Just Peachy Keen

[arisbe]

"From the chart we can conclude that as terribly as women may suffer the consequences of a bias toward 'TJ' types (and against FP types), there are types that suffer a greater bias, amongst which is the INFP. In addition we might recall that the INFP not only suffers the 'TJ' bias, it shares none of the orientations with the predominant group in management, the ESTJs. It is, indeed, diametrically opposed - I instead of E, N instead of S, F instead of T and P instead of J). In fact, using Jungian parlance, such a polar opposite of a type could be called a 'shadow type'. Accordingly, we could say that the INFP is the shadow type for the ESTJ. Now, after a moment's reflection, it is clear that each of the 16 types could be said to have a 'shadow', but it is the misfortune of the INFP to be the shadow type of the most popular and politically powerful type, the ESTJ - a type who has least qualms about enforcing conformity, punishing non-conformity, and ignoring issues of 'social justice'. It is also an 'unfortunate' state of affairs for the INFP because it is his 'shadow type', according to Jungian theory, on which the ESTJ is most likely to 'project' all his fears and hatred. He will see the INFP as evil incarnate. Myers and Myers (1993 p. 162) cite the contrast between ESTJ and INFP as being of the most extreme nature; and in his study of men, Pederson (1993) (a Jungian psychotherapist) recognizes that being an INFP is:

" '... the most difficult type for a man to be. The INFP shares neither the extraversion (75 percent) nor the thinking dominance (65 to 70 percent) of the male group. Further, he does not share the sensation preference with 70 percent of the total population. Because the INFP's dominant function represents the inferior function (introverted feeling) of a major part of the population, someone who has that type as a dominant function is a potential shadow carrier for most other men. ... a good 75 percent of the population may think of him as at least 'a little strange'.' (p. 168)

"If scapegoating is permitted in an organization (and we shall see later that scapegoating in various types of organization is not only permitted but an essential feature of organizational process), it is the INFP who therefore stands the best chance of playing the role of scapegoat in the ESTJ predominated organization." -- John Fudjack & Patricia Dinkelaker

Comments

[kali-ma.livejournal.com]

Why, that would be me. Yes, I was the family scapegoat, too...
You have to laugh I guess, to keep from crying...

[arisbe.livejournal.com]

What you have written of your mother reminds me of mine, an ESFJ.

[kali-ma.livejournal.com]

I don't know what her alignment by that scale would be, although I can say my stepdad was more responsible for things that happened, or maybe rather he was the active participant while my mother was the passive enabler.
I almost always get INFP on that test.

INFP, that's me

[mizannie.livejournal.com]

Frank, you have just explained the why of my life from family, school to the here and now. Guess we just live out our DNA. Has to be according to a Divine Plan, though, don't ya' think? No complaints , playing the hand I was dealt, hopefully to the glory of God. Whew! Annie

[joffridus.livejournal.com]

Have you seen this?

I heard about it on (I think) NPR, but haven't got my hands on it yet. It sounds interesting.

[arisbe.livejournal.com]

No. It seems a mite hysterical, though. Of course all instruments can be misused. Gregory Bateson once mentioned that a New York department store once used the psychopath scale of the MMPI to select high pressure salesmen.

And a guidance counselor once told my parents that a low interest score for social work as a profession indicated that I am an antisocial type, whose intellectuality must be discouraged or I wouldn't be well-rounded enoughto get into college.

[joffridus.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you're right. The interview I heard, though, didn't seem hysterical at all - just that too much emphasis was being placed on such tools in some circumstances in an unfair manner. But I certainly don't disagree with you.

And, quite frankly, I'm rather proud of my INTJ status.

[siderea]

Gregory Bateson once mentioned that a New York department store once used the psychopath scale of the MMPI to select high pressure salesmen.

I'm.... somewhere between amused and appalled.

[ashley-y.livejournal.com]

Bad luck. I'm INTP, so at least I have one thing in common with those ESTJ managerial types (two, if you count gender). I generally think of them as full of shit, though.

On the other hand, working in software I tend to work with a lot more introverted people than perhaps you'd find in other kinds of businesses. My contracts at Microsoft for instance: Bill Gates' introversion means the quality is at least not despised there, even as the CEO of the company is famously extraverted (http://www.ntk.net/ballmer/mirrors.html).

[siderea]

"'... the most difficult type for a man to be."

The "..." there is "probably", btw. (I happen to have a copy of Pederson (1993) right here; I've been re-reading it. I would have been surprized to see him make such an assertive statement about such a topic.)

But yes, basically -- in ESTJ-dominant environments (which is typical of business), the INFP is a lightning rod for ESTJs anxieties, especially when both the INFP and the ESTJ are male.

[arisbe.livejournal.com]

I don't find female ESTJs all that easy to get on with either. Starting with my mother.