Insecurity and Your Myers-Briggs® Persona Sort

Again in November we explored what makes every of the 16 persona varieties really feel susceptible. Right now I wish 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 could shrug and look confused – in spite of everything, they want extra details and real-life knowledge to attract from. Sometimes they may discover this sort of exercise enjoyable, however typically it would really feel slightly off-putting. This works the identical manner for Intuitives when having to depend on Sensation, Feeling varieties counting on Considering, and extra.

Undecided what your persona sort is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you possibly can take the official MBTI® here.

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® Persona Sort Anyyway?” That’s a very good query! Perhaps you clicked on this publish with out having a full consciousness of what the 16 personalities are.

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

In the end, this persona idea helps us study ourselves when it comes to 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, skills and vulnerabilities.

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

1. Extraversion or Introversion (E or I)

2. Sensing or Instinct (S or N)

3. Considering 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 mechanically unhealthy at our less-preferred features?

If, for instance, you’re an INFJ, will you at all times be unhealthy at Sensation (S) or Considering (T)? Not essentially. Like many typologists, I clarify our sort 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 immediately misplaced your left hand you’d dearly miss it. Driving, cooking, and almost any activity turn out to be far more difficult with out two arms!

The identical applies to your persona preferences. Every letter in your persona sort denotes a desire: I for Introversion, E for Extroversion, S for Sensing, N for Instinct, and many others,. However that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t use the opposite desire properly particularly conditions. It can simply take extra effort and apply in your half, and it might not be as gratifying. Additionally, you will doubtless have much less confidence in non-preferred strengths than you do in your most well-liked strengths.

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

Persona Sort and Insecurity

Extroverts and Insecurity

Extroverts are at all times attempting to assemble extra knowledge 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 at all times comes from outdoors…His curiosity and a spotlight are directed to goal happenings, notably these in his fast atmosphere. Not solely individuals however issues seize and rivet his consideration.” (Psychological Varieties, 334)

If you happen to’re an extroverted persona sort then you definately rely on 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 potentialities.
• If you happen to’re an extroverted sensor (ESTP or ESFP) you search for experiences, alternatives, or aesthetics which are obtainable 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 knowledge is being given to you. You would possibly activate some music, have a look at your cellphone, 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 might really feel like indicators of disapproval or rejection.

EJ varieties particularly, typically placed on a “can-do” expression however might really feel extra insecure than others notice. The MBTI® Guide states that they “current such an energetic, competent face that it’s straightforward 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 at all times attempting to assemble extra info from the interior world. The exterior world drives its manner into their thoughts, however they mentally put up a barrier, attempting to pause it from disrupting their interior 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 think about notion and cognition which responds to the sense stimulus in accordance with the person’s subjective disposition.” (Psychological Varieties, 374)

These phrases might sound a bit complicated for a lot of readers. What Jung is saying right here is that the introvert is most eager about their very own interior understanding of the world and its occasions. They aren’t as eager about exterior sources for solutions or validation, however as an alternative 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 which means about one thing.
• Introverted sensors (ISFJs and ISTJs) look inside themselves to sense particulars, bodily sensations, and reminiscences that evoke a which 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 interior sense of figuring out or “rightness.”

What Makes Introverts Insecure?

Introverts want time to faucet into the interior world earlier than reacting to the outer world. But in our extroverted world, many introverts are pushed and prodded into reacting as rapidly because the extrovert. Pauses are taken the fallacious manner.

For instance, think about an extroverted and introverted couple preventing. The extroverted companion asks a query of the introvert: “Do you actually even love me?” The introvert, who naturally checks into the interior 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 interior world and share it with their companion. In fact they love their companion, however each query they’re requested urges them to attract inward and assess – not rapid-fire responses again within the second.

Usually, what introverts want is endurance and understanding. They want time to course of earlier than responding in a significant manner. Additionally they want validation that their interior world is simply as necessary because the outer one, the place extroverts appear to thrive.

The MBTI® Guide states that introverted pondering varieties particularly wrestle on this extroverted world. “Dominant introverted pondering shoppers (ISTP and INTP) particularly are sometimes bewildered by others’ conduct and misread or overinterpret its which 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 rapidly, improvise spontaneously, or reply verbally to surprising questions. ISTPs and ISFPs are slightly 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® Persona Sort

Intuitives and Insecurity

Intuitives are drawn to meanings, symbols, patterns, and summary insights. N varieties are primarily involved with the conceptual features of life. What “is” is normally much less fascinating to the intuitive than what “could possibly 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 which means of one thing or the long-term implications of one thing. They suppose in symbols and metaphors.
• NPs (INFPs, INTPs, ENFPs, ENTPs) look outward to identify potentialities, concepts, patterns, and insights. Their final concern is with creating significant potentialities and exploring new angles and connections.

For the extroverted intuitive (EN sort), the exterior world triggers interior insights, connections, and potentialities which are 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 sort) additionally makes these connections, however normally imbues which means on the exterior world from the interior 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 units 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 suppose 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 acquire perception. They get pleasure from exploring connections, patterns, and potentialities. They really feel insecure in conditions that power them to rely purely on chilly, exhausting details and literal particulars. Remembering lots of particulars or working in a inflexible construction that lacks room for creativeness or creativity can really feel overwhelming to them.

It’s straightforward for Intuitives to really feel “certain” by details or particulars. Sensors belief what they know from expertise, and so they might really feel the necessity to “rein in” intuitives to maintain them from taking up an thought or chance 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 details, particulars, and experiences. The S sort is primarily involved with the concrete features of life. They’re extra eager about what “is” and fewer eager about hypothesizing about what “could possibly be” except they’ve lots of concrete knowledge 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 details, reminiscences, particulars, and experiences. They goal to create stability by counting on tried-and-true info.
• SPs (ISTPs, ISFPs, ESTPs, ESFPs) look outward to identify tangible stimuli that they’ll expertise immediately. Their final concern is with real-life experiences, practicality, and immersion and oneness with their atmosphere.

For the Sensor, actual details and lived experiences will at all times be extra necessary than idea or “what if’s”. Once they do go to an summary place of musing it’s typically when they’re harassed quite 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 could go to an intuitive place of their free time once they really feel no strain to behave or seem in any explicit manner. Maybe they’ve a penchant for sci-fi motion pictures or fantasy literature the place the unknown is a key element.

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

Sensing-Judgers are involved with the inner impressions they acquire from the exterior world. They use a type of sensing referred to as introverted sensation. Carl Jung says of introverted sensation, “Introverted sensation apprehends the background of the bodily world quite than its floor. The decisive factor shouldn’t be the truth of the thing, however the actuality of the subjective issue.” (Psychological Varieties, 395)

Subsequently, Sensing-Perceivers (particularly ESFPs and ESTPs) are likely to see the world precisely as it’s with out imbuing lots of subjective which means onto it. They concentrate on being as sensible and factual as potential. A tree is a tree, nothing extra. They may inform you the best way to climb a tree, or possibly the scientific identify and kind of tree, however they aren’t prone to wax poetic on the great thing about the tree and the way it represents life.

Sensing-Judgers (particularly ISTJs and ISFJs) are likely to infuse the exterior world with lots of subjective which means. They can see a tree and recall a reminiscence or emotion related to it. They’ll think about the tree because it was previously and really feel an urge to protect that tree’s place on this planet. Once they recall a previous expertise, they’ll 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 knowledge. This could make them really feel uncomfortable, as if they’re being taken to activity for not having sufficient data. Sensors may additionally really feel overwhelmed or pissed off 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 invest or predict how one thing would possibly prove, as a result of there isn’t a concrete reply for them to contemplate. They’re wired to the current and so they know that the longer term is ever-changing and largely unpredictable. Any state of affairs that limits their freedom can even really feel overwhelming to them. As a result of they consider that the longer term is at all times altering, they don’t like commitments which may entice them onto one path.

Sensing-Judgers (varieties with an SJ of their four-letter code) really feel insecure when they’re compelled 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’ll discuss with, so when one thing surprising occurs it throws them off steadiness.

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Considering Varieties and Insecurity

Considering varieties focus totally on impersonal info to make logical decisions. 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:

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

Considering varieties can seem very competent and succesful in conditions that depend on their strengths. A TJ sort would possibly seem on the prime of their recreation within the boardroom or when organizing a technique. A TP sort would possibly seem on the prime of their recreation when explaining a system or troubleshooting an issue.

The place Considering varieties really feel insecure is in conditions that depend on their use of Feeling. The MBTI® Guide states that some Considering varieties “Have points about discomfort and a way of inadequacy in social conditions, as they have an inclination to take longer than different varieties to develop comfy social abilities. That is notably 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 Considering varieties additionally really feel susceptible and insecure once they want emotional assist. As a result of they so typically topic their feelings to important evaluation, they’ll really feel embarrassed, responsible, or ashamed when they’re compelled 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 instances they rationalize their emotions earlier than they even have the prospect to speak about them.

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

Feeling Varieties and Insecurity

For the Feeling sort, life is about honoring ones’ values, self-expression, and emotional connections. In a method or one other, all Feeling varieties are taking a look at life when it comes to values. Which means that they’re making choices by seeing how issues really feel or what they deem as necessary quite than stepping again, because the Considering sort does, to see the state of affairs objectively.

Be mindful, even Feeling varieties suppose and Considering varieties really feel, however each particular person has one desire that’s stronger than the opposite.

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

• Feeling-Judging (FJs) varieties concentrate on creating concord and a constructive ambiance. They’re expert at “studying the room” and forming intimacy and dependable bonds with others. In terms of choices, FJs concentrate on how individuals can be emotionally impacted and what values are at stake.
• Feeling-Perceiving (FP) varieties, concentrate on their interior worth system. “What issues to me?” Is the principle query that FP varieties ask themselves when making choices. It’s essential for the FP to remain aligned with their genuine self, to honor their very own particular person code, and to make choices which are 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 likely to really feel essentially the most insecure in conditions that decision on them to publicly use Considering qualities. If a Feeling-Perceiver is requested to implement guidelines and agendas, they could 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 could really feel insecure as a result of their desire is to be supportive or to evaluate issues from a value-driven perspective. They’re prone to fear about hurting somebody’s delight or breaking the belief between them. They might additionally fear that their logic is wrong and get caught in a spot of analysis-paralysis.

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

The Feeling sort could be absolutely conscious of the logic of one thing however select to present precedence to the feelings or values at play in a state of affairs. A Considering sort could be absolutely conscious of the human considerations however select to be concentrate on logical evaluation as a result of finally they really feel that’s the most honest strategy to be.

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Judging Varieties and Insecurity

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

Right here’s how the Judging desire reveals up within the eight Judging persona varieties:

• Considering-Judging (TJ) varieties make their choices primarily based 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 manner potential.
• Feeling-Judging (FJ) varieties make their choices by weighing and assessing values. They attempt to faucet into the emotional wants of individuals to be able to decide that will get these emotional wants met in as honest a manner as potential.

As you possibly can see above, each TJ and FJ persona varieties are attempting to get individuals’s wants met, however they’re coming at it from totally different avenues. A TJ would possibly provide you with a technique or plan that can meet somebody’s useful resource wants (like cash or meals), whereas an FJ could be extra targeted 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 enable 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 could really feel overwhelmed and underprepared.

Judgers can even discover adapting to alter aggravating. Even when the change is for the higher, Judgers might resist it as a result of they’re so used to having all the things as an alternative. They want time to regulate and discover a new plan of assault earlier than they’ll embrace the change.

Perceiving Varieties and Insecurity

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

Right here’s how the Perceiving desire reveals up within the eight Perceiving persona varieties:

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

Perceiving varieties really feel insecure in conditions that power them to reside in a extra structured, orderly manner. When they’re compelled to make a plan and stick with it, they could really feel trapped and discover it tough to ensure that their plan is the suitable one.

Having too many structured guidelines can be off-putting for Perceiving varieties. They thrive once they have the flexibleness to maneuver and adapt as wanted, so having inflexible expectations positioned on them could cause them to close down and turn out to be resistant. For this reason it’s necessary 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 well-liked “exploratory” mode of current.

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

What Are Your Ideas?

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

Discover out extra about your persona sort 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. You may as well 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 Persona Sort by Leona Haas and Mark Hunziker