How much is MBTI hereditary?

[Kdosi]

Hello,
I guess there might have been similar posts before, but what do you think?

I mean, obviously, extro- and intoversion are certainly given as they are decided by the way one´s brain works (so no, I am probably NEVER gonna enjoy parties, however "cute guys" are attending), but perheps at least the JxP part might be a little learned, couldn´t it be?

Also, is there any pattern as for children and their parents MBTI? I mean, I am an INTP, my brother´s an INFP , our mother´s and ESFJ and always complaining we are distant ( well, perhaps I am, a bit...). Dad might be an INTJ.

Well, perhaps this is completely irrelevant, but if any of you has any idea as to this, or any link to anything related (such as: ok, IxE is decided by our brain-workings - has anyone found out when this is decided? Are we intoverts while still in mother´s womb?), I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[Architect]

I covered this extensively in a recent post

A genetic basis for type

I hypothesize that our basic type (E/I and N/S primarily) is probably determined by genetic expression - possibly due to hormone levels. The functional stack is a learned response growth in childhood. So to answer the question "Do you have any free will with regards to type" my answer is "Yes, you don't have any choice"***.

 

[Kdosi]

Thanks

 

[Architect]

The question of how our brains work makes a particular point I believe. Namely that people are usually interested when we say that something is based on the design of the brain. The problem I have with this is that everything we do is based on the design of the brain. We have a variety of cell types that behave differently in the brain (different neuron types) and obviously how these neurons are wired together is the final arbiter of our behavior and moods.

 

[scorpiomover]

Lots of INxx seem to complain about their parents being unable to understand them, due to their parents being ESxx.

 

[Architect]

Lots of INxx seem to complain about their parents being unable to understand them, due to their parents being ESxx.

This is very common for INxx to have a ESxx parent, in my "genetic typology" post I hypothesize how this phenomenon could be explained by simple genetics. In my case my ESxx parents (both of them) had/have a simple understanding of me but certainly don't really don't have a deep understanding.

My INTP son is very grateful to have two INxx parents.

 

[Solitaire U.]

Difficult for me to embrace the idea. I've seen too much nurture over nature in my own kids.

 

[Architect]

Difficult for me to embrace the idea. I've seen too much nurture over nature in my own kids.

Examine the difference between temperament and personality.

 

[Solitaire U.]

@Architect

Not sure I understand. Can you elaborate?

Bit off-topic, but I'll tell you a little secret. I'm afraid to type my own children. Actually, I definitely have my doubts about MBTI accuracy with kids. Mine appear to be totally unstable in that regard. Their emerging personalities just appear to be all over the place. The only thing I'm relatively certain of is that they're both extroverts, but even then I'm wary. Aren't all kids extroverted by design (or necessity)?

I haven't found any MBTI tests geared for kids. Awhile back, I spent a lot of time fooling around with the standard 'short' (40 questions, I think) test, trying to re-word the questions into something they could comprehend. I haven't come up with anything worthy.

I think what I'm really afraid of is my own bias. That's why I was interested in creating a test that my kids could take entirely on their own, with no further explanation from me.

Words of wisdom?

 

[Architect]

I observe and believe we have two main aspects to our mind, temperament and personality. Temperament I believe to be our hardcoded psyche, with a genetic component as discussed. Personality is what develops in our lifetime, thus putting to rest the 'nature vs. nurture'. In other words, it's both. *

There's biological evidence for this. On the basis of information encoding there isn't enough data in the genome to specify the range of human difference and personality, and by extension the number of connections in the brain. Clearly the genome has a plan for the various neuron types, but the net that is created occurs in childhood. Interestingly the number of neurons and connections peaks around 3, then the brain goes on a creative destruction cycle to remove connections that are unneeded. So intelligence/personality seems to be more about removing unnecessary rather than improving existing.

Now, type - which has to do with energy (E/I & J/P) and orientation (S/N & T/F) - is a very basic bit of encoding, which I make the case has a genetic, and possibly hormonal component. Now I've observed that some people - including some kids - almost defy typology. Not a large group, maybe 5% pan-humans who don't seem to have a definite type. Most people are a type without being obvious, and a group of others (maybe 30%) are clearly a type. Most people are easily type-able, including kids. Kids are usually easier than adults because they haven't learned to adapt.

For example, I can compare the INTPs I know in my life. My kid is different from me, he is much more attached to his parents then I was. He's also more cautious, less physical, etc. These and others are personality differences. However he clearly is an INTP. He loves problem solving, loves computers. Just last night he was having some kind of transcendental experience from reading Lord of The Rings - just as I did. He is clearly an INTP - obviously, as is his ESFP cousin. They couldn't be any other type. I wouldn't bother using a test on them which are geared for adults, for kids you have to know typology and figure it out. Which I find to be extremely useful in raising them.

Personality can obscure type, for a time it can suppress it, but in time the temperament comes out.

* To use an imperfect software analogy, temperament is the hardcoded programming, personality is the runtime state. Gives meaning to when Data or The Doctor from Star Trek say "I have exceeded my programming"