Saturday, September 17, 2011

Analyze This

                I have degrees in education, psychology and counseling….not that this listing in itself matters, only that I’ve been exposed to many, many tests over time.  One that I was recently reacquainted with is the Myers Briggs Personality Test. No doubt many have taken a Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) over the years. If you are interested in identifying what a multiple-choice-type-test says your personal preferences are then it’s worth the time to gain some insight into your tendencies towards extroversion/introversion, thinking/feeling, intuition/sensing, and judging/perceiving.
                Admittedly I don’t remember my exact 4 letter personality type…but I do recall thinking, “REALLY?” I thought I was more feeling than thinking. If you’d like to take the online MBTI test for FREE here is a link This test is actually adapted from the Myers Briggs.
                So what got me started down this personal preference path was the discovery of Internet analyzers…I just can’t resist clicking links to find out what is thought about me…or my writing. There are actually a few blog analyzers out there that claim to identify your age, MBTI type, gender and blog reading level.
                
                This first one I tried was the blog type analyzer. This crafty site reveals  LifeCairns as INTP…meaning this blog is identified as “The logical and analytical type. They are especially attuned to difficult creative and intellectual challenges and always look for something more complex to dig into. They are great at finding subtle connections between things and imagine far-reaching implications.They enjoy working with complex things using a lot of concepts and imaginative models of reality. Since they are not very good at seeing and understanding the needs of other people, they might come across as arrogant, impatient and insensitive to people that need some time to understand what they are talking about.” Wow....not being seen as the typical, therapeutic, understanding, sensitive, and patient type is a bit of a shock. This has me thinking...maybe my writing voice really is a lot different than ME....something to work on...or maybe I really do come across as rather aloof...hmmmmm.
                        Next I checked the gender analyzer. Yep...it got me...71%  chance this blog is written by a woman. Interesting...a program out there to look at vocabulary and writing style to determine gender...hmmmm.
                      I just couldn't resist the age analyzer.  So, how old do you think I am? Well, the identified blogger age for LifeCairns is 51-65. No text Botox considered. I can tell you that this fun link was wrong. Ha.
                      As a former teacher...and reading specialist...I know the all important necessity for the written word to be accessible to everyone. The morning paper is said to be written on a 5th grade level. Okay, so I may have an old, female, insensitive writing voice...so on what reading level have I been writing? According to the reading level analyzer I am on par with a 6th grade reading level...like reading "Time or Newsweek."  I admit, I only read those magazines when the dentist is out of People or Us Weekly.
                  What is it about blog analyzers, Cosmo multiple-choice quizzes, and quick Internet tests that are so attractive? Is it the search for in depth soul discovery, fun reading, or an attempt to see how others see us? I would say a combination of all three. I've obviously indulged in the blog analyzer goody bag..it's been several years, but I do remember participating in a few "Are you Sassy and Sexy?" inventories, and, although I can say it doesn't matter what other people think of me...I'd still like to know.

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