This is my first post of many others where I hope to help people understand the ins and outs of Typology. Starting from beginners issues to the more advanced. Here’s what I believe is some sound advice to start you off.

1. Tests are a great gateway into the theory – but don’t always trust the results.

Even though the tests are more of an assessment, and there is no right or wrong answer, it’s still similar to taking a test in school and not planning for it before hand. This is why with some official testing, you will have someone who is MBTI certified walking you through it. Without knowing what the assessment is looking for with each question, you are very likely to mistype.

Not only that, but tests hold bias, even without trying they will use words that seem much more inviting than others. Maybe you’ll choose answers that are your ideal self, or the person that you’re expected to be.

That is why I always emphasize that people learn about the theory, before they assume the test will give the correct result.

2. Functions not dichotomies.

I have always found that the dichotomies are far too simple, and don’t explore Jung’s original theory to it’s full potential.

It may look daunting with the abbreviations and the amount of misinformation out there, but if you look at the right resources (make sure to read Jung’s Psychological Types) and listen and talk to the right people, you’ll get it in no time.

3. Don’t type yourself and others off personality profiles.

There are many a times I see and hear people read the ready available profiles online, or those in the MBTI books to justify their typing.

Although, I love to read them as well, they all have the sense of each could relate to anyone and everyone. They are pretty much ambiguous and horoscope like, in nature.

It may be because it’s not an exact science to begin with, but if you are going to reconfirm your typing, look at function profiles.

4. Don’t box off yourself and others.

Searching through forums, and such like I read them describing X type, and then saying then have met someone new who does and says similar things, so they must be that type too. They may be X type, and they may act that way, but that isn’t to say ALL people of that type will act that way.

You’d think that it would be pretty obvious thing not to assume, but you’d be surprised with the amount of times people type others and themselves this way. A person’s character does not equate their type, nor does that person’s character set how everyone of that type should act.

Type isn’t about character. It’s about thought process. What kind of thoughts that person puts the most energy into. Not how they act, or the persona that they carry.

Jungian functions are not that complex. Multiple factors go into why a person has certain characteristics.

5. Have fun.

Like I’ve said, it’s not an exact science. It’s not the answer to all life’s problems – you can place blame with it. Please don’t take it all so literally, and to heart and enjoy the discovery.