Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartWhat’s Your Letter?
By Darcy Crowder
The last time my family gathered together we did something entirely unexpected – and fun.
We all took an abbreviated version of the Myers-Briggs personality test. Weird, huh?
Actually, it was an eye-opening, entertaining experience. We didn’t need to be told who among us were the extroverts and who were the introverts, and it was no surprise that out of the eight of us, two had the same combination of letters. (There are a possible 16 combinations.) What was a surprise, though, was who they were. I never would have guessed that these two family members were that much alike, let alone had such similar outlooks on the world. And that’s what made it so much fun. After all these years together, in some cases, a lifetime, we learned new things about each other; developed a deeper understanding; shared a few aha moments.
A pretty tall order for your run-of-the-mill get-together.
For those of you who may not be familiar with Myers-Briggs, it’s a test in the form of a series of questions used to determine which of the 16 basic personality types best fits you. There are four sets of letters that break down into the combination of 16. For example:
Extrovert or Introvert: E or I:
Do you focus on the outer world or the inner world?
Sensing or Intuition: S or N:
Do you focus on the basic information to you take in or do you tend to interpret and add meaning?
Thinking or Feeling: T or F:
Do you focus on logic and consistency of a situation or first on the people and special circumstances?
Judging or Perceiving: J or P:
In regards to dealing with structure in your world, do you prefer to get things decided or stay open to new information and options?
And to make it even more interesting, the scores are calculated in not only letters, but percentages of those letters. You may be 21% P and 31% F and so on.
There are tons of sites you can visit for more information and to take the test – here are a few to get you started:
http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm
You can then read all about your personality type, what type would be a good partner for you, what kind of careers you would be good at, all kinds of things. It’s a lot of fun. Check it out!
Myers-Briggs is an especially interesting addition to the writer’s toolbox.
I’ll get you started. I’m an INFJ. What’s your letter?
Tags: A Day in the Life..., Darcy Crowder, Myers-Briggs
About the author
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Darcy Crowder | Darcy Crowder is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America, and has served on the board of Georgia Romance Writers, where she continues to be an active member. She is lucky enough to live in a log cabin in the woods, surrounded by family, nature, and endless inspiration for her novels.
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June 17th, 2010 at 12:06 am
We did this once and it interesting that my son and I were the same and my daughter and hubby were the same. After we thought about it, it made perfect sense.
June 17th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Hi Darcy,
Very interesting post. It can definitely help people understand how they relate to spouse or family.
I had to pull a file to see how I rated in a test I took while at the State of California about 10 years. ago. The class I took also rated each category with what types of jobs/daily routines they were best suited for.
Anyway, My top was ESTJ and ENTJ came in 1 point lower. They said I’d make a good supervisor or manager…which I was. LOL Guess there’s some validity in these type tests.
Sandy
June 17th, 2010 at 7:40 am
I did take that test as part of my work group at AT&T many years ago, and I can’t possibly remember the results. I don’t think I was surprised, though. I’ll have to take it again, but I do see some good opportunities there for writers.
Thanks.
Marilyn Baron
June 17th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Oooh, what a cool post, Darcy! I’ve been meaning to write about personality types on my own blog. You’ve inspired me. I’m an INFP and proud of it. I believe understanding personality types can help with all types of relationships. It also helps you create believable characters in your novel.
Your definition of S and N is interesting. The way I learned it, S’s see everything around them. They’re the observant types, while N’s ‘live in their heads,’ and sometimes don’t see what’s right under their noses. That second one is really me. Every time I lose my glasses or something else I need around the house, my husband has to find it for me, LOL. N’s are rare, too, I hear. Not to knock S’s. They are important, too.
June 17th, 2010 at 8:38 am
What an interesting exercise with family, Darcy. I’ll go to the site when I have a minute and try it out. I know about the test, but don’t think I’ve ever taken it.
My husband came home from a motorcycle conference where a speaker gave them a personality test where they answered questions then transferred the answers to another sheet that really pegged a person’s personality. It’s called Personalities in the Workplace by Florence Littauer and Marita Littauer (not free, have to buy the tests – they are packaged for businesses and organizations).
After taking that test and sitting through the workshop he says it’s been much easier to deal with a couple motorcycle instructors who tend to tick off people because now he sees them in a different way and understands why they do certain things. One example of a personality “blend” from this test would be a Popular/Perfect (these are 2 of the four types) who is someone who is talkative, enthusiastic, sincere, energetic…but tends to be easily distracted and not detail oriented. That’s a very short explanation, but it gives you both sides of the coin.
Mary and I use this in our Thought to Plot class (think some of you have taken that) to help writers see all sides of a character.
Fun topic for today.
June 17th, 2010 at 9:08 am
I love this stuff so I’m going to check it out now.
On your short verstion I think I’m an INTP … But I really fit between the lines “as usual”.
hey, wouldn’t this be a great pre-marriage test – do one for yourself and one for your partner and compare results?…
June 17th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Hey Darcy! LOVE this. I took this test for a class in college. Hubby had to take it, too. Funny thing was that as much as we thought we were alike, we were opposites on most of the sections. I can’t remember exactly what our numbers were but hubby was an extrovert and I was an introvert. It was fun to see and I was surprised at how many people were surprised by mine. I remember thinking that I thought I was an open book and someone people could easily understand. Wrong. It opened my eyes to how many different personalities people have and how they can hide it even from themselves.
Great thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing it with us today!
Tami
June 17th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Love your post! I took a great, EASY, class in college called Interpersonal Relationships where we basically did nothing but take personality tests and then analyze the different styles.
I was an ENFJ back in the day, and, what do you know, I sill am. Happy to report that I am more extroverted (used to sit the fence) and less judgmental, though. I’ve also amped up the “feeling” portion of my personality.
The best part? The test called me the “idealistic teacher” and said that education was the best career for me. You know, the career that I left two years ago to write? I guess I like empathizing with fictional people better.
June 17th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Excellent post, Darcy! I took the test in college and was an ENFJ. I took it again a few years ago and have become an INFJ.
I love the idea of your family getting together and taking it, though! Sounds like the recipe for many surprises and discussions.
Elaine
June 17th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Hi Carol. Funny, none of my immediate family were exactly the same. In fact, hubby and I were almost the exact opposite! That was an eye opener.
But it works for us.
June 17th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Hi Sandy. I definitely think there is some validity to these tests. I know they can certainly help understand other’s motivations. I didn’t realize how many corporations used them to help management/employee relations.
Hey, Marilyn. I agree, there is a lot of opportunity here for writers to explore their characters.
June 17th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Hi Linsey! The way I understand it, INFP’s are very creative types! They make great writers.
Hi Dianna! Thanks for stopping by. The first time I took this test was in an on-line class with CJ Lyons. I think they’re great for understanding character and how they work with and against each other. My BIL was the one who brought a written version of the test to us that weekend. He’d had to give the test at work and thought it would be fun for all of us to try. It does make for some lively conversation.
June 17th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Hi Kathy. Hope you enjoy the test – there’s so much more to it then I could go into here. You’ll have to drop back by and let us know if your first guess turned out to be right.
June 17th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Hi Tami. Interesting how we can live with someone and still be surprised by those deeper facets.
Hi Sally. Cool that you started off in the perfect career for your personality – and you’re an amazing writer too! I thought it was interesting (and in some cases a saving grace) that our letters can change a little over time. So far, I’ve been the same over the last few years, but my percentages have changed.
Hi Elaine! You are so right! And like I just said to Sally, sometimes that change is good.
June 17th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Hi, Darcy–Interesting post! A guy I worked with got into this at one point and took the test for all of us. I forget what I was, but his perceptions of us were pretty funny.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Hey Darcy:
I found this test interesting the last time I took it. It’s been a while. I should probably take it again and see if anything has changed!
June 17th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Fun! I’ve taken this before and I think wound up about the same–ENFP – Idealist – Champion. Me, Oprah and Betty Friedan.
Wish I had Oprah’s money!
Thanks for reminding me about it…great idea about having the family do it together. As I remember, my husband and I were exact opposites the last time. Wonder if we’ve grown more alike over time?
Anna
Anna
June 17th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Was out of town, but this sounds great Darcy! I can’t wait to do some research and take it – and my sister and brother.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hi ladies! Sorry I didn’t get back to respond any sooner, I had internet problems in a big way.
Glad you all liked the post and hope you find fasinating insights when you take those tests. 