“He Doesn’t Want to Hear Me”
April 24, 2008 by Allison
If you have ever studied psychology, befriended a psychology major, or attended any “soft skills” training, you’ve probably taken a Myers-Briggs personality test at some point. This test identifies you as one of 16 personity types, and is intended to help improve your understanding of, and interaction with, others (Click here to take an abbreviated version online). I learned that I tend to be an ISTJ, but I didn’t need a personality test to tell me that I’m an introvert. I’ve known this ever since pre-school, when I went a whole year without talking to any of the kids in my class because I was afraid of them. I’m much better now about conversing with strangers, but I’m still an introvert at heart preferring the solitary work of accounting to the extraverted work required of my prior social work profession.
In a strange twist of fate, I seem to have been blessed with an extraverted imp. I have suspected for a while that my imp was socially inclined. My suspicions were confirmed on our walk last night. Upon observing a 6-yr old boy riding a scooter, she yelled (for a little imp, she has a big voice), “Hi there boy riding a scooter!” He ignored her completely. Undeterred, she repeated herself even more loudly. He continued to ignore her. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, “He doesn’t want to hear me.” Extraverted and perceptive. I appear to have an ESFP on my hands.
I think I usually come out as INTJ, but I’m pretty sure I’ve come out as INTP once or twice. I think that’s the one I’m close on.
My kid is off the charts introverted, though. Aspies tend to be that way.
One of the letters was kind of iffy for me, but I can’t remember which one without having the questions handy. It wasn’t I vs. E though.
As noted in the Wikipedia link that you refer to, “the terms Extravert and Introvert are used in a special sense when discussing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator”. That said, I am also an INTJ, am quite self-contained and happy to work independently. I worked with M-B “extroverts” and they definitely need to bounce off the energy of other people. It takes all types…
I am definitely grateful for the extraverts out there…somebody has to start the conversation. I agree that it does take all types.
I’ve never taken the test, but like you, I don’t think I need it to tell me I’m introverted. Interestingly I also have extrovert children… 2 out of the 3, that is.
Actually, this is a wonderful blessing for me, since I can now use these kids as social armor… there’s not much need for me to converse when they’re about, charming everyone they meet.
I think that’s very resourceful to use your kids as social armor. I do the same thing too. Not only can she charm people with her imp-like behavior while I sit back, but I know that I will almost always have something to talk about with a stranger if they have any kids too.
There is no way I could accurately figure this out! At different times I fit each and every category.
But you, my dear, have won the prize with a daughter who will be fun and interesting and exciting, as she makes you an utter nervous wreck
My daughter and I have so many totally opposite traits. She told me I laugh like a hyena — AGAIN — the other evening. I have to work on that.
The other day the imp told me that I was her best friend. Unfortunately it was a day after I heard her telling the dog and a stuffed animal the same thing. Sheesh to the hyena thing. You’re going to have to beat that kid…at monopoly.
OOH, they’ve spruced up the MB chart since I saw it last. I like the 3-D effect.
Last time I took it, I was an ESTJ, which I thought was funny because while I can be fun and crap, I prefer to be by myself. Or perhaps I should say, I have no problem being by myself for a period of time.
So I guess this means that I’ll THINK long and hard about a person, and then shout from the rooftops whether I like them or not.
Yeah, I don’t make bones about not liking some people.
Maybe these MB folks know what they’re doing.
You should see the chart using 3-D glasses!
I LOVE it! I’m a definite INFP.
We are apparently complete opposites, except for our introverted ways
Cute story!
I am glad you linked to the MB page. I took the tests that were linked on the bottom and they all said I am an ESTJ. After reading the profile of the ESTJ I’d say it is pretty accurate.
I’m such a dork. I didn’t even realize there was a link to take some kind of test yourself on the Wiki page. Thanks for mentioning that!
I followed the link as well and tried it out. My results of ISTJ did not surprise me too much. How is it that we introverts have extravert children?
Your daughter cracks me up! I love the way children word their thoughts.
My neighbor asked me if I’ve been keeping a journal of the funny things she says to give her one day. Um, “No,” I answered guiltily. Does this blog count?
Fun test results…we are fellow ISTJ’ers. Watch out world!
Every time I interview I’m asked to take the Myers Briggs test. I already know what I am. I wish they would just ask.
Your daughter rules. What a great little person.
Inquiring minds want to know, what are you?
Thanks for the compliment to imp
I’m an INFJ and my husband is an INTJ and we’re very curious about the kids. Obviously the Baby Bug is far too little for these things yet, and Monkeypants teeters…yesterday he wanted to play alone in his room almost all day and today he introduced himself to the pizza man, asked a thousand questions, and declared that they were friends. Maybe there’s a third category…”M” for Moody. LoL
I know the imp is going to change a lot as she grows up (sniff, sniff), but I hope she retains her extraverted ways…I always wished that I could be more outgoing growing up.
ENFP
I’m not much of a planner
Ok, I’m too dumb to find the link to the free test. I think I took it before and came out an ESTP, but I can’t remember. Anybody have the link to the test? I’d like to retake it. It’ll be like my SAT’s…very, very bad the first time around. Sine Metu P.S. I think Shanon’s an ESEE…
Maybe throw an “F” in there if there’s room after all the extrovert.
Try this:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
I’m glad she’s an extravert…I’m sure I would have been too shy to approach her in the first place!
I’ve been meaning to comment on this. About 10 years ago (or more!) I took this test and was an ENFJ. I wonder if I still am. People change. I think it would be fun to take it again now and see if I’m still the same.
Follow the link and take it again. I’ve definitely changed since college.
Funny!
I am an ENFP (communications majors also have to take these)…I always wanted my husband to take the test to see how we compare. Now I know! (He is blackcoffeeandbourbon.)
You are a very cute scrabble-playing, animal-sheltering duo!