How much different would your life be if you never discovered your MBTI type.

[Nick]

I know INTPs usually like to play devils advocate with every single question asked, so I expect most of the answers to be: None at all.

With that said, those of you that think their life would be different, do you think having a strong/complete understanding of the INTP type reinforces the characteristics in your everyday life (actions and thought processes) via. a negative feedback system?

-or-

Do you think understanding the INTP functions and lifestyle stereotypes allowed you to live a more complete life, giving you the power and knowledge to better understand yourself.

other suggestions are welcomed.

 

[Pyropyro]

Not that different IMO. Since I was searching for a means to understand myself during the time when I stumbled upon MBTI, I might just have used a different personality development system instead (like say, the Four Temperaments).

I think that it's the second one. MBTI helped me know what my strength and my limitations are. By knowing such things, I become a bit more focused on improving myself and not just mindlessly flailing around.

 

[Hadoblado]

I'd be less accepting of people's differences, including my own.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Probably a little different. All it did was make it more clear why I would behave the way I would in certain group settings, as well as potential reasons why others would do what they do. Also some moral stuff such as type abusing, which leads to other options that can be taken instead of some default ones, I guess. Which it's more complicated than that, those "default options" are probably something else. Blame an acquaintance who it turns out typed as intj and suggest I take "the test" because he was curious to see what I would get.

 

[Happy]

I'd be more frustrated with people who think differently than I do. And I'd probably be a bit frustrated with living up to the societal expectation of extroversion. That's likely the extent of how different things would be. That being said, I'm not one to take MBTI to its extremes and type everyone I meet.

Also I wouldn't have this forum to peruse. Thus my time would be a little more productive, which would be a darn shame.

 

[redbaron]

Not sure. I didn't really change all that much when I discovered it, although it was a nice feeling to know that my socially avoidant tendencies weren't the result of some inherent major flaw that I possessed.

Then again I've made some genuine friendships through this forum, so I guess my circumstances would be quite different even if I wasn't.

 

[PhoenixRising]

The truth is.. I would likely not be alive at this point if I had remained unaware of my MBTI type and what it means in a practical sense >.> It served as an explanation for why my behavior and thoughts were so different from those around me, and therefore helped me to build enough self esteem to resist ending my existence.

Spoiler

A lifetime of ridicule and exclusion had driven me into very deep depression - I was convinced that I was a defective human being unworthy even of existence. I accepted my fate, and planned my demise.. A few days before I would have executed my plan, I remembered the personality test an old friend introduced me to years before. It ended up being the MBTI test, I took it and got the same result as I had before - INTP. I found encouragement reading the type descriptions online.. and thought perhaps there were other people like me out there, and that it might just be a less common way of being. There was a link to this forum at the bottom of the test page, so I decided to check it out. I signed up as PhoenixRising because I felt that I had started on a potential road of rebirth from near destruction.

Being aware of my psychological type (through MBTI, as well as other sources) has both reinforced my traits as well as helped me to better understand and develop myself in a realistic way. I think the deeper knowledge of psychology I've gained in the past couple of years has allowed me to truly be myself without feeling ashamed for what I am. Approaching self improvement from a more realistic perspective has also allowed me to make real, lasting changes and become more developed in the ways I've truly desired to.

 

[Evel]

I would be completely stupid trying to understand why it is so hard for me to stick around with someone for a while.

 

[Absurdity]

Probably better off, honestly. Types can have explicit or implicit limitations, and I think I'd be more bold if I didn't know, or at least didn't think I know, mine.

 

[Analyzer]

Probably better off, honestly. Types can have explicit or implicit limitations, and I think I'd be more bold if I didn't know, or at least didn't think I know, mine.

Yeah I agree with bold part. Being spontaneous and direct is something a lot of entrepreneurs are. I find myself second guessing decisions based on my "functional interplay."

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I was into pop astrology right before I found out about MBTI... But obviously I wouldn't have joined here and all the other typology places, which I believe the same can be said for most, if not everyone else.

I was looking for some understanding of myself and others at the time, so without typology I'd still be feeling like some misunderstood alien who doesn't belong on this planet.. Personality wise I feel better off having known about it.

 

[Ex-User (8886)]

Understandings of my type gave me nothing. But understandings of other people is valueable.

 

[Anktark]

It gave me a whole new perspective of the "everyone is different" saying. I now better understand how and why people tick. I think I am better off by knowing about MBTI, then again, I could be wrong.

 

[Helvete]

Not that different IMO. Since I was searching for a means to understand myself during the time when I stumbled upon MBTI, I might just have used a different personality development system instead (like say, the Four Temperaments).

I think that it's the second one. MBTI helped me know what my strength and my limitations are. By knowing such things, I become a bit more focused on improving myself and not just mindlessly flailing around.

I second this. I wanted to understand why I was different from most other people and other differences people have in general, which lead me to MBTI.

Although I would say it's a little different, as with this new understanding has brought viewing new situations from different perspectives and gives more insight to the way people think and do who you're with whilst dealing with the matter at hand.

 

[EditorOne]

I did live a big chunk of my life without self awareness or MBTI awareness and it wasn't much fun. I could have made better choices when younger had I been aware of the strengths and weaknesses of my personality type; I could have dealt better with all the folks who tried to "fix" me, too.
No regret, just an observation. I have much to be happy about.

 

[HDINTP]

What it did for me was that it explained to me WHY I WAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED DIFFERENT, WEIRD etc. I also used to regret that I did not discover my MBTI type earlier then but it passed me by already. I would sum it up and say that it was also a lot like PhoenixRising writes here except wanting to end my existence. Well I actually thought that there is no point for me to live but also that it is not worth it to kill myself. I used to be very unhappy person and then quite happy. Now I am at the point where I am calm, kind of neutral (still more happy then not) not feeling much of stress really and have no problems with myself at all.

 

[ddspada]

It's been a little under two months, and I dare say the difference is very significant. I had always known and more or less accepted that I was the "weird" kid (I'd much rather play flash games, play the piano or read than go out with classmates or one of my very very few friends; I'd much rather eat alone than with my family).

Though I knew I was more efficient and perhaps more intelligent than most people, I had come to think quite seriously that I had some sort of social flaw which impeded my enjoyment of the (prolonged) company of others.

MBTI helped me make some sense out of it (i.e. I now understand why I dislike physical company from most people, why I tend to have radically different opinions from most of my classmates, why my parents argue as often and pointlessly as they do (ISFP vs ESTJ). People are diverse and now I get it.).

 

[Brontosaurie]

i wish i'd never known about this crap. it occupies way too much of my time and cognitive resources. it simplifies and reduces the wealth of reality and offers me nothing but a set of stereotypes for my observations to confirm.

it's conceptual crack, a quicksand of defective social coping strategies sporting a magnetic surface appeal.

 

[Jennywocky]

^... but oh, the glorious highs before you crash!

 

[Base groove]

i wish i'd never known about this crap. it occupies way too much of my time and cognitive resources. it simplifies and reduces the wealth of reality and offers me nothing but a set of stereotypes for my observations to confirm.

it's conceptual crack, a quicksand of defective social coping strategies sporting a magnetic surface appeal.

Ok sir it's time to go now. Quit clawing at the walls sir.

 

[BigApplePi]

Do you think understanding the INTP functions and lifestyle stereotypes allowed you to live a more complete life, giving you the power and knowledge to better understand yourself.

other suggestions are welcomed.

I assume any kind of knowledge adequate to interact with one's psyche has value. My relationship to the MBTI is a little shaky and I will have more to say about that at some point.

Yes it is helpful to know that the MBTI exists. It helps me to ground myself and my views of others. No wonder we do or don't get along! It certainly helps to have a theory on what's behind that. I'm looking to get at a more flexible way to look at the theory though.

 

[kris]

MBTI has not changed the way I view myself or my personality; it just created a language with which I can more easily discuss personality with others. It's convenient, but not a significantly appreciable force in my life.

 

[Brontosaurie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_101

do i have to go already? i kinda like it in here.

 

[Lot]

I probably would have continued life the way I do now. Although I learned about mbti from the cult people. So maybe that means I wouldn't have joined the cult. Still 50/50 if I would have been better off.

When I started getting deeper into the mbti I was having psychological issues. I was looking for an answer. It helped me get through my mess of a head, and understand myself better.

So many big life factors revolved around me really studying mbti, that I couldn't possibly imagine what my life would be like without it.

 

[HAL9000]

I think I've grown as a person thanks to the learning of my MBTI type. It made me think more about myself, my strengths, my weakness, and accept me for who I am.

I feel a lot better now about the fact that I never properly connected with any particular social niche, and that I was always feeling like people weren't of similar wavelength to me. Ok at times I had a strong social circle and was liked and respected, but deep down I didn't enjoy or care for it at all. Now I feel happier about disbanding those old links and going exactly my way.

Thanks to learning a bit about my type of personality, I really feel I've gained insight and ability to push through the bullshit I wasn't really happy with, and focus more on the things that make me who I am, without being ashamed of any of the bits that go against the grain of social convention.

I know MBTI is a bit of an incomplete or debatable science for some. But at least, for me, learning about it was a catalyst for my gaining of self-appreciation and inner sanctity. Haha that sounds a little too spiritual but hopefully the point still stands.

 

[BigApplePi]

How much different would your life be if you never discovered your MBTI type.
"I know. I know", he said raising his hand enthusiastically. If I had never discovered the MBTI I would have left the house early whereupon that truck barreling wildly down the street would have crushed into me and I would be very daid. So you know my life is not different because I am here.

 

[Reluctantly]

I like to understand someone's nature, including my own. MBTI was a gateway into other realms toward reaching that goal, including a large exploration in philosophy. These other realms of knowledge have been highly rewarding, whereas MBTI often feels/felt cheap, like the difference between psychology and astrology. So it enriched my life by forcing me (because I found MBTI self-fulfilling) to dig deeper into the complexities of life, human interaction, and existence. And without that, I might not have seen reasons to look deeper.

 

[Variform]

With that said, those of you that think their life would be different, do you think having a strong/complete understanding of the INTP type reinforces the characteristics in your everyday life (actions and thought processes) via. a negative feedback system?

-or-

Do you think understanding the INTP functions and lifestyle stereotypes allowed you to live a more complete life, giving you the power and knowledge to better understand yourself.

other suggestions are welcomed.

I find myself defending myself according to the profile. I guess I want to be accepted for what I am. Not fight against my natural tendencies. Don't wanna compromise anymore.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

i suspect there may be a self-fulfilling aspect involved whenever a person is given a definition of their personality traits, whether following a test as in mbti or determined by birth as in astrology. this effect might be stronger the younger the individual is at the time of exposure - the younger you are when you are put in a box, the harder it is to get out because you grow to fit the box.

i wonder whether i would have been even less capable of passing myself off as 'normal' if i had come across mbti as a teenager instead of in my 30's - because i might have accepted certain facts as inevitable/unchangeable and not bothered to make any effort to strengthen my weaknesses.

 

[Koosy]

Not much really. My self hatred isn't going to be going away for a long time.

 

[Variform]

What is the source of this self hatred?

 

[Koosy]

What is the source of this self hatred?

The negative thinking trait I have. Can't get rid of it.

 

[Melkor]

I don't think anyone has learned anything about themselves through MBTI that they couldn't have figured out through reading a decent book. In fact in my experience it is more inclined to lead people into accepting delusions about themselves and the person they want to be rather than the person they are.

For my part, I wouldn't have met all the sexy people on this forum, made several lifelong friends, had some interesting holidays with forum members or had half as many good ideas for novels as I do now.

 

[Variform]

The negative thinking trait I have. Can't get rid of it.

Ah, okay, like me, as I suspected.