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How Personality Types Develop

66K views 156 replies 97 participants last post by  AndyBeanz 
#1 ·

From: How we Develop our Personality Types

An age-old question which most people have pondered at some point in their lives is "why are we the way we are"? Unfortunately, I can't clue you in on the answer to that question in a really authoritative way, but I can tell you about work that has been done to determine how people's Personality Types are developed.

The more recent studies done around Temperament suggest that we are each born with our temperaments intact. Efforts are being made to prove this.

W. Harold Grant did a lot of work with Jung's theories, and concluded that Jung believed that Personality Type has a developmental process which can be observed through an individual's life. The early phases of our lives help determine the dominance ordering of the four functions (Sensing, Intuition, Thinking and Feeling), and the development of our dominant and auxiliary functions. The later phases help us develop our tertiary and inferior functions.

Let's take a look at Grant's phases of development, using the INFJ Personality Type as an example:

From age 0 - 6 years
At this early age, we use all four of the functions in an indiscriminate fashion. We "try on" the different functions for size, determining which ones work best for us. The little INFJ has not yet emerged as any particular personality type, although his parents may notice trends in behavior which appear to have the characteristics of one or more types.

From 6 - 12 years
During this phase, our dominant function begins to develop and assert itself. Our young INFJ begins to appear dreamy and introspective - he begins to prefer to use his iNtuition to take in information, and he chooses to do this alone (Introverted). The dominant function of "Introverted iNtuition" begins to show itself as the prevailing aspect of his personality.

From 12 - 20 years
The auxiliary function asserts itself as a powerful support to the dominant function. Since all recent studies point towards the importance of a well-developed team of dominant AND auxiliary functions, this is an important time of "self-identification". Research suggests that people without a strong auxiliary function to complement their dominant function have real problems.

In our INFJ example, we see the auxiliary Feeling function come to the front during this phase as a support to the dominant iNtuitive function. Since the INFJ's dominant function is an Information Gathering function, the auxilary function must be a Decision Making one. Without a Decision Making process, we would flounder about and never get anything done! As the auxilary Feeling process comes forth, the INFJ begins to develop the ability to make decisions based on his personal value system. This auxiliary decision making process will be Extraverted, since the dominant function is Introverted. Since the decision making function is Extraverted, our subject now emerges as a "Judger", rather than a "Perceiver". Our INFJ Personality Type is now pretty firmly set in place, and we know the dominance ordering of the four functions.

From 20 - 35 years
We begin to use our tertiary function more frequently and with better success. Our INFJ begins to use his Introverted Thinking function. He continues to make judgments with his Extreverted Feeling auxiliary function, but he also begins to make judgments based on logic and reason, which he works through in his own mind, rather than discussing it with others.

From 35 - 50 years
We pay attention to our fourth, inferior function. We feel a need to develop it and use it more effectively. Our INFJ begins to use his Extraverted Sensing function. He becomes more aware of his surroundings and begins to take in information from others in a more literal, practical sense. He continues to rely on his dominant Introverted iNtuitive function to take in information, but he is more able to use his Extraverted Sensing function than he has been before in his life. Some researchers have attested that the appearance of our inferior functions at this phase of life may be responsible for what we commonly call the "mid-life crisis".

From 50 onwards
From this age until our deaths, we have accessibility to all four functions. However, we use them in a more disciplined, differentiated manner than when we were very young. Our basic Personality Type continues to assert itself, but we are able to call upon all four functions when needed.
 
#4 ·
you already have superpowers, i know i do also, you just don't consciously know how to us them yet ;)

And I become one with the universe?
you are already one with the universe, i can't difference where you end and where the next quantum begins (or where the next string vibrates to create a wave of possible parallel universes just in front of your nose.



And for both of you: what? you didn't notice? you thought it was Ni but it is actually just a strain of universal knowledge, i guess that's the frontier where superpowers and universal oneness gather for dinner :tongue:
 
#10 ·
Then you don't really matter....


"Let's take a look at Grant's phases of development, using the INFJ Personality Type as an example:"

I gather that the main principals described in "Grant's phases of development" are universal but expect the order in wich you develop your functions may be different?

I honestly dont know...
 
#16 ·
Post-humorous levity*
 
#18 ·
I speak a mixture of English and American English. I blame it on the Dr.Who.
 
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#20 ·
I don't know if I agree with that completely. From the ages of 6 to 12 I could not have been called an introvert or an intuitive. I just..wasn't. I was highly into technology (video games), I got into a lot of physical disagreements, I lived in the moment, I was spontaneous, loved the center of attention, highly practical, a team player, and a risk taker. So, I don't know what that would have made me, but I was definitely an extrovert. I think I began to slip more into the INFP mold until maybe around 7th grade, I would say. And then INFJ began to fit me two years ago at the age of 20.
 
#108 ·
When I was younger, I was definitely and extravert too. I think I was ENFJ but as time went on people sort of started rejecting me and made me more self conscience making me an introvert and start relying on different cognitive functions in the process. I guess the theory stated in the first post was mostly just a general way it happens without putting in the possibility of changes in personality.
 
#22 ·
I was an INFP right from the start. My first memory is about valuing a feeling, and my first words were an expression of the value of that feeling. As soon as I could draw, I preferred fantasy themes and characters, avoiding anything impersonal or anything that was a mere representation of something externally observed.

When I first learned to write, I immediately preferred writing in cursive and taught myself to do so because it symbolized the feeling of "flow," and I began thinking in terms of symbols that related to my internal states. As soon as I first learned that adults had to obey laws, pay taxes, go to work, etc, I cried because my P rejected it as something unnatural. My favorite activities were always imaginative things that I could do by myself, and my very first group experiences in preschool were uncomfortable.

I always concerned myself with issues of good and evil instead of just being attentive to what was "allowed" and "not allowed," and had my own internalized value structure even as early as four years old, when I first felt the presence of my conscience after stealing a cat-shaped pin from a cousin. I felt sick over it to the point of crying until I nearly vomited, and begged the nearest adult to take me over to return it the next morning. I knew instinctively that not all of the rules I was told were valid, and that not everything that was actually evil was forbidden by those rules. I immediately began to analyze which things were wrong and what it was, specifically, that made them wrong until I ended up with a working value hierarchy.

My little brother, on the other hand, grew into a full expression of his type somewhere around high school. His extraversion was always evident. His intuitive tendencies showed up distinctly around the tenth grade. His feeling preference became clear in middle school. His perceiving preference was first evident in middle school, but has never been very strong. Before that time, his preferences were somewhat muddled and uncertain, although his sense of humor was a constant from the very start.
 
#24 ·
I was an INFP right from the start. My first memory is about valuing a feeling, and my first words were an expression of the value of that feeling. As soon as I could draw, I preferred fantasy themes and characters, avoiding anything impersonal or anything that was a mere representation of something externally observed.
That's indeed Fi as a child; remember as children we all love fantasy.

When I first learned to write, I immediately preferred writing in cursive and taught myself to do so because it symbolized the feeling of "flow," and I began thinking in terms of symbols that related to my internal states.
That's a combination of Ne and Se.

As soon as I first learned that adults had to obey laws, pay taxes, go to work, etc, I cried because my P rejected it as something unnatural. My favorite activities were always imaginative things that I could do by myself, and my very first group experiences in preschool were uncomfortable.
That's actually also an Fi trait, being able to understand individuality and revel against impersonal rules and reality.

I always concerned myself with issues of good and evil instead of just being attentive to what was "allowed" and "not allowed," and had my own internalized value structure even as early as four years old, when I first felt the presence of my conscience after stealing a cat-shaped pin from a cousin. I felt sick over it to the point of crying until I nearly vomited, and begged the nearest adult to take me over to return it the next morning. I knew instinctively that not all of the rules I was told were valid, and that not everything that was actually evil was forbidden by those rules. I immediately began to analyze which things were wrong and what it was, specifically, that made them wrong until I ended up with a working value hierarchy.
Developing Fi.
...

You see, your actual development is not about I, N, F and P, but: Fi, Ne, Si, Te.

When did you start to develop your Si?? and what about your Te???
I can see from what you wrote that Ne trait was preferred over Se, but not as much is really expressed about it. In fact most people prefer cursive writing because of it's aesthetic beauty, a representation of the way the character feels or thinks, this is Se, not Ne...
 
#23 ·
Hm, I'm not sure if my personality type has changed over the years. I wanna say I've always been an INFP, and I might have just matured by N as I got older.



As a young kid, I was extremely shy and sensitive. I never felt like I fit in as a kid because I was so quiet. People were afraid to say anything to me in fear of me crying. I hated the idea that they treated me differently. I wanted to be a normal kid, I wanted to fit in. But I didn't. I was horrible at sports, and my brother totally outshined me. He joined sports teams and excelled in them, and I was stubborn in not joining them. I was embarrassed by how bad I was. I got seriously into drawing as a kid, because it was the only thing I was able to do a "good" job. My brother was also a much better artist than me, he was better at me than everything come to think of it. He seemed to be good at everything, and I was worse than him at everything. My dad told me that my mom was worried for me and how I'd end up.

As I got a little older, I got really into video games. I finally found another thing I was decent at, and I liked the feeling of finally excelling at something and the idea of escaping from reality.

Around the fifth grade or so, my dad wanted to do something about my shyness. I was too ashamed to go to anything to get help for it, while my brother, who was also shy, immediately perked up at the idea of becoming less shy. Of course I wanted to become less shy, but I was too ashamed, and I wanted to do it on my own. That was around the time I wanted to completely change myself. I hated being a misfit in every aspect.

I joined the basketball team for four years, and while I didn't honestly enjoy the sport, I liked the idea of finally fitting in with others for once. I became a considerable amount more outgoing, and I liked the feeling of that too.

Things stayed the same throughout middle school, but I got even more involved with video games. I hated the idea of myself playing them, but I continued to play them because, like I stated earlier, I was decent at them, and I felt good actually accomplishing something.

In my freshman year in high school, I thought it was going to be horrible. I came from a private school and went into a public high school. I was excited but nervous at the same time. Surprisingly, I enjoyed most of it. I got my first girlfriend halfway through the year, and started to develop some pretty good friendships with people.

My sophomore year was great. I found my two people I could actually call my 'best friends.' I hung out with them every day, and life was great. I got my second girlfriend, and things didn't quite work out, but I was fine with that. At the end of the year though, one of my best friends moved away, and things started to go downhill from there.

Around the beginning of my junior year, my other 'best friend' changed drastically. She suddenly "hated everything about me" one day, and we still don't talk to each other, for reasons I still don't know. It took a big toll on me, and I think after that I started to regress into my "old ways." I turned back to video games, which I so happily had out of my life for a couple years, and I became less social. I still had friends, but I had nobody to hang out with anymore. I just went home and played video games. I felt like I had some great friends online, and it was a way me and my best friend who moved away could keep in touch.

Around halfway through junior year, my best friend and I kinda lost touch. I stopped playing video games, and I figured I'd give the social aspect of high school another try. I found another 'best friend,' although I think I was only reluctant to find someone who could talk to me about anything. I felt like I was appreciated. However, he started to change into everything I wasn't, and I felt more and more distanced from him. We barely hung out anymore, and I barely hung out with anyone at the point.
This year, my last year of high school, has probably been the best and the worst. It has been the best because I feel like I have truly discovered who I am and what I want in life. It has been the worst because I feel like I'm reliving elementary school all over again. I feel like I only have acquaintances, not friends. I have been so eager to find someone, and it is hard because I have such high ideals. I am eager to get away from San Diego and 'start a new life' where I can be happy again.



Anyways, that is my life story. Wow that was long. I don't know why I typed all that, I really don't think it was needed. Oh well though, lol.
 
#25 ·
Since I started investigating the Jungian Types, I have watched my son, who is six at present and wondered if I see any of those functions at work in him. I'm not so good at picking up on them, and I honestly think it's difficult for me to do this b/c I am so biased on how he is anyway. (He's not an angel, but dang he is awfully close...)

I will say this: he is very outgoing and he never meets another child without formally introducing himself (name and all that) and follows up quickly with, 'Do you wanna be my friend?'. (That is so adorable to me...gosh if only adults made it that simple...) He is also incredibly observant, to the point where it scares me sometimes what he sees that I find out about way after the fact. He will bring up things that happened when he was 2 years old and relive them in vivid detail and I often find myself going, 'Do you really remember all that?' (He recalls breaking up an arguement bt. his father and me when he was still in diapers...he remembers having the diaper on and pushing himself between us, physically...) :crying: I hate that he recalls that.

The trait that he exhibits that really makes me smile though is his very grown-up sense of humor. The kid cracks me up. I have told him on more than one occasion he is one of the funniest people I've ever met. And when I say that I am truly sincere. He is very observant, very keen on making good judgements of people and situations and stating them plainly. He is verbal, and open about his feelings and he loves to be around other people, especially other children, though he gravitates toward children who are 2-3 years older than he is. He doesn't care to hang with kids his own age, and younger kids drive him crazy. He has no patience for them whatsoever. He loves music. Especially what I call "angry music". (He is an AC/DC fiend!!!) His father nor I know where this comes from as this is not anything we would normally listen to...he is very good at expressing himself with words...spoken words. I love to hear him tell stories. They are vivid and engaging.

I could go on and on, but I won't because I don't want you shorting out your keyboards as you drool on them from falling asleep. I will have to sit down and analyze what I'm seeing develop in him. I'm sure I will follow this until he is older and hopefully it will help me relate to him in later years.

I suspect he is ESFP, but I'm not sure that's a judgement I should make at this point.
 
#33 · (Edited)
I must say, from your description your boy seems like an ESFJ. I am Jungian to the fullest extent, and I do believe that the archetypes are inborn. I think that considerations have to be taken that the development of these traits are as seen by the outside observer. Which means it would seem correct to assume that the extrovert's traits would emerge at a faster pace. I also would like to point out that two of the temperaments are more associated with the J/P function (sensing types) and therefore it also seems justified to assume that their decision making function(T/F), if it is to be the auxiliary function, would develop faster than that of the intuitive types. This of course, again, is assuming that Jung was right in postulating that a human's general mode of behavior is inborn.

As for the order in which the functions develop I think we must all agree with Mr. Grant. If, by mapping out the ages in which each function develops, he meant that each personalty type's functions emerge at the same rate, then I think we must all disagree.
 
#89 · (Edited)
The ability to recall experiences and details in a very Si trait...
But what if those experiences are remembered due to the heavily emotional content?

I've only just started reading into these things in earnest recently, but I myself have a few diaper-age memories that are all strongly connected to the emotions surrounding the event (like the two year old breaking up a fight between his parents, which seems strictly Fe) or in my case trying desperately to escape from my mom because it was time to leave and I didn't want to but couldn't quite walk yet... hmmm though I also remember distinctly the feeling of long grass tickling my belly while trying to crawl away... but mostly the being frustrated because I couldn't walk yet and kept trying and falling and finally crawling away on hands and feet.
 
#27 ·
That's ironic, given that I am ISFJ/P. He is, however, definitely E. He is not an introvert by any stretch of the imagination, although he does do well on his own, he hates not having a counterpart to bounce things off of and interact with. I hear about it all the time...he asked me for a brother for Christmas...as though I could just make one appear. He is a people person. I think if he did not have schoolmates he would be miserable. He just does not enjoy not socializing ( I could go for days with no interaction and it would never phase me.)
 
#29 ·
According to this he came in as ESP (they don't assign T/F functions until 13, when one of those is established). I am not surprised by this at all. I read the ESFP definition here and chuckled to myself. There is a great deal of my boy in that description. We'll see...very interesting, thank you MA...
 
#32 ·
According to this he came in as ESP (they don't assign T/F functions until 13, when one of those is established). I am not surprised by this at all. I read the ESFP definition here and chuckled to myself. There is a great deal of my boy in that description. We'll see...very interesting, thank you MA...
I would like to push the idea/hope of an ESTP. They are almost as awesome as ENTPS and have a kind of independance and freedom that is admirable. besides he seems to have some kind of T function to be understanding humor at such an adult level.
 
#30 ·
hmmm,

dont know accuratly how myself was in younger years.. but in some way it was quite similar to your story Silhouetree..

but I dont know if I started to be introverted on my own, or I just became, couse of the circumstances in my life..

Ah, and i rly put more energy into personality developing the last few years than all my lifetime before. (think I started later than the common, ...mhm I think i was a bit tardy in every way ;))
 
#34 ·
I believe our personality types are changing a little every day.

The mind is constantly changing to adapt to its environment. The only reason you are who you are today is through the vast amount of experiences that youv endured since you were born.

Its all a matter of what you have most been exposed to.

For example E & I,

Eism & Iism are simply on sliding scales. Introverts believe they need to be alone because they aren't as accustomed to social interactions as extroverts are. Extroverts simply had the early experience of learning with social interactions at an early age, or a later one if you choose to exercise such an aspect of your life.

I had class on developmental psychology last semester, im gonna go over my notes and get back to this, because we did go over how twins seperated at birth differed from twins that lived together and what not. Im pretty sure that it was the environment which they grew up in that played a much bigger role in how they turned out...

ill get back to you all on this... scuze me for the half assed post
 
#35 ·
Eism & Iism are simply on sliding scales. Introverts believe they need to be alone because they aren't as accustomed to social interactions as extroverts are. Extroverts simply had the early experience of learning with social interactions at an early age, or a later one if you choose to exercise such an aspect of your life.
I know you haven't finished your entire post, but I just had to say this...

As an Introvert myself I don't 'believe' that I 'need' to be alone. I like being alone and appreciate just being myself and doing my own thing. I admit that as a child I was pretty shy, but I still was involved with schoolmates and social activities at a young age. But even when I was younger I still felt literally drained after having played with some other people for awhile. If I was an Extrovert than I would get increased energy from social interaction and would definitely enjoy it more, but I don't and I'm no extrovert. So in short: I disagree with you on that.
 
#41 ·
A joke post that explains how early in your life, you get your type.
First encounter: Positive outcome=E. Negative outcome =I.
First questions you are asked: concrete=S. Abstract =N.
First problem you witnessed. If it was resolved by logic, then T. If it was resolved by emotion, then F.
First environment. If chaotic, then P, if ordered, then J.
 
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