I like taking the Internet memes as much as anyone, but I recognize that they are seldom rooted in any scientific study. Most are just the creation of somebody with a little knowledge of JavaScript and too much time on their hands. Apart from that are things like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test. I recently took one as a part of my capstone course, and decided to share the results.
The numbers in the far right column are a statistical measure of how far along the scale you reside between the two polar opposites, with larger numbers meaning stronger scores. A ten or higher is considered significant, a zero indicates a virtual tie. If you land in the range between zero and ten, you exhibit traits of both.
- Introvert (7), not Extrovert
No surprise here. To quote the handout, "Like to think a lot before they act, sometimes without acting." This one has been a recurring theme lately, leading to a lot of frustration at work and in my personal life. The surprise is how little introverted I must be to score only a seven. I suppose a lot comes from agreeing with the following, "Are interested in the results of their jobs, in getting it done, and how other people do it." The first two of three have been something approaching a mantra for the last year. - Sensing (3), not Intuitive
This one is a bit more confusing. I tend to enjoy solving new problems (like "What goes on Page 1 with less than two hours before deadline?). Conversely, I "like an established way of doing things." That isn't to say I am not open to the concept of change, but every challenge can be broken down into a system of norms. I tend to believe that you must understand a way of doing things fully before you can ever effect change. - Thinking (61), not Feeling
Whoa. I should probably trade in my brain for a computer, and ditch my heart. If this were even remotely accurate, I apparently have no use for the latter. You can see from my results that I answered every question related to this measure on the side of "Thinking." Even I can't comprehend the statistical odds of getting these often confusing questions to go one way or another. At any rate, I agree with most of the statements, with the notable exception of dealing with delivering unpleasant news. I usually know what must be done, but have a hard time getting it to the point of action. I will agree that I try to keep most of my tough decisions impersonal in nature. It should be about the actions or behavior, not the person. - Judging or Perceptive (tossup)
I don't see these two as being the polar opposites the test's creators have set them up to be. Can you not be both? Even the analysis provides two statements that I can agree with: "Work best when they can plan their work and follow the plan" and "Adapt well to changing situations." If these are the defining marks, I can see why I split the two in half. Who doesn't work better when things are planned ahead? Isn't adaptability a desirable trait? I see this as the weakest factor in determining personality types.
Perhaps even the scientific ones have too much time on their hands. With either result (pick an answer for the last one), I fit in with about 6% of the population.