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Type Discovery

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What's my type?

I don't know, we've never met. To tell you the truth I don't believe it matters too much. The classification of individuals means nothing, nothing at all said Carl Jung during an interview prior to his death.

How do you figure it out?

There are several methods and 'tools' I can use. In my early days I used to probe people for information during conversation to 'work them out'. I've since learnt the value of 'social skills' in which I take an interest in the finer things in a person's life more naturally although the cold-logical 'analyst' in me cannot resist gaining an understanding of what I think is going on in accordance with Socionics.

I have a favourite way of typing people. It usually involves "reverse engineering" their individual type from the way they interact with other individuals of known or likely types and by piecing together the various attitudes, dispositions, temperaments etc. learnt from the various small groups.

Why is type discovery important?

Quite simply it can set the stage for personal and social development. For example, given that we have many 'reference points' from observations in social typing we can learn to model behaviours that get us the results we require.

I also believe that having a better awareness of yourself and others leads to the re-opening of doors you thought were closed long ago. If I had any authority in the education system I could probably propose an anti-bullying campaign that works on the basis of Socionics.

I already use this knowledge regularly to keep any potential adult bullies at bay by considering their type in relation to me which may account for their choice of 'victim' so to speak even if the victimization is subtle and cleverly hidden from others. I have first hand experience of sociopaths and due to my 'scarred for life' experiences I have mentally recorded some interesting pointers for the future.

Therefore, ignorance is dangerous and knowledge is bliss. No regrets, only life-lessons.

When does type discovery lose its importance?

There is a common tendency to debate endlessly and blame problems on one's type. One thing has become clear to me over the years, the idea that my 'type' represents a kind of default fall-back mechanism for dealing with stress. In other words, where I act most like my 'type' when the pressures of work or social environments go beyond my limits.

In these circumstances knowledge of type only seems to benefit in the sense that I'm aware of a 'drained state' and know when its time to get away to charge back up to full productivity. This may sound to you like the stereotypical introverted mind although I assure you I'm talking about any type who acts like their 'default self'.

Who cares about type anyway?

The easiest way for me right now to answer this is to consider the four clubs:

If you're a researcher then you'll absolutely relish all this type stuff and debate it endlessly trying to make it work for you in some practical way (hence this website).
If you're a humanitarian then you'll probably look for the holistic healing that comes from knowing your type though wont delve into it too deeply.
If you're a pragmatist then you'll likely want to know straight up how this will be of practical benefit with little or no concern for how it works.
If you're a socialite then this kind of social science might be something you indulge in listening and reading about though you'll not get too happy with the idea that relationships can be made so logical and predictable.