Insecurity and Your Myers-Briggs® Character Sort

Again in November we explored what makes every of the 16 persona varieties really feel weak. In the present day I need to take one other have a look at vulnerability and insecurity. All of us expertise extra insecurity round strengths or preferences we don’t have. For instance, a Sensor will really feel extra insecurity when having to depend on instinct than an Intuitive would. If you happen to requested a Sensor to hypothesize a future actuality with certainty they might shrug and look confused – in any case, they want extra info and real-life information to attract from. Sometimes they may discover this sort of exercise enjoyable, however typically it is going to really feel a bit of off-putting. This works the identical method for Intuitives when having to depend on Sensation, Feeling varieties counting on Pondering, and extra.

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Estimated studying time: 21 minutes

What Is Myers-Briggs?

Earlier than we go on, you could be asking your self “What’s a Myers-Briggs® Character Sort Anyyway?” That’s a superb query! Perhaps you clicked on this put up with out having a full consciousness of what the 16 personalities are.

Myers-Briggs® is a system based mostly on the theories of psychology pioneer Carl Jung. He believed that we’re all born with sure psychological preferences – like whether or not we favor to give attention to the outer world or our personal inside world, how we soak up info, how we make selections, and even our relationship to time. Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers constructed on Jung’s theories by making a questionnaire to assist people establish their kind. MBTI® is an acronym for the Myers-Briggs Sort Indicator®.

Finally, this persona principle helps us find out about ourselves by way of how our preferences can each problem and empower us in several conditions. Every of the 16 persona varieties has their very own set of strengths and weaknesses, abilities and vulnerabilities.

Every Myers-Briggs® persona kind has 4 units of ingrained preferences. These preferences are based mostly on the next areas:

1. Extraversion or Introversion (E or I)

2. Sensing or Instinct (S or N)

3. Pondering or Feeling (T or F)

4. Judging or Perceiving (J or P).

As you learn the remainder of this text you’ll get a greater thought of what these preferences (and their corresponding letters) imply.

Are we routinely dangerous at our less-preferred capabilities?

If, for instance, you might be an INFJ, will you all the time be dangerous at Sensation (S) or Pondering (T)? Not essentially. Like many typologists, I clarify our kind preferences by evaluating them to handedness. If you happen to’re right-handed you continue to use your left hand, typically fairly proficiently. If you happen to instantly misplaced your left hand you’d dearly miss it. Driving, cooking, and practically any process turn into way more difficult with out two arms!

The identical applies to your persona preferences. Every letter in your persona kind denotes a choice: I for Introversion, E for Extroversion, S for Sensing, N for Instinct, and so forth,. However that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t use the opposite choice properly specifically conditions. It should simply take extra effort and observe in your half, and it is probably not as gratifying. Additionally, you will probably have much less confidence in non-preferred strengths than you do in your most popular strengths.

Let’s see how this performs out among the many persona varieties.

Character Sort and Insecurity

Extroverts and Insecurity

Extroverts are all the time attempting to assemble extra information from the world round them. Carl Jung, the creator of Psychological Varieties, states of the extrovert, “His complete consciousness appears to be like outward, as a result of the important and decisive willpower all the time comes from exterior…His curiosity and a spotlight are directed to goal happenings, significantly these in his rapid atmosphere. Not solely individuals however issues seize and rivet his consideration.” (Psychological Varieties, 334)

If you happen to’re an extroverted persona kind then you definately depend upon exterior info and expertise to information you and to tell your ideas.

• If you happen to’re an extroverted thinker (ENTJ or ESTJ) you search for methods to arrange, critique, or make logical sense of the world round you.
• If you happen to’re an extroverted feeler (ENFJ or ESFJ) you search for emotional connections and interactions between individuals.
• If you happen to’re an extroverted intuitive (ENFP or ENTP) you search for individuals, issues, and phrases that stimulate concepts and prospects.
• If you happen to’re an extroverted sensor (ESTP or ESFP) you search for experiences, alternatives, or aesthetics which can be out there so that you can get pleasure from.

What Makes Extroverts Insecure?

Insecurity can occur when exterior info isn’t available – both as a result of it’s not accessible, or as a result of you possibly can’t interpret it. Once you’re round individuals who aren’t saying something, you possibly can really feel a way of unease as a result of no information is being given to you. You may activate some music, have a look at your telephone, or in any other case search for info that may be fed to your extroverted thoughts. In a friendship, relationship, or counseling relationship, lengthy silences could really feel like indicators of disapproval or rejection.

EJ varieties specifically, typically placed on a “can-do” expression however could really feel extra insecure than others notice. The MBTI® Guide states that they “current such an lively, competent face that it’s simple to overlook indicators of misery and insecurity.” (226) I personally, an ENTJ, can current a assured face in a piece setting however really feel decidedly extra shy and awkward in social conditions the place I’ve to enter a extra Feeling-oriented place.

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Introverts and Insecurity

The introvert, in distinction to the extrovert, is all the time attempting to assemble extra info from the inside world. The exterior world drives its method into their thoughts, however they mentally put up a barrier, attempting to pause it from disrupting their inside musings.

Carl Jung states of introversion, “Though the introverted consciousness is of course conscious of exterior circumstances, it selects the subjective determinants because the decisive ones. It’s due to this fact oriented by the consider notion and cognition which responds to the sense stimulus in accordance with the person’s subjective disposition.” (Psychological Varieties, 374)

These phrases could sound a bit complicated for a lot of readers. What Jung is saying right here is that the introvert is most serious about their very own inside understanding of the world and its occasions. They aren’t as serious about exterior sources for solutions or validation, however as a substitute take time to formulate their very own subjective concepts or interpretations.

Let’s see how this appears to be like within the eight introverted persona varieties.

• Introverted Intuitives (INFJs and INTJs) look inside themselves to identify symbols, epiphanies, and patterns that may reveal a deeper that means about one thing.
• Introverted sensors (ISFJs and ISTJs) look inside themselves to sense particulars, bodily sensations, and recollections that evoke a that means or “impression.”
• Introverted pondering varieties (INTPs and ISTPs) look inside themselves to arrange concepts, theories, and logical ideas right into a blueprint of how the world works.
• Introverted feeling varieties (INFPs and ISFPs) look inside themselves to evaluate their values, feelings, and whether or not their outer actions match their inside sense of realizing or “rightness.”

What Makes Introverts Insecure?

Introverts want time to faucet into the inside world earlier than reacting to the outer world. But in our extroverted world, many introverts are pushed and prodded into reacting as shortly because the extrovert. Pauses are taken the flawed method.

For example, think about an extroverted and introverted couple preventing. The extroverted associate asks a query of the introvert: “Do you actually even love me?” The introvert, who naturally checks into the inside world first, pauses. The extrovert then storms off or makes accusations of the introvert: “You paused! You don’t love me! I knew it!” The introvert feels defeated, for they haven’t even had an opportunity to interpret the reality of their inside world and share it with their associate. In fact they love their associate, however each query they’re requested urges them to attract inward and assess – not rapid-fire responses again within the second.

On the whole, what introverts want is persistence and understanding. They want time to course of earlier than responding in a significant method. In addition they want validation that their inside world is simply as essential because the outer one, the place extroverts appear to thrive.

The MBTI® Guide states that introverted pondering varieties particularly battle on this extroverted world. “Dominant introverted pondering shoppers (ISTP and INTP) specifically are sometimes bewildered by others’ habits and misread or overinterpret its that means.” (226)

Introverts want extra time than extroverts to pause earlier than answering a query or leaping into motion. They really feel insecure in conditions the place they must react shortly, improvise spontaneously, or reply verbally to surprising questions. ISTPs and ISFPs are a bit of extra comfy with spontaneity and unpredictability than the opposite introverted varieties, however they nonetheless want time to mirror inwardly earlier than responding (particularly verbally) outwardly.

You May Additionally Like: The Secret You Didn’t Know About Every Introverted Myers-Briggs® Character Sort

Intuitives and Insecurity

Intuitives are drawn to meanings, symbols, patterns, and summary insights. N varieties are primarily involved with the conceptual facets of life. What “is” is often much less attention-grabbing to the intuitive than what “may very well be” or what “can be.”

Let’s see how this appears to be like for the eight intuitive persona varieties:

• NJs (INFJs, INTJs, ENFJs, ENTJs) look inward to identify epiphanies, insights, patterns, and ripple-effects. Their final concern is with the core that means of one thing or the long-term implications of one thing. They assume in symbols and metaphors.
• NPs (INFPs, INTPs, ENFPs, ENTPs) look outward to identify prospects, concepts, patterns, and insights. Their final concern is with creating significant prospects and exploring new angles and connections.

For the extroverted intuitive (EN kind), the exterior world triggers inside insights, connections, and prospects which can be summary or conceptual in nature. They may see a tree and picture a deity overlooking the world, typically unnoticed, however ever watching. The introverted intuitive (IN kind) additionally makes these connections, however often imbues that means on the exterior world from the inside world first. They could be strolling by way of a park pondering the character of God and the universe once they spot a tree. Instantly they think about how spirituality is commonly ignored within the trendy world. Persons are too distracted with their digital gadgets to see the character or magic round them. They don’t see the tree. “We don’t see God anymore. We see our telephones.” they may assume to themselves.

Carl Jung describes instinct properly: “The intuitive perform is represented in consciousness by an angle of expectancy, by imaginative and prescient and penetration.” (Psychological Varieties, 366)

Intuitives do properly in conditions that decision on them to think about, predict, and achieve perception. They get pleasure from exploring connections, patterns, and prospects. They really feel insecure in conditions that power them to rely purely on chilly, onerous info and literal particulars. Remembering quite a lot of particulars or working in a inflexible construction that lacks room for creativeness or creativity can really feel overwhelming to them.

It’s simple for Intuitives to really feel “certain” by info or particulars. Sensors belief what they know from expertise, and so they could really feel the necessity to “rein in” intuitives to maintain them from taking up an thought or risk that has by no means been explored earlier than. This may be irritating to intuitives, who’re pushed to work with the unknown and unexplored.

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Sensors and Insecurity

Sensors are drawn to info, particulars, and experiences. The S kind is primarily involved with the concrete facets of life. They’re extra serious about what “is” and fewer serious about hypothesizing about what “may very well be” until they’ve quite a lot of concrete information or proof with which to attract from.

Let’s see how this appears to be like for the eight sensing persona varieties:

• SJs (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ) look inward to recall info, recollections, particulars, and experiences. They intention to create stability by counting on tried-and-true info.
• SPs (ISTPs, ISFPs, ESTPs, ESFPs) look outward to identify tangible stimuli that they will expertise straight. Their final concern is with real-life experiences, practicality, and immersion and oneness with their atmosphere.

For the Sensor, actual info and lived experiences will all the time be extra essential than principle or “what if’s”. After they do go to an summary place of musing it’s typically when they’re burdened moderately than when they’re at their finest. Their musings can typically be unsure or darkish “what if one thing horrible occurs sooner or later?” or “I do know some horrible destiny will befall me”

Conversely, they might go to an intuitive place of their free time once they really feel no strain to behave or seem in any specific method. Maybe they’ve a penchant for sci-fi films or fantasy literature the place the unknown is a key element.

Sensing-Perceivers are involved with being life like as a lot as potential. Carl Jung says of Sensing-Perceivers, “No different human kind can equal the extraverted sensation kind in realism. His sense for goal info is awfully developed.” (Psychological Varieties, 363)

Sensing-Judgers are involved with the interior impressions they achieve from the exterior world. They use a type of sensing known as introverted sensation. Carl Jung says of introverted sensation, “Introverted sensation apprehends the background of the bodily world moderately than its floor. The decisive factor will not be the fact of the item, however the actuality of the subjective issue.” (Psychological Varieties, 395)

Due to this fact, Sensing-Perceivers (particularly ESFPs and ESTPs) are inclined to see the world precisely as it’s with out imbuing quite a lot of subjective that means onto it. They give attention to being as life like and factual as potential. A tree is a tree, nothing extra. They may inform you how one can climb a tree, or possibly the scientific title and kind of tree, however they aren’t more likely to wax poetic on the great thing about the tree and the way it represents life.

Sensing-Judgers (particularly ISTJs and ISFJs) are inclined to infuse the exterior world with quite a lot of subjective that means. They’re able to see a tree and recall a reminiscence or emotion related to it. They will think about the tree because it was previously and really feel an urge to protect that tree’s place on this planet. After they recall a previous expertise, they are going to recall their subjective interpretation of the expertise greater than the literal particulars of what occurred.

Sensors expertise insecurity when requested to contemplate one thing that has no foundation in actuality or which lacks supporting information. This may make them really feel uncomfortable, as if they’re being taken to process for not having sufficient data. Sensors may also really feel overwhelmed or annoyed when confronted with advanced theories and concepts that don’t have any tangible utility or relevance within the second.

Sensing-Perceivers (varieties with an SP of their four-letter code) really feel insecure when they’re constrained, restricted, or inactive. They dislike being requested to take a position or predict how one thing may end up, as a result of there isn’t any concrete reply for them to contemplate. They’re wired to the current and so they know that the long run is ever-changing and largely unpredictable. Any state of affairs that limits their freedom may really feel overwhelming to them. As a result of they consider that the long run is all the time altering, they don’t like commitments that may entice them onto one path.

Sensing-Judgers (varieties with an SJ of their four-letter code) really feel insecure when they’re pressured to regulate to a brand new, unpredictable state of affairs that they haven’t any previous expertise or preparedness for. They like to have a construction and plan in place that they will confer with, so when one thing surprising occurs it throws them off steadiness.

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Pondering Varieties and Insecurity

Pondering varieties focus totally on impersonal info to make logical selections. They mentally step again from a state of affairs to weigh the professionals and cons, perceive the ideas, and have a look at trigger and impact.

Let’s see how this appears to be like for the eight pondering varieties:

• Pondering-Judging varieties (TJs) give attention to making selections that can most logically obtain a specific goal. They apply their logic externally by organizing, structuring, planning, and delegating. Typically TJs seem productive and tough-minded.
• Pondering-Perceiving varieties (TPs) give attention to making selections that align with their inside blueprint of what is smart to them. Organizing the inside thoughts is extra essential to the TP than organizing the exterior world. To this finish, TPs give attention to understanding how issues work in-depth. TPs typically seem analytical, skeptical, and curious.

Pondering varieties can seem very competent and succesful in conditions that depend on their strengths. A TJ kind may seem on the high of their recreation within the boardroom or when organizing a method. A TP kind may seem on the high of their recreation when explaining a system or troubleshooting an issue.

The place Pondering varieties really feel insecure is in conditions that depend on their use of Feeling. The MBTI® Guide states that some Pondering varieties “Have points about discomfort and a way of inadequacy in social conditions, as they have a tendency to take longer than different varieties to develop comfy social expertise. That is significantly true for dominant introverted pondering varieties (ISTP and INTP).” (227)

I’ve spoken with many ISTPs, INTPs, and even TJs who really feel insecure or shy in social conditions as a result of they’re much less assured in social dynamics and “studying the room” than their Feeling counterparts.

Many Pondering varieties additionally really feel weak and insecure once they want emotional assist. As a result of they so typically topic their feelings to crucial evaluation, they will really feel embarrassed, responsible, or ashamed when they’re pressured to acknowledge and settle for the presence of feelings. In the event that they “blow up” emotionally or vent about their emotions, they typically expertise embarrassment or remorse afterwards. Many occasions they rationalize their emotions earlier than they even have the prospect to speak about them.

It’s essential for Pondering varieties to acknowledge the significance of feelings moderately than frequently be repressing them. Having a sense doesn’t make them “dangerous” or “silly” and it definitely shouldn’t be one thing that they really feel ashamed of.

Feeling Varieties and Insecurity

For the Feeling kind, life is about honoring ones’ values, self-expression, and emotional connections. In a technique or one other, all Feeling varieties are taking a look at life by way of values. Which means that they’re making selections by seeing how issues really feel or what they deem as essential moderately than stepping again, because the Pondering kind does, to see the state of affairs objectively.

Remember, even Feeling varieties assume and Pondering varieties really feel, however each particular person has one choice that’s stronger than the opposite.

Let’s have a look at the eight feeling varieties:

• Feeling-Judging (FJs) varieties give attention to creating concord and a optimistic ambiance. They’re expert at “studying the room” and forming intimacy and dependable bonds with others. Relating to selections, FJs give attention to how individuals can be emotionally impacted and what values are at stake.
• Feeling-Perceiving (FP) varieties, give attention to their inside worth system. “What issues to me?” Is the principle query that FP varieties ask themselves when making selections. It’s essential for the FP to remain aligned with their genuine self, to honor their very own particular person code, and to make selections which can be in step with their private views. Likewise, they consider that nobody ought to infringe on one other’s proper to have their very own private opinions about issues.

Feeling varieties are inclined to really feel essentially the most insecure in conditions that decision on them to publicly use Pondering qualities. If a Feeling-Perceiver is requested to implement guidelines and agendas, they might really feel overwhelmed by the strain and expectations. They might additionally really feel like they’re unfairly controlling others, as a result of their pure tendency is to honor particular person preferences greater than to delegate or management.

If a Feeling-Judger is requested to critique somebody’s job efficiency or analyze one thing purely on logical grounds, they might really feel insecure as a result of their choice is to be supportive or to evaluate issues from a value-driven perspective. They’re more likely to fear about hurting somebody’s delight or breaking the belief between them. They might additionally fear that their logic is inaccurate and get caught in a spot of analysis-paralysis.

It’s essential to notice right here that Feeling varieties and Pondering varieties are each completely able to being clever. Some individuals consider {that a} choice for Feeling makes somebody inherently illogical or maybe unconcerned with frequent sense. This isn’t true. A sense or pondering choice will not be indicative of somebody’s degree of intelligence.

The Feeling kind could be totally conscious of the logic of one thing however select to provide precedence to the feelings or values at play in a state of affairs. A Pondering kind could be totally conscious of the human issues however select to be give attention to logical evaluation as a result of in the end they really feel that’s the most honest approach to be.

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Judging Varieties and Insecurity

Judging varieties method life with a necessity for construction, order, and reliability. They like realizing what’s going to occur, having a plan, and mapping conditions out upfront. The MBTI® Guide states that “Within the Judging angle, an individual is worried with making selections, searching for closure, planning operations, or organizing actions.” (26)

Right here’s how the Judging choice exhibits up within the eight Judging persona varieties:

• Pondering-Judging (TJ) varieties make their selections based mostly on logical evaluation. They attempt to create wise plans, constructions, and pointers with which to arrange their lives. In doing so, they hope to get peoples’ wants met in essentially the most honest method potential.
• Feeling-Judging (FJ) varieties make their selections by weighing and assessing values. They attempt to faucet into the emotional wants of individuals with a purpose to decide that will get these emotional wants met in as honest a method as potential.

As you possibly can see above, each TJ and FJ persona varieties try to get individuals’s wants met, however they’re coming at it from completely different avenues. A TJ may give you a method or plan that can meet somebody’s useful resource wants (like cash or meals), whereas an FJ could be extra centered on creating an answer that can meet somebody’s emotional wants (like feeling heard and understood).

One of many locations the place Judging varieties can really feel insecure is once they’re positioned in a state of affairs that doesn’t permit for any preparation or pre-planning. In the event that they’re requested to decide on the spot, with none time for forethought or analysis, they might really feel overwhelmed and underprepared.

Judgers may discover adapting to alter hectic. Even when the change is for the higher, Judgers could resist it as a result of they’re so used to having all the pieces as an alternative. They want time to regulate and discover a new plan of assault earlier than they will embrace the change.

Perceiving Varieties and Insecurity

Perceiving varieties are serious about new info and reacting to that info within the second with a versatile perspective. They’re much less serious about having a construction or plan and extra serious about taking every day because it comes. Their perspective is one in all curiosity, openness, and adaptableness.

Right here’s how the Perceiving choice exhibits up within the eight Perceiving persona varieties:

• Sensing-Perceiving (SP) varieties are fascinated by what they will soak up and expertise by way of their 5 senses. They’re typically curious and open to new experiences and are more likely to take every day because it comes with a “go-with-the-flow” angle.
• Intuitive-Perceiving (NP) varieties give attention to prospects and They’re drawn to what’s new and novel and are sometimes open to taking dangers with a purpose to discover concepts. Openness permits them to absorb many prospects and generate as many options as potential.

Perceiving varieties really feel insecure in conditions that power them to reside in a extra structured, orderly method. When they’re pressured to make a plan and follow it, they might really feel trapped and discover it troublesome to ensure that their plan is the fitting one.

Having too many structured guidelines can be off-putting for Perceiving varieties. They thrive once they have the pliability to maneuver and adapt as wanted, so having inflexible expectations positioned on them could cause them to close down and turn into resistant. For this reason it’s essential for Perceivers to have loads of unstructured time of their schedule to discover new concepts, adapt to no matter life throws at them, and reside of their most popular “exploratory” mode of present.

Learn This Subsequent: Why Judgers and Perceivers Drive Every Different Loopy

What Are Your Ideas?

Did you get pleasure from this text? Do you’ve got any ideas or views to share? Allow us to and different readers know within the feedback!

Discover out extra about your persona kind in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type, The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. It’s also possible to join with me by way of Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

Sources:

Psychological Varieties by Carl Jung

The MBTI® Guide: A Information to the Improvement and Use of the Myers-Briggs Sort Indicator® Instrument by Isabel Briggs Myers, Mary H. McCaulley, Naomi L. Quenk, Allen L. Hammer

Constructing Blocks of Character Sort by Leona Haas and Mark Hunziker