 For Authors: February 20, 2019 Issue [#9393] |
This week: Myers–Briggs test for novel characters Edited by: ~Minja~  
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The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an introspective self-report questionnaire with the purpose of indicating differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world around them and make decisions.
The MBTI was constructed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. It is based on the conceptual theory proposed by Carl Jung, who had speculated that humans experience the world using four principal psychological functions – sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking – and that one of these four functions is dominant for a person most of the time. |
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Back in January 2018, I went to the psychology of personality class and upon finishing we've been asked to take widely popular "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)" personality test. I've got what is called INFJ personality ("The Advocate"). As I was reading my results and scrolling down the page, I saw the section where are mentioned some popular world leaders, musicians, actors who have the same personality type— Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Goethe, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)— and the thought hit me: How do they know which personality type Goethe had? He died in 1832 and "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Handbook" was published in 1944. They must have been taking the test pretending to think about the answers the way he would. The thought moved further to Jon Snow, one of the characters from the widely popular novel series "Game of Thrones". Jon Snow couldn't take the test since he is a fictional character of course but the test could be taken by a writer himself, a fan of "Game of Thrones" novel series, or a random person who is familiar with his character to the point that they can think of the answers on each given question as Jon Snow approximately would.
How often did you find poor and ridiculous characters' development in books? How often did you yell at the TV show for portraying wrongfully your favorite book characters? Sadly, I have to admit, it happens too often these days. But what if you as a writer take the research for your novel a little bit further and try taking the MBTI test by answering the questions from your characters' point of view and that way have some kind of guidance to understanding them on a more deeper level. I'm sure many of you already did some kind of characters' traits questionnaire, probably even the one folks from NaNoWriMo put together and which can be found over at NaNoWriMo blog but here I'm not talking about the physical appearance and relationship between the characters in your novel but exploring the psychological parts of each in order to understand the way they think or act upon different situations through the entire novel. In other words, creating a human.
What do you think why we remember some characters even if it's been years since we last read about them? Characters like Anna Karenina, Holden Caulfield, The Little Prince, James Bond, Elizabeth Bennet, Holly Golightly, etc. I think the answer to this question is because we related to them as another human being because that's what they were as well— another human being. Of course, this way of thinking doesn't necessarily apply for readers whose favorite characters came from the outer space or different dimensions but, even then, the beauty of the character's development lays in his psychological part—the way he deals with different situations, the way he makes decisions— that even characters from the outer space have. Surely you didn't relate and love Rocket Raccoon from the "Guardians of the Galaxy" because of his appearance. You loved him because he was funny, smart, and fearless when dealing with people and problems— all characteristics one human being can possess.
Let's break down Myers-Briggs type indicator a little bit for the purpose of showing what you can find out upon finishing the test that can be useful for your characters.
Based on the answers to the questions on the inventory, people are identified as having one of 16 personality types. The goal of the MBTI is to allow respondents to further explore and understand their own personalities including their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, possible career preferences, and relationships with the others. Each of these sections is answered rather extensively and like that give you extensive ideas which you can implement into your characters' development. There are a lot of good points which you can probably recognize in yourself, and the others you never really thought about so often or in that way. I did recognize myself in my INFJ personality type as well.
Here are a couple of things to remember though:
—MBTI isn't put together to show you strictly which personality type is better than the other nor is designed to help you change yourself (or your characters in this case) in some way.
—MBTI isn't 100% accurate and by any means should NOT be used as the main instrument and guide when making important decisions, whether your own or characters'.
—MBTI should NOT be used as an excuse if you come in a situation where you have to explain yourself and/or your characters and why you or they did what you did.
But it definitely can be used as the side tool, as a part of the research for your novel you, as a writer, are obligated to do.
The questionnaire itself is made up of four different scales:
Intuition/Sensing
Feeling/Thinking
Introversion/Extraversion
Perception/Judging
These are the 16 types of personality with their letter code:
 ISTJ - The Inspector
ISTP - The Crafter
ISFJ - The Protector
ISFP - The Artist
INFJ - The Advocate
INFP - The Mediator
INTJ - The Architect
INTP - The Thinker
ESTP - The Persuader
ESTJ - The Director
ESFP - The Performer
ESFJ - The Caregiver
ENFP - The Champion
ENFJ - The Giver
ENTP - The Debater
ENTJ - The Commander
It takes up to 12 minutes to answer all the questions but it depends on one's way of thinking of course. Anyhow, the most useful tip I can give is to take time and be truthful in your answers. You may find it easier when taking a test to see what is your personality type than taking a test on behalf of your characters because you probably don't know your characters so well. For this reason, it is better to take time and go through questions slowly, thinking and considering each. I would also recommend taking the test while you are still at the beginning of your writing project, before or after you determined basic traits such as physical appearance and relationship with the story. Think of MBTI as a way to breathe the soul into your character. This doesn't have to be the case of course. Maybe, at this point, you're further into your novel where you already determined the faith of your story and everyone involved in it but, even so, you could lay down your pen for a few minutes and take the test on behalf of one of your characters and see how close you were in expressing his human side. I assure you, through this fun research you will discover plenty of useful information which could be very inspiring for your writing process.
Referral links:
https://www.16personalities.com/
https://www.123test.com/jung-personality-test/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers%E2%80%93Briggs_Type_Indicator
https://www.truity.com/view/types
Until next time, don't forget to try new things.
~Minja~
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Excerpt: Cheng told himself as much over and over again, but he still tripped over too many of the words. Both his shoulders climbed toward his ears in spite of himself, and a small part of his mind waited for the inevitable remark of his terrible performance.
However Liang never moved, never said anything. He just lifted one hand for Cheng to start over and say it again. Several times he did this, just listening, watching, and otherwise appearing imperturbable by all the mistakes. When he took out his pipe to smoke, he didn’t even ask for a break. Just inhaled deeply and exhaled a cloud of tobacco smoke - one of the many goods brought by sailors - and otherwise just listened.
Because of this, Cheng’s anxiety eased. He made less mistakes, and his confidence swelled. Maybe not quite impossible. Maybe…
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Excerpt: Charles Jordan’s first visit to the grave of his mother came on a late April day sodden with rain.
He walked along the sloping paths of the graveyard, clumps of freshly mown grass clinging to his wingtip brogues. His thousand-dollar overcoat, which normally adorned a confident posture, now hung from slumped shoulders. He would not have chosen this type of weather for the first visit, but it seemed to suit.
Voice of Rationality: You’re a busy man – board meetings, merger appraisals, not to mention that over twelve hundred employees depend on you to push their retirement plans to profitability. Leslie understands, so do Zack and Megan. It wasn’t your fault that she wouldn’t move to the coast. She insisted on remaining in this piss-ant Kentucky town. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
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| | | Cavalier (18+)
Lily, a time-travelling assassin, defies The Society. Historical Fantasy.
#2159809 by A E Willcox  |
Excerpt: Well, that was a fine endorsement of his character! If the lowliest of the servants found no fault with their master, then he must be beneficent. Why The Society thought him dangerous baffled her. Why did they think he was so impossible to control? Why would they need to control him? The worst thing she could say about him was he'd induced in her a terrible aching need for his company.
The morning brought no cessation of her want of his presence. She'd had lovers before, but none had inspired in her the craving that she had for Sebastian.
She wanted to roam the grounds, to escape from the confines of the house, from the regulation of the formal gardens into the disorder of nature, but the fickle weather chose to deny her release by setting in with a steady drizzle. She felt too restless to sit in the parlour and sew. It was too domestic, too conjugal, too demure. She needed excitement, she needed to feel alive, she needed him.
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Excerpt: My mouth hangs open. I snap it shut, finding my voice. "You called them?"
The swine's dark eyes glitter. "Yes. I say you casi muerto-Eh. Dead-almost. Sabes? You save my life, I save yours. Claro?" Sitting up, my vision dances, trying to comprehend what the hell he's saying.
The old guy shakes his head, muttering, "Imbecil," throws an envelope in my lap and pokes me in the chest. "You go now. Bus ticket to Cleveland and $5,000."
All I can do is gape at him after I count the money. He dumps a bag of new clothes at my feet and slaps my face, shouting, "Go! They come!" My cheek stinging, his words sink in. Ignoring the dizziness, I yank out the cannula and hop from the bed.
Looking pleased with my newfound urgency, my benefactor leaves with a final over-the-shoulder, "Be new man."
A quick change of duds, two blocks to the bus stop and I'll be someone else. Anyone, but Jake McGrath.
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Excerpt: People tell me that I'm like her, you know. That I resemble my Dad's wife in many ways. My love of reading, my passion for teaching, even some of my gestures and mannerisms, they say. I resent this. I don't resemble her at all. I mean, yes, I love reading and yes, I'm a pretty good teacher, but that's my own thing. It has nothing whatsoever to do with her.
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