Myers-Briggs Stereotypes: the Basics (part 1)

After I restarted this blog, I decided I wanted it to be less restrained to the confines of "writing help" only (especially because there are so many blogs out there about writing help and I don't really have anything new to add... XD). So I decided to branch out a bit and write about more personal topics: my faith, my hobbies, and my favorite things. MBTI (an acronym for the Myers-Briggs typing system) is one of those hobbies/favorite things.

So. Allow me to nerd out on you. :P

(Because doing all sixteen of the types in one post would be way to massive for anyone's brain to comprehend (unless you're an Analyst who is highly interested in this XD), I'm splitting it into four parts. If interest in these posts declines, I might only do one or two parts. So. Consider this an experiment. :P)

A Brief Explanation of Myers-Briggs

Before we get too far, let me give you a quick explanation of how MBTI works, in case you've never heard of it. It's pretty simple once you catch on.

MBTI categorizes people into 16 different personalities. The types have real names (such as the Protagonist, which is yours truly), but they're more often referred to by their acronyms (i.e. ENFJ, which is also yours truly). Each of those four letters stand for something, and have an opposite (you're either an E or an I, N/S, F/T, J/P). Let me break it down for you, using ENFJ and ISTP as examples.

ENFJ: the E stands for extrovert (I get my energy from being around people); the N stands for intuitive (I like abstract, philosophical conversation and tend to be in my head a lot); the F stands for feeler (I make decisions based off of my value system instead of logic); and the J stands for judger (which is a whole other ball of wax, but most judgers tend to operate well with lists and schedules and organization and whatnot).

Compare that to the ISTP, whose letters are the complete opposite of the ENFJ.

ISTP: the I stands for introvert (they get their energy from being alone); the S stands for sensor (they like concrete, real-world conversations and tend to be very in-the-moment or past-focused instead of future-focused); the T stands for thinker (they make decisions based off of logic and what will get results instead of a value system or how it will affect others); and the P stands for perceiver (again, a whole other ball of wax, but most perceivers tend to operate well with chaos and spur-of-the-moment things).

Quicker Breakdown:

E: extrovert; I: introvert

N: intuitive; S: sensor

F: feeler; T: thinker

J: judger; P: perceiver

There are sixteen different ways to combine all those letters, which is how you get the sixteen personalities, which are then organized into four groups (the Analysts, Entertainers, Sentinels, and Diplomats). I'm really hoping that made sense. But if not, maybe this will start to help. Let's get into the stereotypical descriptions of each personality, starting with the Diplomats (all the types with NF in their four letters: so ENFJ, ENFP, INFP, and INFJ).

(P.S. Please keep in mind that these are the stereotypes. That means that they may not always be accurate. ;))

ENFJ: the Protagonist

I figured we may as well start with ENFJ, 'cause we've already talked about it a lot. XD

ENFJs are stereotypically very people-focused. They're known as the kings and queens of the social circle (along with their cousins, the ESFJs) and have an innate sense of the emotional wellbeing of everyone they're around. They're outgoing, fun to hang out with, and committed to and passionate about their values. However, while they are very easy to open up to and make good friends, they're often very closed up about themselves. An ENFJ can tell you all about you, but if someone asked you to describe them, you'd find yourself at a loss for words.

The ENFJ's stereotypical flaws are that they often focus so much on others that they forget to take care of themselves; that they can be very emotionally manipulative without you even realizing it; and that they struggle with guilt-tripping themselves, again without anyone realizing it. (This is not necessarily stereotypical, but I as an ENFJ can also tell you that we're pathetically illogical. Seriously, it's a problem. XD)

ENFJ Examples: Tom Natsworthy from Mortal Engines, Prince Hans from Frozen, and Padme Amidala from Star Wars

ENFJ Memes:

ENFP: the Campaigner

ENFPs are the physical manifestation of chaos. They're full of varied interests, jump from one topic or activity to the next with enviable ease, and are great socializers, often very popular. They have no problem being flexible with whatever life throws at them and like taking friends along to join in the fun. They're stereotypically very hyper like all the time. XD

One of a stereotypical ENFP's flaws is their easy distractability. They can get so distracted that they interrupt themselves with a completely different topic and you're left trying to figure out how in the world they got there. They're also not super committed and tend to ignore the bigger picture or needs, such as forgetting to do their taxes until an hour before their deadline. However, they're often very fun people and a hoot at parties. :P

ENFP Examples: Anna from Frozen, Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove, and Rapunzel from Tangled

ENFP Memes:

INFP: the Mediator

Stereotypically, INFPs are hopeless romantics. They're big dreamers but rarely ever see those dreams through, instead preferring to live in their own world inside their mind rather than try to make that world and face the darkness outside. INFPs are the poets of our world, finding beauty in the mundane and able to turn even the most boring of objects into a work of art. They're creative, loyal, passionate, optimistic, and friendly.

Some of the stereotypical INFPs flaws include fragility of heart and failing to recognize the bad in people, which usually gets them hurt in really painful ways. They're also distractable procrastinators. XD (Another personal experience note: INFPs can also be surprisingly stubborn, especially about their beliefs. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though... ;))

INFP Examples: Guy from The Croods, Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon, and Caspian from The Chronicles of Narnia (the movies)

INFP Memes:

And last but not least...

INFJ: the Advocate

Personally, I think the INFJ stereotype is one of the funniest because of how close to accurate it is - but how far from the truth it is at the same time. XD

INFJ stereotypes are essentially the mind-readers of the MBTI world. They can tell what you're feeling without you saying a word and find you the best way to deal with it. There's lots of jokes about how a friend will come up to an INFJ, tell them all their problems, and then the INFJ will give the friend bucketloads of sage advice, whether wanted or unwanted. INFJs are also more accurately known as kindhearted, gentle, quiet, and a little shy.

The weiredst thing for me about the INFJ stereotype is that they're perfect. There are tons of memes about how the INFJs are the Jesus of the MBTI because of how perfect they are, which I disagree with. A lot of the INFJs I know struggle with a lot of the same things as an ENFJ: guilt-tripping, taking care of other people to the extent that they forget that they have needs as well, and fear of failing.

INFJ Examples: Elsa from Frozen, Legolas from Lord of the Rings, and Qui-gon from Star Wars

INFJ Memes:

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Phew. *wipes forehead* That was a very long post. Imagine if there were 16 of those instead of just four. XD Aherm. Anyway. What are your thoughts? Are you a Diplomat? Do you know your MBTI type? Did you know much about MBTI before this post? What are your thoughts on personality typing? Which meme is the best? What character is your favorite from the ones I listed above as examples?

Until next time,

Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^

-Joelle