All right, well, I've been lurking on and off for the last week or so, and while I'm liking the site, I'm still wondering what my type is. I used to be pretty sure I was TeNi - and by pretty sure, I mean close to 100% sure -, but I'm now starting to wonder if I'm actually some other (Se/Ni valuing) type. Most likely I'll get someone to videotape me in a candid conversation pretty soon (no uploads though, sorry guys ), but in the meantime, has anyone found any solid self-typing methods that... you know... work?
To give you a Te-kind of brief and blunt answer: No. In CT, introspection is usually messing up more than clearing the water. Not always, though, as sometimes people's visually read type or at least quadra is the same they expected by the description of the functions.
Maybe "extrospection" of oneself might work, but problem is that we don't really see our own facial expressions. Some people are more talented in reading their own physical expression, but in general it is difficult to assess oneself, especially without long enough and varying video recordings.
I can give you an imaginative advice (i never did that): let your beard grow a bit (i see you are a male, so...) and choose some dress you would never think to wear. And make a video just like if you wanted to post it publicly. Then shave your face, and wear your usual clothes, and watch it. I think it would probably trick the perception you have of yourself, because if you watch a video in wich you are just like now you can recognize your gestures too easily.
To give you a Te-kind of brief and blunt answer: No. In CT, introspection is usually messing up more than clearing the water. Not always, though, as sometimes people's visually read type or at least quadra is the same they expected by the description of the functions.
Maybe "extrospection" of oneself might work, but problem is that we don't really see our own facial expressions. Some people are more talented in reading their own physical expression, but in general it is difficult to assess oneself, especially without long enough and varying video recordings.
Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of "extrospection" rather than introspection; I've already proven that I can convince myself I'm any type under the sun, so introspection is no good for this (especially since CT is an objective, body language based typing system). So far, what I've thought to do is get my mom to videotape me on her cellphone tomorrow, but I'd honestly rather find a good "extrospective" way of typing myself that didn't require anyone else. Know anything I might be able to steal off you?
I can give you an imaginative advice (i never did that): let your beard grow a bit (i see you are a male, so...) and choose some dress you would never think to wear. And make a video just like if you wanted to post it publicly. Then shave your face, and wear your usual clothes, and watch it. I think it would probably trick the perception you have of yourself, because if you watch a video in wich you are just like now you can recognize your gestures too easily.
Hah! That's actually a pretty good idea. I'm just ridiculously impatient (and I just got my beard trimmed today), so idk if I'd be willing to wait that long.
You can study hard by reading all material on this site and develop your visual reading skills. It's great fun, although not an easy task! And still, it's "safer" to have several readers make the conclusion.
You can also send a private visual reading request (information found in CT main page) so that your video will be seen only by the visual reading team. The queue for official reading is growing longer, but I believe you'd get an answer at some point.
Post by ayoungspirit on Jul 19, 2013 7:33:19 GMT -5
MsLajlaa : To give you a Te-kind of brief and blunt answer: No. In CT, introspection is usually messing up more than clearing the water. Not always, though, as sometimes people's visually read type or at least quadra is the same they expected by the description of the functions.
mystery : introspection (or extrospection for that matter) still is one of the most useful tool in my opinion. However, it must be given some time to properly assimilate the concepts of CT (even if they are not all theoretically established at the moment) and be channeled by intellectual honesty. Someone like Heron here has defended from his own experience that he was NeTi more than TiNe, and even preliminary to the official typing, it has proven to be quite plausible. I also know that peppergirl has some doubt about hers and still think of FiNe against NeFi. I am myself pretty sure of my quadra but less sure of my lead, and I have raised on my own some elements, perhaps only nuances to my type, that would have otherwise gone under the radar. Even if some of it is wrongly interpreted at the start, in some way, it can prove beneficial.
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2013 12:08:10 GMT -5 by ayoungspirit
I think to a certain extent on who you are. I can convince myself I fit nearly any type, not because I doubt the fundamental nature of my conscience, but because I can view it through many lenses. I can easily interpret the same behavior as a composite as Fi and Ne or Fe and Ti (heck, I nearly convinced myself I had Ni at one point before joining this site), so for me, it's a bad method. I just get confused and end up thinking myself in circles. And I agree that it's hard to watch and analyze my own body language. I'm sure for some people it's possible to come up with their own self-type, but it's best to proceed with caution, as we all have our biases, including ones we're not proud of and would prefer not to acknowledge. Good luck, however, on your efforts. We're hear if you need and we don't bite (I promise ). Only you know what's best for you.
ayoungspirit: Yeah, I guess it also has to do with one's personal(ity) interests whether introspection, extrospection or completely outsourced analysis (=experts' opinion) is a preferred method for finding one's type. However, I tend to think that within CT, which is based on assessment of one's outward expression, it is best to start with the outsourced method (including forgetting presumptions of one's type), and only after that start a first-person analysis, whether intro- or extrospected, following with comparison of results. That's the "CT for dummies" method, which I personally much liked, especially because it helped in dropping the fixations concerning functions/hierarchy I believed I had. But I'm a simple woman and do recognize that it doesn't work that way for everyone.
Another thing is that I don't understand how we could introspect our functions properly, as we don't know exactly how certain functions affect our behavior (thinking counted). In other words, I don't know how I could track functions in my thought processes or behavior without speculation (which I do a lot, of course ), because CT doesn't yet offer empirically approved outlines for function-based behavioral tendencies. Or not that I know. Maybe if I had an EEG machine of my own, I could check what areas of cortex I use and how, and compare those to e.g. Nardi's research. Extrospection (looking at one's expression) has no problems in this regard, because it is just double-checking the visual reading.
I was certain I have high use of Ne and Fe, because I interpreted some behavior of mine as representing those functions. In a different kind of typology system, I would have ended up as an ENTP, INTP, ENFJ or INFJ (I did actually) based on my function preferences, but in CT I don't, because those functions do not, unfortunately, show up in my expression. I accept that within CT context, and I'm kind of curious to see, how my behavioral tendencies will look like in comparison to other people of my type.
To speculate a little , it might be that my high Te strongly favors external, objective analysis over subjective, internal one. I also like authority based assessments, even to the degree of trusting them too much. I have a possibility of being my polar type, but I'm too relieved for having an almost consensus for TeNi that I don't want to question that result yet. I might do that later, though, and I understand well that for some people finding a CT type is not that easy.
Post by ayoungspirit on Jul 19, 2013 12:50:03 GMT -5
Another thing is that I don't understand how we could introspect our functions properly, as we don't know exactly how certain functions affect our behavior (thinking counted). In other words, I don't know how I could track functions in my thought processes or behavior without speculation (which I do a lot, of course ), because CT doesn't yet offer empirically approved outlines for function-based behavioral tendencies.
You sassy Te-ones and your empirically approved ways... how where you doing anything in life before science ?
I think you are mostly right, even if I would be to defend more indirect ways to determine one's type as more complete introspective journeys. Perhaps because I rely on Ti, I like the idea of identifying by oneself one's personal functions as well as inside and outside manifestations, even if it means making mistakes and progressive adjustments in process. Some would survive the trial of indecisiveness for a few weeks and end up with better understood nuances and differences. Error can sometimes be a enriching experience. But, this is me and my chaotic approach to problems, I guess the individual will decide himself depending of his preferences, and visual cues offers a strong concrete way to anchor them in reality.
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2013 13:40:12 GMT -5 by ayoungspirit
Well, I just watched a video recording of myself, and I'd have to rule out Te/Fi; I seem to be an Fe/Ti user (Hah, looks like we switched, @a!). From what I can tell from the cues I picked up, I'm one of the extraverted Beta types; I'm leaning mostly toward FeNi, but any tips on telling the two apart?
EDIT: Since the forum doesn't want to let me tag you, I'll just hit you with a random quote:
I think to a certain extent on who you are. I can convince myself I fit nearly any type, not because I doubt the fundamental nature of my conscience, but because I can view it through many lenses. I can easily interpret the same behavior as a composite as Fi and Ne or Fe and Ti (heck, I nearly convinced myself I had Ni at one point before joining this site), so for me, it's a bad method. I just get confused and end up thinking myself in circles. And I agree that it's hard to watch and analyze my own body language. I'm sure for some people it's possible to come up with their own self-type, but it's best to proceed with caution, as we all have our biases, including ones we're not proud of and would prefer not to acknowledge. Good luck, however, on your efforts. We're hear if you need and we don't bite (I promise ). Only you know what's best for you.
Last Edit: Jul 19, 2013 18:54:06 GMT -5 by mystery
Post by ayoungspirit on Jul 19, 2013 19:25:29 GMT -5
mystery : Well, I just watched a video recording of myself, and I'd have to rule out Te/Fi; I seem to be an Fe/Ti user (Hah, looks like we switched, @a!). From what I can tell from the cues I picked up, I'm one of the extraverted Beta types; I'm leaning mostly toward FeNi, but any tips on telling the two apart?
Don't worry, Ti does a good job too. I believe that it has been often said on the forum that to differentiate a Je lead with high Pe or a Pe lead with high Je, the best way is to see which one overflow the other. A FeNi could have a lot of energy, but it will be for the most part be contained under his crafted articulation, while a SeTi will have more random momentum, vibrating, and his gesticulation will not be that graceful and precise. It will be as if it is difficult for him to stay in one place, especially at high energy levels. Check the Larin Series to see more of that I guess.
Also, on a psychological level, Se lead will crave more sensation stimulation, whatever the format, and Fe lead will be more invested in external moral dilemma, whether it would be in a positive or in a negative way. Check the function description, it might take some time for it to click
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2013 14:03:38 GMT -5 by ayoungspirit
Don't worry, Ti does a good job too . I believe that it has been often said on the forum that to differentiate a Je lead with high Pe or a Pe lead with high Je, the best way is to see which one overflow the other. A FeNi could have a lot of energy, but it will be for the most part be contained under his crafted articulation, while a SeTi will have more random momentum, vibrating, and his gesticulation will not be that graceful and precise. It will be as if it is difficult for him to stay in one place, especially at high energy levels. Check the Larin Series to see more of that I guess.
Also, on a psychological level, Se lead will crave more sensation stimulation and Fe lead will be more invested in external moral dilemma, whether it would be in a positive or in a negative way. Check the function description, it might take some time for it to click
Yeah, I'd have to say FeNi based on that (although I'm not invested in external moral dilemmas so much as I'm invested in the emotional subtext of my environment); I'd known to look for solid, deliberate articulation and a more rigid body frame/posture as a sign of Je dominance, but I do have a somewhat relaxed way of sitting... although I don't shift my position or get filled with energy in the way I've noticed Pe doms do. So yeah, FeNi would be the most logical answer based on what I know about VR.