicalX
Certain personality types are better suited than others for certain purposes. Here is a look at what you are made to do based on MBTI personality type.
Plumbing the depths of what is knowable, providing clarity and making sense of complex epistemological issues. INTPs are attracted to complicated problems where they can really apply their intense and obsessive overthinking to good use. INTPs are haunted by conundrums and enigmas they cannot decipher but they will persist doggedly until they either succeed or die trying. For this reason, INTPs by virtue of their personality traits, put themselves in a better position than others to work out solutions to the most perplexing problems of both philosophical and theoretical nature. The vast amount of thinking they do provides them ample opportunity for forming ingenious insights society can benefit from.
[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou have only one life to live and what you get out of it largely depends on your ability to grow and develop as a person. Each of us has a unique story and life path to follow and along the way will come challenges that reveal our strengths and expose our weaknesses. Using the MBTI, we can learn to recognize aspects of our personality that are underdeveloped and then work to improve them. Recognizing your cognitive weak points is the first step in fortifying them but you can also take some solace knowing that other people with your MBTI type share your struggle. Here is a look at some of the areas in which each MBTI personality type can focus on improving to be the best they can be.
“The Long Road” by caitlin-may
The anxiety, awkwardness and rejection they’ve experienced socially can drive the INTP/ISTP away from people causing them to miss out on opportunities to form meaningful connections with others. Their past embarrassments and moments of ineptitude may burrow deep into their psyche and lead the INTP/ISTP to capitulate and simply embrace their interpersonal inadequacy as part of the hand of cards they’ve been dealt. Unfortunately, when the INTP/ISTP eventually meets people who truly appreciate them for who they are they may have difficulty relinquishing the safety of their emotional isolationism. They may fear opening themselves up to a great relationship because they have wired themselves to anticipate disappointment.
INTJs and INFJs are often so preoccupied with their personal goals and agenda that they tend to forget to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the moment. INTJ/INFJs are very future oriented often due to their malcontent with their current circumstances. They can spend a vast amount of time inside their heads pondering and planning the next project or experiment and focused on taking the next step in the progression of some larger scheme. As a result, the beauty of the fleeting present moments often go unnoticed or ignored while in pursuit of their goals. Down the road, the INTJ/INFJ may look back and wish they enjoyed the journey a little more.
ENTPs and ENFPs are wantonly irreverent of tradition and stodgy customs. They may dismiss established modalities and systems for the sake of finding their own way of doing things. This may cause them to needlessly reinvent something that’s already existing or readily available even if is “old”. It is advantageous to learn from and embrace the useful bits from the past. Rather than disregard long standing traditions in wholesale as part of an obsolescent monolith, ENTP/ENFPs ought to examine their value and utilize them when it makes sense.
ENTJs and ESTJs prize personal strength, independence and self reliance. They do not actively seek help from others because they believe in themselves and also they want to feel empowered and in control as much as possible. As a leader of a a team, they have no problem delegating and appropriating resources in the form of people to accomplish a group task. However in their personal lives, ENTJ/ESTJs prefer not to receive outside assistance with areas in which they may be struggling. They may not even acknowledge that they have a problem and may resist intervention by others who care about them.
When it comes to self-sabotage, procrastination is king. Why? Because procrastination is the gap between intention and action, and it is in this gap that the self operates. The undermining behavior lies in not closing the gap. INFP/ISFPs make an intention to act, but when the time comes, get lost in their own deliberation, making excuses to justify an unnecessary and potentially harmful delay. They want to be organized and efficient, but are totally disorganized. INFP/ISFPs hate schedules and trying to keep to them wears them out. They can see that things are not working but don’t know how to fix them and get angry at themselves for being so disorganized.
ENFJ/ESFJs have difficulty in being objective and developing a consistent standard unhampered by petty social allegiances. Their lack of internal self knowledge and self awareness opens them up to behaviors such as jealousy, possessiveness, emotional manipulation, neediness, violence and so forth. They want to objectively understand other people, but discussing them in impersonal terms makes ENFJ/ESFJs feel uneasy and cold. They hate using impersonal logic or leverage against others. They want to ensure that they do things “right,” and must learn to step back from other people and situations and analyze them freely, without feeling like a traitor.
ISFJ/ISTJs don’t like discussing things that have nothing to do with reality. They want to know that the conversation is going to accomplish something before they engage in it or they will become frustrated. Sometimes, they get a sense of what is going on between other people and are later proven right, but they are not always sure at the time that what they are picking up on is the truth. It can be difficult for ISFJ/ISTJs to make decisions that will impact the future, because they’re not sure what that future looks like … any of sixteen things might happen. They shy away from long-term commitments unless they feel absolutely safe; otherwise, they’re inclined to worry about what might happen. They can be impulsive once in awhile and others at times comment on how naive some of their belief systems are.
ESFP/ESTPs thrive on action and getting immediate results. They are confident in their ability to adapt and respond to whatever life throws at them and as a result, they do not often concern themselves with long term planning. Their lack of patience seeks instant gratification and they are excellent improvisers but they may become suddenly discomfited by obstacles that they failed to anticipate or prepare for. They kind of hate introspecting, it seems a dangerous enterprise. They prefer things that are symbolic or archetypal… and they come up with some crackpot theories at times with a tendency to be a little superstitious.
Image by Nocturny – “Behind Shadows” via deviantart.com
INTPs derive most pleasure from solitary activities such as research and acts of creativity. Their minds are always bubbling with ideas and random sometimes hilarious cogitations. INTPs know that if someone were to glimpse the amusing contents of their thoughts it would be clear why they are so absorbed with their inner world.
Brian Little is a research professor at Cambridge University and author of the book Me, Myself and Us. He is an unapologetic self proclaimed introvert and personality enthusiast who is fascinated by the psychological similarities and differences between people.
In his TED presentation he shares, with amusing insight, why we sometimes do not appear as we really are. How factors both external and internal draw behaviors out of us that run counter to what our “type” would indicate.
Professor Little explains that we are lead foremost by our passion and will adopt the behaviors necessary to serve that interest. A natural introvert with a passion for teaching will be compelled by their passion to extrovert themselves to fulfill this task. This of course doesn’t change the introvert’s fundamental nature. This simply illustrates that our personality development is more complicated than what we can be conveniently labelled as.
We are malleable and protean, and can potentially slip into any role we are sincerely motivated to fill even if it is in stark contrast with our natural inclinations. And we do this not because it is how we really are, but because it serves a purpose we really value. Of course, introverts will have to withdraw afterwards and seek much needed solitude to recharge themselves after all that draining extroversion 🙂
