To what extent can personality tests be a judge of knowledge

We Take All The Personality Tests And Expect Results, But They Aren't Exactly Credible

Personality tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, are popular. Yet, to what extent are they credible to be a source of knowledge of an individual?

Libby Redd
Libby Redd Jun 10, 2019
112
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The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a self-analyzing, self-reporting survey that many people take in order to categorize the way they see themselves and the world around them. It analyzes an individual's preferences and the way they make decisions. The table below describes the different personality types and their backgrounds:


I had to take this test for a few of my classes. I, being the "too complicated for anyone to figure out" type, usually think quizzes, like MBTI, cannot accurately describe me. What could a computer system, that has no soul, really say about the type of person I am? After all, the way I react to questions depends on my mood (of that moment). Hypocritically, I also find myself being quick to click on the link "Which Grey's Anatomy Character Are You?" based on the extremely thorough five questions.

After taking this questionnaire, I found my results to be very surprising. My personality was broken down to ESFP (Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving). I see extraversion easily, testing "very clear" in this category. Having an older sister with special needs and a younger brother (the baby), I found myself having work hard to stand out. I did this by surrounding myself with people. Some call it "middle child syndrome," I call it my life.

The last three results were confusing, only testing in the "slight" categories; I was on the fence. I disagree with the "sensing" because I fit more with "intuition." I usually focus on the big picture. Although I would like to think I am practical (thinking), I find myself putting my mind over the matter, then my heart over my mind (feeling). Finally, I got "perceiving," but I am more "judging" having the Type A personality. I like to organize and check things off of my to-do list. However, I think when I answered these questions, I was infatuated by the idea of being spontaneous, choosing those answers, so the main reason why I think the personality tests are ambiguous: we answer the way we want, rather than the truth.

Whether the results of personality tests like the MBTI are accurate or not, there is undeniably an element of affirmation that is received as a result. Besides, it's kind of fun to find out more about yourself and it does not take very long to do. If and when taking a personality test, remember to not take it too seriously. If you're unhappy with your results, no big deal, just take it again.

Libby Redd
Libby Redd Jun 10, 2019
At University of Kentucky

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Working With People Who Are Dying Teaches You So Much About How To Live

Spending time with hospice patients taught me about the art of dying.

Noor Abi Rached
Noor Abi Rached Apr 26, 2019
66102
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Death is a difficult subject.

It is addressed differently across cultures, lifestyles, and religions, and it can be difficult to find the right words to say when in the company of someone who is dying. I have spent a lot of time working with hospice patients, and I bore witness to the varying degrees of memory loss and cognitive decline that accompany aging and disease.

The patients I worked with had diverse stories and interests, and although we might have had some trouble understanding each other, we found ways to communicate that transcended any typical conversation.

I especially learned a lot from patients severely affected by dementia.

They spoke in riddles, but their emotions were clearly communicated through their facial expressions and general demeanor, which told a story all on their own.

We would connect through smiles and short phrases, yes or no questions, but more often than not, their minds were in another place. Some patients would repeat the details of the same event, over and over, with varying levels of detail each time.

Others would revert to a child-like state, wondering about their parents, about school, and about family and friends they hadn't seen in a long time.

I often wondered why their minds chose to wander to a certain event or time period and leave them stranded there before the end of their life. Was an emotionally salient event reinforcing itself in their memories?

Was their subconscious trying to reconnect with people from their past? All I could do was agree and follow their lead because the last thing I wanted to do was break their pleasant memory.

I felt honored to be able to spend time with them, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was intruding on their final moments, moments that might be better spent with family and loved ones. I didn't know them in their life, so I wondered how they benefited from my presence in their death.

However, after learning that several of the patients I visited didn't have anyone to come to see them, I began to cherish every moment spent, whether it was in laughter or in tears. Several of the patients never remembered me. Each week, I was a new person, and each week they had a different variation of the same story that they needed to tell me.

In a way, it might have made it easier to start fresh every week rather than to grow attached to a person they would soon leave.

Usually, the stories were light-hearted.

They were reliving a memory or experiencing life again as if it were the first time, but as the end draws nearer, a drastic shift in mood and demeanor is evident.

A patient who was once friendly and jolly can quickly become quiet, reflective, and despondent. I've seen patients break down and cry, not because of their current situation, but because they were mourning old ones. These times taught me a lot about how to be just what that person needs towards the end of their life.

I didn't need to understand why they were upset or what they wanted to say.

The somber tone and tired eyes let me know that what they had to say was important and worth hearing. What mattered most is that someone who cared was there to hear it.

Noor Abi Rached
Noor Abi Rached Apr 26, 2019
At Emory University

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A Few Birthday Thoughts

Goodbye teenage years, hello twenties!

Hanna Bewley
Hanna Bewley Jun 24, 2019
106
views

So, it is looking like I am about to leave my teenage years behind. I think that I want to reflect back on this time in my life and think about what I want to keep with me in my twenties and maybe some things I can let go. My teenage years have been full of love from my family and friends; hard work to make good grades in school and creating art. I developed several great friendships that I have held on to across the miles even though I went to college 14 hours away from our previous home. I am so thankful for the friendships I have made in college as well.

It seems like friends you make in your childhood and younger years can really stand the test of time. Maybe it is because when you became friends you were truly who you were. Everyone was genuine and didn't put up walls to protect themselves. You got to know someone on a deeper more personal level more quickly than if you had met later in life. I also think we laughed even more as children and that always creates good memories to look back on. So I think in my twenties I will try to hang on to the "childish" way of making friends. I will try to show my true self and will accept them for who they are, and we will laugh....a lot.

I think a good thing to let go of is always trying to make dead-end relationships work. When we were children on the playground and we tried to play a game together or jump rope and it just wasn't working, we would run off and find someone else. It was easy. It was just natural. Now sometimes I find myself trying to stay in a relationship by being overly nice, giving gifts, trying to find what pushes the persons "good" buttons. I might spend so much time trying to figure this person out that I leave out more solid relationships that are worth my time. So in my twenties, I will try to be more realistic about who to spend my time on. Some people are just never going to stand the test of time. I can continue to be cordial but won't let them rule my time and thought life.

As children, we loved our parents and siblings and would show love to them in a myriad of ways. Maybe it was hugs, pictures on the fridge, good night kisses, playing games, or just quality time spent together as a family. Starting my twenties, I am mature enough to realize the value of these people in my life. Thankfully, I have always known this. I was never the type that was embarrassed if someone saw me walking with my Mom or Dad or being dropped off in the Mom Van somewhere. I always knew these people loved me more than anyone else I was about to meet. But in my twenties, I plan to keep up with my family even when I am eight hours away from them. We are never too old to need the love of family.

As weird as it is to say goodbye to my teenage years, it's honestly helped me to soak in the precious moments of everyday life and treasure them even more. Every year when birthdays come around, it always serves as a reminder how quickly the days, months, and years fly by. I think that has been one difficult part of this birthday season. It's hard to say goodbye to the past, without a clear map of the future. But, I must remind myself that this is why growing up is a beautiful thing- as we live life and experience new things, we are better prepared for what the future may hold. Everything that I have experienced in my 20 years has served an important purpose- to make me into the person I am supposed to become. Yes, life is always changing and so am I... and change can be hard. Very hard. But one thing to remember is God is always constant. He will never change. No matter what number is on your birthday cake, He is always there...the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the Rock that we will always be able to cling to. Isn't that a wonderful thought? Even if we don't know what's in His plans for us in the coming year, it's important to make Him a part of our plans. Rather than worry about change, let's embrace it all- the good and the bad- and look to the Lord to see how He will guide and shape us.

Teenage years- the time has come. I must say goodbye to you now. But, you will never be forgotten. I will hold your memories in my heart forever. Twenties- I am excited for all that awaits me.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Hanna Bewley
Hanna Bewley Jun 24, 2019
At Mississippi State University

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