Interesting "T/F" Case

[TheEnlightenedOne]

I can only imagine what sort of thread people thought this was going to be. Possibly something dealing with True or False. Probably not this:

I clearly remember when I took the MBTI test, I ended up as an INTJ, but only just barely. Unfortunately, I didn't save the exact numbers, but here's what I can tell you: My "I" was high, "N" was moderately high, and "J" was moderate.

The one number I DO remember specifically, however, was my "T". I only scored a "T" of One (1). That's right, no typo.

I have a feeling that this isn't very common, and I'm wondering about the repercussions. I definitely feel that I identify very much with the INTJ (more so than INFJ), although I do tend to be more (com)passionate than most descriptions of INTJs suggest. I can always override my feelings with my intellect, however.

Personally, I feel this is a good thing, because I keep the benefits of the INTJ's masterful mind, yet I'm able to avoid pissing people off with my arrogance.

So, just out of curiosity, did any other INTJs out there have a low "T" like that? And also, regardless of your MBTI or "T" score, what do you think about being so close to the border between INTJ and INFJ?

[Solaris]

You have discovered the life of the X type. They are out there. We mostly develop our preferences via personal experience. I guess if life does not teach you that T or F is truly better, than you could easily develop good use of both.

[ShaiGar]

You have discovered the life of the X type. They are out there. We mostly develop our preferences via personal experience. I guess if life does not teach you that T or F is truly better, than you could easily develop good use of both.
I disagree, You are what you are and life won't change that.
If you really want to find out your type take a properly administered psychological temperament test. Online tests don't do enough to ensure that you get the accurate type...

Also, check the profiles. each individual letter adds up to a hell of a lot more.

[azelismia]

I disagree, You are what you are and life won't change that.
If you really want to find out your type take a properly administered psychological temperament test. Online tests don't do enough to ensure that you get the accurate type...

Also, check the profiles. each individual letter adds up to a hell of a lot more.


bah, I think the more complex parts of mbti are just made up bullwack. there is absolutely no science behind it. I think the basics of personality theory are sound but the rest.... they'd have to back it up a bit better than they do before I'd buy it.

[TheEnlightenedOne]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Personally, I feel there's a balance between determinism and free will. While your personality type may make you more prone to behave in a certain way, it is possibly to act quite contrary to the way you normally do.

I guess I was more interested of what people thought about the difference it would make to be so close between "F" and "T", as opposed to many people who are clearly more reliant on one or the other.

[curiousjane]

I claim INFP because I identify MOST with the description of this type. However, if I was truly going on strength of online percentages alone, I'd have to claim something more like xNxx. ;) Intuition is the only thing that I score very highly on. The rest of it is more balanced. I have INTP moments, INFJ moments, and even ENFP moments, so to speak. I think I've even had INTJ moments. Scary, huh?

It's all kind of fluid to me. There are so many factors involved. YES, I truly believe there is much to be said about personality type theory. Namely, it has explained a LOT of the behavior of people in my life. In that way, it has been quite the eye opener.

I think that ShaiGar is right ... most of us have only relied on shaky online tests to find our "type." From what I understand, this is not the best way to go about it. But I don't have the luxury of sitting down with an actual practitioner at this point in my life, so I'll self-profess to be an INFP. It just fits.

So, you've developed the ability to use different functions as needed. That's great! I think you'll find you're a more well-balanced and mature form of INTJism.

[EsoteriEccentri]

Same here. I always score about 50/50 T/F on the tests, usually slightly more F but still very balanced. I've come up as INTP before, and less frequently INFJ and INTJ.
My IN is very strong, the tests usually put them both at 100% (which can't be healthy.)
According to mypersonality.info, my I is 100% and my N is 95%
Next strongest is my P, which I think was at 89% on mypersonality.info?

Although the free online tests always tell me I am very close to being an INTP, I believe that my Dad is INTP, possibly INTJ, but either way I know I am not because I am nothing like any INTP I know online or offline. The INTP profiles do not resonate with me at all and I would say my F is actually very strong; it's just the nature of the test questions which say it is not. (Especially those really annoying tests which seem to think F = social)

I think you should just go with the type that you think is most "you" and use your stronger F to your advantage. It's all on a spectrum, after all.

[Antares]

I've come across as ENTJ and ISTJ. I wouldn't say I'm an extravert, but I certainly have their functions. I don't think I'm a low N either. I very actively use my N, but trusting it is another issue. I use S very, very well, that's why I've been mistyped. I'm still a high T, but I know what it's like to feel ;)

Dominant: Extraverted Thinking
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
Inferior: Introverted Feeling

[malefide]

I think I either was once or once thought I was an INTx. My J function is rather flexible (ironically) and I have a well-developed P function, even though I still prefer J. My F(i) has fluctuated throughout my life. I go through periods where it is very weak (at these times I have very little emotion and/or emotional understanding in my life) and at other times it is well-used and accepted.

[Hdier]

Hi! Just wanted to say that I'm borderline on the T/F, but I don't feel like I can switch between T and F so much as blended them. Thanks for reading!

[TheEnlightenedOne]

Hi! Just wanted to say that I'm borderline on the T/F, but I don't feel like I can switch between T and F so much as blended them. Thanks for reading!

T and F are obviously on a continuum, and it's almost (if not totally) impossible to only use one at a time. However, each may have a certain amount of influence inside you, and sometimes you can focus your efforts and have your T or F override the other even if you're tempted to react either logically or emotionally in a given situation. Your score on the continuum usually means you'll have an easier time making that specific aspect of yourself the dominant one.

[Xenolar]

A borderline F INTJ is not particularly unusual, as the thinking function is auxiliary rather than dominant in the INTJ. Both INTJs and INFJs share Ni as the dominant function and Se as the inferior. Thus, it is relatively common for INFJs to think themselves Ts and INTJs to think themselves Fs.

[athenian200]

I know how you feel, TheEnlightenedOne. I often test with a low F score, and have often even tested as INxJ. One difference between myself and other F's (especially FP's) I notice is that I don't have a problem with the tone and atmosphere created by heated arguments/disagreements, as long as they're productive and about the issue. I still can't stand to see people attacked on a personal level or just aggressive posturing, though, and see that as unacceptable and cruel.

Being close to the border makes me feel very strange. I have a need for accuracy and truth, but I'm still aware of caring about the people I want to criticize. Strangely enough, I end up criticizing the people I feel closer to the most harshly, and being nicer to strangers, as if I wanted people in general to think well of me, even if those closer to me get to see all the "other stuff." It's actually strange enough that I end up criticizing several paragraphs in an argument, and then as soon as they express something that I can relate to, I turn around and say something supportive. They say my tone is alarmingly inconstant at times. I also tend to criticize people right up to the point they can tolerate, and then pull it right back in so that they feel close to me again, and alternate between this. I'm really weird.

[Erika Redmark]

I think T/F is the closest for me, too, but I don't identify with any of the INFJ profiles or descriptions I've ever read. I have this thing about INFP, though–I think I want to be one. XD But I know what you mean when you say that you are more com/passionate than INTJ's are generally thought to be, and I also avoid pissing people off (but I think that in some cases, what I care about more are the repercussions of people thinking less of me than how they actually feel…). Anyway, my best guess for this phenomenon would be the effects of tertiary Fi.

[TheEnlightenedOne]

I know how you feel, TheEnlightenedOne. I often test with a low F score, and have often even tested as INxJ. One difference between myself and other F's (especially FP's) I notice is that I don't have a problem with the tone and atmosphere created by heated arguments/disagreements, as long as they're productive and about the issue. I still can't stand to see people attacked on a personal level or just aggressive posturing, though, and see that as unacceptable and cruel.

Being close to the border makes me feel very strange. I have a need for accuracy and truth, but I'm still aware of caring about the people I want to criticize. Strangely enough, I end up criticizing the people I feel closer to the most harshly, and being nicer to strangers, as if I wanted people in general to think well of me, even if those closer to me get to see all the "other stuff." It's actually strange enough that I end up criticizing several paragraphs in an argument, and then as soon as they express something that I can relate to, I turn around and say something supportive. They say my tone is alarmingly inconstant at times. I also tend to criticize people right up to the point they can tolerate, and then pull it right back in so that they feel close to me again, and alternate between this. I'm really weird.

Totally agree.

I think T/F is the closest for me, too, but I don't identify with any of the INFJ profiles or descriptions I've ever read. I have this thing about INFP, though–I think I want to be one. XD But I know what you mean when you say that you are more com/passionate than INTJ's are generally thought to be, and I also avoid pissing people off (but I think that in some cases, what I care about more are the repercussions of people thinking less of me than how they actually feel…). Anyway, my best guess for this phenomenon would be the effects of tertiary Fi.

I know exactly what you mean. Particularly about repercussions more than actual feelings. And i think you're right, it's probably from a more-developed Fi.

[Erika Redmark]

That's probably why I identify so little with INFJ, too–they have secondary Fe, and I definitely prefer Fi.