How did you find out?

[eyebyte_atWork]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on - I learn only this year about MBTI/Kiersey types and have found the knowledge quite liberating.

I was wondering about how and when some of you learned of your true selves and how knowing has affected you.

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


OK - Go.

[attila_the_hunny]

1) I was 17/18 at the time and was surfing the internet and stumble across the test. I took the test for fun and was surprised the results were so in-depth.
2) See above.
3) It hasn't really. Gives me excuses for being lazy. I almost told my J mother [who was bitching about how dirty my apartment was], "but I'm a P!"

[Rajah]

1. How you found out.In college, my INTP friend convinced me to take the MBTI. My college administered the test. Voila; I'm an INTP.


2. WHen did you learn about this?College. So around 1994, I guess.


3. How it has affected your lives.It hasn't, really. I mean, I got really into type analysis in college, then gradually drifted away from it. Classic INTP - I got bored. Picked it back up recently, and it provided a lot of insight into why I've been feeling like I do, and what really motivates me. If anything, it's nice to see people in the same boat, and not feel so alone in my INTP quirkiness. I think maybe it'll be a catalyst for my change to another field, though...

[Nighthawk]

1. How you found out. First brush was an MBTI test that was adminstered during relationship counseling with my girlfriend when I was 32. I tested ISTJ. The type description did not fit me at all, so I blew it off as BS. At age 35, I picked up a copy of Please Understand Me II and tested INTJ. That made a bit more sense, so I started reading all I could about MBTI and Keirsey. A few years later, I realized that I am really an INTP who was projecting J as the result of being in the military for many years.

2. When did you learn about this? I didn't really make the connection until my mid-30's.

3. How it has affected your lives. It has become my religion and world view.

[Conan]

someone gave me the career advice book "Do What you Are"

[sbw]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on - I learn only this year about MBTI/Kiersey types and have found the knowledge quite liberating.

I was wondering about how and when some of you learned of your true selves and how knowing has affected you.

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


OK - Go.

1. stumbled across the test on the internet (like attila).
2. maybe 3 years ago, so age 21 or 22.
3. I find myself analyzing the motives of others more. also, (while not telling them this, of course) I have an idea of a given person's specific limitations. one of my friends (INFJ) said that recognizing these things has made me more tolerant.

Scott

[eyebyte_atWork]

1. stumbled across the test on the internet (like attila).
2. maybe 3 years ago, so age 21 or 22.
3. I find myself analyzing the motives of others more. also, (while not telling them this, of course) I have an idea of a given person's specific limitations. one of my friends (INFJ) said that recognizing these things has made me more tolerant.

Scott

I find that it has made me more tolerant of my brothers.

[Madrigal]

I was on one of those stupid "online community" things, and there was an INTP forum I stumbled across. I took a test there, looked up more info, and found this forum.

[eyebyte_atWork]

I was on one of those stupid "online community" things, and there was an INTP forum I stumbled across. I took a test there, looked up more info, and found this forum.

Has it changed anything???

[Madrigal]

I forgot to answer the other questions. I found out about it a few months ago, maybe 3.

I don't know if it has really affected my life. I'm relieved that I don't have to read much poor grammar and spelling, though!

Seriously though, the topics here, and the contributions, surpassed my expectations. Maybe it has changed my view of forums a bit. And people.

[Nighthawk]

I find that it has made me more tolerant of my brothers.
I find that it has made me tolerant of my entire family ... and most of the SJ toads for whom I work.

[ChristiRB]

1. How you found out.
I tested as an ENFP in Psych 101 in college.


2. WHen did you learn about this?
I was about 18 years old.


3. How it has affected your lives.
I have more than one life? Wow! Maybe I am ENFP AND ENFJ!! :shock:

In all seriousness, I was fascinated and decided to learn all I could about ENFPs. Then I moved on to the other types and studied those. I figured out that those that I felt I had an instant connection with were also N...and that is why I connected with them the way that I did. :)

[abathur]

Guess I took the test and got into it this past april or may. I was already pretty comfortable and happy with who I was despite being different, but mbti has definitely helped me identify why I do many things, and recognize more behavior that I'd never really thought of but certainly did. I'm probably in better shape to pick out people more like myself should I run into them since I have more behavioral hints to identify them with.

I certainly wouldn't say it has left me worse off.

[Conan]

I tested as an ENFP in Psych 101 in college.


WHAT!!! and all along i thought you were an enfj

[ChristiRB]

Hehehe...I am. NOW. :P

Long story. But aren't MOST kids Ps??? :whistle:

[Conan]

hmm, i COULD see you as an ENFP, how would I be able to tell?

[ChristiRB]

You could? How so? (We are derailing this thread I hope you know :P)

[kendoiwan]

It started with a speed reading people book. Intp from the gate. I dont even recall how kierseys book found its way into my hand. I was on a date in a book store some how picked up the book and couldn't put it down. I've been at for 3-4 yrs now. (Sorry I never remember dates. Just events.) The knowledge has changed my world for the better. One concrete example is that I used to think everyone if given a logical explanation could be persuaded. I no longer harbor such delusions. I read people and deal with them a lot more effectively. I actively address my natural short-comings and now I'm a member of this fine online community. :cheers:

[Conan]

You could? How so? (We are derailing this thread I hope you know :P)

i know, its a bad habit

is it possible to tell the difference between and a P and a J online??

[ChristiRB]

Well the mere fact that *YOU* derailed the thread and *I* want to keep it on track says something. :D

[Conan]

Well the mere fact that *YOU* derailed the thread and *I* want to keep it on track says something. :D

good point

[kendoiwan]

Well while we're derailing shit, I can't wait to see you two irl in Mia.

[ChristiRB]

Ken: you do?? Wow. I'm flattered.

Este: you're coming to Miami??

*feels remorse about the derailing*

[Conan]

hmm, i dont know yet, it would be fun though

[infp-incognito]

How you found out.
Book: "Do What You Are"


WHen did you learn about this?
Around 29yo


How it has affected your lives.
It saved my psychological life.

[PenguinHunter]

Took it first in grade 11 along with a few career tests just because I supposedly needed a direction. Came out INTP and promptly forgot about it. Then the past two years it has slowly crept back into my general reading and interest. Finding this forum also added to my interest. I don't know that it really changed my life in any way, it's just another model I now adopt when thinking about the world. It was nice to come here and find so many people all sharing a similar outlook though, having not (to my knowledge) met another INTP before. I just generally find the typology thing interesting.

[panda]

My other personality told me. I'm not sure what type he is.

[PenguinHunter]

My other personality told me. I'm not sure what type he is.

Is that him in your avatar? I'd say ISFJ. Looks like he could be a homemaker.

[philonightmare]

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.

1. First took it in 9th grade. Came out ISFP.
2. Took it again (my first year of univ.) and came out INTJ. After successive re-takes, and not being satisfied with my result, came out INTP and INFJ; moreso INFJ. Thus, I'm claiming to be an INFJ.
3. Made me more tolerant. Already patient by nature, this gave me a way to understand other people and their behavioural patterns a little better (ie: I could categorize them into boxes! yay)

[panda]

Is that him in your avatar? I'd say ISFJ. Looks like he could be a homemaker.
That guy? He's insane... very difficult to type. Sort of my dark side personality. The warped, twisted side.

[ChristiRB]

Ummm....hate to be the one to tell you this....but ALL sides of you are dark and twisted. :P

[panda]

Ummm....hate to be the one to tell you this....but ALL sides of you are dark and twisted. :P
You've just never seen my soft and cuddly side... with red eyes and sharp teeth. ;)

[ptGatsby]

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.



1) Took the test about ten years back, I guess. Maybe a couple less. Later on, I got the full test for work, along with the TI and other corporate pigeon-holers.

2) Tenish years ago, I guess. Been reading about it ever since. Agree with most of what is said, even if I feel people don't apply it very well!

3) I'm an extremely strong INTP. I was a very strong Type 16 (from memory, I think) for TI. Even the HR appraiser said "There is no fuzzy ground here". So, it didn't change me - it just let me accept me for who I am, rather than try to conform to the EJ world that imposes itself on me.

It has, also, given me a solid basis to understanding relationships, including intimate ones. That is *extremely* valuable, I think.

[wildcat]

I found out after being thrown out of the university. Through a fractal, I found N and P. I had not read Jung. I called (an uncanny chance) my axioms N and P. Well, if there is N and P, there is S and J: my professor, who did not grasp inductive logic.

[cryokinetic]

<b>1. How you found out.</b>
Nighthawk made me take the MBTI test when I came out to visit once.
<b>2. WHen did you learn about this?</b>
When I was 14(ish).
<b>3. How it has affected your lives.</b>
It helps me to understand why I have a hard time communicating with most people (and why I'm so damned "lazy"). I never shut up about MBTI types. I make as many friends take the test as I can possibly manage in order to see if my guess re: their type is accurate (I'm getting much better). Hopefully, one day I'll learn to actually use the information to work around communication issues and kick the laziness habit when it counts.

[cafe]

1. How you found out.
Online quiz.

2. WHen did you learn about this?
My dad was working on online dating and tested as an ESTJ. He got me interested and by the time I was thirty, I was pretty well hooked.

3. How it has affected your lives.
It's helped me to understand that I'm normal. For me.
It's helped me to work better with the SFJs I encounter at my kids' school.
I've learned that my husband isn't trying to drive me crazy. He's a P and he's wired for keeping his options open. etc.

[Solo]

1. I was surfing the net for personality tests and similar minds popped up.
2. I think it was Oct 2004
3. It hasn't really affected me in a dramatic way. It just gave words to feelings I couldn't explain.

[KuJo]

1. School has some woman that runs a site with it, and they gave us the chance to take it and i did, not knowing at all what it was.

2. Junior year of high school

3. I can now understand all the things i thought were wierd about my friends and other people, like why my istp friend only converses in argumental style, and why my intj friend plans every dam thing he does. and i use it as an excuse, and since noone i know took it, they dont get it at all, lollipops

[PromiscuousMind]

1) My mom knew a woman who administered the MBTI test for the coast guard, so she arranged for me to take the “official” test as well as a what does it mean consultation afterwards.

2) I believe it was in the spring of my junior year of high school (I was 16).

3) I was very polarized in all but one of the letters (I can’t recall which) and the lady said that it was pretty typical for a younger person to be that way – that a more “balanced” result was a sign of maturity. Well, as at 16 I sure wanted to be atypical and mature, I decided I wanted to be more balanced. Looking back, I think it was part of my motivation to start socializing – being more “E”. Recently it’s been a tool to help me get a handle on my mind when it’s gotten all muddled.

[eyebyte_atWork]

Everyone has been so forth coming... here;s my answers...

1. Nighthawk passed a link to me and asked me to take the test... I had just taken another IQ test and was ready to try something new. I got this four letter score and wondered what it meant. I asked him about it later and he gave me a link to Keirsey's site. My interest was peaked. I needed to read more. I Google searched it - and started buying books. Read like a mad man - it solidified what I had started to suspect about people (it did this with alot more detail). I had never cared much for people issues and things of thing nature - but I was stuck in this "grass is greener on the other side" mode and was searching for relief. This started to answer all that shit.

2. It was the spring of this year.

3. It has made me more tolerant and understanding of family member as well as the general public. It has also brought me to terms with myself and reinforced my sense of purpose .

[PsiKik]

1.) I Can't remember, just stumbled upon the test and took it.
Was completely blown away by the discription. MBTI became my sole interest for about a month.
Read tons, started typing everyone I knew or had known.

2.) October last year.

3.)
Helped me to explain my own and others behaviour.
I used to think of myself as different at best or a freak at worst.

Now I know Im an INTP! There are others like me. yay!

Has triggered a massive self improvement program.
I am trying to improve upon all the INTP weaknesses which I have held me back in the past.

[Sue Denim]

Took the test at work in my early 20's. I think I tested ENTP, but that was skewed by the extravert bias that was driven into me as a kid. I'm definitely an Introvert, but the emphasis on "being social" allows me to be more extraverted when necessary. I ended up reading parts of PUM and PUM-II, and focused more on the descriptions than any test to realize that I'm definitely INTP. In any case, the test was roughly 15 years ago, but reading it and understanding it happened in the last decade.

It has changed my life in many ways. For one, I am more accepting of myself, and realize that there's a place for me as I am, rather than thinking of needing to change myself all the time. I am also lucky in that I'm in a great relationship with someone who also appreciates the MBTI. It really aids in understanding each other, and I'm certain that we wouldn't be so close if we didn't have it as a tool. In a less dramatic sense, I use my ability to type people and my understanding of type to help relate to people in general, especially at work.

[Zero Angel]

Stumbled upon the MBTI test when looking up some information on ADD. When I took it (18 at the time), I tested INTJ and the description fit me fairly well at the time, but I retook it a few times just in case and scored as INFP about 1/3 of the time (never as INTP). I took in the INTJ description 'as me' because it reflected my philosophy regarding rules and 'redundant' things.

Come to think of it, I fit into the ENTP, INTP, INTJ and INFP types when I was younger. I went through a boisterous little professor period (6-12), a crybaby mode (8-10), an organizer/bossy club leader mode (10-13), an INTP mode (13-16), and then a self-confident 'don't get in my way' mode (17-20). So I identified with most of these kinds of things.

But when I tested INTJ, I was in the 'don't bother me with useless rules' mode and wanting to do my own things because other people were slowing me down. It's been quite a trip trying to guess which 'temperament' I was acting out throughout the years; because as a child, I acted according to my circumstances at the time (my family moved around a lot).

[cloakable]

1. How you found out. First brush was an MBTI test that was adminstered during relationship counseling with my girlfriend when I was 32. I tested ISTJ. The type description did not fit me at all, so I blew it off as BS. At age 35, I picked up a copy of Please Understand Me II and tested INTJ. That made a bit more sense, so I started reading all I could about MBTI and Keirsey. A few years later, I realized that I am really an INTP who was projecting J as the result of being in the military for many years.

2. When did you learn about this? I didn't really make the connection until my mid-30's.

3. How it has affected your lives. It has become my religion and world view.
1: I took the similarminds test.
2: I looked at the profile right then.
3: It has given me something new to obsess over :p

Oh, and Nighthawk? You're an INTP. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A RELIGION.[/joke]

[Nighthawk]

Oh, and Nighthawk? You're an INTP. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A RELIGION.[/joke]What can I say? My ISTJ mother's attempts to indoctrinate me as a Catholic left a void that had to be filled. Keirsey's "religion" just made more sense to me http://forums.intpcentral.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Trystorp]

The staff of the high school I was working at was typed as part of a workshop about 6 years ago. I always knew I was an odd duck and being typed an INTP justified some of my behavior to me. It was satisfying knowing there were other people who shared the same priorities. Since then I have become interested in typing and understanding the people around me. I still handle people in an intuitive way but now I am a little more analytical.

[the Bleeding Tulip]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on - I learn only this year about MBTI/Kiersey types and have found the knowledge quite liberating.
I was wondering about how and when some of you learned of your true selves and how knowing has affected you.

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


1. & 2. Just barely a year ago. The guy I dated, INTP, e-mailed this technical manual about how INTPs work to me. Needless to say I got very curious and did more research. I looked up some online tests and at first tested all over the place with intj being the most common, followed by infj. The description of an intj still fits me best although I more and more realize how strong my F and how weak my J is sometimes.

3. I learned more about myself and other people. I finally found an answer to why I am so weird/different compared to most people. It's comforting to know there are others like me out there.

[Elizabeth B]

I was originally tested as a freshman at the Air Force Academy as part of Psych class. I though it was pretty interesting, and read a few more books about it.

A few years later, we were all retested at my work as part of a quality training thing. They had the biggest P and the biggest J describe their closets, it was hilarious! The J guy had everything arranged be color and then sleeve length, with shoes below certain outfits. I'm sure I don't have to explain what a maxed out P's closet looks like here. That made me even more interested, I started reading more books and online articles.

I've found the MBTI to be very useful, here's a quote from my web page explaining why:

I have found the study of MBTI personality type to be very useful and rewarding in my life. As a Christian, a thorough understanding of the MBTI has allowed me to better understand and love those with personality types quite different from my own. When I was in a leadership role in the Air Force, an understanding of personality type helped me be a better leader, allowing me to use my subordinates’ strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. It also helped me to better understand their concerns. I am an INTP, a personality type that is generally not empathetic to people’s wants and needs, and is also not generally a strong leader. Through a lot of prayer, God’s grace, and an understanding of personality type, I was very successful in that role.

More here at my web page if you really care. (http://www.thephonicspage.org/Other/personalitytypea.html)

[MasterMerk]

On another forum I frequent, someone posted a link to the human metrics test. This was somewhere around the middle of 2004. I was one of the rare ones that came out as INTP, so I tried to learn more about it and somehow ended up at the old forums. I browsed for a few days and then forgot all about it. A couple or so weeks later I remembered, found they'd just moved the site here and decided to register.

How has it changed my life? Well I've branched off a bit and tried other types on for size until I felt the click. That click was ENTP, but I've come to the conclusion since that I'm more of an XNTP. Essentially, it helped rule out quickly what I would not be suited to undertaking as a career or uni major. It also made me more confident in my identifiable talents and skills and prodded me towards focusing my energy to viable undertakings in light of this.

[Nighthawk]

I was originally tested as a freshman at the Air Force Academy as part of Psych class. I though it was pretty interesting, and read a few more books about it.

WooHoo ... another INTP academy grad. :D

[Nighthawk]

When I was in a leadership role in the Air Force, an understanding of personality type helped me be a better leader, allowing me to use my subordinates’ strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. It also helped me to better understand their concerns.
I wish I had known about MBTI when I was a unit commander in the army. It would have helped me immeasureably. Still ... according to my NCOs ... I was very adept at placing the right people in the right positions. Looking back, I put a lot of the SPs in high pressure, "exciting" tactical jobs like reconnaissance, mindfield breaching, and assault. I put some of the SJs in logistical jobs like ammunition accountability and running the supply room. I've often wondered if INTPs (or maybe NTs) have some sort of inate ability to place people like that.

[MaroonBells]

I wish I had known about MBTI when I was a unit commander in the army. It would have helped me immeasureably. Still ... according to my NCOs ... I was very adept at placing the right people in the right positions. Looking back, I put a lot of the SPs in high pressure, "exciting" tactical jobs like reconnaissance, mindfield breaching, and assault. I put some of the SJs in logistical jobs like ammunition accountability and running the supply room. I've often wondered if INTPs (or maybe NTs) have some sort of inate ability to place people like that.

i wish my mom would have told me about MBTI when I was a screwed up teen, instead of astrology... she presented me with my full horoscope in order to "provide me some direction" .. obviously MBTI was much more helpful (when I found out about it last year) ..

i remember the astrology a little, i am aquarius with moon in scorpio and aries ascending, with sun/ jupiter conjunction

[Elizabeth B]

I've often wondered if INTPs (or maybe NTs) have some sort of inate ability to place people like that.

I think that INTPs, as analysts, are good at analyzing people if they want/need to. A need to would be as in both our military situations where we were put in a leadership role.

My first job in the military, I didn't know much about the MBTI yet, but managed to assess and place people pretty well. I also was willing to see, use, and appreciate abilities in Secretaries and Airmen (lowest rank in Air Force) that SJs tended to overlook because of of their rigid ideas about rank, position, and ability. However, I think the MBTI strengthens and clarifies this ability.

[Nighthawk]

i wish my mom would have told me about MBTI when I was a screwed up teen, instead of astrology... she presented me with my full horoscope in order to "provide me some direction" .. obviously MBTI was much more helpful (when I found out about it last year) ..

i remember the astrology a little, i am aquarius with moon in scorpio and aries ascending, with sun/ jupiter conjunction
Ouch! That is truly mind blowing.

[MaroonBells]

Ouch! That is truly mind blowing.

what is? her approach?

[Johnny]

I found out when I was struck violently off my don[key] by the very hand of God.

http://www.humanities.uci.edu/users/vfolkenflik/VRF%20Sources/michelangelo%20large%20Conversion%20of%20Saul%20(St.%20Paul),%20Vatican.jpg

I learned when I lifted my shaking, sweating body from the ground and looked up to see Him.

From that point on, my life has been an unstoppable series of graceless don[key] dismounts.

http://www.math.duke.edu/~blake/troop412/photos/Water_weekend_2003/Tubing%20-%20Ed%20Falling.jpg

[Bradtv]

Thought I'd resurrect the thread... seems to be decent (minus the derailment).


1. How you found out.
2. When did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.

2. I was a freshman in college in 01'... 18 years old
1. The college had a required class to help freshman adjust to college life (obvious stuff). The teacher gave several tests, one of them being the MBTI (she being certified).

When we got our results back, she only asked one thing "Any INTP's?" I was the only one... to which she said, "I'm married an INTP, I feel bad for you." She didn't explain why.

3. The ominous comment kept with me. I don't recall much research soon after, but a little over a year later I ran across a LIFEtypes book in a library. I photocopied the INTP chapter. During that time in my life, it was pretty much dead on. It explained many events in my life.

In the past year or so, I started making changes in my life. The INTP chapter highlighted some weaknesses I could work with. Lately I've been using my J function more dominantly.

The information I've learned from MBTI helped me to deal with the people in my life with more empathy, because most don't understand me.

[Ferrus]

I found out when I was struck violently off my don[key] by the very hand of God.

Have you considered avoiding trips to the Damascus area?

[JBHunt]

I found out when I was struck violently off my don[key] by the very hand of God.
From that point on, my life has been an unstoppable series of graceless don[key] dismounts.
:lol:

I was in a fucked up relationship with an ISTJ.

[ThirtyFour]

1. How you found out.
The first time I took one was as a Junior in college at about 18. That was only a four question test and nobody explained the results at all. I took a few as online quizzes but never took it very seriously until about a year ago when I met my boyfriend. He made such a big deal out of my NT status that I had to learn more about it. It has sense become, at least in part, my religion as well.

2. When did you learn about this?
It was a gradual enlightenment between 18 and 22

3. How it has affected your lives.
It has improved my relationships with people. It helps me understand what motivates and interests people.

[Toonia]

1. How you found out.
The first test I took was in a high school class at age 16. I came out infx. The second one i took was in a college class around age 19, came out infj. I've taken online tests since and typically come out infj, sometimes intj.

2. When did you learn about this?
age 16, but delved more deeply in recent years.

3. How it has affected your lives.
-Not sure it has except i've gotten into a bad habit of trying to guess people's types which i actively try to quit, and i have made friends online here and had some interesting discussions.

[wildforlemurs]

A few years ago I took an online MBTI test for a psychology class.

I was 21/22

It has helped me realize that I am not clinically disturbed (that's my opinion though) and there are actually people like me who think and read a lot and need a lot of time to themselves.

Funny Fact: I've taken lots of MBTI tests and some of them twice and my type has changed from INTP to ISTP and INTJ, but I have only ever repeatedly gotten INTP. I have such trouble with those poorly-written personality tests. Actually, I think I over-think the questions too much and argue for both extremes of the answers. :-P

[zhang_bob]

How you found out.

I got made to do MBTI, Morrisby and some other psychometric tests, when I was about 15. My school wanted to find out what was wrong with me, because I obviously had something wrong with me, as I was totally unable to go more than a few months without getting suspended. :headphone:

When did you learn about this?

See above

How has it affected your lives.


I learnt I probably won't get on with SJ's no matter how hard I try.

I learnt I'm not crazy if I don't want to become a ESFP.

I try to type everybody I meet, and therefor less likely to annoy people as much.

I also learnt it was not the IxFP deputy head fault that she had a tantrum when I 'suggested' ways for her to lose weight.:devil:

[Katzchen]

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


1. In tenth grade I had an english teacher who had us take the test, but I actually tested INFP then. I was really into personality tests and still am, of course, so I researched more into it and decided I was probably a T, not an F. We took them again in twelfth grade and I got INTP, to which my teacher said "really? I thought you were INFP." I don't know how he remembered.

2. tenth grade.

3. I type almost everybody I meet. It's turning into a really bad habit. I use it for dating advice too, like "Well you're an intj and she's an esfp so I really don't think it will work out anyway" which might actually be a bad idea. hm. It has helped me see people in a better light too, because now I know that extraverted, sensing, feeling, judging types aren't completely useless, they're just useless to me.

[TheAssofHumanity]

I don't think it makes a difference one way or the other. It's interesting at first, but who care later on. It's not going to improve your relationship with someone else.

[Twitch]

. . .now I know that extraverted, sensing, feeling, judging types aren't completely useless, they're just useless to me.

^^Quoted for Truth.

I found out when I was about 20. I've always looked into people to see not only what's on the surface but their motives and motivations. The way they think and how they express it. If anything, the only way in which it's changed my life is that it's refined my intuitive notions about the things I already "knew" about people by adding to and deepening said understanding.

[Pierrepaul]

1. How you found out.

My shrink suggested I take the test.

2. WHen did you learn about this?

A couple hours ago.

3. How it has affected your lives.

Not sure yet. I hope however, that I won't start wasting all my time theorizing about my personality or using it as an excuse for not getting things done.

[awe]

1. How you found out.

A test through work.

2. WHen did you learn about this?

A couple of years ago.

3. How it has affected your lives.

It made me happy that there were other people out there just like me... but then I found INTPc.

[Kaveri]

I was thirteen the first time I took an online test; my sister made me take it. I felt insecure and didn't understand a lot of the questions and asked for my sister's estimations of me several times. Some of the answers my sister decided for me, so the result wasn't very reliable, but I tested as an INFJ and was proud to read that it was one of the rarest types.

A couple of years later I took an online test again, all by myself this time, and came out as an INFP. I studied the descriptions of all the letters and tried to conclude very carefully, letter by letter, which type I was. The most distinctive letters for me were I and N.

A couple of years passed; I started questioning a lot of things including religion, human perception, colour therapy and all sorts of typologies and online tests. So I decided that personality type doesn't exist.

But I couldn't help retaking the test every once in a while and wondering what my true personality type was.

I started sometimes scoring T.

Sometimes even J.

I found that the INFP description didn't fit me very well.

But neither did the INFJ or INTP descriptions.

So, I'm still trying to find my true type. In the meanwhile, I think of myself as an INFP since that's what I've tested as most frequently.

How has this thing affected my life then? Hmm. Well, I have found a couple of interesting message boards, started typing other people in my head so as to understand them better, and I have also tried to balance my personality a bit. No, I don't want to use type as an excuse for bad behaviour and I have not tried to become an extreme archetype of my type. It's the other way around, really. Sometimes I wanna prove that a personality theory can't define who I am and that I can be totally different from what the INFP description expects of me.

*

EDIT. If I look back at my childhood, it does seem obvious that naturally I've been mostly INFP. I was a dreamy and detached child, couldn't understand sarcasm, had imaginary friends, made up stories, loved emotional make-believe games, listened to only classical music and so on. I would listen to my tape-recorded classical music and dance to the music and pretend to be my alter ego/ideal self, who was an exotic Indian princess or a gypsy princess who had a special gift of communicating with and curing animals and plants. [Don't get the princess part wrong; conventional Western princess and prince tales bored me to death, but I liked to imagine that I was a free-spirited, romantically miserable orphan girl who possessed unusual talents and sometimes even magical powers, making her a sort of princess.]

Anyway. Of course I was also curious and had, um, intellectual interests even as a child, but I believe that my emotional side was more prominent than my "intellectual" side, and I thus dub myself an INFP child.

[Jonanory]

1. How you found out.
I was bored and found a whole website full of random quizzes and one of them told me that I was an INTP.

2. When did you learn about this?
Not that long ago, probably about a week ago

3. How it has affected your lives.
I don't think it really affected me a lot. That quiz was the reason I actually found this forum and joined up. Other than that, I am just more curious about the different personality types get along with each other.

[Doctor-Alvis]

1. Like a few others, through taking quizzes on the internet. I first tested as intj and the description seemed pretty close. Closer than most personality tests. It was just close enough to keep me reading through the types. I took another test but really thought about how I am and came out intp. That description was almost eerily close.

2. Some months ago.

3. Since it kind of laid me out on the table there, I looked at things and thought "I would probably be better if I worked on that" or "I'm cranking this part up to eleven."

It was also comforting because I kind of felt like I was defective. I was always laughing or enjoying or doing things for one off reasons that always confused people and then made me feel even more awkward. Or even worse, like a novelty. But then the mbti comes along and assures me there are others.

[the_e11eventh_hour]

1. I found out by accident while looking for those tests to find out what you would be good at in a career

2. I was 27, 2 yrs ago.

3. It really saved me, I realized that there wasn't anything wrong with me, (I formerly suspected though due to everyone I met called me weird.) It has probably made me more arrogant as an INTJ too. We do the best in school you know. :P

I turned my, just so happend to be INTP friend, onto it at the same time and it was a light bulb for him too.

[apple]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on

Actually, the more I learn about mbti, the less people fit into a specific category. I think some people with a superficial knowledge of it may say things like- that's so J- that's so NT etc, when really a combination of characteristics really determine those stereotypical traits. Most people whom I've thought of as NFs ended up being STs and vice versa, which I found surprising.

[justcherries]

It has probably made me more arrogant as an INTJ too. We do the best in school you know. :P



i might beleive you but i was valedictorian in my class as an intp and so was my sister, intj. the difference. she had to study for hours every night to get her good grades, and i study about 15 minutes a day, despite all of the honors and advanced classes i was taking. i even played poker all one term in math, somhow i still managed to learna nd do the homework for half of a textbook in less than 5 days....

[Nocapszy]

Dang I thought this thread was about aids or alcoholism.

I was gonna say, blood test or intervention. I guess these questions are good too. I'll answer.

I found out through english class. 16 years. Marc for some reason had all the students learning psychology, because he was such a good teacher he was able to find a way to incorporate it int othe the lesson. I don't remember how he did it, I just remember that he did it.

I forgot the other questions so I geuss Im not going to answer them. That's alright though because it's not as if my information will be of any service to you anyway.

[NkedMRat]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on - I learn only this year about MBTI/Kiersey types and have found the knowledge quite liberating.

I was wondering about how and when some of you learned of your true selves and how knowing has affected you.

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


OK - Go.

1. English class. the teacher was an INTP and had me pegged before I took the test. I liked the teacher, but hated the class... I think she was a little weak on the P... Seemed way too inflexible.

2. Soph year in high school

3. well for a while it was a cop-out for all of my downfalls... "I'm not lazy I'm just a P." "I don't have emotions and treat your ENFP ass like a flea-ridden corpse because I'm a T and Fe is my least developed function." ...etc.

You get the idea.

After a while I started using the system to manipulate people and get them into bed, get jobs, get what I wanted... wasn't very nice.

Then I started using it for smoothing out rough communication, a personal hobby, a way to shape characters in my writing, and for self-help. I've found ways to force myself to be objective and get my work done without losing my creativity. I don't get exasperated with irrational idiots quite as often as I used to.(although it's a lot easier to identify them)

It's also helped me in my choice in friends... I have an INTP best friend, a close ESFJ second, and for conversational acquaintances (temporary friends) INTJ ENTP ENTP ESTP... so in case it isn't obvious, I tend to stick to the Ts for the most part now... it saves me the hassle of ditching clingy friends every few months like I used to.

Now I'm working towards a career involving psychology, so I'd say it's helped me as well as opened my eyes.

[Ellipsis]

1. In a big group presentation at the beginning of my first year at high school....mostly a find out what you are good at so you can work in a team....now I don't think I tested as a INTP...possibly an INFP or INTJ for some reason I choose to answer the last question they gave me not totally honestly (because either there was no one in the last group of people or the group of last people was all female....which I don't think can be right since INTP females are even rarer then INTP males....)....I mostly kind ignored this until we did this a second time in my second year...this time I answered honestly and ended up with INTP (barely....3 questions where asked for each preference and I ended up with a 50&#37;/50% after the first question for F/P)...after doing this I went and looked some information up...

2.first year high school

3. It has helped me make some good decisions and have some faith in myself (before I learned about this I was much more angry....and much less confident)

[socrateez]

I was first tested as a INFP at around 13 years ago. Lots of tests actually, not sure why...anyway, wasn't under the best of circumstances.:ph34r: The description i was given was very general, only a paragraph. Wasn't quite me and i dismissed it as trivia.
Recently i took quite a few online tests and read many type descriptions. I test more often than any else as INTP. That crystallized what i already intuitively suspected about myself. Nice to see that maybe i don't have a personality disorder...
It's helped me understand myself better. It's one more check mark in a little black box of long list of being far from the middle of the curve in most everything, yet not quite able to really attain anything.:banghead:

[Samurai Drifter]

My dad used to do training based on it and explained it to me at one point, and mentioned that he was an INTJ. I took the test soon after and got the same result, but then re-took it with more honest answers and came out as INTP.

3/4 of the people in my immediate family are INTx. The remaining person is an ENFJ. So finding out about MBTI certainly explained a lot...

[Neuroneuster]

I see people here who have been typed - and some are young - so I think "wow" - it's great to know so early on - I learn only this year about MBTI/Kiersey types and have found the knowledge quite liberating.

I was wondering about how and when some of you learned of your true selves and how knowing has affected you.

1. How you found out.
2. WHen did you learn about this?
3. How it has affected your lives.


OK - Go.

Holler.

1. I was searching for Personality test then I met DDLI test. Somewhat MBTI test. It was 25th July 2007. I found it from the internet.

2. I hve been learning about this since I knew that I am an INTP. I'm 15 you know.

3. Immensely really affect my lives till now. I'm more to be an INTP. I add something from this personality to myself. I am lucky to meet this. -_- Well.

[Ferrus]

I took a test on humanmetrics just over 2 years ago. Then, 9 months or so later I chanced upon this site and joined, which has given greater insight into MBTI.

[Johnny]

Have you considered avoiding trips to the Damascus area?

No man the tea's way too good.



I was in a fucked up relationship with an ISTJ.

The most common type where I work is ISTJ and, yeah, I think I understand a little of what you mean.


I found out when I took a company-sponsored MBTI test 3 years ago. I was 35 then, and though I may have taken some similar test when I was a kid I didn't know anything about MBTI or personality type until then. Before that, I considered anything resembling it to be about as meaningful as the daily newspaper horoscopes (read: not meaningful).

I do sorta feel that way about MBTI too, but since it's something that (when taken seriously) helps me connect and talk to other people, and especially build productive relationships in the workplace, I at least find it useful even if, in the end, it's not meaningful after all.

And no, I'm not so hard on horoscope believers anymore.

[ryan_m_parr]

I've always known about personality typing (at least on an intuitive level, from early on.) This is one of the first places I chanced upon, to endeavor to read up on the interaction. I felt no need to participate, as I was merely an ambling fool, seeking to observe. It was probably 3-4 years ago (a year or so before joining~and still not posting until more recently,) and it did work as a consolation to my existential plight. I can't say anything has particularly been improved or worsened, as I am fairly secluded by nature and don't introspect in any different way than before I knew MBTI

[Iconoclasm Conquest]

I took a test on humanmetrics just over 2 years ago. Then, 9 months or so later I chanced upon this site and joined, which has given greater insight into MBTI.

What he said, only make it about 4+ years ago.

Originally tested as INTJ, but every time thereafter have come out as INTP. Probably wasn't completely honest that first time, heh.

EDIT: Oops, except for the nine month thing. I just happened upon the site a month ago.

[grayskiesraena]

My mom (she's an INFJ) found out about the MBTI test, and she wanted me to take it, so I did. Lots of people just scan the internet for something that might look interesting, and I guess that's what she did, or else she was actually looking for a personality test. I was really impressed because reading the result was like reading my own mind, so I kinda got into it.

[grayskiesraena]

I happened to come accross this site while searching on google for something INTP related, and I wanted to see if there were actually other people out there like me- To see if I was alone in this world, or not. I'm the only INTP in the family, and my friends are the furthest thing from one, so I couldn't help but feel a little unincluded.

[Fictionarium]

I first found out about this by taking tests on similarminds.com when I was 11. I quickly ignored it and didn't take it very seriously, probably got an INTX by then.
Once I was 13, my mom told me about this test advisor in her job, and I took the test scoring an ENXP, but I was really hyper at the moment so it didn't count.
Pretty much ignored it after.
After a while, I found similarminds.com again, and took it more seriously. Various times. Then, on different pages. Different times of my life, moods, and I usually got an INTP. I read the profile and it was right on :3