Sunday, July 1, 2012

Eye contact exercises for INTPs

I think, I think I am, therefore I am.

I think.

—Moody Blues, In the Beginning

17 comments:

  1. So ... do you think INTP describes you pretty well? I've always tested out as an INFJ but I don't necessarily see myself as the 'protector' ...

    xxx

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    1. Is that what you think you are? :) Maybe so. There is surely a big F in there somewhere. "Protectors" are ISFJ though, according to the "self-appointed authority" Keirsey. (Now isn't it just like an INTP not to respect "authority"?) :) He says INTPs are life's "architects" because we solve problems and plan things. But I am an investigator. A subtle difference. And I like to argue. Honest. I know it isn't evident.

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    2. INFJs are "counselors" btw. Are you? It's so hard to tell what someone is like with blog comments! I really don't picture you as working within yourself, though. I have got the idea you are more of a people person, like to be around people instead of being quiet by yourself. On the other hand, you write poetry, and you can't do that at a club meeting. :) So apparently I was wrong about that. But "F" for sure, because of the poetry and the other art. Don't really see you as a judger though. Is your desk really that clean at the end of the day? I will admit to being a collector of possibilities and more facts rather than a decision maker. Maybe you are. Soub is hard to pin down. Figuratively, speaking.

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    3. Hahaha - no I'm not a 'counselor' but I've spent pretty much my entire adult life (23 on up) in some form of counseling. Each psychologist / therapist / psychiatrist I've seen on a long term basis has suggested that I become a counselor.

      If I had listened to my own 'intuition' as a young adult (college age), I would have majored in English literature and minored in art. If I had the opportunity now, I'd go back to school to get an MFA in Creative Writing, specializing in poetry.

      In my late twenties / early thirties I developed a passion for working with non-profit groups during a volunteer stint at an AIDS Hospice. I received certification in the Management of Non-Profit Organizations and had a position lined up to manage the AIDS Hospice. Life happened and it didn't work out. I attempted on two other occasions to establish my own Non-Profit. Again life happened.

      As for Judging versus Perceiving - I've flip-flopped on that end in testing. I think what finally pushed me to accept that I was more like a 'J' than a 'P' is the fact that I have to have a 'PLAN' whenever I set out to do something: Traveling, Work, Relationships - I like to know where I'm going ahead of time, and I tend to get stuck on the 'PLAN'. I'm not so good at 'flying by the seat of your pants ...' Ask Soub. He has a great story about me touring Skipton Castle with him .... But my desk? the messier the better. There's logic in my madness :)

      xxx

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  2. The 'think' bit is the problem....

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  3. Do you struggle with eye contact? I've noticed you're always avoiding my eye.

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    1. I struggle with eye contact on the internet. I have yet to master it.

      I have long ago forced myself to maintain eye contact when I am supposed to, in order not to set the "body language experts" to barking. See, the body language folks in the HR department will mark you down as "not confident" or "low self esteem" without knowing it is different for an INTP. An INTP doesn't make eye contact because he just doesn't want to engage dumbasses in conversation, which is what always happens with eye contact.

      I make myself do it when it matters, when someone is sitting in front of my desk or when someone is trying to give me the wrong change at the store. Yes, I even make myself not look at the ground when I walk and smile faintly and say hello when I pass people. A stupid custom. And risky, because they will often mistake your smile and greeting for interest and stop you to ask the time. I never make eye contact with panhandlers unless they are stupid enough to be aggressive if I say no. (INTPs will sometimes physically attack aggressive panhandlers and salespeople who continue to sell after 3 noes. At least I will.) INTPs have absolutely no problem with eye contact if you piss them off.

      I know, I know - it's the flutter that counts. It gets me every time, even on the internet, so stoppit!

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  4. Introverted (I) 66.67% Extroverted (E) 33.33%
    Intuitive (N) 54.76% Sensing (S) 45.24%
    Thinking (T) 70.97% Feeling (F) 29.03%
    Perceiving (P) 76.47% Judging (J) 23.53%

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  5. I'm not sure how accurate that is, based on 53 questions, some of which I'd have liked clarification, wasn't quite sure what they were asking.

    If I took it on a different day, I'm sure it would be different...

    I don't see RDG as a 'club' person. She doesn't like crowds and big groups of people. She thinks a lot, is very intuitive. Poetry, reading, and art are important to her. Happier in small groups of carefully selected, trusted people.

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    1. I am skeptical of the value of short tests. I am skeptical of the value of long tests too. But I had thought before that you might also be an INTP or maybe an ISTP (S because you do get along with tools well and have a sensory hobby rather than an abstract one. If you follow this up, you will soon begin to think you could be one of a half-dozen different types, because the descriptions all seem to fit some part or another. So I wouldn't bother if I were you. The best description of an INTP I've found is this one. It will tell you more than tests. I thought so, anyway. But we are all capable of being what we need to be when we need to be.

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    2. Soub's portrait of me is 'spot on.' Which is just another reason why I love him. After being married to my 'typological opposite' - an ESTJ - I can report that life with an INTP is much like a cool drink of water on a very hot day - refreshing!

      xxx

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    3. PS. @Soub - We talked about Myers-Briggs personality types a few months ago. At the time you were rather skeptical of any 'personality typing.' I had guessed you to be an ISTP ... I wasn't too far off the mark :)
      xxx

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  6. Yeah, well, on the shorter test it said ISTP, but kinda borderline.

    INTP
    If your closest personality type is INTP then you have a strong sense of the hidden principles that govern how the world works. You are interested in theoretical models and explanations, and when other people put forward their own theories you put them to the test to find out how true or robust they are. You enjoy solving difficult intellectual problems and seek to understand the real truth behind any situation, even when it involves several complex factors. ISTP
    If your closest personality type is ISTP then you have both a logical and a practical mind and therefore enjoy solving tangible problems. You are very interested in how things work, and may have a tendency to take things apart if you don't know how they work. You may also enjoy using your craftmanslike skills to fix things that are broken, or doing investigative work, collecting facts and clues to find out the truth of what has happened.

    The ISTP description does fit me pretty well. I definitely do dismantle things to find out how they work, and to attempt to fix or improve them

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    1. Percentage wise your 'S' and your 'N' are pretty close to 50/50.... I tend to see you as an ISTP - but have always found you to be quite intuitive. Toss a coin ??

      xxx

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    2. After reading the two types at Max's favorite website, I'm inclined to see you more as an INTP ... geesh. I guess he was right. The more you read the more you see yourself as everything!

      All I can say is the type you are fits the type I am and I'm quite happy it works out that way :)

      xxx

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  7. Don't believe everything you think ...

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