A few more sites.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

http://www.acreated.com/

Great discussion!

A long time ago I tested as an ENTJ. But it's confusing: I'm in the middle. I like talking to people and am curious about them. But if I need to be on with people, especially those I don't know as well, for a lot of hours, I feel the need to recharge with a quiet activity like reading, cooking, gardening, etc.

I read a book recently that I found helpful: Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected. The author used the term "centrovert" to describe people like...me, and a lot of you from the way you describe yourselves. One if the main points was that our society does value extroversion over introversion, but introverts will be more successful/balanced if they just utilize their own strengths in social situations -- for example, trying to connect with a small number of people at an event rather than pushing oneself to meet everyone.

gardenchick - that sounds an interesting book. I'm very curious to hear more about the centrovert.

Having placed in the middle myself, on a tangent, I've noticed something: Depending on *my work,* I lean one way or the other. When I was busy fundraising and organising people - well, that's the only time in my life I hosted dinner parties. As a tech writer in cubeville, I have no desire to do things like that. I can practically hear the "kerchunk" when I switch "neural pathways." It's like a railroad switch and as clunky too.

I just picked up from the library Susan Cain's Quiet -- in audio CD format. Listening while driving is the only way I can finish a *book* in a timely manner. Thanks for the recommendation y'all!

I wish I had checked this thread sooner! I'm back in school for counselling at the moment and I've been studying personalities/typology on my own. Eventually, I'll be qualified to administer assessments (once I get my diploma). I actually also did a job search workshop on networking for introverts as a final project, so I have done quite a bit of research in the area!

So one thing I learned in my research is that introversion and shyness don't usually go hand-in-hand. Shyness is more of a social anxiety bug introversion is a way one operates. Shyness is "fixable" but introversion is something one shouldn't fix - it's just indicative on how a person gathers their energy. I'm no expert (but eventually I'll get my Myers Briggs certification)

You mentioned that you tend to recharge by spending time alone. Generally, that's an introvert quality. However, there are some extroverts who are that way as well. Everyone has both sides for instance, I'm almost an abosilute 50/50 (52% extrovert) and I'm an ENFP. Apparently, a lot of ENFP's (based on what I read) need some downtime as well just to feel centred. I used to get soooo weirded out by this but I've learned to accept and respect my need to be alone (usually to engage in my creative hobbies).

I haven't read the rest of the thread but it would be really cool what others have to say

ETA: Gaylene, that's very interesting stuff you posted! Good way to see the Myers Briggs as preferences! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! I always find this stuff interesting!

Ditto everything Gaelene said. I too am an MBTI practitioner. Our hand dominance doesn't change- unless forced by external factors.
Properly debriefed you'd know that it's not a reflection of 'how much' T or F or any of the dichotomies one is. On a full scale assessment administered 1:1, if you are an F by a small margin- you are an F. Sorry Mary- the fence sitting comes from being a good learner, adapting easily and that makes the forced choice instrument different to sliding scale assessments. It is just that a forced choice Y/N bit like buy or leave in the shop. ENTP Me. We don't erroneous info floating around.:)

Thanks, Archer, for re-emphasizing those points. This INTJ also gets bugged by all the quick and dirty assessment tools, and misinterpretations of MBTI, that float around. MBTI traits are better thought of as inherent preferences, like right/left hand dominance, that stay with us for our entire lives; what changes as we grow older is our ability to understand, adapt, and "work against type".

MBTI theory has its limitations, to be sure, but I think it can be a useful tool in understanding human behavior. My pet peeve, though, is the tendency to unconsciously celebrate and elevate one's own personal trait preferences and downplay the strength and value of the opposing trait. My husband, to whom I've been happily married to for 40 odd years, is my exact opposite--ESFP. Being around him can be exasperating and exhausting, but he brings out the best parts of my INTJ personality because I have to moderate my instinctive tendencies and see things from an alien viewpoint. Together, I like to think, we are both better off than we would have been if we had married our similar types. Thanks to him, I have a fairly active social life and a wide circle of friends--and he gets a chance to reflect and meditate in a quiet setting--but it took some major adapting for both of us to get to this point.

Wow! I can't believe I'm learning a bit about MBTI here in YLF. Aside from fashion and style, personality and people have always been an interest of mine. It's really good to read what both Gaylene and Archer wrote, given that they're both MBTI practitioners!

Very interesting thread.

So true Gaylene. My lovely husband is an ESFP. I agree MBTI does have its uses and misuses- mostly by magazines etc but not only.
Knowing a loved one's preferences allows for forgiveness of self and others which I find is its most powerful effect- used well.