#seireinocookies
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Peace! It's nice to meet you, fellow mbti person! I'm so glad to have stumbled upon an ISTJ who is into typology! I have a request. I typed Elsa from Frozen in a post (I'll tag you) and I argued that she is not an ISTJ. I wanted to know what you thought, particularly if I made any mistakes in understanding the ISTJ personality type. Thank you so much in advance! I hope it's not too much of a bother. I'm an INTP btw.
Hi,
I want to start out with the following: for anyone reading, do not make a habit of having me analyze your posts about fictional characters. I am happy to help you type yourself, or answer questions about MBTI. However, in case it was not clear from the fact that I have only typed fictional characters in response to direct questions, that my answers have typically been very brief, and that Iā€™ve repeatedly directed people to blogs that specifically focus on character typing, Iā€™m not really interested. I should note: I had fun because I love picking up my metaphorical red pen and writing ā€œwrongā€ over every other sentence, but it did also take me like an hour and a half and itā€™s over 3 pages long, and I donā€™t have time to do that regularly.
With all that said, the post had sufficient issues with both basic logical argument structure (I would very strongly recommend you revisit that INTP typing of yourself and look at something with high Fe instead) as well as understanding of MBTI that, because you asked directly, I will go through said issues. I want to make it very clear: this is going to be harsh. For both that and for the length Iā€™m putting it below a read-more such that if you were looking for a brief thumbs up or down and not for extensive criticism, you are welcome to ignore it, block me, or whatever is best for you.
Basic argument structure: you open repeatedly with the most subjective arguments - that she gives off Fi and Ni vibes and you donā€™t see the Si in her. This will convince no one but yourself.
This argument is also mostly focused on ā€œother people think this, but I donā€™tā€ which I find is only useful in a process of elimination argument. Weā€™ll get to the final typing eventually but it is generally stronger to argue in favor of what you believe and then address potential disagreement rather than the reverse; by the time you get to ISFP Iā€™ve read so many incorrect assumptions and subjective asides that Iā€™ve long since stopped valuing the analysis of the work.
Issues with the ISTJ argument
(note: I have, and continue to type Elsa as an ISTJ so this will be the longest section in that Iā€™m both pointing out flaws and arguing in favor of ISTJ; the rest will be solely focused on MBTI misconceptions or logical fallacy).
While itā€™s true people often mistake trauma for Si, this argument seems to equate trauma with being stuck in the past (people can just be stuck in the past without trauma for whatever other reason - itā€™s not healthy but it does not necessarily indicate literal trauma). There is also a false opposition here: Itā€™s absolutely valid to argue that Elsa is traumatized, but that does not preclude her having Si, merely removes one argument in favor of Si.
You define Si (gathering concrete details to understand what to expect) but donā€™t actually argue why Elsa doesnā€™t do this. Iā€™d argue, in opposition to the statement later in this paragraph, that she does. She is aware from the past that her abilities can harm her sister. She is aware from her past that when she avoided Anna, Anna was safe. She hasnā€™t been happy with the ā€œconceal donā€™t feelā€ line, but it has achieved her goals and her expectation is that sheā€™ll hurt someone if she stops following it.
If youā€™re referring to an Si-Fi loop (wallowing in self-pity), it doesnā€™t use Te since thatā€™s how loops work. You donā€™t explicitly say this is in the context of looping although you introduce looping in the second sentence, but if you are referring to a loop this is incorrect. Itā€™s true that ISTJs are often likely to use Si (preference for familiar/existing structures) and an Fi understanding of morality to direct their energies when they wish to change something (ie, they will change things through existing channels) but the focus on speaking out about injustice here is much more in line with enneagram 1 - a very common enneatype for ISTJs and an enneatype thatā€™s rare for any non-TJ types, but not the enneatype Iā€™d give Elsa nor an inherent ISTJ trait itself.
The part about self-discipline is mixed - a lot of ISTJs are very disciplined in certain areas (particularly professional/familial) but can neglect the self (not getting enough exercise/not eating well, not addressing burnout or more emotional issues) and Iā€™d argue again, Elsa shows this: sheā€™s not addressing the fact that sheā€™s lonely and miserable, but sheā€™s highly disciplined with regards to concealing her abilities and avoiding Anna even though itā€™s the very thing making her lonely and miserable.
I donā€™t necessarily think Let It Go is indicative of an Ne grip, but one can make changes outside of a grip, so this isnā€™t a useful argument, as it argues why an Ne grip is wrong, not why ISTJ is wrong - I would merely argue sheā€™s not gripping at that time. Which is a general issue here: the argument you provide in this paragraph isnā€™t arguing against ISTJ, itā€™s arguing against other peopleā€™s arguments for ISTJ, which is an important distinction.
The final paragraph of the ISTJ section has numerous issues: ISTJs are not rebellious. They are not as resistant to change as stereotypes indicate, but even a healthier version of ISTJ Elsa would be unlikely to rebel and rather try to understand her parentsā€™ argument, research other options, or look for a way to gain control over her powers while still working within the normal hierarchy. I addressed self-discipline (I should add: I donā€™t think a child/young woman having difficulty controlling magical powers with no training is an argument against self-discipline; my argument for self-discipline is that she stays in her room and away from her sister despite clearly hating it). It is also, to be blunt, mind-boggling that you (correctly) argue that trauma responses are not inherently Si but then refer to obsessive-compulsive behaviors as Si when thatā€™s also a medical disorder completely divorced from the MBTI framework. Finally, her continuing to follow an order from her parents after they die is first, quite literally the definition of self-discipline (sheā€™s the queen; no one else is going to discipline her for it, after all) and second, entirely in line with Si (this is what she has always done and itā€™s not great but it works) and is, arguably, if not medically obsessive-compulsive, an obsessive need to follow a compulsion. To be clear: this isnā€™t healthy ISTJ behavior, but since youā€™ve acknowledged grips and loops here I think an unhealthy interpretation of the type is very much on the table. You say her behavior is more in line with F types; itā€™s not and you donā€™t explain why.
If I may it seems as though, much in line with the argument here being against other arguments but ultimately not debunking the typing, your arguments against MBTI stereotypes focus on whatā€™s incorrect but they tend to merely swing the pendulum to the opposite side (eg, that ISTJs are likely to rebel, in opposition to the stereotype that theyā€™d mindlessly follow orders) rather than find the more nuanced middle ground of how people of a type or with a certain function behave.
Issues with the INFJ and INFP sections:
Ne users can and frequently do go out into the world; simply because Ne can be engaged without external physical stimulation doesnā€™t mean it never is. Iā€™m also not really a fan of reading being classified as a strictly introverted pursuit; thatā€™s falling into a pretty significant stereotype trap. Going out and exploring is a thing anyone can do but if anything Iā€™d either associate that more strongly with high sensing (either Si or Se) or with extroversion.Ā 
My biggest issue here is the implication that searching for a meaning for existence or a purpose is in itself an indicator of Ni. This is just the human condition. If youā€™re going to argue that Si users are driven to rebel against injustice I donā€™t see how you can miss that that might in turn be driven by a belief that this is their purpose. Perhaps Si-Ne users arenā€™t as invested in having a single purpose, but wondering why you are on this earth and what it is you are here to do is just being a person, and to be blunter than I have been, I am struggling to understand how there has been so much effort made earlier to push away from stereotypes to the point of overcompensation in the opposite direction and then when it comes to the idea that only Ni users have a desire for meaning in life you just accept it without question.
Issues with the ISFP section:
At this point Iā€™ve probably covered most of them though Iā€™d like to point out that I donā€™t think there was an argument ever made explicitly for introversion; while the structure of the earlier arguments and focus on debunking was, as stated, flawed, I would at least round it out by eliminating ESFP as an option.
The argument here rests heavily on Let it Go, which is interesting because most of the terrible arguments for Elsa being an intuitive also rested squarely on that same brief if admittedly pivotal section of a full movie; in attempting to differentiate itself from those arguments it has in fact replicated the most significant flaws. Anyway, Iā€™ve addressed that I donā€™t personally think Let it Go being indicative of a grip is how Iā€™d argue for ISTJ, so that becomes invalid; Iā€™ve tried to focus more on issues with logic MBTI than the contents of the movie but Iā€™d add that ā€œshe was happyā€ is open to interpretation and her emotional state was probably fairly complicated. Relieved, sure, but sheā€™s still ultimately isolated. (Also while mentally singing Let it Go, I realized that hereā€™s that rebellion you were asking for in the ISTJ section).
You also outright say that when Elsa tries to reassert control itā€™s through Te. Yeah. Thatā€™s what a high Te user does. An ISTJ in a grip would indeed use Ne, but in quite literally any other circumstance (looping or just existing as an ISTJ not in a grip or loop) would reassert control via Te, so again, your argument does not sufficiently eliminate that Elsa is an ISTJ, just that sheā€™s not a gripping ISTJ, which Iā€™d agree with.Ā 
ā€œShe acts out when she is stressed and makes bad decisionsā€ is also the human condition (and why Iā€™ve frequently on my blog argued very strongly against typing via stress behaviors, because in the end most people...act out and make bad decisions when stressed), so this isnā€™t useful as an argument for anything.
In conclusion: multiple misconceptions about Ni and Si; no argument that I could find presented for high Fi, just Fi in general; inconsistency regarding whether or not Elsa rebels, and an overall reliance not on making a new argument but on arguing why other arguments were wrong. Given the title of the post you asked me to analyze I have to (admittedly this is extremely cynical of me) wonder if there was an underlying goal to come up with a typing that was different from commonly accepted arguments, rather than to simply type for its own sake.Ā 
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izumisays Ā· 9 years ago
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yuuzan feelingsĀ ā”(ā€˜ļ½ž`ļ¼›)ā”Œ
(why did @seireinocookies have to remind me, whyyy)
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crumpledfoilmind Ā· 9 years ago
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why u smirk son
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Ok so I just reread your answer carefully. Not gonna lie, it took something out of me. Hahaha. I'm pretty sure I'm an INTP. Actually I have been studying mbti on and off for 6 years so I'm pretty sure. You're probably picking up high Fe because I've been trying to incorporate Fe into my reasoning more lately. Guess it back fired haha. I didn't know high Si could neglect physical health? I knew they could be ridgid in their diets but aren't they pretty sensitive to their physical condition?
You are welcome to type yourself as an INTP; I donā€™t think you are one.
Yes, high Si can neglect physical health. Awareness of physical condition is not the same as maintaining it, and what is physically comfortable or familiar is not always the same as what is best for you. Also, like...this is a problem I see a lot in MBTI in that people act very ā€œnature documentaryā€ about high Si users when high Si users are estimated to make up a plurality - over a third - of the world population. Add that to the fact that MBTI is one factor in many on how people behave, and the idea that no SJs ever neglect physical health becomes...naive at best.
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