Do you ever feel the MBTI done more damage than good?

[Ink]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

 

[Cherry Cola]

In the beginning I experienced some semi compulsive application of MBTI, in particular I wanted to type everything; however, it faded with time. I've seen the same in others, I think it's part of the learning process.

If you feel like that even after your MBTI learning progression has plateaued then I don't know.

 

[Pyropyro]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

It's the bane of any personality classification system. You tend to box yourself and others within the limits of the system.

The trick is to get to know the yourself and the other person better (if you think they're worth it) so that they can "escape" the imaginary box that you put them in.

Personally, I think MBTI has done me more good than harm. I usually only use it as a conversation starter in light social interactions.

 

[Jennywocky]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

I don't do it anymore, I think flexibility is built into all of my perceptions.

But it does remind me of my first semester of engineering physics, though; I couldn't even walk down the sidewalk between classes without noticing a car driving by and automatically calculating the angular velocity at the assumed rate of speed. It kind of warps your brain.

I do also have to say I have trouble hanging out in the "typing" areas of forums where those new to type go hang out. Just reading the "typing" discussions can drive me insane, because of all the misapplications, and it's better to just stay away.

 

[ZenRaiden]

hehe way too strict to type someone. If I do type someone like a family member I know that I am either close or I am correct. I still did not type my mother as it is hard to do so. I think I would rather keep it general rather then typing people and then realising I did it wrong. Also I was too quick to type my self as I thought I have it easy however over time I came to a realization that the whole typing system is rather hard to grasp as there are no clear cut borders between the types so it is easy to associate multiple types or not consider certain types simply because the types may seem less likely. Sometimes even less likely type may be a possibility. For now I know I am hardcore P.

My father is typical ENTJ.
Brother is typical ISTP.

In both cases I could be wrong however profiles do seem to fit well with them.

 

[Pinion]

If it wasn't MBTI, it would probably be something else.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

I want to find more things that are interesting and can be used in everyday life. Calculating angular velocity sounds fun. I'm trying that next.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

i can relate although that particular issue has little to do with MBTI.

still i think MBTI is mostly bad for me and others. the style of thinking it promotes is lazy and irrational, however "advanced" you get. it's not entirely without merit, of course; as a theoretical framework it does make up a curious puzzle, and can broaden horizons thereby facilitating tolerance. application is much more difficult than it appears though, and the assumptions on which the theory rests are vague and inconsistent.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Yes. I'd rather try and keep it out of future relationships or just keep it to myself if anything.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Well there may or may not be certain relationships where the introduction of Myers-Briggs or cognitive functions has been a somewhat overall good thing in the long run, although I suppose time still has yet to say whether or not 'good' is the unanimously agreed upon outcome of that interaction - to some extent... It seems like things just get weird sometimes, for reasons perhaps not unknown. Well, since there are people who have been introduced to the personality theory, I wonder how ethical, if you will, to introduce any new people, say classmates or what have you, to the thing. See how weird it gets after that... Either pick and choose wisely, at this point, or just ruminate over the stuff in your head (to yourself) without letting the person in question know you plan on 'putting them in a box'. I suppose it's also partly that having someone take the test isn't really necessary - at this point, if anything. That isn't to say the thing is completely useless though, I guess...

 

[pjoa09]

I just can't do it because I feel IXTP ish. I crave the objective and subjective.

 

[perhaps.ambivert]

I suppose, for whichever parts of my life I had applied the knowledge of this theory, it has done some good. It confirmed a lot of the things that I have been wondering about all my life... cleared some things up for me too. (which mostly had to do with how disconnected I felt from the general population. that i perceived or responded to the world in a certain way.)

Of course, I still maintain a little bit of skepticism. But I also believe in the idea that many of our behavior/personalities can be explained based on some factors (1.what we spend our time on 2. the effects of that to our behavior and understanding or how we learn, etc.). And so far the theory holds up in some ways.

This is most specially helpful for people like me... who gets confused sometimes about other people... their motivations. And the theory basically tells you that we have different tendencies or leanings. A certain person who values rules or the adherence to them would manifest these things. So for me I could use that to adjust my behavior and react more appropriately using this information. Instead of what I previously would do... which is rebel or some other possibly idiotic thing.

But anyway... I have always wanted to understand people. And mbti is just another addition to my collection of data about human behavior.

Also, YES... haha the first time I discovered mbti... I went through a period of trying to type people I know. It was like a new toy that I had to exhaust the use of. But I guess at that time my understanding of mbti was still very limited, I doubt I typed anyone correctly. Ohwhelps. It was fun.

 

[Jennywocky]

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

I want to find more things that are interesting and can be used in everyday life. Calculating angular velocity sounds fun. I'm trying that next.

Run as fast as you can.

My first semester of engineering physics left me calculating angular velocity on car tires passing me as I'd walk down the sidewalk to the student lounge. it twists you forever.

 

[ahugenerd]

Yes.

 

[Windbag]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

It would be an exaggeration to say that the MBTI saved my life, but not by much.

I never felt comfortable in my own skin until I felt I had an explanation for why I was so unusual.

 

[BigApplePi]

I analyze people way too much. I catch myself making simple people way more complicated than they are...Anyone relate to this?

I don't believe there is any such thing as "analyzing too much." It's more of a failure to intersperse evaluation (synthesize) properly or at all. The sin is omission, not commission. Whoops. I take that back. One can make analytical errors.

 

[TimeAsylums]

I don't believe there is any such thing as "analyzing too much." It's more of a failure to intersperse evaluation (synthesize) properly or at all. The sin is omission, not commission. Whoops. I take that back. One can make analytical errors.

That was very well said, BAP.

 

[BigApplePi]

More on topic: I had heard of the MBTI before coming here and didn't know what to make of it. I always postpone judgement until I know more. Today I rely more on what a person says about themselves. If they say, "I am a feeler", I will try to remember and look at them that way. Today I tell myself not to look at all four letters. Rather go for the cognitive functions. Pod'Lair threw me and upset me. Visual cues on utube and in real life are one thing, but this forum is not rife with visual cues ... so the heck with that. As for me, I am Ti and Ne and Si. There should be no damage as long as I hold off judgments.

 

[rushgirl2112]

I never felt comfortable in my own skin until I felt I had an explanation for why I was so unusual.

That was definitely a plus for me! Once I figured out that I was an INTP and saw how uncommon the personality type was, especially for a woman, it was one of those "ahhh, I get it now" moments. No wonder I had such a rough time growing up, and no wonder that all the ways I tried to make myself conform to the stereotypical "ideal female" were complete failures.

At least it made me feel better about myself, although sometimes a description was so accurate that I got a bit emotional over it. Just reading about how we can so often be outcasts . . . yeah. That brings up a lot of rough memories.

In some ways, it's been fun and informative. This kind of analysis appeals to me, and it's really interesting to consider what other people's types are. I don't expect to be super accurate about it all the time, but it's interesting just to know about it and look for clues in the person's behavior. That can help me relate to them better. Knowing that concrete thinkers make up a high percentage of the world's population is definitely useful. And explains a lot.

But sometimes it simply confirms what I already know. My ex-husband tested ISTJ (but lately I'm thinking he's probably somewhere between that and an ISTP). He's a great guy and an awesome father, but we just were never on the same wavelength. Well, I could have figured that out based on our types, but it's not like I needed that to tell me.

Same for my husband, an INFJ. We have this intense romance and serious compatibility. So when I found out that rationals tend to be really compatible with idealists, and specifically INTPs with INFJs, it certainly made sense but again . . . hardly news to me. On the other hand, it has been useful for us both to see where some of the pitfalls are, like when I'm trying to work through some logical solution to a problem of his and all he really needs is a hug.

I guess maybe it's safe to say that we don't need personality typing to understand someone, and because everyone is an individual, you DO need to look beyond it. But I do appreciate its relative simplicity as a jumping off point. Especially given the number of people out there who have trouble with the concept that everyone else doesn't - and shouldn't have to - think the way they do. If a simple system gives them some greater insight, hey, I'd say that's at least a step in the right direction.

 

[The Introvert]

Said simply, yes.

A more complicated answer deserves a thread in its own right, IMO. Right now I'm likening the understanding of MBTI (or any other personality typing for that matter) to the power the ring has/had over Gollum. At points it feels like you know more how people work than you should (or at least think you do) and it hinders your ability to really learn about people as individuals. Scientific analyses of humans, although beneficial in their own right, may honestly corrupt our own image of ourselves (and therefore the outward expression of our persona) in the process.

For some types, (low F expression) this isn't an issue. For the more emotionally unstable types (higher up on the gradient of functions), this can hinder personal growth exceptionally. Typology, methinks, is useful for those capable of evaluating their peers without biasing their own perception of themselves and the world around them.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Not really, no. In the big scheme of things MBTI is rather insignificant to be all that detrimental. Although on a personal level I think it's clear it can easily become an obsession, but that's more to do with personality theories in general and the mental health of the individual. Even if you want to bring up type discrimination in social communities, that already exists without MBTI.

Also this:

If it wasn't MBTI, it would probably be something else.