MBTI® Test and College Dating: How Your MBTI Test Results Can Shed Light on Your Relationships

MBTI® Test and College Dating

The MBTI® test can help you with your academics, but its uses do not stop there. Are you looking to date in college? When you purchase a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Report for career and academia you can use your results on a personal level as well. That’s right: two for one results! After you review your major and career opportunities, learn a little about who that special someone might be and how your MBTI test results can help you decide if she or he is right for you.

In a survey conducted by CPP, college students were asked how often they date. The Extroversion-Feeling Types (E-F) reported that they dated more then once a week, while INTP and INFJ Types reported dating infrequently — these two Types can often become consumed by academic challenges and tend to date after college (CPP, 1993).

Pursuing other opportunities in college such as friendships, social interactions, social organizations, athletics and intimate relationships are as important as academia and can reduce stress in your life.

Isabel Myers, the founder and original creator of The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, discovered that “the greatest percentage of married couples have two to three preferences (Type Letters) in common” (CPP, 2003). However she found that couples with the exact same personality type, and those with exact opposite types, were the least likely to be married (CPP, 2003).

Each Type has its strong suits and challenges in regards to relationships, and here is a list of the unique attributes and challenges with each set of The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator opposites and pairs:

Extroversion-Introversion
An extroverted and introverted Type as a couple makes an interesting combination.  The combination of extroverted and introverted requires a balance of relating to people outside of the relationship and having one-on-one time. Issues can arise between an Extroverted Type and Introverted Type in a relationship, including if the Extroverted Type is not getting fulfilled with school life and wants to have his or her complete extroverted side filled within the relationship to the point where the Introverted Type feels overloaded. In addition, if the Introverted Type is relating too much socially and otherwise to the outside world, he or she might need to take extra time to be alone which can offend the E Type in the relationship  (CPP, 2003).

Sensing-Intuition
The main problem between these two Types in a relationship can be when the Sensing Type becomes stressed by an Intuition’s consistent need and want for change. Remember, Sensing Types prefer what is real and concrete and in a relationship crave reliability, sustainability, structure and stability. The Intuition’s want for stimulation, variety and “The New” can cause issues between the pair (CPP, 2003).

Thinking-Feeling
The Thinking-Feeling dichotomy makes an interesting pair. It is only in this dichotomy that men and women’s preferences are so clearly delineated. 60% of men report that they prefer the Thinking pole while 65% of women prefer Feeling. Since most men are of the Thinking Type and 65% of women identify as the feelers, there tends to be a problem with affection. Affection can be measured by The Fundamental Interrelations Orientation-Behavior Instrument. With these MBTI personality types, defining affection, and how much of it is appropriate, can cause issues in a relationship.  In addition, the T-F differences are prevalent in how each individual wishes to be appreciated. For instance, the Thinking Type prefers to be appreciated for taking an action that he or she has done well to better the relationship, while the Feeling Type prefers to be appreciated for his or her good qualities, hence the importance for knowing and studying your and your partner’s personality type (CPP, 2003).

Judging-Perceiving
With the J-P Type, if a couple shares the Judging Type, they will generally live happily by a schedule, while if both share the Perceiving Type they will mostly live spontaneously. Problems can occur in finding a balance between scheduling and spontaneity. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your differences and to adhere slightly to their preference as not to overrun him or her with your own preferences. Knowing each other’s Type can considerably lessen relationship stress and even break-ups.  Judging and Perceiving Types also report a problem travelling together as the Judging Type normally wishes to schedule their time on vacations while the Perceiving Type prefers to take things as they go or “go from the hip” while on vacation (CPP, 2003).

In order to get your MBTI College Edition report check out our College Assessment Section HERE.  In order to get your standard career focused MBTI report check out our Career Assessment Section HERE

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