ext_3712 ([identity profile] alethialia.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] epiphanies 2011-08-07 11:42 pm (UTC)

Heh. I actually disagree quite strongly with the notion of Nate as The Protector (INFJ).

Interesting notion to look at characters in terms of Myers-Briggs. I love Myers-Briggs, personally. Have taken it several times. Think I have the book with the full test around here somewhere. But can I ask why you didn't use the personality descriptions from the Myers-Briggs website (http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp)? They're more complete and actually give a little bit more dimension (which is likely why I found myself questioning some of the categorizations above).

Generally speaking, I expected these categorizations to skew more heavily toward the STs, especially for the guys in the military for the long-haul. As the M-B website notes (http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/understanding-mbti-type-dynamics/function-pairs.asp), STs are often found in business, management, banking, applied sciences, construction, production, police, and the military.

But back to Nate and why I don't think he's an INFJ. From the M-B site: Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. We KNOW he's a bad judge of character and unintuitive about people. Plus, even going by the description you used above, I don't think he's particularly concerned with feelings. He had to be, to a certain extent, because of his role as Daddy to the enlisted guys, but that's a structural requirement, not necessarily due to his personality. He certainly wasn't concerned with people's feelings if they crossed him. I think of him as more in line with The Duty Fulfiller (ISTJ) or The Scientist (INTJ). I'd make a pitch for The Executive (ENTJ), but there's no way in hell he's an E.

I also think Ray's miscategorized, especially because of this characteristic of The Performer (ESFP): "They dislike theory and impersonal analysis. Interested in serving others." Ray is an expert at analysis; his analysis is amazingly insightful. Plus, I don't think he's particularly for serving others (which is not to say he's necessarily against it, more that it depends on the people). I'd actually consider him more of a Visionary (ENTP).

Poke seems more like a Visionary, as well.

Regardless of individual quibbles, this is an intriguing notion of how to think about the various characters. Thanks for posting!

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting