The Originality of MBTI Types

[Nocturne]

Hmmm... I don't think the title quite describes what this thread is mainly about

Anyways, are people born with set personalities? e.g.- if you are born an INTP, you are always an INTP (somehow, I feel that this is unlikely)

Is it possible to change you personality type to something else and what are the mental effects of that?

Or assuming you can change your personality type to something else, would your "original" personality type remain slightly evident in your actions?

Or, is it that different environments can change a person's type?

(Of course, this is all concerning the MBTI when I talk about different types...)

Please feel free to comment and etc...

 

[Dr. Freeman]

I guess you could fake it, or force yourself to think in a different way, but I don't think that you would be able to consciously change your personality without it being a form of acting.

 

[Abraxas]

I believe MBTI -types to be very much environment related. I really can't say which specific events/circumstances make us exactly the way we are now, because there's so much of these factors.

One good example would be living your life as more or less socially reserved (INTP or whatever). And then you would die (assuming similar conscious existence continues), you'd be greeted by a voice/entity/a letter/anything saying: "You're now free to do anything! Just imagine it and you can do it. Go ahead and try it out!". Good bye social awkwardness along with all other possible insecurities.

 

[slyspy]

I think that in your younger years (when you are a child) it can change more drastically but I think it is possible for it to change under certain circumstances (though I am not sure what those circumstances would entail-maybe a brain disorder/symptom) when you are older. For the most part I don't think it does. I don't think people are born with their personality's though. You are born with a predisposition toward one type of personality but I don't think genetics is everything though probably the underlying cause. Most of it is beyond your control. I don't think you can will yourself to become something different. You can display more extroverted traits but if you are an introvert it will not be experienced in the same way an extrovert would. Just some thoughts.

 

[sammael]

http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=9929

 

[SkyWalker]

i think our personality type is similar to an addiction.

you are addicted to the functions operating in your type

you can probably kick the habit if you are ready to go through hell first

 

[Logic]

Anyways, are people born with set personalities? e.g.- if you are born an INTP, you are always an INTP (somehow, I feel that this is unlikely)

Yes. It may seem unlikely but it's a fact.

Is it possible to change you personality type to something else and what are the mental effects of that?

No. You would cease to operate at all. Nature hasn't really allowed this to happen, so you could safely assume that the result of having the ability to switch into a different personality wouldn't work.

Or assuming you can change your personality type to something else, would your "original" personality type remain slightly evident in your actions?

Your personality type is constant, and whenever you grow, you do so within the limitations of your biological personality.

Don't get me wrong here though. An INTP is capable of doing anything that any other type is capable of doing, but they go about it in their natural way, which is within their functional hierarchy.

Or, is it that different environments can change a person's type?

Environment can effect the development of a personality in many different ways, but it will never change your type into another.

(Of course, this is all concerning the MBTI when I talk about different types...)

MBTI is a flawed system. They have you believe that you can choose your personality on your own, which is absolutely false. Your personality isn't your choice just like how your body isn't your choice.