A Personality Like...

I was over at Puddleglum's Wigwam this morning reading about personalities. It brought up an interesting memory.

In high school we all had to take a personality test and get analyzed by an occupation placement specialist. It was sort of a way to bash all our hopes and dreams. My conversation went something like this.

"You said you want to work with computers?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Well this test has identified your personality as 'ENTP'."

"And?"

"Well ENTP's are generally not suited for that field. You just don't have the temperament for it. You'd probably be very unhappy. Are you sure you don't want to be a lawyer?"

We took a test called the Myers-Briggs personality test. Mr Rose, referred to my personality simply as "I see we've got another nut in society!" He said he was allowed to say that because he was an ENTP. Regardless, it has stuck with me all these years. I remember asking him at the time if everyone really did fit into these rather narrow 16 slots. He said that most of the time, they did.

So, there you have it, I'm a nut, and surprisingly this profile for me is spot on! Profile of an ENTP.

In a way I find it annoying that I can be so accurately slotted, and that I just do things because of what I am, and not because I decided to do them. Regardless I can't dismiss lines like this one below.

"They tend to have a perverse sense of humor as well, and enjoy playing devil's advocate. They sometimes confuse, even inadvertently hurt, those who don't understand or accept the concept of argument as a sport."

I suppose in some way's I can garner comfort from this. There are times I feel like I'm the only person on earth that feels the way I do. Clearly this isn't so. There are plenty of other nuts out there, and we should be the easiest to identify, as I learned from this test, we are all a bunch of pompous blow hards.

At the end of the profile there is a section for "Type Relationships for Personality:" Which basically just says who I should marry, live next to, and who my friends should be. Very funny, the gap between 'should do' and 'have done'.

Oddly enough my wife and my personalties are not at all suited for eachother. While we are not total opposites, but as this website refers to us, we are each others Anima (or Inner Self). Okay, that seems silly to me. Actually I'd say 'stupid' but that's just because I'm an ENTP and can't help myself!

Want to see what you are? Myers-Briggs

10 comments:

Ando said...

I remember that test, but I have no idea what I scored as. I suppose I'm a nut as well, as you called me one on a comment you left earlier on life of ando, and if anyone can recognize a nut its another nut. And sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't.

Becca Sports said...

I don't remember what I scored before, I know I was an "I". But I ended up with ISTJ this time. Very interesting test. I think if I remember correctly Wayne and I were the same except he was an "E" and was the "I".

Stephanie said...

It is a sad day to me - - - - I just found out I am not an invited reader of DOHB - - - this is a very sad day :(:(:(

J Crew said...

You know what they say. I take two steps forward, you take two steps back. We come together cause opposites attract

Peter Brown said...

Ando-

You are a nut, but I'm not sure you're an ENTP, you seem too easy going and well...

...rather too nice to fit into that category!

Peter Brown said...

WSC-

In my few interactions with your husband, I would be quite surprised if he didn't qualify as extroverted!

Peter Brown said...

SJ-

Not like I update it anyway!

Peter Brown said...

J Crew -

Yes. Though I'm not sure Paula Abdul should be anyone's oracle for relationship advice.

Stephanie said...

Well - this is very true - but sometimes those smiles get me through a rough day:)

Tara said...

I'm an INFJ. Interesting test....quite right on about me in general. I agree, how annoying. On the bright sight I am just like two of our favorite original CSIs, Marg Helgenburger and Gary Dourdan. Oh boy!