So earlier, we were talking about personality types and my theory (based on purely anecdotal evidence) that different personality types have different styles of writing and receiving criticism.
So you're bored and want to contribute to my highly scientific research? Tell me your Myers-Briggs personality type!
Here's an explanation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (thanks, Wikipedia!). Here's an internet-safe (spybot-free) place to take a short version of the test online. Or, if you already know, proceed directly to the poll!
[Poll had to be removed because the server died. Sad. The results were awesome and very interesting.]
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83 comments:
Technically split between INFJ and INFP, but I went with INFJ anyway. I'm intriguied to see the results!
This is so interesting. A few weeks ago a fellow blogger posted she was an INFJ and wanted to know how many other writers were, too. Turned out there are a lot of us.
INFJs make up less than 1% of the population,and 8% of your poll responses so far.
I love the myers-briggs types,btw. I find it's really helpful in writing believable characters and filling my fiction with varied personalities.
I thought it would be an INFJ crowd!! I'm ENFJ--I think that's why I'm an editor and not a writer.
I'm INTJ
Your little polling widget never works for me -- probably got something to do with my employer's Internet-blockage practices. But fwiw, I'm supposedly an INFP.
According to one of the descriptions of this type, this puts me in a category including Shakespeare and Calvin (of the Calvin & Hobbes comic strip). I'll take it!
28% intjs at time of my click (intj). Numbers I've seen seem to indicate that they/we are one of the least common types so, to see so many gathered here must me *something*. Doo doo doo.
Wait, INXX's are ridiculously overrepresented in the reader demographics for a publishing blog??
*gasp*
(I'm an INTP)
ISFJ.
I think I had a different result when I took this a few years ago... interesting. Yay for developing as a person! :)
wow. i knew this would be fun, but i didn't realize how much.
I had to take the Myers-Briggs personality test before they'd let me have my gastric bypass surgery (really!) but I couldn't tell you which one I came out as.
This is the hardest bunch of anagrams I've ever seen — but I'm determined to get them all.
I've taken this quiz several times and always get the same result. I'm also surprised to see that 30% of us are INFJ when it comprises such a small percentage of the population.
I'm ISFP, guess I'm an introvert who is controlled by her emotions ;)
I got INTJ. I think that makes sense. As writers we tend to be inside our heads more often, and we have to be picky about what we choose to write about and express in our writing. I think it's interesting that we seem to be pretty evenly split between thinkers and feelers, though, in this little pool.
Moonie, I'm an ENFJ, too! :) And I so. Am.
This was fun- thanks for breaking up my otherwise cranky morning with something that made me smile. I have a very odd combination of traits, but I kinda like them.
I was INTJ before children and am INFJ now... those pesky kids making feelers of us thinkers... I am content to be in good company (Dumbledore is INFJ)--but thought I'd note--there seem to be a lot of us among writers--the most common ones...
In the general population these are both incredibly rare profiles (like 1% or something)--there must be something in the combo that draws us to write.
(ah, Philangelus noted similar observations)
This is completely fascinating! I'm an INFJ, too. Hey, now we know where to find one another ;).
It is bizarre how so many famous writers were also INFJ. Thanks for doing this, Moonrat!
I'm an INTJ and have been for a few years now. Love these quizzes!
I love Myers-Briggs! I love to unofficially analyze the people around me and better understand why it is people do things. I'm an INFJ too! So many writers are. :)
That quiz labelled me an ENTJ, but other times I've found myself an INTJ. If I'm so rational, why am I a writer?
ISTJ. Finally, I understand why people are always saying that I remind them of Evander Holyfield...
ISTJ here too.... Explains why characterisation has always been my weak point. Maybe my brain really wants to belong to a travel writer?
Let's see... last time I took one of these, I was an INFP. I still think that fits me pretty well :)
You know, I took this before but have no idea what the result was then - the description didn't sound the same as this one, though, so I'm guessing I tested as something else that time - it was a year or two ago.
Anyway - I'm ENFJ
ISFJ today. Sense I'm slightly schizophrenic, I come up something different almost everytime I take this. The two statements in this particular manifestation that apply most strongly to me are:
Reason is more important than emotion.
and
I strongly identify with the emotions of others/ easily sympathize with others, roughly paraphrased.
Yep. Schizophrenic.
INTJ.
I've done this quiz a dozen times over the last fifteen years and around ten years ago shifted from INFJ to INTJ and never went back.
I'm also an INFJ. And, as others have mentioned, I'm REALLY surprised to see so many of us here considering our rarity.
I originally took this about 15 years ago for work. I had to laugh at the accuracy of it. My boss had tried to no avail to get me to make these complex schedules, but I just couldn't do it.
It was also a running joke at the office to NEVER let me do a flow chart. They never made sense to me and when I tried to create them, the results never made sense to anyone else.
I have a real hard time following linear thought - always have. At least now I know why!
Wow, the Is really seem to be taking the day....
Hey Merry! Another one like me!
I categorically reject all categorizations.
INFJ here, although I'm not sure whether I should be chuffed to find so many other like minded people, or gutted that I'm not that rare or special, after all...
INFJ. I'm an idealist. ;)
ENFJ!
Just like Bill Clinton, apparently.
Yay, I want to be an editor and apparently I'm an ENFJ too! Never taken the test before.. interesting, though!
I wonder how many of us already knew what we were without taking the test. I'm not so surprised at all of the INFJs, we're drawn to writing.
INFJ -- wow there are a lot of us on here!
Wow. I've read that introverts are supposed to account for only 25% of the population, but not in this crowd!
Miaou! I cannot find a category
wow...INFJ's united (or go to our little quiet space and think!)
I'm INFJ, too. Neither the Vote or Results buttons worked for me -- IE said it couldn't display the pages. No matter. I'm glad to know I'm in such good company!
At this point it looks like a dead heat between the INFJs and INTJs. Interesting.
I'm INTJ. I feel so common!
Using the same info, you should ask which personalities are more successful writers.
Just sayin...
Using the same info, you should ask which personalities are more successful writers.
Just sayin...
Anywhere else, and my profile, INFJ, would be among the minority. But apparently not among writers.
ISTJ
You are:
1. very expressed introvert
2. slightly expressed sensing personality
3. moderately expressed thinking personality
4. moderately expressed judging personality
Apologies for the double post, but upon reading the description, I'm not too sure. I love new tech compared to ancient equipment. A small complaint.
Otherwise, I prefer not to classify people. You are you and I am me. We are all unique in a certain way that defines classification.
When I took the paper test a dozen years ago it came out as INTP. When I take the online test, it comes out as INTJ.
Did the test change or did I?
Hmm. I'm an INJT.
One of the many INFJ's here. Why yes, I would like to curl up with a book in the corner of the room, thanks.
ESFP - apparently I'm a
* slightly expressed extravert
* distinctively expressed sensing personality
* slightly expressed feeling personality
* moderately expressed perceiving personality
I'm not entirely sure what that means, but huzzah!
I scored INTP when I did the full Myers-Briggs years ago but INTJ when I did the online test recently. I don't know which to believe, so I'll go with the INTP one - it just seems right, and evidence to the contrary be darned!
what would be interesting would be fiction vs nf in the INFJ/INTJ
Another ENFJ here! Hi Fellow Bill Clinton types (really?)
Moonie - "I'm ENFJ--I think that's why I'm an editor and not a writer."
I'm an ENFJ and adore editing my work (writing the first draft is like pulling teeth for me). Ha!
Alli--I think editing is the extrovert's style of writing. Instead of sitting alone in a room and creating a monologue, you're interacting with another person or people (albeit, in your case, your former self).
Spot on, Moonie!
INFJ It didn't feel right when I read the description though. Maybe I don't knoe myself as well as I think.
I'm definitely surprised at how many introverts there are on this list. At the time of my comment it's nearly 84% of responders (295 of 353). This may not accurately reflect "writers" as it may be distorted by the types of people who use the internet, read blogs, or are attracted to Moonrat's style / tone etc.
However, writing is, admittedly, a solitary activity, which has always been one of the characteristics (among many others) that, as an ENTJ, I seriously dislike about writing. Do all you introverts actually enjoy the solitary aspects of writing?
I think editing is the extrovert's style of writing. Instead of sitting alone in a room and creating a monologue, you're interacting with another person or people
Moonie,
I kind of like this explanation. I love critique - whether we're working on my writing or someone else's, I just really like that part of writing. It's one of the reasons I like to submit to blog contests here and there (time consuming, but the community is usually so fun).
On the other end though, I really do need some solitary time to do the actual writing - I can tune out an awful lot to work, though. And I like getting out on my own to think here and there - usually in the car, driving around, with the radio blasting. So I have introvert tendencies and need some alone time, but I can't function alone ALL the time - little bits of me time are enough to refresh me.
Hmmm... was overanalytical part of our profile? :-)
Now, if you're a pisces, we must be soul sisters.
INTJ. Hard core INTJ. Though apparently I'm not alone here.
I'm INTJ, apparently.
I'm always up for a "scientific" study. As of this comment, over 50% of the responses are either INTJ or INFJ (I'm INTJ). I guess writers tend to be introverted, intuitive and judgemental. With an even split between thinkers and feelers. This poll was a great idea!
INTJ! This is obviously the place where the rare personality types congregate - perhaps this is as much social interaction as us introverts can take!
Hmm. INFP - looks like I've got some company. :-) Hey, that was pretty fun!
Merry--alas, Leo. Rawr. But let's pretend.
ENTJ. Being a so-called extrovert, I LOVE to be edited. All is right with the world if I know that somewhere out there, the mighty red pen is just waiting to kick my sentences around. I NEED the feedback (good and bad).
Where are the other ESTJs? I split between ESTJ and ESFJ, but I identify more with the T side. I spent years thinking I was INTJ, and wondering why I was so miserable living alone and spent most of my time at my friends' apartments :P
The breakdown of this poll reminds me of my social circle: mostly INXX, with me a lonely extroverted outlier.
Thanks for posting the link to the short version personality test. I took the full Myers Briggs years ago and am happy to report I am still an INFJ according to this short version test.
I'm the lone ESTP? :(
In interest of full disclosure, i blogged about this a little today
http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-makes-writer.html
Like some other commenters, I'm an on the line person too. Vary between ENFP and INFP depending on the day. Also no real statistical significance between the T and F for me when I did it via the full long professionally evaluated test version years ago. But no question about the N and the P.
I'm apparently an INTP or INTJ depending on the day.
How funny. I just read an article, this week, by Laurie Campbell about this and enneagrams. It was very interesting. In fact I did the enneagrams quiz and it's schedule to post on my blog....mmm sometimes, I can't remember. :^)
ENTP! The 'Inventor'. Apparently not many writers make up that personality type, but I like to think it helps when it comes to creating plots out of ideas, as well as finding 'better' ways to do things while editing. Always looking for ways to improve what's already there. Maybe we'd make good editors, too.
Another ENFJ here. And I probably SHOULD be an editor! (My critique groups sure thinks so.)
Whoa, look at all the Is. Very interesting post, comments and results.
INTP both times I took this and I took it ten years apart, so I must be set in my ways or this is a really good test.
Introverts, unite!
But can we unite without meeting as a whole group? Maybe just two or three at a time?
Also I want to nominate myself as non-leader.
Melissa (INFJ)
Melissa--teehee, you gave me a chuckle. But more seriously, I think that's what blogging is!
However, writing is, admittedly, a solitary activity, which has always been one of the characteristics (among many others) that, as an ENTJ, I seriously dislike about writing. Do all you introverts actually enjoy the solitary aspects of writing?
One writer's meat, another writer's poison. Count me an enthusiastic meat-eater! The solitary aspect of writing is one of my favorite parts of the deal. Just me and my imagination, for hours and hours and hours.
Oh, I'm an INTJ. I'm the only one in my day job (of approx 50 people); I've never seen so many in one place as I have here! Fab post, moonrat.
INTJ - fiction (fantasy mostly).
I am amazed at the number of us INTJ/INFJ's in the writing community. Or maybe just amongst the moonies.
I was an INTP a long time ago and still tread that fine line between J and P these days.
I haven't been freaked out for a long, long time. But this one does it. I"m an "INFJ." wow....
:-)
That's almost creepy.
Another INFJ here.
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