MBTI as negative reinforcement

[YardGnome]

While I was out having a smoke today I was thinking to myself about MBTI, particularly INTP. I have been having difficulties as of late... actually all my life, with scheduling, staying on task, procrastinating etc... I know you can all empathize with me here as I'm sure you all have to deal with these impediments as well.

These are characteristics that are used to define an INTP. These issues have been creeping up and biting me in the ass at work. I have a deadline for a project I am working on here and continually run into these issues. However, when I do I have fouind myself shrugging it off, telling myself "Oh, I'm an INTP... This is just what INTP's do..." Or something along the lines of "God Damnit what's wrong with me, why can't i straighten these things out... Oh it's because I am INTP..."

I guess what I'm feeling like is that by acknowledging that I fit into this "INTP" categroy I am negatively reinforcing my inability to make adjustments to alter / fix these issues in my life.

Then I'll go and ask myself: "Am I letting this INTP definition define me? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

Regardless I desperately need to become more organized and structured if I ever want to get anything acomplished in a timely manner...

(Personal thoughts on where to start this thread...)Hey, is this Philosophy or Psychology...? I'd say it's my personal philosophy regarding psychology....

I wish I were an INTJ...

[sbw]

I don't do that, because even if such a justification/rationalization exists, not getting my work done on time still makes me a slack-ass.

Scott

[Zero Angel]

Negative reinforcement basically means 'threat of punishment/negative consequences'. </anal>

You could also pretend you are an INTJ and you're not gonna put up with peoples BS, let them know, and do things your way. Tremendous confidence booster.

[YardGnome]

Negative reinforcement basically means 'threat of punishment/negative consequences'. </anal>

You could also pretend you are an INTJ and you're not gonna put up with peoples BS, let them know, and do things your way. Tremendous confidence booster.

I'm not about to tell my boss I'm going to do things my way considering he constantly reminds me that HE THINKS my way is always the wrong way... I, of course, always think my way is the right way...

[kuranes]

I think you're smart not to let the MBTI guidelines "push" you in any direction, or to resist if you feel they are.

[YardGnome]

I don't feel as though they are "pushing" me. Just helping me rationalize my procrastination... Which in turn leads to more procrastination... Hell, typing this response right now is procrastination...

INTP = Procrastination Rationalization...

[int]

I'm not about to tell my boss I'm going to do things my way considering he constantly reminds me that HE THINKS my way is always the wrong way... I, of course, always think my way is the right way...Wouldn't this be the bigger issue leading you to procrastinate? INTPs (and Js) want to do things their way. If someone else is restricting you from that, then maybe that's frustrating you.

I know I get like that when I'm involved in something I would rather not be involved in. Especially work/school. If I feel pressured to do something I don't want to do (even though I'm not really sure about my feelings on the "something") I will avoid action until I feel I can support/validate the action, on my own terms.

[YardGnome]

...I will avoid action until I feel I can support/validate the action, on my own terms.

My support / validation is becoming this...

If I don't complete this project to his specifications and follow his particular guidelines I could end up losing my job... My career as a programmer (at least at this job) is hinging on the success of this project.

However, I still find it difficult to stay on task, to stay interested. I've been working on the damned thing near two years now. It is, for the most part, my brain child... I'd like it to live up to its lofty expectations...

[sbw]

I don't feel as though they are "pushing" me. Just helping me rationalize my procrastination... Which in turn leads to more procrastination... Hell, typing this response right now is procrastination...

INTP = Procrastination Rationalization...

conjunction junction, what's your function?

(I'm procrastinating right now, too)

Scott

[YardGnome]

conjunction junction, what's your function?

Hooking up words and phrases and clauses...

Wait... was that rhetorical...

[Wilde Mutton]

I suppose that having lived in an environment which strongly discourages INTP traits, be they positive or negative (and by that division I mean positive as in happiness-inducing responses and negative as in obstructing the positive), when one finds out about the MBTI one takes it as a sign of approval ("Hey, look, it´s not a weakness being like you; after all, you can´t help it"). The relief and coming to terms with oneself as a misunderstood, yet integral part of society (whether one has already come to a certain rationalizing of simply being misunderstood, not an impediment nor a reprobate) in the eyes of the society gives one the false image that these grounds upon which one is now building a new attitude and outlook on life (and society, in particular) are accepted by everyone, as if everyone were now aware that one simply can´t help being one´s self. Also, as that even formerly rickety balance between justification and modification of self gets shaken limits are tested as to how far one can actually go, how much of the newly realized persona society can take. Erstwhile setbacks and points of self-modification and conforming are quickly thrust aside because it is easy to do so now that one has EVIDENCE to back up a vision of a neverchanging self. After all, types are stereotypes and don´t conform; even the chameleon trait can be treated as some sort of a nail in the coffin of self-modification. Or rather, self-modification may appear, but it´s viable to be towards the stereotype self, who needs not conform. A paradox there...
Anyways, just rambling. I´d hate to stand up to these claims, should I suddenly think of more valid ones, and it´s been known to happen.

[Jacque]

You are a human being. Are you going let that define you? Rather it's enough to justify any deficiencies and deviations. Perhaps, pondering the influence of a categorization is INTP in itself, the independent streak that charaterizes our instinct to rebel when pressured to follow or believe. My weapon is to combat uncertainty with reductionism. The MBTI attempts to map four functions of behavior which then theorizes on the variations in a speculative, sometimes artistic, manner, which appeals to people in a truly human way.

But if you were to sum up its pure constitution, it tells very little. The disclaiming humility, mildly prudish then, nods again in agreement with reassuring wisdom. Exceptions, such as INTPs, remain governed by exceptions. Never rules. When we lose exceptions, we lose INTPs, and if we lose INTPs we lose a system. From indicator to judicator. Though, for me this is too subtle a difference in meaning that an explicit dissemblance in words cannot compensate for. Really, what freedom is gained, what confinement is erected when you've positioned yourself exactly where you are in that incorproeal place we like to call the human mind? You should be fretting more about the health of your lungs and your obedience to nicotine.