Section 2-1: E vs. I and External Influence

As the personality letters get into specifics on what each part of the MBTI is representative of, there will be no intro to this section, instead we are going to Jump right into things with the E vs. I comparison.

Image courtesy of fronterahouse.com

is for Extrovert. I love being in the world outside, people or nature I'll take it all. I truly believe that everyone on earth (or in space, Commander Chris Hadfield) has an incredible story worth sharing with the world and I want to hear them all. I work in a fast-paced and constantly changing industry where my success is based upon my ability to create a meaningful connection with a customer in a very brief period of time. (commission based cell phone sales for those of you who were wondering, and okay, its not Nascar fast but I have to continually learning a large amount of new information to stay current in the field.) I like to go to parties when I have time and I am an active volunteer in any community I become a part of.

...Why then when my battery is drained and I feel completely out of energy do I turn towards writing, painting, instruments, reading, and self-reflection to recharge this battery? In public I present myself as an almost pure Extrovert, but when I am alone my activities consist of those of a strong Introvert.

MBTI classifies me as a strong "E" type... but MBTI is a static test asking only questions in regards to how you currently feel, not how your opinions have changed over time. (please note this is only based off of the sample test taken in class, as I have never completed a full MBTI instrument I cannot comment on it accurately.) It is through nurturing that I developed this "E" type personality. I didn't always have the same nature I have now. Pre-high school I was the kid you would find in the corner alone reading a book that no one else had ever heard of. In Junior high I was such a pure "I" type that I literally relayed any and all information I felt like sharing with my peers through a close friend rather than directly address the group. I flopped at public speaking assignments due to nervousness and hated social events, especially the mandatory ones like school dances. What was it then that caused me to have to adapt certain "E" traits initially to survive? My close friend moved away and I still had two years of high school to get through.

...$#!t...
-Image courtesy nickfalkner.wordpress.com-

It seems in the society of today that unless you possess either an Einsteinian or Machiavellian intellect that must be an "E" type to succeed... or even survive. I personally learned this very quickly after finishing high school. In the world of post-secondary education the teachers will no longer proactively approach you, you must possess the confidence to make your troubles/concerns known to them. The same principles apply to any position in the workforce, and in your social relationships. I thus changed my habits to nurture myself into a more successful being. I even started to enjoy activities that went against the grain or pushed me outside of my previous comfort zone. Despite all of this my closest friends tend to be "I" types themselves, I think this is because I associate with them more on their own ground and I empathize with them more than the "E" type.

In summation. Through the external forces of society I have been nurtured into an "E" type.

By Nature Though I will always be

Image courtesy of redbubble.com

Look! Scientists agree that I and E are affected by External Stimuli!

Section 2-2: S vs. N and Gender roles.

"I think I'll use my Intuition" Said Macho Man NEVER.
-Image courtesy of www.ilikewrestling.net-

Now, I'm not saying that stereotypes are always true. but to quote my grandfather, "stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason." as such I believe that the pairing of (S)ensing and i(N)tuition can be easily applied to classical gender roles. I do believe that it would be men that are predominantly, though not always, S types. The disposition of the S type to take a very literal view of the world and operate purely on presented instructions and facts tends to be associated with the typical male model.

However, even the strongest S type males will attempt to defy nature and put together an Ikea cabinet at least once in their life without looking at the instructions provided to them. As the knowledge to build a cabinet, or table, or chair, is obviously passed down through the Y chromosome in genetics and requires no previous learning. (In case it wasn't painfully obvious. that was a joke.)

The reverse is also true of the N type though, surely the saying "a woman's intuition" did not arise from pure conjecture and there must be some sort of backing for it to have arisen to such a common phrase in the english language.

I'm not saying that I am such a strong S type that I completely lack any sort of intuition of my own. In fact one of the traits of the ESFJ is the ability to sense how people around them are feeling. however I tend to only follow these "hunches" if they are paired with cues from external stimuli such as shortened breaths, a visible pulse, blushing. Otherwise I move on.

I am a very strong S type and I would not find it surprising in the least to learn that S is a typically male trait... I would find the inverse however quite surprising.

Section 2-3: The T vs F Dichotomy and "R" Types.

Courtesy of findicons.com

As the MBTI defines them, I find there are no greater options between which there are no wiggle-room than the options of T vs F. I myself am described as an F, however I do not believe this to be a fair ruling. Like Harry Potter, I am going to go against the sorting hat, and talk my way out of being sent to house Slytherin.

The main issue that I have with the T vs F structure is that it is worded in such a way that any compromise between T and F is a victory for F regardless of decision made. I tend to make decisions that either align with T or are parallel to it. The reason I am classified as an F is that these decisions affect me emotionally, whereas a T apparently also stands for "Terminator" as they incorporate no emotions into their decision making process nor are they affected personally by the decisions they make. The "R" in R Type stands for Rational, as in, people will use both concepts from T and F lines of thought and go from there to make the rational decision. Not always as purely objective a choice, but equally pragmatic to the T choice.

The in class discussion used the example of two individuals buying cars and the differences in the decisions that they make. This model fits in nicely with the R type as well... so I will stick with it in presenting the concepts.

Scenario 1: The T type buys a Ford Focus.

Courtesy of car-pictures.cars.com

This guy is a cool customer, he's done all of his market research on the vehicles from several different manufacturers prior to purchase, He can tell you the MSRP of the vehicle he is buying down to the cent, he knows all of the features he can afford and this is not an emotional decision for him. he's probably getting a grey car today as they are the most mass produced, and they hold the highest resale value. Sure, he might barter to get a free car starter or couple of dollars off, but at the end of the day that's just gravy, he knows exactly what he's getting and what he pays.



 Scenario 2: The F type buys a Ford... Focus? I meant Mustang.

Courtesy of hansenford.ca

Today is a really exciting day! for the first time a financed car is within his grasp. There was a Ford Focus on the lot last week, it was about 17,000$ or so... something like that anyways. it seemed really nice. BUTOMGWAIT. THERES A POWDER BLUE MUSTANG??? How much is it? ...Jeez, thats expensive... How many years? oh! but if he pays for that long the monthly payments will be the same as that focus! Insurance costs? He'll worry about that later, right now he's gotta find a trophy wife to tear up the tarmac with!




Scenario 3: The R type buys a Ford Focus... ST!

Courtesy of caronwhite.com

This is it. time to buy a Ford Focus. This car has been reviewed as very reliable, the price is affordable and thanks to some careful penny pinching he can afford to get the heated leather seats. He's ready to sign the papers at the desk when he sees something across the showroom floor. there's a Focus ST with a custom paintjob and sports suspension. No power windows or heated leather though... however, it's a much "cooler" car... how much is it? it's the same price? That's the car for him. keeps the budget in check, no unplanned expenses today, and his personal flair gets shown off.




See where I'm headed with this? Mr.R bought the same car as Mr.T, but changed the features of the decision to reflect his own feelings in regards to the matter. The entire basis for the "R" type argument is that many people will use both facets of "T" and "F" in decision making, and it's a rare thing that we use either one exclusively, especially when it comes to making a large decision. If I'm paying over 10,000$ for a car I can promise you two things... it will never be a Toyota Corolla, and it will never be grey. Why? Because I Hate Toyotas and Grey is the worst colour/shade ever... I'll drive a Red Grand Caravan for the same price.

Pictured: The worlds hands down ugliest car ever made... EVER.
-Courtey of consumerguide.com-

Section 2-4: F vs. J, I am the Judge.

J-J-J "J"ded. Famous song about personalities.
-Courtesy of www.iheartradio.com-

Perhaps the most clear cut for me of all, despite MBTI classifying me as a "soft" J I personally view myself as a pretty clear cut J. In scenarios where the F type can sit and let things remain open I am filled with a desire to finish events and to shut them down. get them over and done with. out of my head. I have taken this so far as when I have had conflicts with someone that I KNOW cannot be resolved, I will write out my feelings and never send the letter. because it gives me some form of resolution on the matter despite the receiving party never hearing of it. I believe the reason that I am labeled as a "soft" J is because I am willing to compromise on my idealistic ways in many areas as a direct result of my "E" personality type having an overriding desire for social connection.  When it comes to social event though I do go as far as to schedule my "free time" I am the only individual at my place of employment who actively tracks progress and sales and places himself on a self-improvement task monthly... 

Unfortunately for the reader I find F and J to be the most clear cut and easy to understand... and agreeable of the 4 personality dichotomies... as such there are no startling revelations, no long rants, no delving deeper. I am a J and thats about all there is to it. (Yes, I know, a J "would" say that.)