Your Type Does Not Define Who You Are

Most often when I come across MBTI groups or blogs, they make the mistake of assuming everyone is their type 100% and that certain types are all the same. In fact, this is just the opposite.

The traits of your type are merely a foundation, a collection of surveyed and observed results. Every person is different and not everyone will have all of their type's traits. Granted, you will have quite a bit of them - that's why you were placed in that type - but it does not define who you are.

I made this myself. So proud. Isn't it pretty?

Think of it as a "check the box that applies to you" survey. People are going to have similar answers, but not a 100% match every time. You see, people aren't clones fit into a handful of categories: they are infinitely unique beings with a vast array thoughts and emotions. Just like snowflakes, no one person is ever the same. So why would people assume that INFJs or ENTJs (or any other type) would all be the same, or that everything their type says is true of the individual?

Sadly, a lot of this comes from the individual themselves. They lump a type together and rant and rave about them, assuming it's true for all people in that type. Then, they'll turn around and do the same thing to themselves; they'll try to fit themselves into all the traits of the type. What we all have to realize is that there is no 100% match and a 60-something question standard test doesn't know who we are better than we do.

According to INFJ papers, we all have a moral code, or standards. But our morals aren't going to be the same. Same thing goes for our ideals and our imagination. We're not a hive mind; unless you're in some creepy, isolated, brain-washing cult of some sort, no one is. We are shaped by events in our lives as well as our environment.

No test is going to change who we are, nor should it. You're still the same person you were before you took the test, only now you have the information and tools to take a deeper look at yourself and become a more well-rounded person. That's what we should take away from this test.

 Please note that there is a difference between constructive criticism and hate. Constructive (polite and helpful) criticism, other points of view, and opinions are welcome. Rude comments and hate are not; those comments will be removed.