learning about self and others through different frameworks
Meyer's Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) tests have been one of the earliest ones I have been introduced to: I remember taking it in 8th or 9th grade as a class assignment.
My type changed a few times over the years, but outcomes were always subtly determined (i.e., my dominant %'s were less than 65%). But recently, I've tested consistently as INFJ over the past few years.
The more I look at available resources on this topic, the more I accept that I am a textbook INFJ. (The fact that I look for these resources is also characteristically INFJ)
Excerpt from Introduction to INFJ profile (from 16 personalities)...
... Advocates have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that they are not idle dreamers. These individuals are capable of taking concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact.
People with this personality type tend to see helping others as their purpose in life. Advocates can often be found engaging in rescue efforts and doing charity work. However, their real passion is to get to the heart of the issue so that people need not be rescued at all...
This is a more abstract (fun?) test one of my colleagues shared with me. My most recent result is as "The Thinker", but When I took this back in October 2019, I tested as "The Maker".
The difference in the creative types are nuanced, but with similaries around the focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and dedication to whatever topic is at hand.
The Thinker (Current)
The Maker (October 2019)
Enneagram takes 9 archetypes and matches people's personalities based on a series of questions. The result tells you how much the personality overlaps aligns with different archetypes. Because of the methodology, I think it's entirely possible to have 100% matches (or 0% matches) with all of the archetypes.
When I took the test in May 2020, I was more sure of my answers, so the outcome was higher rates of alignment (75%+). I was less sure in October 2019, so most of my answers were toward the middle (50%). I saw major changes in some areas, but others remained pretty consistent.
While I find this interesting, I don't find it as useful as others.
I think the best way to make use of results is to observe the top 3 archetypes.
Top 3 results for May 2020 and a brief description is below.
(note: the name of archetype may differ based on institution. For example, Type 1 is called Perfectionist here, but called The Reformer by the Enneagram Institute.)