I guess it differs between person to person when personality becomes stable. Also other factors may affect personality after that age of 15/16, such as major life crisis/event or drug taking. I know many people on the methadone program suffer from personality disorders due to past drug abuse. One of the patient's mother told me how much her son had changed since he started abusing drugs. It is rather sad seeing these people suffering from extreme forms of bipolar and schizoprenia.

Wow, that's very interesting and very sad. I wonder if the core personality type is actually changing, or if it's more of a case of "shadowing" another type, as people are wont to do when under stress. Probably depends on the situation and the brain chemistry.

Oooooh typing. O.O Typing typing typing. One of my favourite activities; I could click and clack away at the keyboard all day, never mind carpal tunnel. Yes yes, typing is--

Ooooh. That kind of typing. Also one of my favourite activites.

Lol! So good to see you on the forum again!

Amen to everything you said about cognitive functions. I have started studying them a lot during the past few months and it's given me a much more in-depth understanding of how MBTI works and how all of the different personality types actually operate. At the end of the day, MBTI is about how your brain is wired, and that doesn't necessarily translate to certain behavioral patterns. The tests are a start, but they're very flawed and frequently give incorrect results.

So yes, if you're really interested in learning your MBTI personality type, definitely look into the cognitive functions and find descriptions that outline the personality with the functions in mind. I've found Personality Junkie to be a really helpful site when it comes to merging basic descriptions with cognitive function expertise.

Also, ditto to MBTI knowledge being helpful for interacting with other people! I think one of my favorite aspects of being relatively MBTI-savvy is being able to say, "This person isn't just trying to annoy me or offend me; it's more that their brain is wired differently than mine." And then I can research the whys and hows of that until the cows come home if I want. It's great; it can give you a much deeper understanding of people.

Lol! So good to see you on the forum again!

You as well! 'Tis good to be back.

Also, ditto to MBTI knowledge being helpful for interacting with other people! I think one of my favorite aspects of being relatively MBTI-savvy is being able to say, "This person isn't just trying to annoy me or offend me; it's more that their brain is wired differently than mine." And then I can research the whys and hows of that until the cows come home if I want. It's great; it can give you a much deeper understanding of people.

Personality Junkie is indeed great. And so much this quote. It's helped me with a couple of relationships in particular, as I want to be all "But the thing is RIGHT THERE and it's so obvious!" but then I have to step back and remember that they're thinking about it in a totally different way, and it might help me, too, to stop and think about things their way.

I also find it really fun to try typing fictional characters. For example, one of the clearest examples of an INTJ in fiction, to my mind, is Bean from the Ender's Game series. It was really nice to read a book about an INTJ that wasn't evil.

(...Also, Rosah, I've discovered I tend to gravitate towards/really like INFJs. Congrats on continuing that pattern. ^.^)

It's helped me with a couple of relationships in particular, as I want to be all "But the thing is RIGHT THERE and it's so obvious!" but then I have to step back and remember that they're thinking about it in a totally different way, and it might help me, too, to stop and think about things their way.

Same here! It's honestly hard to quantify just how helpful it's been for me. I know some people are tempted to think that MBTI is just a weird hobby, but it's really so much more than that.

I also find it really fun to try typing fictional characters. For example, one of the clearest examples of an INTJ in fiction, to my mind, is Bean from the Ender's Game series. It was really nice to read a book about an INTJ that wasn't evil.

Lol, I get tired of that as well. I think INTJs are one of the most frequently misunderstood types; everybody just wants to lump y'all in the evil mastermind category. Mastermind, yes. Evil... not usually. I really need to read Ender's Game! I've been meaning to pick it up for years.

I love trying to type fictional characters, too. It's a really fun challenge! Lately I've been attempting to type Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle. (I've had some discussions about the "Are they the same person?" debate recently, so I became curious from an MBTI standpoint.) I'm currently thinking that Jadis is probably an ENTJ, whereas the LotGK seems to be an ENFJ. It's hard to type psychopaths accurately, though.

(...Also, Rosah, I've discovered I tend to gravitate towards/really like INFJs. Congrats on continuing that pattern. ^.^)

Aww! I tend to gravitate towards INTJs, too. My brother is one and we've always gotten along remarkably well. (I used to chalk it up to superior parenting or something, but I'm starting to think that we lucked out in the personality type department as well. ) We think in a lot of the same (weird ) ways, and I can always count on him for really interesting conversation. Yay for dominant Ni!

@Rose the job was a good exposer to the world of mental health. It made me want to help these people where as most people think they are a loss to society and just shove them to one side. These people are on a constant rotation of jail, programs, low paying jobs.

@Badgah Us intj's are all for world domination.......haha

@Ithilwen: back at ya.

I looked over some of those Personality Junkie pages ... yipes. It's interesting, but too complex to think about at 12AM after working a shift at Walmart.

Typing fictional characters: ugh. After all the time i spent trying to figure out just my *own* type, the last thing i need to be doing is analyzing the limited information of multiple fictional characters' perspectives ... and yet i'm already trying.

I'm going to give myself a headache.

Typing fictional characters: ugh. After all the time i spent trying to figure out just my *own* type, the last thing i need to be doing is analyzing the limited information of multiple fictional characters' perspectives ... and yet i'm already trying.

I'm going to give myself a headache.

Lol, occasionally it can give me a headache as well. Usually the first thing I want to do when trying to type someone is shine a big, bright white light in their face and ask them a million questions, and you can't exactly do that with fictional characters.

Sometimes just googling the character's name with MBTI in the search can give ideas and help you find arguments for how this-or-that type is perfect such-and- such character. There's lots of discussion on the internet about that sort thing; it's probably the national pastime of MBTI fans. Plus, you can always post the name of the character you're trying to type on here, and if anyone else is familiar with 'em, they might like taking a whack at it.

I looked on tumblr; there were two posts. There's probably more out there if i google it, though.

Some of them are going to be easier to type than others. One guy i just have to figure out which personality type i saw classified as "most nurturing" and i'll have it -- that's him all over.

If anyone here is familiar with Red vs. Blue, i would be both surprised and happy to know about it.

I looked on tumblr; there were two posts. There's probably more out there if i google it, though.

Some of them are going to be easier to type than others. One guy i just have to figure out which personality type i saw classified as "most nurturing" and i'll have it -- that's him all over.

Hmmm. Well, off the bat I would be tempted to say ISFJ, because that type is actually known as the Nurturer. There are several other types that are known for being nurturing, though. It sounds like it's safe to say that he's a Feeler, at the very least.

While the personality tests often don't yield very accurate results (as you well know ), sometimes taking it for a character can offer some insight/ideas, so that's a potential avenue as well.

If anyone here is familiar with Red vs. Blue, i would be both surprised and happy to know about it.

I'm afraid I'm only familiar with it because it's in your signature.

@Ithilwen: Thanks for introducing me to this thread (and the test).

@Reepicheep775 / ILoveFauns: here's a third INTJ!

My results = INTJ
Introvert (89%), iNtuitive (12%), Thinking (50%), Judging (67%)
You have strong preference of Introversion over Extraversion (89%)
You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (12%)
You have moderate preference of Thinking over Feeling (50%)
You have distinct preference of Judging over Perceiving (67%)

INTJ = The Scientist [lol]
"Independent, original, analytical, and determined. Have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action. Highly value knowledge, competence, and structure. Driven to derive meaning from their visions. Long-range thinkers. Have very high standards for their performance, and the performance of others. Natural leaders, but will follow if they trust existing leaders."

I'm introverted and a perfectionist, I value thought over feeling, I have a passion for order, I love to think about big ideas, and I consider myself a leader. Except for the people part, I think ENTP - The Visionary also fits me. The problem is, I have no interest (or skill) in science and technology! I prefer the humanities - art, history, literature, music, religion, etc.

I am interested in both science, technology and the humanities. Except I am not exactly the best at music or art. My skills lie in the science category. I am not really a perfectionist unless it is getting a mat h problem. I don't take maths any more in university but I kind of miss maths riddles and stuff, but not that random stuff about measuring areas under hills.

I was looking through meet-up groups to join and I came across this unexpectedly: http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Myers-Briggs/

Hey, 220chrisTian! Welcome to the thread!

I'm introverted and a perfectionist, I value thought over feeling, I have a passion for order, I love to think about big ideas, and I consider myself a leader. Except for the people part, I think ENTP - The Visionary also fits me. The problem is, I have no interest (or skill) in science and technology! I prefer the humanities - art, history, literature, music, religion, etc.

It would be cool if you're an INTJ! Keep in mind, though, that test is really only good for (potentially!) pointing you in the right direction. In order to be sure of what your personality type is, you've got to delve into something called the cognitive functions. (That page offers some of the best descriptions I've found for cognitive functions, while still being succinct.) If you're interested in reading more about each particular type, I'd definitely recommend the Personality Junkie website. They do an excellent job merging typical personality type descriptions with information about the cognitive functions. This is their page for INTJ.

Since you scored so low on N, it might also be worthwhile to look into ISTJ. Even ENTJ and ESTJ could be worth taking a look at. I know you said that you're an introvert, but a lot of people equate introversion with shyness or quietness, and extroversion vs. introversion really has more to do with where you get your energy. If you're an extrovert and you're drained, you'll seek being around other people to become re-energized, and if you're an introvert and you're drained, you'll need some time alone to recharge.

Good luck with learning all about the fascinating world of MBTI, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I was looking through meet-up groups to join and I came across this unexpectedly: http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Myers-Briggs/

Wow, that's so cool! I need to look for those in my area so I can find some more MBTI-crazy people. If you decide to go, let us know how it went!

(I got a little bit of a chuckle out of their little graphic on the personality types; "everything has room for improvement" is so my brother. )

In other news, I ran across an interesting feature on a website called Type Logic. If you click on an individual type and then scroll down to the bottom of the page, you'll see a section called "Type Relationships." You have to click on the link listed as "Type Relationships" to understand what each of the words mean. I thought it was a really interesting look at how the types interact with each other, and I thought the relationship spectrum for INFJ rang true for a lot of the relationships I have with other people that I've already typed.

I am starting a new job on monday but the meeting is just across the road so if I finish my shift in time I will walk over or if I am not dead from work. At least I know they hold the meetings at my university so I may go to the following one if I can't make this one. Also I hope they don't start asking me too much questions. When I go to such things I only like getting involved by my own choice.

Rose-Tree: thanks for the links! I like to be alone at the end of the day...

EDIT/UPDATE
I didn't think ISTJ fit me at all. It sounds more like my mother. I adapt pretty easily to climate, surroundings, and circumstances. I'm not a hypochondriac either. In religion and politics, I'm not that adaptable. But I'm still open to change, as long as it's biblical. I'm not gung-ho for man-made traditions.

ILoveFauns: I love math (algebra, trig) and the internet, but anyone with the most basic understanding of science can run circles around me! I only got an A in chemistry because it was math.

Rose-Tree: thanks for the links! I like to be alone at the end of the day...

No problem! It sounds like you're probably an introvert, then.

EDIT/UPDATE
I didn't think ISTJ fit me at all. It sounds more like my mother. I adapt pretty easily to climate, surroundings, and circumstances. I'm not a hypochondriac either. In religion and politics, I'm not that adaptable. But I'm still open to change, as long as it's biblical. I'm not gung-ho for man-made traditions.

Weeell, ISTJs aren't necessarily hypochondriacs; that article just says they might have a greater tendency towards that problem than most types. ISTJs also tend to be more conservative in areas that they care about and have history with, so that might fit religion and politics for you. That being said, I'm a big believer in the "aha!" moment—when someone reads a type description and feels like the person who wrote it must know them somehow. Since you feel like ISTJ really isn't a good fit, then it's probably not the right type for you.

Since you tested as INTJ and said that ENTP also sounded like a possibility, you might want to look into INTP. INTPs frequently test as INTJs, and they share every single function with ENTP; the top two (dominant and auxiliary) and lower two (tertiary and inferior) are just inverted.

If that doesn't seem like a good fit and you're interested in taking another quiz, give this cognitive functions quiz a try. (Make sure to pay attention to the instructions, though—I kept clicking the wrong thing when I first did it. ) It should give me a better idea of your cognitive function stack, and that will help with typing.

Christian: I got an A in chem because I understood the theory and could get most of the maths type questions right.

I remember always getting comments in my school reports. " She knows what she is talking about when she joins in but doesn't join in enough. Th other students would benefit more if she did"- See I only joined in when I knew I was right and due to being pessimistic this wasn't very often at all.

One of my classes last semester at university was terribly annoying. No one would ever say anything, so I had to blab on when ever they asked questions. That was really annoying. Hopefully this semester I don't have too many classes like that.