Sholf wrote:
It sounds like these correspondances would work in theory, but I believe that many people are very self conscious of their handwriting, and change it to fit the personality they want to put across to people. For example, all those little girls who like to write very round and neat, and dot their i's with hearts. Most adults are more subtle about it, but they pick up certain habits in childhood and it can be hard to change them later, and they may also try to be neater or more angular or scribblier to showcase how mature or intense or intelligent they are. My own handwriting I have changed over the years, from straight and angular, to looser and rounder, because I thought it looked too childish.
As for the veracity of the MBTI, I don't know. I consistently test as INTP, but that most likely has more to do with my self perception than who I really am -- afterall, every MBTI test is entirely about self perception. I also think personality is very situational. The overall tendencies are not very strong, unless they are reinforced by something medical, like a disorder. I'm a quiet person, but I often go to concerts and parties. Why? Because my drive for new experiences and knowledge overrides my introversion. But even when that drive is very strong, I can still get overwhelmed by these events and need to withdraw, or else I'll just start crying.
I do agree with you, I changed my handwriting to fit one of someone who was friendlier and more extraverted that I am for example. I've been talking with people and most of them said that they tried to mimmic other people's handwriting juts because they found it to be beautiful.
I also agree that MBTI is all about self perception. Many years ago, I would have pretend I was socially adapted (and that the others didn't see how normal and kind I was), that I empathied too much with people (though I didn't but I wouldn't admit it because I felt terrible for that), that I was warm and friendly and tolerant and non bossy... I am nowhere near that and have never been, but people tend to create the illusion of a better self so they won't have to face the truth about themselves and will be able to say "what is wrong with them" when the real question is "what is wrong with me".
Reading the description of many types, I think we can find characteristics that are exactly "us" while other won't fit, in almost any types. It's just like reading the characteristics of astrological signs though this one is based on psychology. Human beings are very complex and unique.
14 Aug 2010, 11:19 am
