(This
is the fifth post in an eight part series on the eight characteristics of the
MBTI. Find an introduction HERE, and use the tags at the end to find other
related posts.)
The next pair of
aspects on the MBTI test are Thinking and Feeling. Simply put, Thinking and
Feeling refer to how decisions are made. Even simpler, Thinking is the brain
and Feeling is the heart. Do you follow your brain or your heart? Whichever
wins is probably the answer to whether you are T or F. In general, figuring out
whether you are T or F is fairly easy – and if not, your friends will probably
know. A Thinker, as stated, follows their brain. They function by logic.
A Thinker is
someone who would “tend to make decisions based primarily on logic and on
objective analysis of cause and effect.”[1]
A Thinker is characterized by thought, as is already obvious. They think
through everything in a reasonable manner, questioning things that Feelers
accept as fact. They are critical and tough, hard to wound and not very gentle
with the feelings of others.
A Thinker
considers the logical implications of a choice, rather than the feelings of
others based on the same choice. They value logic over sentiment. Touchy-feely
things do not make much, if any, difference to a Thinker. They have a deeply
ingrained interest in rules. Thinkers tend more towards cynicism. At times,
they may argue or debate a point merely for the joy of debating.
Thinkers focus on
the “use and utility of information, understood in the form of thoughts.”[2]
They use the information that they have and add it into their big picture to
make sense of it. Thinkers often have a passion for knowing what is true, and a
strong respect for everything honest and fair. This means that they are
sometimes blunt and even tactless. Their problems are solved and decisions made
by logic and reason, not by emotion and how they “feel.”
They have far less
reliance on emotion, which is difficult for any Feeler to understand, since it
makes Thinkers seem mean and uncaring, unemotional. While this can be true, it
is not always. They come across as tough (as indeed they are) and
thick-skinned. They are honest and direct, but they also do not take things
personally – and they do not expect you to either.
Thinkers have a
tendency to suppress their feelings, sometimes more than they should. Their
focus is on rationality and objectivity. They are persuaded by logical
arguments. Again, this makes them communicate as cool and distant at times.
Thinkers tend to
be assertive. They are low-key and matter-of-fact, rather than bouncing off the
walls, which is more common for a Feeler. They like to get the point, ignoring
what may be social niceties. This is, in part, because they are motivated by
achievement.
Thinkers are
sparing with their praise, saving it for when they feel it is truly deserved.
They are rather good at seeing flaws. It is rare that they ask if their timing
is convenient. One of the main differences between a T and an F is that
Thinkers, when considering people, find ways to use them – while a Feeler considers
the impact on the person and their feelings.
[2]
Calise Sellers, “A Little Bit of Personality,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.alittlebitofpersonality.com.
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