|
||||||||||
|
Subscribe to the Absolute Write Newsletter and get the Agents! Agents! Agents! report free! Click here.
|
Win a 1-year subscription to Writer's Digest by subscribing to Absolute Markets-- all paying markets for your writing. Click here. |
|
| |||||||||||||
|
|
How Knowing Your Psychological Type Can Help You Write Better Developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Briggs in the 1950s, the indicator became popular in 1970s. Their work grew out of Carl Jung's important studies in psychology. Lest the word psychology scare you, the indicator was developed to reveal styles or patterns of information processing and how people are aware of the world. As a result, the test itself has no right or wrong answers, merely preferences in given situations. This is a far cry from revelations of deep emotional needs. The processing and awareness styles have eight basic characteristics when combined make up sixteen personality types. These characteristics can range from slightly clear to very clear. Even though a person can be clear on a particular characteristic, this does not preclude that person having a measure of the opposite. In combinations, these characteristics express a profile of how we function. Because human beings are complex realities, the MBTI® can help find the gold in that complexity. Surprisingly, riches are to be found in the undeveloped or underdeveloped characteristics. The trick is discovering the vocabulary to express what most people already know about themselves. Thus words-- our most precious gift-- can be the invitation to a great adventure in self-discovery. What exactly are these characteristics? First, the MBTI® reveals there are two basic ways of dealing with the world. This is extraversion and introversion. Second, there are two ways of seeing-- the sensing and intuitive. Third, there are two ways of decision making-- feeling and thinking. Finally, there are two ways of processing information-- perceiving and judging. Uh-oh, I bet some reader just sent up a red flag. Judging in MBTI® terms refers to tasks or jobs rather than someone having a judgmental attitude. So if you clearly score in this area, you are more comfortable with completing a job or meeting a deadline rather than being open-ended with your time. Extraversion is more than being the life of the party. The extravert needs to talk in order to think while the introvert needs think in order to talk. I remember reading E. M. Forester's line with a similar theme: "How can I know what I think until I see what I say?" Extraversion and introversion also have different focusing abilities. Thus, simple interruptions are usually ignored by the former or treated as intrusions by the latter. Sensing types prefer the here and now. They are the ones who are aware of textures, colors-- the details. "Some people score so clearly," one counselor kidded, "they know how many tiles there are in the ceiling." While noting details, sensates also enjoy a sense of precision. Intuitives, on the other hand, are aware of the whole picture rather than the details and tend to ignore details and precision. People who make decisions with the heart are the feelers. They may say they just "went with their gut." Because feelers tend to be aware of their own emotions, they often are aware of others as well. When the head or logic rules in decision-making, the person is a thinker. Often thinkers will hurt other's feelings not out of spite, but because they are not tuned into feelings in general. Last, as mentioned earlier, those who worry about deadlines and a sense of order have a preference for judging. Perceivers ask, "There was a deadline?" Perceivers are also famous for starting more projects than they can finish. Even though the above are extremely simplified descriptions of the mystery of personality, they do express the important features of who we are. The question could be raised here-- "If personalities are so complicated, why use precious writing time to learn something so complex?" The truism remains-- the more I know about myself the better writer I can become. Most writers invest in something; be it a computer, a subscription to a magazine, a typewriter, maybe even a writer's conference. In the writing world as in business, one of the rules for profit is investment, that is, you reap what you sow. You can also learn to be a better writer in learning how to listen to others in a new way. Thus the listener can become more sensitive to a whole range of words, feeling, action, as well as textures. You may be surprised to learn even though "I feel..." is said often, feeling words are hard to come by, as many people are terrified to share the dark emotions such as anger or sadness. This, in turn, can shape a writer's fiction or even poetry. In addition, personality information can help hone interview skills. Perhaps a story would help illustrate my point. A writer friend who is also a school librarian mentioned once, "I wondered why I would hibernate for the first couple of days of the school break." (She is in a year round school.) "Then it occurred to me-- since I am a borderline extravert/introvert, I need to honor my introversion for a time. I am so extraverted in my dealings with the students-- no wonder I feel burnt out as a result. My brain is always switched to 'on.'" I often tease her about her borderline status, but I also envy her ability to work out of either world when she needs to. When I told her I was writing this article, she commented, "I know how lucky I am to have that much time to renew. Most people don't have the schedule I have. However, had I not learned about my personality type and become aware of my need to pull into myself, I know my writing would be so much less." Thus making time to learn about one's personality style can be enriching. This is especially true when one sharpens one's underdeveloped skills. I have discovered that writing is more than just talent; it is a package of skills as well. For example, if I am a strong perceiver and don't learn to sweat the details, how valuable is my talent? Or if I fail to use logic, my prose will be a mere smattering of paragraphs strung along like a kid sister. Wonderful, but how does one do all of the above, as most writers' income give new meaning to the term "tight budget"? There are a number of places you can get the test administered, even for free. However, there might be a nominal fee, as individual tests have to be purchased. The psychology department at a local college or university would be a good place to start. Graduate and post-graduate students often need volunteers for their training in test-giving or for thesis research. College and high school counselors can also be helpful, as they are also trained in testing. Many of these people would be thrilled if they were approached by an outside writer. Many professors often have private practices with interns who might need volunteers for their own accreditation. Another avenue is to check out local ministers. Be prepared-- they might not have the time for an in-depth evaluation but they might know someone who would. That someone could be in their own congregation. You can also consult the local library or bookstores for possible materials. However, the feedback from a trained professional does have definite advantages. What can you then reasonably expect from those definite advantages? The most important expectation is someone qualified to administer the test and give adequate feedback. The second is what version of the test to take. Presently there are two forms-- one with ninety-four items and the longer form of one hundred and twenty six items. A more advanced form (Step III) can be used. This form can provide "a more comprehensive, in-depth look." In other words, how much does the individual want to know at the very beginning? Having too much information to process can be as difficult as having too little. Being direct with the person who administers the test is important. He or she may have a standard time cut-off limit. If not and the person is willing to do a follow up, you can request another appointment. A word of caution is in order concerning developing one's opposite. In the beginning it can be difficult. You may feel inept and even clumsy. The secret in mastering any skill is practice. Most people didn't give up learning to drive a car after the first driving lesson. Since the computer business is booming, most people probably haven't given up on learning about that mystery either. Both skills required a great deal of trial and error, otherwise known as practice and patience. It is possible that after the test, the results might not seem to fit. One resource I checked said the indicator would be accurate about 80-85 percent of the time. Take another look. Often test results reflect one's environment. You may be more comfortable as a perceiver. However, if you have needed to master certain skills for your job-- meeting deadlines for example-- you could score on the judging aspect. Also, it is a good idea not to take the test if you are under a great deal of stress, as that would help draw an inaccurate picture. If results don't seem to be on target, give the test some time and space. Just as in writing, you might need to put away the results and return to material a few days later. It is also helpful to know that as people age, many move toward their opposite as a normal part of their growth. So it wouldn't be surprising if someone took the test more than once in his or her lifetime and the results would be different. In conclusion, perhaps Shakespeare could sum up the need for self -awareness when he wrote, "We, ignorant of ourselves,/Beg often our own harms." As writers we are blessed with both the mystery of ourselves as human beings and mystery of the power of words. So we end where we began-- writer: "Know thyself." There is always a payoff when
one invests in oneself, for writing is indeed a package deal. Links to learn more about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html http://www.discoveryourpersonality.com/ http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
|
Sponsored links 
Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer! How to find a book publisher |
Text on this site Copyright © 1998-2007
Absolute Write, all rights reserved.
|
