Running head: YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
1
Personality Assignment
Abigail Dela Serna
Liberty University
YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
2
My personality result is ISTP. I have moderate preference of Introversion over Extraversion (31%),
marginal or no preference of Sensing over Intuition (1%), slight preference of Thinking over Feeling (6%),
moderate preference of Perceiving over Judging (50%). ISTPs are equally difficult to understand in their
need for personal space, which in turn has an impact on their relationships with others. They need to be
able to “spread out”-both physically and psychologically which generally implies encroaching to some
degree on others, especially if they decided that something of someone else’s is going to become their
next project. (They are generally quite comfortable, however, with being treated the same way they treat
others-at least in this respect.) But because they need a lot of flexibility to be as spontaneous as they feel
they must be, they tend to become as inflexible as the most rigid J when someone seems to be threating
their lifestyles (although they usually respond with a classic SP rage which is yet another vivid contrast to
their “dormant”, impassive, detached mode). These territorial considerations are usually critical in
relationships with ISTPs; communication also tends to be a key issue, since they generally express
themselves non-verbally. When they do verbalize, ISTPs are masters of the one-liner, often showing
flashes of humor in the tensest situations; this can result in their being seen as thick-skinned or tasteless.
Like most SPs, ISTPs may have trouble with rote and abstract classroom learning, which tend not to be
good measures of their actual intelligence. They tend, sometimes with good reason, to be highly
skeptical of its practical value, and often gravitate towards classes in industrial arts; part-time
vocational/technical programs can be useful to even the college-bound ISTPs. In terms of careers,
mechanics and any of the skilled trades are traditional choices, and those ISTPs with strong numerical as
well mechanical gifts tend to do extremely well in most areas of engineering. Working as paramedics or
firefighters can fulfill the ISTP need to live on the edge; they are at their best in crisis, where their natural
disregard for rules and authority structures allows them to focus on and tackle the emergency at hand in
the most effective way. ISTPs with more sedate careers usually take on high-risk avocations like racing,
YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
3
skydiving, and motorcycling. While aware of the dangers involved, they are so in touch with the physical
world that they know they can get away with such smaller safety margins than other types. Introverted
Thinking is thinking, the dominant function, generally keeps its opinion to itself. The inner world of
introverted thinkers resembles Plato’s rec room, where every untried idea runs the gauntlet of Truth. The
personal or political source of the alleged fact matters little to Thinking; each tenet must stand on its
own premises. Introverted thinkers focus their directive in on themselves and would like nothing better
than for others to do the same. Suffice it to say that ISTPs are by nature free spirits. Extraverted Sensing,
auxiliary sensing provides thinking with all manner of information about the physical world. ISTPs
possess heightened sensory awareness. And as other SPs, ISTPs are energized by responding to their
impulses. Sports appeal to many ISTPs for the sheer sensory experience. This combination of dominant
introverted thinking and auxiliary extraverted sensing results in no nonsense realism. The uncanny
troubleshooting ability which predisposes many ISTPs to hands-on diagnostics (especially with
machinery and computers) or detective work is most probably rooted in this pairing. Introverted
iNtuition maintains a low profile. ISTPs are prone to consult “gut feelings” that most probably arise from
this function unconsciously. As with other SP types ISTPs generally lack enthusiasm for theoretical and
philosophical issues, and less for the endless discussion in which the intuitive (especially NP) types so
frequently engage. Extraverted feeling the inferior (least) feeling function is extraverted and, when
operative, quite visible. As with all types, the inferior function is relatively simplistic and often operated
unconsciously in an all-or-nothing manner. When operative, Feeling’s sensitively and loyalty has the
potential for great benefit and utter peril. It would seem that ISTPs would do well to nourish and cherish
Feeling judgement, but to vigilantly supervise and protect it from predators and other catastrophes.
Based from my experience I believe the result of my personality test can help me understand my
strength and weaknesses. The more insight I have into how to operate, the easier it is to determine what
my best and worst traits are – something that a come in handy both personally and professionally. It can
YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
4
help upcoming students what to study in school. The character assessments can also help college
students as they navigate their area of study. The more you know what your personality aligns with, the
better idea you’ll have of what to major in when you go to school. Also, it feels good to know myself. The
more I know myself, the more I’m able to assert what I really need in my life, relationships or otherwise.
One of the biggest disadvantages of self-report inventories is that it is possible for people to engage
deception when answering questions. Even though techniques can be used to detect deception, people
can still successfully provide false answers often in an effort to “fake good” or appear more socially
acceptable and desirable. Another potential problem is that people are not always good at accurately
describing their own behavior. People tend to overestimate certain tendencies (especially ones that are
viewed as socially desirable) while underestimating other characteristics. This can have a serious impact
on accuracy of a personality test. However, projective tests also have a number of disadvantages and
limitations. The first problem lies in the interpretation of the responses. Scoring test items is highly
subjective and different raters might provide entirely different viewpoints of responses. According to the
Bible, we are all unique, because of two reasons. First, God created people. Second, all people have
different experiences and reactions to the world. The Bible states that humans were made in the Imago
Dei or image of God. God says in Genesis 1:26-27 that “Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness.” This idea is repeated in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 11:7 and James 3:9. God has many
faces or personalities. In the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, hundreds of words describe God, we are
offered images of a God who both gets angry at and yet loves his creations, God who reveals in creativity
and variation. Further, in the concept of the Christian trinity God has three faces or personalities: creator,
perfected human being, and spirit. All of this aligns with human beings, made in the image of God, as
having distinct personalities and having excellent value as individuals. In contrast to totalitarian
doctrines, where humans are a faceless mass, or utilitarian doctrines, where humans are regarded as
YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
5
useful objects or things, in the Biblical worldview, every human is a distinct personality, and every human
is infinitely precious, whether he or she has perceived “use value” or not.
YOUR HEADER IN ALL CAPS
6
References
Nevid, J. S. (2015). Essentials of psychology: Concepts and applications (custom package) (4th ed.).
Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
