Preferences: 1) Introversion-Extroversion; 2) Intuition-Sensation; 3) Thinking-Feeling;

¶ … preferences: 1) Introversion-Extroversion; 2) Intuition-Sensation; 3) Thinking-Feeling; 4) Judging-Perceiving

Introversion is the quality of being focused on one's inner world. Extraversion is the quality of being more interested in what is going on outside of oneself. Introverts tend to be more analytical and thoughtful in nature, and less prone to going to parties. Extraverts prefer parties to being alone, and like talking and being around others as much as possible.

Intuition refers to gut instinct. Someone who prefers intuition usually demonstrates the tendency to rely on gut instincts or dreamy perceptions rather than on logic when making decisions. A sensation-oriented person needs hard evidence gathered from their physical senses. An intuitive will say, "I have a good feeling about this person, I will date them." A sensation-driven person will say, "I like her hair, I think I will ask her out."

All persons think and feel. However, the preference for thinking means a person is highly rational. A feeling person is more emotional. Those who cry a lot would be feeling people; those who rarely if ever get the urge to cry are probably thinking people. The judging preference means favoring order, structure, routine, and predictability. Perceiving people like to be open, loose, and casual in their approach. For example, a person who prefers perceiving does not like to make exact plans, whereas a judging person wants an exact time and place to meet.

Part II:

On the Myers-Briggs scale I am an INFP. Because I like to be spontaneous, I can totally understand that I am both an intuitive and a perceptive person on the Myers-Briggs scale. I do not always think about the consequences of my actions; I prefer to act now and think later because I get enthusiastic about new ideas. I am definitely more comfortable without strict plans. At the same time, I recognize the importance of discipline. I cultivate my discipline from within, and tend to rebel if discipline is forced on me from the outside. I love variety in my life, on every level. I have a lot of different types of friends, and enjoy different types of activities. My work as a dancer shows that I appreciate the opportunity to mix work and play in my life. Freedom is very important to me.

I tend to live mainly in the here-and-now. I move on easily, tending not to dwell. This is why I find it easy to forgive and forget. I do not hold grudges. I do have a selective memory of the past -- wanting to remember only what makes me happy rather than all parts of the truth. This means that although I can recall rich details, they will only be the details that matter to me, or that make me feel good. They are the details that fit my mental schema.

I also have trouble thinking too far into the future. This means that I have a vague sense that I will be successful, but I have no idea of the actual steps I will take to get there. Some people have a set plan, with goals set for this year, and two years, and five years. I do not work that way. I use common sense and intuition a lot, rather than strict rules. Although I prefer flexibility in my life, I like having information that is clear and it bothers me when people are vague. Although I can be shy at times, I enjoy attention and do not mind being in the spotlight. This might be why I am successful as a dancer, because I enjoy performing. When I dance, I feel am in total control of my environment and myself. I feel empowered. I am head strong and sometimes stubborn, which can be a problem with some relationships.

Being a feeling person, I tend to choose relationships with friends and romantic relationships based on the way the other person makes me feel. I have made some bad relationship decisions in my life because of this. Because of my tendency towards freedom, I have a very hard time making commitments. However, part of my fear of commitment stems from the fact that I have been hurt and taken advantage of: because I can be the fool in love.

I am predominantly an extraverted person. I love being around people and enjoy lots of different types of people and relationships. Some people prefer one good friend, but I prefer many good friends. I am open to meeting new people, and feel my life is richer when I know more people. I don't mind being alone, but I prefer to interact with others.

Part III: a. Describe the following: 1) Artisan, 2) Guardian, 3) Rational, 4) Idealist.

Artisan personality generally refers to people who are extraverted, who love being around other people. Artisans are relationship-oriented. They do not like social disharmony. Their people skills are strong, because they listen to others and like other people. Artisans are not the best decision-makers because they want to keep people happy and are afraid to take stands if they are unpopular. People in the entertainment industry are generally artisans.

Guardian personalities are good listeners like artisans, but they do not trust people right away and are quieter. Guardians are detail-orientated. They do not like to make decisions until all the facts are known and are not spontaneous at all. They have trouble making commitments.

Rational types become very focused on the goal, and can be insensitive to others because the most important thing is achieving the goal. They are therefore much different from the artisan. Rational types tend to dominate conversations and decision-making. They end up being in leadership positions but can be domineering and like to control everything.

Idealists can be shy, and they tend to daydream. They are committed more to inner goals like self-development, than to outer or materialistic goals. They are good at inspiring others, in a sense of getting people to follow their deepest dreams. Principles are important to the idealist.

IIIb. My personality is Artisan + ISFP

It is no surprise that I am an Artisan type, because I am a dancer and many performers are of the artisan personality type. The Kiersey personality type also corresponds with my Myers-Briggs type, which is ISFP. Although I thought I would be more an extrovert, my test shows I am an introvert. This means that my inner world is important to me. This is proven in the way I make many decisions based on inner cues, rather than on logic or external cues. I enjoy helping, serving, and entertaining others because I feel I have gifts to share. It is possible that I take life too seriously sometimes, because I weigh what other people say carefully. I like people and do not want to hurt anyone.

My relationships show that I certainly exhibit characteristics of being an artisan and an ISFP. I forgive very easily, and perhaps too easily. I am not the best judge of character, because if someone makes me feel good I might trust them when I really shouldn't. I am trying to learn from my mistakes, without sacrificing my genuine and trusting nature. I tend to be empathetic and sympathetic, because I care when others are in pain. This causes others to sometimes take advantage of me. I rarely like to be totally in control of any situation and especially a relationship. Nor do I like being controlled. I mistrust hierarchy, rules, and people in power.