About your personality type

In Part 1 of the survey, you answered four questions from a much simplified version of the Myers-Briggs Test, which assumes sixteen different personality types, based on how you score along four different measurement scales. From the answers you gave in Part 1, your Myers-Briggs score is:

INTP

In the terminology of the test, these letters mean:

I = Introverted in how you most enjoy applying your efforts -- the opposite of E (Extroverted )
N = Intuitive in how you tend to process information -- the opposite of S (Sensing)
T = Thinking in how you approach decisions -- the opposite of F (Feeling)
P = Perceiving in how you usually prefer to organize your life -- the opposite of J (Judging)

A word of caution about your results -- and how to learn more:

 First, keep in mind that each of these terms (Extroversion, Introversion, Sensing, Intuitive, etc.) has a special definition in the context of the Myers-Briggs test, and doesn't necessarily mean what you would think based on their everyday usage. For example, Introverts in Myers-Briggs are not hermits by nature, and people who score as T (Thinking) personality types definitely do have feelings, and definitely use them to guide their decisionmaking.

Second, the version of the Myers-Briggs test that you just completed is much shorter (and less reliable) than the "official" test, which has many more questions, and can place you at different points on each scale. For example, some people score very strongly as N (Intuitive) types, while other N types score closer to the middle -- showing more traits in common with S (Sensing) types.

Finally, the Myers-Briggs test is just one of many personality tests that try to classify and explain what makes people different from each other. While each of these tests has its uses in the real world, no test gives a complete picture of what makes each of us unique.

That said, see the Links Section at the bottom of this page if you'd like to access a detailed description for your specific Myers-Briggs type.

An invitation

This survey is just the first part of a larger student research project into the possible connection between personality type and aesthetic preferences. In the coming months, I hope to create several hypothetical new product designs guided by the results of this survey.

Would you like to take part in the second round of this research? For example, you might be asked to rate how well you like a new telephone design specifically targetted at your Myers-Briggs type. If so, please send me your e-mail address by writing to me at this address: erich@erichstein.com.

A second invitation

I would be very interested to know what you thought of this survey. Specifically: - Did it seem too long?
- Am I asking the right questions? Additionally, if you don't mind sacrificing your anonymity, there are some questions that didn't fit into the survey -- but which I'd still like to ask anyone who takes the survey. If you have the time and the inclination, here are some of the questions I'd also like to ask:

- What are some specific products that you find beautiful and useful? Why?
- What activities in your life give you the most satisfaction?
- What is your favorite TV show? Who is your favorite author? Your favorite magazine? Musical artist?
- What products do you find frustrating to use?
- What products do you wish someone would invent?

If you'd like to contact me, I'm at: erich@erichstein.com.

Thank you again,

Erich Stein
Denver, Colorado
Monday, May 19, 2003

Links section

  • For a deeper look at your specific Myers-Briggs type, I recommend the following page, hosted by Team Technology, in Hoylake, England. For a list of types and their descriptions, click on Descriptions of the 16 Myers Briggs Types.

  • This same site has several excellent introductory articles about Myers-Briggs at Team Technology/MTR-i.

  • Click here for a Google search under the words Myers and Briggs.

  • One of the best books about the Myers-Briggs test is Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence by David Keirsey. Click on the following link to see the book on Amazon.com: Please Understand Me II.

  • I have also posted photos of some of my student design work to the Web. Take a look at Erich's Design Page.