personality memelord

unable to stop thinking about MBTI. confused by enneagram. sorry if you're into astrology and hp houses, get well soon.

[mbti-notes]

INFJ. I've been having a debate with my DBT therapist about whether some of my thought patterns count as rumination or as healthy planning or reflection. I'm a PhD student, and think a lot about which goals to set for myself. What do you think is the distinction between healthy use of Ni and Ti and rumination?

Not being able to tell the difference between reflection and rumination is a typical sign of Ti loop. A ruminating person believes they are "thinking" and perhaps even believes they are being quite analytical, but the "thoughts" are actually feelings/emotions in disguise. Being unable/unwilling to face negative feelings directly means they churn around endlessly, with no resolution. Thus, chronic rumination often makes you feel worse the more you do it, as the underlying negative feelings remain unaddressed and allowed to escalate.

This is why rumination is defined as "thinking" that does not produce any sound conclusions or tangible benefits. If you struggle to draw firm conclusions, let alone sound ones, or if you don't know what counts as a tangible benefit, then there's a good chance you're stuck in Ti loop and lacking the objectivity of healthy extraverted functions. Of course, some problems in life are difficult to handle and require a lot of thought. However, the analytical process should still be systematic and follow a clear line of reasoning that is: 1) easy enough to explain and outline verbally, and 2) incrementally and tangibly leading toward a solution.

[firstginger]

In the world of His Dark Materials, each person is born with a daemon: a manifestation of their soul that appears as an animal best matching

In the world of His Dark Materials, each person is born with a daemon: a manifestation of their soul that appears as an animal best matching who they truly are. Featuring 43 different categories and 800 total possibilities from insects to owls to seals to wild cats, you’re sure to find a unique result that fits your personality. What animal form will your daemon take?

[firstginger]

got a request for the subquiz links so here they are! :) i'll be making a spreadsheet with all the answers in the near future.

domestic dog

wild dog

domestic cat

wild cat

anthropoid

prosimian

musteloid

mustelid

marsupial

rodent

rabbit

fox

raptor

owl

landfowl

flightless bird

shore bird

water bird

perching bird

corvid

cavitave

strisore

bat

equine

deer

caprine

antelope

ungulate

bovine

swine

bear

viverroid

xenarthra

eulipotyphla

pinniped

crocodilian

amphibian

lizard

serpent

turtle

arachnid

insect

crustacean

[hungwy]

i dont need to try wagyu because ive watched enough high end cooking videos that i can simulate the taste and texture in my mouth whenever i want. i can also imagine what its like to be a bat and i have pieced together the experience of the color red without having ever seen it

[xtec]

[americachavez]

mbti character databases are actually one of the funniest things on the internet

[americachavez]

this database doesn’t have cardi b but it does have the song wap by cardi b ft megan thee stallion ok new favorite website

[funkymbtifiction]

So I understand the idea that you are most likely a feeler if you are a sensitive and emotional but how does that theory hold true when discussing environmental influences and mental health? So let take etp and efp types since they are thinking and feelings are in the middle, one would assume in environments that discourage their auxiliary development the two types would start focusing on their tertiary more often which would create the idea that the etp is emotional and efp is detached correct? Especially with depression and anxiety also.

The more I study people and MBTI, the more I notice a huge disconnect between what most people think about themselves (their ideal self, and contrary to belief, this isn't always a POSITIVE ideal, it's just a fantasy version of them based in their self-estimation) and who they are in reality. For example, you can have feeler types assuming they are thinkers because they are rational, without them realizing that even their thinking is colored by being a feeling type, and they can judge themselves unnecessarily "harshly" for their logical views and opinions BECAUSE they are a feeling type. IE, the idea that they can be "mean" and "distant" is coming from a feeling judgment that good/nice people are not mean or distant, ergo, me being this way makes me "cold and detached." Wheres a thinking type doesn't necessarily think of themselves as "cold and detached" (feeler language), but as rational, adaptable, and realistic. A thinker can over-focus on their emotions and may point out how easily overwhelmed they are or their excessive feelings -- but they are only excessive for them, because they are a thinking type and both don't know how to handle their feelings and find them "too much."

The most basic way to tell them apart is that feelers are interested in people and a lot of their thought life revolves around either people or their personal hobbies in an emotional sense (writing, my art, an extension of who I am) and that thinkers are fascinated by things -- technology, scientific advancement, fly fishing, etc. Impersonal (T) vs a Personal (F) approach to life. ENFPs are interested in people and their emotional development; ENTPs are interested in mechanics and how to understand systems. The ENFP becomes a guidance counselor, the ENTP becomes a theorist.

Instead of looking at what people say about themselves, look at what they are showing you on a daily basis about who they are, what they think about, what they notice, what they are good at, and what areas seem to be 'harsher' than others. An EFP who is being "logical" is actually using Te more like a bulldozer to get things done (is abrupt, dismissive, and sometimes cold), an ETP who is using Fe is actually using it more like a people-pleasing function to get attention (is pandering, trying to impress, and appealing for positive energy).

[mbtcry]

one step more Advanced MBTI, you feel like this:

but you look like this:

[soul-hammered]

the trick is to answer with another taxonomy’s label whenever asked. the answer to “what’s your sign?” is “ENTP.” the answer to “what’s your MBTI?” is “Leo.” the answer to “what’s your enneagram?” is “Malkavian.” the answer to “what’s your hogwarts house?” is a swift and dispassionate wedgie.

[crowholtz]

mbti + post generator

I came across this tumblr post generator and I couldn’t resist comparing these posts to the types… enjoy. 

isfj:

esfj:

infj:

enfj:

intj:

entj:

istj:

estj:

istp:

estp:

isfp:

esfp:

intp:

entp:

infp:

enfp:

[eriinliindsey]

Them: Whats that thing you like again? Myers briggs something?

Me: 

[mbtcry]

Where the perceiving functions generally like to be:

Si: the past

Se: the present

Ni: the future

Ne: ??? idk in like a million alternate dimensions swimming with dolphins and shit probs

[metamemory]

[random-esfp]

LMAO

[ill-be-istj-if-no-one-else-is]

I think if I had one piece of advice about MBTI besides “if you can’t figure out a consistent personality to describe yourself, don’t focus on MBTI right now” it would be that MBTI was created as a way to describe behaviors that already existed. If any MBTI type or function description seems to describe something that people don’t actually do in real life…it is bad.

[ill-be-istj-if-no-one-else-is]

to add on here, this isn’t just about of behaviors that no person does - this is also with regards to behaviors that aren’t common. Even the NJs all together make up maybe 10% of the population so if anyone says a particular function doesn’t understand metaphors or something, ask yourself: do at least around 10% of people do this thing? If they’re talking about sensors or high Si users, they are talking about at least a plurality of the people in your life. Ask yourself: do most people you interact with do this thing? If not, it’s bad info.

[funkymbtifiction]

What's a good way to tell tertiary from inferior since they're both your weaker functions?

Let’s put it this way.

Have you learned to drive? Do you remember what it was like?

Inferior whatever is like the first time you get behind the wheel. Half the time, you don’t know what the hell you are doing and you can barely drive it in a straight line. You are awkward about it, and somewhat nervous in using it, because you could drive right off the road in this thing. It’s all fine in an open field, but when it comes to intense traffic, your palms sweat and tighten on the wheel. Mostly, it’s like this every time you get behind the “inferior function” steering wheel.

Your tert function is five years down the road, when you’ve had considerable experience driving and can do it for long periods of time without over-thinking it. It isn’t totally natural but it’s not terribly hard, either. You can do it for awhile, then go home and chill.

To put it bluntly, your inferior function is immature and underused. You never know how “much” to use it, and overdo it every single time – obsessing or flat out ignoring it. It comes across as heavy handed or incompetent. That’s just the way it is. Your tert is actually competent, and you can use it sensibly – just not for enormous periods of time without getting tired, since it’s not your natural brain process.

- ENFP Mod

[mbtcry]

[datarep]

Population distribution of Myers Briggs Personality Type subreddits

[ill-be-istj-if-no-one-else-is]

I’ve gotten a lot of asks about the enneagram/MBTI breakdown of likelihood, so I’m going to try to expand a bit, in no particular order. Some repetition from the original post will be here because people don’t read so saying things a bunch of times increases the chances that they’ll see it once.

One thing that is absolutely essential to understand is that enneagram cores are a zero-sum game. Which is to say: even allowing for some error bars, something like two-thirds of INTPs are type 5. That means at most a third can be any other type, so obviously no other type will be remotely as common. So I might refer to another INTP enneatype as “competing with 5″ - it can’t be super common in INTPs because it’s drowned out by the 5s. You can’t have more than 100%.

Finally: this is going to be a long post but I think it’s better to not break it up as there will be references to all types across the board and I don’t want to interlink three or nine different posts. That said I’m going to make a “diagnosis” post for people who believe they are in the “check your typing” category.

Enneagram 1 is most heavily correlated with TJs because it fits with a certain rigidity and individualization of the moral code found in lower Fi users. It is particularly common in the IxTJs, and slightly more common in SJs than NJs. It’s found in the FJs as well but less so, possibly because 1s are often very critical, and certainly because it competes with 2 in the FJs. It’s very rare in perceivers across the board because 1 requires a certain adherence to external standards found in Te or Fe to avoid corruption; it’s also associated with perfectionism which is much more commonly a judger thing.

Enneagram 2 is heavily correlated with FJs because it’s about wanting to be loved, which fits very closely with the Fe desires for approval and belonging to a group and universally understood symbols of affection. It’s also found in the high Fi users - it’s less common, but still possible for all of them. It is really not found in thinkers; when thinkers want approval from others it is almost always in the form of competency, not love through service to others. Enneagram 2 is just…heavily in line with what it means to be a feeler in MBTI and in direct conflict, for the most part, with what it means to be a thinker.

Enneagram 3, and indeed the shame triad in general, is associated heavily with how other people see you. Enneagram 3 is particularly interested in standing out from the crowd so it’s much more common in extroverts, especially TJs, with significant FJ and ExTP representation (less so in the Fi-auxes). It’s a little more common in the NJs than the SJs; my guess is both that the SJs are competing with 1 and 6, and there’s something very high Ni/ low Se about projecting a specific distinguished persona. It’s found in the introverted judgers as well, though it’s far less common. Because it’s more common in NJs than SJs and TJs than FJs, it does fall off the radar for ISFJ.

Enneagram 4 is not the same as Fi but it does correlate strongly with high Fi; high Fi is interested more in authenticity and 4 is more interested in uniqueness, but the self-expressiveness and thirst for originality and individuality end up coinciding pretty frequently. Enneagram 4 is also found in the FJs; all the FJ types have decent shame triad representation, given that Fe is interested in the response they elicit in others and frequently want approval in some form or another. It’s competing with 2 and in some cases 3, so it’s often rarer, but it does show up. 4 is very rare in thinkers but it isn’t unheard of in the ExTPs. As for why specifically ExTPs, I suspect it’s first that their feeling is decent, and unlike with lower Fi which tends to turn inward (hence enneagram 1 in IxTJs) it tends to go outward looking for approval from others. Add that to the thirst for novelty in Se or Ne, and you get a small but extant number of ExTP 4s.

Enneagram 5 is in a way analogous to 2 but for thinkers; if your response to fear is to try and back off and try to comprehend it and learn logical and factual tools, rather than seeking out other people or distracting from it, you are almost certainly a thinker, and you are much more likely to be an introvert. And so: it’s incredibly common in Ti-doms, pretty common in IxTJs, and not unheard of in the ExTJs or ENTP. It’s actually very rare in ESTPs too because it involves a withdrawal from the environment that is counter to Se-dom motivations.

Enneagram 6 is not unheard for anyone! As I’ve said elsewhere, I think trying to gather a real-world safety net of people and guidance is maybe the most fundamentally human response to fear. It’s super common. It is most common in the SJs and is the most common type overall for ISFJs.

Enneagram 7 is really highly correlated with dom Se or Ne. 7s are spontaneous and like to experience a lot of things, so this is unsurprising. As a result, 7 is less common in introverts or high Si or Ni users. It’s even more highly correlated with Se than Ne, so ISxPs are sometimes 7s, but the rest of the introverts are pretty much never 7. It’s rare in ESTJs and due to competing with 6 and 2, pretty much unheard of in ESFJs.

Enneagram 8 is much more likely in extroverts and in thinkers - most 8s are ExTxs. It’s very much about taking control of your own life within an environment, so it’s more associated with extroverted functions but particularly Se and Te. It’s also very much in conflict with dom Fi; the combination of Fi individuality and 8 independence play off the worst aspects of each other and so while it could happen, it’s really unlikely to be remotely functional as a combination.

Enneagram 9, rather like 6, is pretty universal. The one exception is Te-doms; dom Te tends to be far too forceful to mesh with the passiveness of enneagram 9. It’s an especially common enneatype for IxxPs and is pretty common among IxFJs as well.

[dragonflymage]

Enneagram Instinctual Subtypes

Our evolution as human beings has required three basic survival strategies, known as the basic instincts:

Self-preservation – responding to perceived threats and needs

Social – creating social structures within communities

One-to-one – primary relationships or coupling

In Enneagram terms, the word “subtype” describes how the three basic instincts are expressed in everyday life, influenced by an Enneagram type’s driving emotional energy or passion. This explains much of the variation among people of the same type, as all of the nine Enneagram types have three instinctual variations, totaling 27 subtypes – each with a distinct flavor.

Type 1: the Perfectionist

Self-preservation: Anxiety – The Pioneer Either very anxious or self-controlled, this subtype channels concerns about survival and security into material achievements as a way to be a good person and do the right thing. It seems important to subdue nature and to impose order on the natural world. Family, home, food preparation, etc. take precedence over other needs. However, too much self-sacrifice can fuel physical tension and resentment.

Social: Inadaptability – The Social Reformer Comfortable with a secure social role and a clear set of rules, this subtype is usually quite friendly and gregarious on one’s own turf. But an emphasis on doing things the right way can make it hard to adapt to new situations, and also can generate resentment or criticism toward others who may be acting “incorrectly.”

One-to-One: Jealousy/Zealousness – The Evangelist With clear rules and standards for correct behavior, this subtype keeps a highly charged instinctual center under strict self-control, leading at times to over zealousness in everything. Keeping a partner’s attention is vital to avoid self-recrimination. Jealousy toward a partner is common, and also may be experienced toward others who seem to have more room for self-expression.

Type 2: the Giver

Self-preservation: Privilege – The Nurturer Excelling in creating warm, personable relationships with many kinds of people, this subtype spends much attention on supporting and nurturing others, which can lead to a feeling of entitlement when it comes to getting one’s own needs met. This can contribute to a prideful attitude, or an insistence on going last that supports another kind of specialness, as in false modesty.

Social: Ambition – The Ambassador Gaining self-esteem through both social approval and visible accomplishments, this subtype empathizes and attunes to other’s needs to create an important, even indispensable role within an organization or cause. Being allied with the right people is usually more important than taking center stage.

One-to-One: Seduction/Aggression – The Lover This subtype uses all of the Two’s capacity for interpersonal attunement to make a connection and win the approval of selected people in a one-to-one relationship, even a brief one. The use of body language and feeling tones can be experienced as seductive, although not necessarily in a sexual sense. The same capacity also can show up in a more aggressive style that demands personal attention and recognition.

Type 3: The Performer

Self-preservation: Security – The Company Man/Woman With this subtype, the Three’s ability to work hard, perform well and maintain the right image are placed in the service of material success. With considerable drive and energy, this subtype can accomplish goals of financial security, a nice home, etc. The danger is losing contact with one’s real self in this effort, and becoming overly identified with one’s role at work.

Social: Prestige – The Politician The drive for success is directed toward winning social approval, knowing the right people, and achieving power in social institutions, whether in government, business or community groups. There can be genuine social leadership or simply self-aggrandizement through propaganda and image-making.

One-to-One: Femininity/Masculinity – The Movie Star The ability to create a successful image is focused on gender identity and issues. Personal power or charisma rests on being attractive as a woman or man. Yet underneath, there may be confusion about one’s real sexuality. This subtype tends to stay in the performer role, whether on stage or in personal relationships.

Type 4: The Romantic

Self-preservation: Dauntlessness – The Creative Individualist This subtype is willing to jump into new situations, to pack up and move, to get going or take risks when the preservation instinct is triggered, or when an authentic life seems elsewhere. To others, these actions may seem reckless, like throwing caution to the wind, but it can work well with an unorthodox, creative or artistic style. The tension here is between wanting to acquire material security and feeling detached from it all.

Social: Shame/Honor – The Critical Commentator Feelings of deficiency can be provoked by social situations, with envy directed toward other people’s status or appearance of belonging. This subtype seeks to establish an acceptable social role, possibly as the emotional truth-teller for the group, and often feels a need to resolve the tension between the quest for individual authenticity and social expectations.

One-to-One: Competitiveness – The Dramatic Person Competition with others helps to overcome feelings of inner deficiency and create motivation for a personal agenda. This subtype takes the power or strength of others as a personal challenge, and one’s own value tends to rise and fall in comparison.

Type 5: The Observer

Self-preservation: Home – The Castle Defender Home is one’s castle and a place to retreat from the world and feel safe. This subtype is concerned about having enough supplies, which can lead to hoarding. Or the opposite may be a true, with a lack in allegiance to any geographical location, forever traveling or moving from place to place.

Social: Totem/Symbols – The Professor This subtype has a hunger for knowledge and mastery of the sacred symbols and language of the group or society (totems). Yet at the same time, this subtype can become trapped in the role of observer or learned teacher by over-emphasizing analysis and interpretation, which can get in the way of participating with others.

One-to-One: Confidentiality – The Secret Agent This subtype will share confidences from the inner, private world in one-to-one relationships. A secretive quality or profound reserve can reflect some of the tension between the need to make contact and the need to preserve autonomy.

Type 6: The Loyal Skeptic

Self-preservation: Warmth – The Family Loyalist Overcoming fear by making connections and agreements with others through personal warmth, this subtype doesn’t want to be left out in the cold. Experiencing a lack of warmth or a threat to their security early in life can create a fear of taking risks and a need to stay within well-known boundaries.

Social: Duty – The Social Guardian Being clear about one’s role in the group or society is an overriding concern. To overcome fear and avoid rejection, this subtype needs to know the rules and create clear agreements with friends and colleagues. Yet there may be ambivalence about belonging. Doing one’s duty can be both a calling and a burden.

One-to-One: Strength or Beauty – The Warrior The first style is based on overcoming or avoiding fear through willpower and feats of physical strength and bravery, or through the strength of one’s intellect and fierce ideological positions. In the second style, fear and self-doubt are handled by channeling one’s idealism and keen perceptiveness into creating beauty in the environment. This helps create some stability and control.

Type 7: The Epicure

Self-preservation: Family – The Gourmand This subtype likes to enjoy an abundant lifestyle within family and a circle of friends. The emphasis is on sharing good ideas and conversation, preparing elaborate meals or dining out, and planning fun projects. This subtype can have problems with over-talking, over-eating, and over-stimulation.

Social: Limitation/Sacrifice – The Utopian Visionary A paradox exists for the social Seven who needs friends and group projects to express both social idealism and love of life. Harnessing oneself to the greater good of the group or community creates a sense of sacrifice, as participation with others requires limitations to personal expansiveness and planning for future outcomes.

One-to-One: Suggestibility/Fascination – The Adventurer Suggestibility works both ways. This subtype can be influenced easily by the attraction of new ideas, adventures and people, falling into a state of fascination or entrainment. The one-to-one Seven also has great powers of suggestion, and can use personal charm to lead people into a new paradigm, a new purchase or a new relationship.

Type 8: The Protector

Self-preservation: Satisfactory Survival – The Survivalist In this subtype, the Eight’s aggressiveness and excess are channeled into physical survival and material security. In a hostile world, the self-preservation Eight will either win or go down fighting. Fiercely protective of friends and family, this subtype can establish more territory and stockpile more supplies than anyone, but in a friendly world, may miss the boat altogether.

Social: Friendship/Social Causes – The Group Leader/Gang Leader A sense of powerlessness or injustice is overcome by being part of an aligned group, usually in a leadership role. This subtype’s anger and aggression are mediated by the group’s needs, and harnessed for a common agenda. Loyalty to friends and social causes take precedence over personal feelings and needs.

One-to-One: Possession/Surrender – The Commander A one-to-one Eight uses forcefulness and self-assertion to possess (or control) a partner or significant others. At times unable to adapt or let go, a strong enough yearning to be met fully can help this subtype let go of control and turn it over to a partner.

Type 9: The Mediator

Self-preservation: Appetite – The Collector This subtype excels at creating the practical infrastructure and the daily rhythms that support instinctual life. But there is a tendency to fall asleep to personal needs or narcotize oneself with food and other kinds of material consumption. (They are often collectors.) A life of material abundance and comfort can preclude efforts toward personal or spiritual growth.

Social: Participation – The Community Benefactor Blending well with the style and agenda of their friends and different social groups, this subtype can show great leadership and selfless contribution for the common good (on the high side) but tends to fall asleep to personal priorities in a comfortable social role or through indiscriminate activities (on the low side).

One-to-One: Union – The Seeker This subtype has a longing to merge, either with a partner, nature or Spirit. This can be indiscriminate or heedless at times, but also can be a doorway into a transcendent state. In daily life, this can become problematic with keeping personal boundaries and focus, since it’s so easy to be pulled outside of oneself.