Are Centrists Superior?

[INTJoe]

Is it best if your 4 quantities are all near zero?

For instance you might be INTJ, but your numbers could be like 2, 3, 1, 4 or something. Basically you would encompass the best and worst of each type.

What type of person would this make you? Near perfect? Or one who can never stand firm on anything?

Are centrists even possible? I would assume it would be really rare.

My lowest number is J-11. Highest is N-88.

Thoughts??? I wonder who is most centrist on this board? Ye shall come forward!!!

[Ijz]

Yeah I wondered about that myself.

I actually don't think being in the middle is a good measure for "superiority?". Its more about how flexible you can be with your functions. If your performing an activity that requires certain personality traits, it would be great if you can increase/decrease certain traits such as thinking/feeling. I think everyone already does this, but some are just better at it.

Here's some hi-res graphics depicting my view on the mater:


--- (C)enter
|

(T)hinking |---xxXxx---| (F)eeling

\ /
--- (S)pan

Note that the left and right edges of the span can never exceed the center.

So the size of the Span and the position of the Center determine your range of abilities.

Thoughts anyone?

[INTJoe]

precisely. I mean if I'm 56 introverted, I can be less introverted on certain days or whatever, but I'm still probably like 10 introveted at my most "extroverted" or whatever.

And I'm 88 intuition so my range, even if it was 25 in any direction could only go from 63 to 100.

I'm guessing the centrists are most adaptive and probably very emotionally stable people. I'm going to guess that they aren't going to create anything brilliant, but it would seem to me that they could lead relatively quality, "low maintenance" lives.

Anyone else have thoughts? Again, if anyone feels they are close to centrist in here please point out your numbers.

[justmeiguess]

I'm no centrist - way too introverted. However, I'm currently reading Personality Type: An Owner's Manual by Lenore Thomson and according to her having a balance is not a good thing. In fact, it suggests that the person has a less defined personality, that they have yet to 'discover their true selves', to put it poetically.

I don't have the book to hand right not, but when I do I'll try and find a bit that makes more sense than I do.

[INTJoe]

Hmmm, so the intimation is that they are "wishy-washy"? I guess I could see that. These types probably wouldn't be too driven but I think they would fit into society just fine being neither an asset nor a liability to any other person, so to speak. Just sort of...there.

[Ijz]

I'm no centrist - way too introverted. However, I'm currently reading Personality Type: An Owner's Manual by Lenore Thomson and according to her having a balance is not a good thing. In fact, it suggests that the person has a less defined personality, that they have yet to 'discover their true selves', to put it poetically.

I don't have the book to hand right not, but when I do I'll try and find a bit that makes more sense than I do.
Please do because I'm confused now :)

So is she suggesting that being centric and knowing yourself is an impossibility?!?

[Tarrick]

Think of it this way.

There are 8 attributes to our temperament. Each one has certain types of functionality. As an INTJ, I am well versed in using the those four of the eight types. I am not as capable, even handicapped, when I am attempting anything that is E, S, F, or P in nature. However, the question is is when do I need to function using those? When I have to, for whatever reason, I am at a disadvantage. However, the stronger my INTJ is, the better I function in my native environment.

[INTJoe]

Right but if we assume a range of say 20 units in either direction, the centrists would be able to "be" any of the 16 types but with only up to 20 quantity.

If you were 100 for all 4 INTJ qualities, your range would only be between 80-100, I suppose. So maybe any quantity over 80 or so is an inherent handicap as there are "diminishing returns" that begin to set in.

The centrist should be more malleable, but likely won't contribute anything remarkable to society.

[justmeiguess]

OK, I found the part:

Sometimes, when people are just learning about type, the assume that the point of type development is perfect balance - that is, close scores in all type categories. It's worth noting, however, that in the realm of nature, perfect balance is not a good thing. A physical system reaches equilibrium when it has lost its energy and can no longer change.

Insofar as type is concerned, close or even scores...tend to suggest that the person hasn't developed a clear-cut sense of self. This is particularly true of people under thirty. Such scores may also indicate that the demands of a relationship or career is pushing a person away from his or her usual self-experience....For people over thirty-five, close scores tend to indicate a period of transition.

[From: Personality Type: An Owner's Manual by Lenore Thomson]

So, basically (and my brain is falling asleep right now) I would say that centricity would lead to a very unbalanced (I don't mean insane), indecisive and malleable personality. This would be malleable in a bad way, as in rather than simply being flexible to any given situation they would be shaped into any form others desired rather than being their own person and thus, I would imagine, not be very happy. If that makes any sense at all. I suppose, putting it simply, being high on each letter means you have a well-defined personality which would lead to self-confidence and thus happiness in yourself. At least, that is my layman's reading.

[Edited to add comments]

[Paul V]

Well, my scores are I: 78, N: 75, T: 50 and J:33.

The last 2 times I took the test, I scored P: 11 and J: 22. It looks like my J aspect is developing as time passes. That means I'm a centrist in my J-P aspect. Hm. I suppose it's rather odd to switch my priorities between perceiving information and judging it like that. I understand the consequences of being a centrist in the 3 other aspects, but what about this one? What could the consequences be?

[Ijz]

Well, my scores are I: 78, N: 75, T: 50 and J:33.

The last 2 times I took the test, I scored P: 11 and J: 22. It looks like my J aspect is developing as time passes. That means I'm a centrist in my J-P aspect. Hm. I suppose it's rather odd to switch my priorities between perceiving information and judging it like that. I understand the consequences of being a centrist in the 3 other aspects, but what about this one? What could the consequences be?
My J/P are also very close and it doesn't seem to be very uncommon around here. I used to be more P but my career and personal development has caused me to become much more a J. In my work I have to be both a detailed- and a big picture thinker causing me to look at things from both a J and P angle. It can be difficult at times but its also very enlightening.

[logan235711]

I think it just depends on how widely someone can consciously deviate from their current train of thought. MBTI or not, but with MBTI if you are centrist yet can't deviate from that then you are no more flexible than someone who isn't centrist. However, begin centrists means that when you deviate you might be able to see results with a lower % of deviation than someone who is not centrist; or maybe you cannot because if you have a lower % of deviation you can never get to a maximum of any type thus cannot ever know the possibilities that lie there just as any one other person who is non-centrist cannot go to other functions with any depth. In the end probability might still support my original statement of how widely one can consciously deviate regardless of centrism.

[INTJoe]

This would be malleable in a bad way, as in rather than simply being flexible to any given situation they would be shaped into any form others desired rather than being their own person and thus, I would imagine, not be very happy. [Edited to add comments]

Hmmm, so their personality is "small", and it becomes more reactionary based on the people around them. For instance if they are surrounded by "I's", they may become more "I-like". Or if people around them expect a "J" attitude, they become more "J-like".

I guess I could see that. Their personality is "small", and thus, isn't much of a factor. Others, with "larger" personalities. Think ESFP all above 80, lol, would be very proactive in imposing themselves on others', as opposed to being malleable.

My lowest number was J - 11 and I can definitely see where there are times that I could become P-like, and not always so willing to force people to see my J ways. My IN is high, and I pretty much have the attitude that people need to accept that I'm an introverted intuitive type.

I cannot portray an outgoing person who never questions facts. :thinking:

[The Rose]

Is it best if your 4 quantities are all near zero?

For instance you might be INTJ, but your numbers could be like 2, 3, 1, 4 or something. Basically you would encompass the best and worst of each type.

What type of person would this make you? Near perfect? Or one who can never stand firm on anything?

Are centrists even possible? I would assume it would be really rare.

My lowest number is J-11. Highest is N-88.

Thoughts??? I wonder who is most centrist on this board? Ye shall come forward!!!It was my impression from reading Quenck that one must differentiate - choose a preference - or else be emotionally unhealthy.
As we mature, it is healthy to move more toward the middle, but not to start out that way.

[deicruxified]

OK, I found the part:

Sometimes, when people are just learning about type, the assume that the point of type development is perfect balance - that is, close scores in all type categories. It's worth noting, however, that in the realm of nature, perfect balance is not a good thing. A physical system reaches equilibrium when it has lost its energy and can no longer change.

Insofar as type is concerned, close or even scores...tend to suggest that the person hasn't developed a clear-cut sense of self. This is particularly true of people under thirty. Such scores may also indicate that the demands of a relationship or career is pushing a person away from his or her usual self-experience....For people over thirty-five, close scores tend to indicate a period of transition.

[From: Personality Type: An Owner's Manual by Lenore Thomson]

So, basically (and my brain is falling asleep right now) I would say that centricity would lead to a very unbalanced (I don't mean insane), indecisive and malleable personality. This would be malleable in a bad way, as in rather than simply being flexible to any given situation they would be shaped into any form others desired rather than being their own person and thus, I would imagine, not be very happy. If that makes any sense at all. I suppose, putting it simply, being high on each letter means you have a well-defined personality which would lead to self-confidence and thus happiness in yourself. At least, that is my layman's reading.

[Edited to add comments]

when i had a friend of mine took the mbti his result was intj but 1% in i. but judging based on experience with him, he seems more of e than i and would sometimes confuse himself if he wants to be with people or not...

:edit: scenario with him is like this:

*sends a text message*

"i want to join you later... i'm stressed out and i need company"
me: ok i'll call you later if you want
"no ... err on second thought no one's home so i guess i'd think over it"
me: ok

30 minutes later

"can you call me here at home"
me: ok *calls*
"CAN YOU AND THE REST COME OVER HERE AND WATCH DVD WITH ME"

i'm not sure but he's the best example i can think of

[GOD]

Is it best if your 4 quantities are all near zero?

For instance you might be INTJ, but your numbers could be like 2, 3, 1, 4 or something. *Basically you would encompass the best and worst of each type. *

What type of person would this make you? *Near perfect? *Or one who can never stand firm on anything?

Are centrists even possible? *I would assume it would be really rare.

My lowest number is J-11. *Highest is N-88.

Thoughts??? *I wonder who is most centrist on this board? *Ye shall come forward!!!

What is best is what fits the "environment" in which that person operates.

Good fit can be achieved by
1) modifying your type over time.
2) having a greater variability in your type

or

3) finding the right environment for your type

Ultimately what is best is what makes you happy.

[qwerty]

hmmm...

So what do you think it means when someone has an average of 15/20ish % on the NS TF JP scales and has a dominate enough personality to effect those around him? :)

Is it odd that such a person, just by being around others when they take the test can make them score and believe they are similar until they go home to read up on themselves and realise they were wrong? Or does it mean something completely different?

It's the exact opposite scenario of Deicruxified's. The friend with 1% introversion switches and is wishy washy.