Getting to Know Me Part 2: Four little letters, so much meaning

Most psychometric testing for employment uses a specific matrix known as the "Myers Brigg Personality Test"

Find out more about its history, precepts and application here

I can't remember when I did my first Myers Briggs personality test, but I do know that when I did it, it spat out the letters "ISFJ" at me.  I didn't think too much of it.  When I redid the test some 5 years later and in a time of great stress, I completely expected a different answer.  Guess what?  I was an ISFJ.  When my life stabilised a number of months later, I thought I would retake the test.  Guess what?  I was an ISFJ!  So, given that it seems I am destined to be an ISFJ, here's what this test determines my personality should be.  As in my earlier post, I will comment as it goes along.

The Nurturer

As an ISFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you takes things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system.

ISFJs live in a world that is concrete and kind. (Don't worry - I don't live in Cloud Cuckooland - I know that the world is also a very tough place.  Just my corner of it doesn't need to match the rest of the world) They are truly warm and kind-hearted, and want to believe the best of people. They value harmony and cooperation, and are likely to be very sensitive to other people's feelings. People value the ISFJ for their consideration and awareness, and their ability to bring out the best in others by their firm desire to believe the best. (There's a little genius in everyone - it just needs to be brought out)

ISFJs have a rich inner world that is not usually obvious to observers. They constantly take in information about people and situations that is personally important to them, and store it away. This tremendous store of information is usually startlingly accurate, because the ISFJ has an exceptional memory about things that are important to their value systems. It would not be uncommon for the ISFJ to remember a particular facial expression or conversation in precise detail years after the event occured, if the situation made an impression on the ISFJ. (Incredibly true and plays out with the final personality test I did last week)

ISFJs have a very clear idea of the way things should be, which they strive to attain. They value security and kindness, and respect traditions and laws. They tend to believe that existing systems are there because they work. Therefore, they're not likely to buy into doing things in a new way, unless they're shown in a concrete way why its better than the established method. (That matches into to the phlegmatic way of doing things - seemingly resistant to change, but really just weighing up the pros and the cons)

ISFJs learn best by doing, rather than by reading about something in a book, or applying theory. (This is not at all true - I gain most of my information and learning from book study) For this reason, they are not likely to be found in fields which require a lot of conceptual analysis or theory. (Not true of me at all - I love research - we'll deal more with that tomorrow). They value practical application. Traditional methods of higher education, which require a lot of theorizing and abstraction, are likely to be a chore for the ISFJ. (Again, not true - I would have loved to have gone to uni. I was completely jealous of Catherine going to Rhodes last year!) The ISFJ learns a task best by being shown its practical application. Once the task is learned, and its practical importance is understood, the ISFJ will faithfully and tirelessly carry through the task to completion. The ISFJ is extremely dependable. (This much is true)

The ISFJ has an extremely well-developed sense of space, function, and aesthetic appeal. For that reason, they're likely to have beautifully furnished, functional homes. (Functional is a good word.  As to beautifully furnished ... ai... long way to go there.  Finances is a hindrance to that)  They make extremely good interior decorators. (No desire!) This special ability, combined with their sensitivity to other's feelings and desires, makes them very likely to be great gift-givers - finding the right gift which will be truly appreciated by the recipient. (All too true - which is why most of my shopping for Christmas is done months in advance - long before I get to the Mall!  I will have planned in detail what each person needs to get.)

More so than other types, ISFJs are extremely aware of their own internal feelings, as well as other people's feelings. They do not usually express their own feelings, keeping things inside. (That's me, for sure)  If they are negative feelings, they may build up inside the ISFJ until they turn into firm judgments against individuals which are difficult to unseed, once set. Many ISFJs learn to express themselves, and find outlets for their powerful emotions. (That's a work in progress with me at the moment)

Just as the ISFJ is not likely to express their feelings, they are also not likely to let on that they know how others are feeling. However, they will speak up when they feel another individual really needs help, and in such cases they can truly help others become aware of their feelings.

The ISFJ feels a strong sense of responsibility and duty. They take their responsibilities very seriously, and can be counted on to follow through. For this reason, people naturally tend to rely on them. The ISFJ has a difficult time saying "no" when asked to do something, and may become over-burdened. (Remember what I said yesterday about the involuntary arm spasm?)  In such cases, the ISFJ does not usually express their difficulties to others, because they intensely dislike conflict, and because they tend to place other people's needs over their own. The ISFJ needs to learn to identify, value, and express their own needs, if they wish to avoid becoming over-worked and taken for granted.

ISFJs need positive feedback from others. In the absence of positive feedback, or in the face of criticism, the ISFJ gets discouraged, and may even become depressed. When down on themselves or under great stress, the ISFJ begins to imagine all of the things that might go critically wrong in their life. They have strong feelings of inadequacy, and become convinced that "everything is all wrong", or "I can't do anything right". (Very true - almost bipolar at times!)

The ISFJ is warm, generous, and dependable. They have many special gifts to offer, in their sensitivity to others, and their strong ability to keep things running smoothly. They need to remember to not be overly critical of themselves, and to give themselves some of the warmth and love which they freely dispense to others.

Jungian functional preference ordering:

Dominant: Introverted Sensing
Auxilliary: Extraverted Feeling
Tertiary: Introverted Thinking
Inferior: Extraverted Intuition

What's really funny is that I tend to keep ending up married to/working with ESTJs.  That's a good and a bad thing.  It means my need to be expressive with words does not sit well with them - they need me to cut to the chase (unless of course they're doing the talking, in which case I'm usually too polite to tell them to get to the point).  But it's a learning curve for me all the time, with them and with the other 14 groups that I haven't mentioned here.

So once again, I will welcome your criticism/debate.  For example, though I'm "the nurturer", don't expect me to smother you with hugs. I'm just not that type at all, and the very thought freaks me out.  I understood why much better after the final personality test I did (which I'll start discussing tomorrow)

Why not take the Myers Briggs test and maybe learn something about yourself that you didn't know?  Bear in mind, that four letters, though they may be able to predict some (or most) of your behaviour, do not define who you are.  (I will deal more with that point later this week.)

Go on - be brave!

Take the test

Find out more about your type

Growth is inevitable - nurturing or lack thereof determines the direction