ISTJ (Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judging). ENFP (Extroversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving). People may define themselves by these letters, but what do they mean?
The Myers-Briggs type indicator sorts people into different groups based on different personality traits. The biggest and most talked-about category is the first letter: E or I. Introversion vs. Extroversion.
At the core of it, considering yourself to be an introvert or an extrovert really depends on how much you want to interact with others and how much time you really spend looking inside yourself. But there are so many stereotypes regarding both. Introverts are boring and anti-social. Extroverts aren’t serious enough. All they want to do is party. Extroverts have more fun in college, but introverts get better grades.
Honestly, maybe there is some truth in the stereotypes, but they’re not something to define a person on. Just because someone prefers to stay in with a few friends doesn’t mean they’re not having fun and really enjoying their college experience. Just because someone might know more people doesn’t mean they’re not spending any time alone or aren’t focusing on their schoolwork.
It really depends on the particular person. Everyone is different, no matter if they’re an introvert or an extrovert.
I’m an ESFJ (Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging) on the Myers-Briggs scale, which means I’m an extrovert. But I’m not a walking stereotype. Sure, I’m usually pretty comfortable in big groups. I like going out to concerts and hockey games and I like meeting new people. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel awkward when I don’t really know anyone. That doesn’t mean I’m entirely comfortable just walking up to someone and saying “hi.” And it definitely doesn’t mean I don’t like to be alone sometimes. (Honestly, I’m kind of known for taking walks into Wayne by myself because it gives me time to think).
And I’m definitely dedicated to my schoolwork. It just means that if I really want to focus, I should be alone because if I’m with people, I want to talk to them.
People are too versatile to have their entire personalities defined by two categories. Everyone is different. They do different things and have different personalities: introvert, extrovert or otherwise.
