Getting to Know Us

Recently, for one of his classes, JunkMale had to take the Myers Briggs Type Indicator test and I took it with him for fun. In the past, JM's scores had come out nearly even on all the four different measures (Introvert/Extrovert, iNtuitive/Sensing, Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perceiving) and so it was hard to nail down a particular type for him. This time, however, his scores - while still fairly even - were a bit more defined. He came out ESTJ. After reading about that type, I think it suits him very well. Here are some highlights that are particularly true about him:

• They honor traditions and laws, and have a clear set of standards and beliefs. They expect the same of others, and have no patience or understanding of individuals who do not value these systems. They value competence and efficiency, and like to see quick results for their efforts
• They can sometimes be very demanding and critical, because they have such strongly held beliefs, and are likely to express themselves without reserve if they feel someone isn't meeting their standards. But at least their expressions can be taken at face-falue, because the ESTJ is extremely straight-forward and honest.
• He or she takes their commitments seriously, and follows their own standards of "good citizenship" to the letter. ESTJ enjoys interacting with people, and likes to have fun. ESTJs can be very boisterous and fun at social events, especially activities which are focused on the family, community, or work.
• Although normally the ESTJ is very verbal and doesn't have any problem expressing themself, when under stress they have a hard time putting their feelings into words and communicaing them to others.
• The ESTJ puts forth a lot of effort in almost everything that they do. They will do everything that they think should be done in their job, marriage, and community with a good amount of energy. He is conscientious, practical, realistic, and dependable.
  

Those of you that know him well, what do you think? Is that a good description of JunkMale?

As for me, I am still very much INFP, although my F and P scores have dropped slightly over the years (I attribute that to being married to a man who is very different from me). Here are some highlights from the description of INFPs that I think hold true for me:

• INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
• When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet [oops], but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
• Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
• INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
  

So from those of you who know me very well, how well does that describe me?