"I don't know..."

de l'eau salée

I find myself saying "I don't know" a lot. I also say "I think so," "possibly," "maybe," and a myriad of other unsure words like that countless times on a daily basis. I hardly ever am definite in my answers...it can be a bit frustrating at times.
When I've taken personality tests and other similar surveys and such, I often honestly don't know how to answer them. Difficult, complex wording can easily intimidate and confuse me, and I am left pretty oblivious in how to respond.
What do you think the reason for this is? Is it related to the P function, or is it something completely different? Self-doubt? Fear of misleading? Lack of intelligence and comprehension, perhaps?

Thanks :]

Trope

I'd say it's I and P at the very least, perhaps even primarily IN*P.

Both types use a lot of qualifiers in their speech unless they're comfortable in a situation and are secure with their knowledge of a topic. . . or the person in question makes an concerted effort to un-learn this habit.

I myself edit out a lot of qualifiers and maybes when I'm posting here, and "I don't know" is my default response to any question I'm too distracted to think of an actual answer for. The truth is that I often do know the answer if I pause for a moment and often correct myself once I do, it's just much easier to fall into the trap of giving that or a similar non-answer responses since it's just enough to make someone stop asking.

slowriot

i personally do it when Im think or feel uncertainty about feeling or thoughts. Or when discussing general terms because those are only general terms and can never be specific or defined.

And other days I just say it because I dont feel like thinking about it or when Im ignorant and dont care. I sometimes also do it out insecurities when put in situation that are awkward to me. So I do it too and I do it alot.

Edit: As Trope say its probably a INxP thing. Most definately

de l'eau salée

Oh, okay thanks guys :) I'm "glad" I'm not the alone on this, then...haha.
I could easily see it being a primarily I__P issue. Do you think being confused easily correlates to it at all?

Trope

No, sorry. I'm not sure what that involves. I know INFJs need time to absorb new information into their resinous web of Ni before they are able to respond effectively. Perhaps it's related to Fi in your case. (?) We need more INFPs to respond.

de l'eau salée

Hmmmm, then. I couldn't really think of a certain function specifically causing this to be honest. I guess Fi might fit, though. I read that ISFPs get easily confused, so maybe it is an Fi thing. Fellow INFPs, care to help? Hehe

Sleepy

You sound like an ISFP

Surreal Breakfast

I do this too, I'll have to see if my ISFP sister is the same, since she's I_FP in common, or also my mothers' partner who is also ISFP.

I get annoyed at my ISFJ mother when she wants a quick answer from me, because I can't make my mind up fast like she can

TheHappyMinority

I get frustrated that when I'm leaving or going to do something i say "well, I might head off now." or "I might go grab some food." I've made the decision, why am I trying to skirt around it? Am I afraid of offending someone by being definite in my decisions?

mcgooglian

I don't know, maybe.