Developing opposing functions..how?

[deus.ex.machina]

Would it be possible to learn how to switch into another temperamental trait? For instance, could I learn how to develop my feeling side so I can have a stronger sense of emotion, or develop my extraversion so I can function in a large crowd of people? I think it anyone would figure out a way to to manipulate one's traits in such a way it would be an INTP....

Ideas?

[Maniac]

They say ppl can change over time. Also, I don't believe most people are just one MBTI. I'm more INFP in public, more INTP alone. You can alternate, to some degree. But trying to be something you're not is uncomfortable.

[deus.ex.machina]

They say ppl can change over time. Also, I don't believe most people are just one MBTI. I'm more INFP in public, more INTP alone. You can alternate, to some degree. But trying to be something you're not is uncomfortable.

I am actually more of an INFP when I am making music - especially when I have been doing it all day long. I find myself more sensitive and will appeal to emotions better when I have been doing something artistic. Generally though, I do ride a fine line between Feeling-Thinking and Perception-Judgement. My Introversion-Extraversion and Intuition-Sensing scales are more polar, and probably more uncomfortable to control.

Naturally though, I think I am able to assume these rules providing they are in the proper context. For instance, I am quite extraverted when playing/singing in front of people. Also, I am quite extraverted when assuming a leadership role. Since I can unconsciously do it, would it be safe to infer that perhaps conscious manipulation of personality traits may be more difficult? If so why?

[Maniac]

I am actually more of an INFP when I am making music - especially when I have been doing it all day long. I find myself more sensitive and will appeal to emotions better when I have been doing something artistic. Generally though, I do ride a fine line between Feeling-Thinking and Perception-Judgement. My Introversion-Extraversion and Intuition-Sensing scales are more polar, and probably more uncomfortable to control.


I've come to the same conclusion. Namely, that IN is much more stable than TP. I honeslty think that I can even classify myself as INXX, and I think many other ppl here could do that same. Especially if you look at tyour percentages, even 70% of any means that 30% you're the other. Of course that applies to IN also, but like you said, I agree IN is more polar.

[Nighthawk]

I tried to masquerade as an SJ and SP at various times in my life in a previous career. It did not work out well for me. Although I was able to present the appearance of another type on the surface, it took a lot of energy ... and eventually I self-sabotaged my own career just to get out of it. I personally believe that you are what you are ... and that it is difficult to change. Having said that, I think it is easier for people on the cusp of certain preferences to move between them. For example, I am only slightly P, so I can act like an INTJ for certain periods without expending as much energy. I also believe that few people are completely one preference ... P or J, I or E ... but rather a mixture of different levels.

I do act like an INTP most of the time. It is how I feel most comfortable. I read something about the different functions that I have found to be true in my life. It stated that people develop their primary function (Ti - introverted thinking, in INTP's case) during the first 10 years of their lives. Then they fully develop their secondary function (Ne) during their teen years and early 20's. The tertiary (Si) starts to develop in the 30's and the inferior (Fe) in the mid 40's to 50's. These are changes that I have found true for me. I began to develop introverted Sensing in my 30's, which gave me greater attention to detail, and a clearer understanding of my goals and objectives. I am currently starting to develop my extraverted Feeling, experimenting with expressions of warmth, self-disclosure, and social norms.

So, I guess what I'm saying is ... I believe that you can act like another type for a period of time, but it expends energy. I also believe that your particular type will change over time, as you develop your secondary, tertiary, and inferior functions.

[iponjs]

The type is the same, it just looks different as you age and develop. Your preferences are still the same. I believe in that part of the theory.

However, the way you determined your type and the age you were when you did it can have significant implications. If you figure out that you are INTP when you are 45 or 50 you may well be another type that has developed into INTP behavior as you age.

Also, the assessments are nowhere near 100% accurate. It stands to reason that the accuracy would vary by type as we all approach the instrument from different perspectives...

That being said, I believe that you can learn to mimic E, S, and J behavior (and F to some extent). However, I cannot imagine trying to "learn" how to be iNtuitive. Hell, I can't even describe how to do it.

[harris]

F- Experience associating with NFs. After having a relationship with an ENFP, I had been getting results that classify me as an INFP.

S-Draw a circle and mentally trace it's circumference. I have read somewhere that it exercises both sides of the brain.

[cathmc]

Yeah, I believe the preferences are always the same meaning, all other things being equal an INTP will always prefer Introversion, iNtuition, Thinking, Perceiving. But all other things are not always equal and as you go through life you learn to identify the situations where your preferences may not be the best choice, and that is when you develop other aspects of your personality. I think this absolutely happens unconcsiously just from experience; no reason not to think people couldn't do it consciously for specific purposes. Just like, as discussed in another thread, some peeople can use MBTI knowledge to manipulate other people.

[mgb]

I think in someone's most natural state, their type is their type. If you remove them from that state you'll probably see some shifts in their personality as they try and match their surroundings.

One thing I'm starting to learn is that I don't think S/N and T/F are opposed to each other as Meyers-Briggs has them. I think in the case of S/N they work together and if S was tested alone without N, I bet a lot of N's would score as high S's as well. I also am beginning to think that T and F really have nothing to do with each other as well and operate very differently on a physiological scale in the body and the tests again operate as if it's only one or the other, when clearly both can influence anything to a strong degree.

So with that in mind, I think "type" can be considered fairly malleable almost on a situational basis.

[carmel123]

i think the whole point of the mbpt, besides reconizing some interesting things about ourselves, is to help us become better well-rounded people. ive got a brother who i would bet was an intp when he was my age, now hes in his twenties, and i could make a great case of him being E or I, S or N, T or F, J or P. he used to have some of the same problems i have (not being very comfortable with lots of people, sarcastic, caustic, ect), but now hes a really cool guy. I doubt its that easy to change from one side of the scale to the other, but if you work on it you can develop a much more balanced personality. for intp's, the specifics would probably be like, "reconizing others points of views and feelings," ect.