May I have your, Myers-Briggs/Jung type, please?

Thanks, Tom, for posting this. I’m a qualified instructor of MBTI and have posted a few times on this topic at Mormon Matters. My key theory is that the church is best suited for SJ types (ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ) which comprise 55% of the populace. ESTJ is the most common type in the US and there are strong cultural biases toward that type (by contrast, India’s most common is ISFP and England trends INTJ). Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the majority of the disaffected (based on NOM results) are NTs and NFs.

I’ll post more on the theory and implications for religion later.

My type is ENTJ, but I sometimes come out ENTP.

I don’t know how accurate the simple test was at one site. It was very general. I came out along the lines of INFJ. The description sounded right to a large extent. I just took the 70 question Humanetrics quiz too and got the INFJ results. So I guess that is probably close.

How do INTPs fare in the Church — my profile? Not sure my wife’s profile but she is not into finding hidden meanings behind things, and prefers to just do as the bretheren say. If she doesn’t like something she will do her own thing but she feels guilty for it. On the other hand I am always trying to find why this or that has been established and I really hate it when something is not explained in a manner I find adequate. So obviously my wife and I don’t talk about religion that much unless it is just the basics.

I’m an INFP, although after a few years of grad school it is close to INTP.

I’m a consistent INTJ but borderline INTP. Why should I have guessed the similarities to Hawk and jmb?

Here are just a few broad impressions on how disaffection might manifest for people of different types:

-SJs care deeply about tradition and belonging. Change can be a problem – if too much change is introduced too quickly. Also, authority is important to them, so issues with disappointment in the hierarchy can be devastating.

-SPs are artistic, adventurous hedonistic types. When they leave, it is often to sow their wild oats. Honestly, there aren’t many religions that appeal to them. They don’t like restrictions and they seek pleasure.

-NFs seek meaning and want to make a difference in the world for people. When the church’s aims conflict with their causes, they will pursue their causes before the church. Additionally, they may object to the corporate, impersonal (administrative) aspect of church.

-NTs lean atheist or agnostic anyway, and prefer the rational world. They aren’t very interested in authority or causes. They crave mastery and to understand the universe. Many become scientists. They love ideas and intellectual discussion. I’m certain some of the Q12 are NTs, but the church (especially the SJs) are often skeptical of intellectualism. NTs are skeptical of authority and even anti-authoritarian. They operate based on principles, not based on values (like NFs) or loyalty (SJs) or pleasure (like SPs).

Anyway, just a few more thoughts on the flavors of disaffection. Of course, there are 16 types (not just the 4 Kiersey temperaments), and no two people are exactly alike. To me, though, this does explain a lot. I’ve seen MBTI results for NOM and bloggernacle, and they confirm what I would expect.

This thread prompted me to add a signature that I have used at times on other forums. I got it from my sister, and it really cracked me up. It’s exactly how I feel.