Myer-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment

Based on the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Career Assessment Site published an interesting infographic showing how much money one will make based on their personality. For the unfamiliar, it is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

In other words one’s “personality” in the broader sense of the word.

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What are the personality types?

Carl Jung’s typological type regards “type” as similar to being right or left handed. We are either born with or develop certain ways of perceiving and deciding information. MBTI sorts them into 4 dichotomies resulting in 16 possible psychological types. 

The Four Dichotomies 

1. Attitude
2. Perceiving functions
3. Judging functions
4. Lifestyle

1. Attitude: Extroversion or Introversion (E/I)

Pretty self-explanatory in popular culture. A common misconception is it being mutually exclusive. THIS IS NOT THE CASE and it’s not an“either or”, we just have a preference for either one. This is to say an extrovert is able to have soulful introspections and an introvert is capable of holding pointless conversations. They prefer not to.  

This [E/N] attitude plays a role in the type of functions. Two people may have the same dominant functions but the [E/N] modifier alters the way they use it completely.

2. Perceiving Function: Sensing or Intuition (S/N)

A information-gathering function that describes how information is understood and interpreted. 

Sensing

• Observes everything in the physical world
• Notices details and facts
• Likes the practical application and learns most by seeing how to use new information
• Remembers events as snapshots of what happened
• Looks at facts to solve problems

Intuition

• Interested in new and unusual things
• Don’t like routine
• Interested in the future and what might happen
• Loves to work with symbols and abstract theories
• Trusts impressions, metaphors and symbols more than the actual experience

3. Judging Function: Thinking or Feeling (T/F)

A decision-making function that shows preference on how rational decision are made based on information-gathering functions[S/N]

Thinking

• Interested in patterns, structure and how things work
• Evaluate situations intellectually
• Notices inconsistencies
• Believes that there is a logical explanation or solution to most problems.
• Logical and analytical

Feeling

• Interested in others and their feelings
• Uses what people care about and point of view of everyone involved in a situation
• Concerned with values and what the best solution to a problem is for all parties involved
• Will go above and beyond to maintain harmony
• May be described as warm, caring and tactful by others

4. Lifestyle: Judging or Perception (J/P)

Based on either the Judging function[T/F] or Perceiving function[S/N] when relating to the outside world.

Judging

• Do not like unanswered questions
• Feels more comfortable when decisions have been made
• Enjoys things being settled and organized
• Work ahead and finishes projects
• Appears to be task-oriented
• Makes to-do lists
• Plan for work rather than rushing to meet a deadline
• Decisions are firm and changing them is difficult
• Follows rules and is disciplined

Perceiving

• Act impulsively
• Open to new experiences
• Responds to situations no matter what happens.
• Likes to be loose and casual.
• Looks at work as play or a mixture of work and play
• Can start and work on many projects without finishing them
• Works in short bursts
• Acts by an approaching deadline or pressure
• Prefer to have fewer obligations

 

Why does personality affect how much money I make?

How does personality correlate with making more money? It makes sense as those inclined towards [T]hinking functions(logical & analytical) and (J)udging lifestyle(planned & organized) are more likely to achieve their goals with dedication and hardwork. In addition, the propensity for [E]xtroversion will result in networking and social events leading to more opportunities. 

It’s no surprise that ENTJ and ESTJ have the highest income with 3 of these traits in their combination. My theory as to why the [N/S] function makes an average difference of $8000 a year is that the Intuition[N] function balances out the high [TJ] and adds a dash of creativity and peoples skills. The ESTJ‘s Sensing[S] function makes the [TJ] even more defined and makes an individual more of an “straight-arrow” or “stick-up-the-ass” compared to their ENTJ counterpart.

Personal development based on personality type

Identifying your personality type will help in developing strengths and working on weaknesses. Being an [ENFP], my [FP] makes it inordinately difficult to be

• Neat/Tidy
• Scheduled
• Organized
• Routined
• Hardworking

and for the better part of my life I have been unable to change it, so much so that I decided to work on my strengths instead. IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHANGE YOUR HARDWIRED PERSONALITY TYPE. Just that it is extremely onerous. I know because I managed to do it.

ENFP’s are people minded and are unable to deal with interpersonal conflict, avoiding it at all costs, even at the expense of themselves. Owing to the fact that I knew my type had the predilection to choose avoidance over confrontation. I intentionally forced myself to “engage” instead of “fleeing” when required and slowly I learnt how to embrace conflict. Then I realized conflict isn’t as bad as I made it out to be, there are many good things that come out of it!

Ending note

I implore you fellow reader, identify your personality type and start working on your weaknesses today because it will make you a better person. That’s all we need in this world. Better people. If this article didn’t make you do it, I promise you a bad breakup will do the trick. Just remember what I said when it happens 😉

The Myers-Brigg Personality Type Indicator does not measure strength of ability. You are your own best judge of your personality type!

There is no right or wrong personality type. No type of personality is better than another.

1. Take a free Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (HERE)!

2. Take a free Keisey Temperament Sorter to confirm it (HERE)!

3. Read up on your personality type (HERE)!