A few posts back I quoted Chinese hermit Han-Shan whose explanation of the hermit life included “our minds are not the same/if they were the same/you would be here” which reminded me that a few years ago Griz and I had the opportunity to complete Jonathan Niednagel’s Brain Type Questionnaire. Niednagel’s Brain Typing is a sport psychology methodology based on Myers-Briggs personality testing and the presumption that by determining and understanding your brain type, you can maximize your talents and/or overcome certain performance deficits. In theory, by using a simple questionnaire (available at BrainTypes.com), you can categorize yourself as one of 16 Brain Types. It is recommended that in addition to completing the questionnaire yourself, you also have someone who knows you well complete it on your behalf, as a counterpoint and backup. Griz and I completed the questionnaire individually and completed it for each other as the counterpoints. The printed material we used was published by Nightingale-Conant as part of an audio series.
Griz wound up an INTP Brain Type – Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perceiving
The Brain Typing website defines INTPs as: “Logician” master of conceptual logic; problem-solver; scientific—desires understanding of universe; designs logical models; 
seeks precision; introspective; adaptable; tends to excel in theoretical, philosophical subjects; logical abstraction skilled.”
The Nightingale-Conant printed material enlarged upon the INTP description with this:
INTPs are rare and complicated individuals. Relating to them can be an intellectual challenge. If you can persuade them to simplify their thought processes and slowly unweave their complicated conclusions so you can follow their intricate logic, the trip will be worthwhile. They seek precision and can qualify to death anything they express. With a handle on the truth, though, they can be persuavsive geniuses. Having a passion for questions that begin “What would happen if…,” they’re highly effecive organizers, researchers, and planners. Projects big and small present themselves as stimulating challenges. They are sought after for their creative ideas and theories.
Famous INTP’s include Albert Einstein and Leonardo DaVinci
I wound up an INFJ Brain Type – Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging
Website Description of INFJ: “Wordsmith” potential gifted writer; imaginative, conscientious; has concern for the needs and development of others; empathetic; enjoys enriching inner life; methodical; quietly forceful; counselor; language skilled.
Longer description per Nightingale-Conant:
INFJs are a true rarity, among the least commonly found types in America, comprising only two percent of the population. [How's that for a "peculiar being?"] They often come with a confusing twist: Although Introverted, they are truly “people persons,” so concerned with others that they appear Extroverted. They have endless ideas, always considering possibilities, being happiest when these ideas are helping and bettering others. They tend to have clear goals, are skilled at working with people, and relate to others with empathetic, compassionate skill. They often feel compelled to render service to humanity. They seek harmony in every part of life. They make loving spouses and fiercely devoted parents.
Famous INFJ’s include Billy Crystal and Carl Jung.
In completing the questionnaire for each other, I assessed Griz exactly as he assessed himself. Griz assessed me exactly as I assessed myself except Griz defined me as an extrovert. An interesting development considering the INFJ descriptive material.
In the scientific community, it is well accepted that there are certain flaws in any “self-testing” and objectivity between spouses is always scientifically suspect. If you’ve lived with someone for more than 20 years (and you still like each other), chances are fair that you not only know the other person well, but you also are familiar with, and accepting of, your spouse’s “self-definition” or persona. This, of course, impacts the test results. The spouse element aside, it comes as no surprise that a curmudgeonly, misanthropic* hermit, like Griz, would categorize a fairly “personable” hermit, like me, as an extrovert.
I am neither advocating or rejecting Mr. Niednagel’s methodology. Griz and I completed the questionnaire for entertainment, mused over the results and that’s it. We did not, nor did we have any intention of, changing our behavior or starting new regimens because of the results. The reader is welcome to visit Niednagel’s website to see what Brain Typing is all about.
Mr. Niednagel is a businessman, not a psychologist.
The American Board of Sport Psychology has published a scathing skeptical evaluation of Brain Typing by Terry Sandbek, Ph.D., entitled “Brain Typing: The Pseudoscience of Cold Reading”.
Personally, even after reading the counter-claims, which resonate with my “scientific self,” I’m keeping an open mind. I tend to be a fan of any methodology that starts people on the road to searching inward for answers, rather than looking outward. As much as I respect the strict parameters of scientific inquiry, I also believe there are truths to be found beyond the intellect. Even “objective, scientific inquiry” has it’s roots in the subjective perception of human beings. I’ve lived long enough to understand that today’s magical thinking, science-fiction, and pseudoscience sometimes wind up the basics of tomorrow’s science and technology.
Of course, I also enjoy musing on the contents of fortune cookies.
*Note: Griz is not really a curmudgeonly misanthrope, but people who know him would agree (as would Griz himself) that he does cultivate this persona as a useful insulating tool – it puts people off and keeps them away – an advantage to any hermit. I am one of those unfortunates who tries to be polite even when saying, “No.” In our society, a polite “no” is often interpreted as a “maybe” which never works against pushy telemarketers or Jehovah’s Witnesses. Any INFJ hermit would do well to partner with a curmudgeonly misanthrope (real or purported) – nothing like easy access to a personal “grouch” for maintaining one’s privacy.
