Australian Psychological Type Review
Published by the Australian Association for ISSN 1442-0716 Psychological Type Inc, www.ausapt.org.au
Edited and designed by Philip L Kerr (INTP) Volume 11
Printed by Webbs Printing, Fortitude Valley QLD Number 2
[email protected] October 2009
About us Now for something completely different The Australian Psychological Type Review is the Ian L Ball + Huifang Yang + Shuming Zhao national periodical of the Australian Association New evidence about the four temperaments and Chinese and Australian managers ...... for Psychological Type Inc. 3 The Review is published twice a year, in April and Sally Campbell | Culture changes over time October, and distributed to AusAPT members, Effects on cultures across the world ...... 11 international type bodies and selected libraries.
Correspondence may be emailed to the Editor Peter Geyer + Philip L Kerr | Views from the Grassy Knoll … at [email protected], or posted to Two perspectives on the Dallas APTi conference ...... 25 54 Koorong St, The Gap QLD 4061, Australia. Anne Marsden + Tim Marsden | Take it from here Using type in a different culture with people of widely different educational backgrounds ...... 44
Contributions This is the meaning of life
We welcome articles on personality type and Philip L Kerr | Is this the right room for an argument? related topics. Word lengths are negotiable. Editorial ...... If you’d like to contribute, contact the Editor, 2 Philip L Kerr, at [email protected], | The new type community or after hours on 07 3300 3164. Vicky Jo Varner The online type experience is muddled with naiveté and ignorance ...... 39 We prefer articles in plain English, active voice and first person. We use Australian language Peter Malone | Life in two unhurried societies and style, based on the Macquarie Dictionary Jane Campion’s Bright Star and Warwick Thornton’s Samson and Delilah ...... and Australian Government Style Manual. We 55 reserve the right to edit articles for mechanical | All in it together … or is it just for the money? accuracy and clarity. In-text citations are not Peter Geyer required, but include a list of your references. Freewheelin’: Some conjectures ...... 57
Australian Association for Always look on the bright side Psychological Type Inc Meredith Fuller | Workspaces, part 14: ISFPs — in three acts I. The photographic artist/teacher aide and the air-conditioning mechanic ...... 13 II. The hospital orderly and former chef, actor, Young Libs president, God Squad member and roadhouse owner; the personal care worker; and the hippie teacher/musician ...... 45 III. The nurse, the desktop support engineer, and the shop owner ...... 63
Bruce here teaches classical philosophy, Bruce there teaches Hegelian philosophy, and Bruce here teaches logical positivism, and is also in charge of the sheep dip. Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Opinions expressed by Review contributors are not Cover: Rediscovering Jung in Dallas, by graphic recorder Stephanie Crowley, www.thechrysalissolution.com (APT International) | necessarily those of AusAPT Inc or the Editor. Bernadette (ISFP) knitting a ‘Coastal Yarn’ (Meredith Fuller) | Dario Nardi at the APTi Conference in Dallas (Nancy Silcox) | ‘Myers-Briggs Type Indicator’ and ‘MBTI’ are registered Above: Python personas on parade during the filming of Monty Python’s Life of Brian in Tunisia, 1978 (Python [Monty] Pictures) trademarks of the Myers-Briggs Foundation, USA.
Is this the right room for an argument?
Philip L Kerr Monty Python? … ‘I like Chinese thought’, runs a Monty Python Are you sure he’s one of us? ditty, ‘the wisdom that Confucius taught’. During a symposium in Dallas, Sally Campbell noted Editor —Margaret Thatcher, to her political secretary the differences between ‘Confucian’ and West- ern cultures. Sally examines those differences here, along with generational differences. Monty Python’s Flying Circus debuted on BBC television in October 1969—and the world has Huifang Yang, Shuming Zhao and Ian Ball not been quite the same since. 40 years on, the also take up the theme of cultural differences humdrum of my working day is often enlivened in their comparative study of the temperaments by swapping snatches of favourite Python skits of managers in China and Australia. with workmates of my generation. Maintaining the multicultural momentum, Anne Python phrases have entered our language: Marsden and Tim Marsden share with us their He’s not the Messiah, he’s just a naughty boy. insights from teaching type in Zambia. Nudge, nudge, know what I mean? And the line From Hollywood (where the Pythons filmed their Margaret Thatcher parroted as a putdown of a stage show in 1982), Vicky Jo Varner recounts Liberal Democrat policy: This is an ex-parrot! her experiences in the online world of type— The Python team came out of Cambridge and a milieu ‘muddled with naiveté and ignorance’. MP: Is this the right room Oxford, and it showed in the overt ‘cleverness’ for an argument? And from Cannes, Peter Malone reviews Jane of their conceptual comedy, with its allusions Campion’s Bright Star and Warwick Thornton’s JC: I’ve told you once. to literature, history and philosophy. Their style Samson and Delilah. For Peter, the ‘unhurried MP: No you haven’t! was to prick pretensions, pomposity and petty societies’ in the two films typify ISFP cultures. JC: Yes I have! bureaucracy—and Britain had plenty of that. ISFPs feature in the latest article in Meredith But Python’s humour travelled well—even the Fuller’s Workspaces series. In a testament to Michael Palin and John Cleese putatively humourless Germans commissioned in Monty Python’s Flying Circus the trust that Meredith secures, she offers no episodes of Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus. less than eight case studies of this ‘Behind the The USA was a harder nut for Python’s British Scenes’ type, each typifying in their unique way brand of comedy. When it did catch on, it was the ISFP gifts of caregiving and creativity. not in hip San Francisco or cosmopolitan New York, but—of all places—Dallas, Texas. Meredith’s subjects include a desktop support engineer and an air–conditioning mechanic; a Dallas was the venue for the APT International photographic artist and a hippie teacher; a nurse, conference. Eight Australians were there (none a personal care worker, and a hospital orderly; Philip L Kerr (INTP) is the editor of named Bruce). In this issue of the Australian and that staple character of many memorable the Australian Psychological Type Psychological Type Review, the philosophical Python skits, a shop owner. Review and national president of Peter Geyer and I present parallel perspectives on the event and its environs. That’s an impressive array of vocations. But I AusAPT. Monty Python enlivened didn’t want to be any of those. No, I wanted to his student years, and continues In a bold step for a pair of INTPs, Peter and I be … a lumberjack! Everybody, now: to serve him well in navigating the shared a hotel room in Dallas—and managed absurdities of organisational life. to keep it free of arguments. ‘All in it together’ I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK [email protected] is the theme of Peter’s Freewheelin’ column. I sleep all night and I work all day …
2 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 New evidence about the four temperaments and Chinese and Australian managers
Doing business in China is increasingly An analysis by Liang and Whiteley (2003), Ian L Ball likely for Australian business managers. reproduced in Table 1, found fundamental Psychological Type Research Unit, According to Austrade (2007): differences in how dimensions of social Deakin University, Australia life are perceived. These were summed up Australia has good credibility in China. On as a basic difference in cultural orientation, the commercial level, our business culture ‘passion’ versus ‘mind’. Huifang Yang suits the Chinese, and Australians like to Nanjing University, Nanjing, P.R. China immerse ourselves in Chinese culture and Table 1: Cultural orientations of learn about the place [so much so that] it is The University of Newcastle, Australia Chinese and Australian managers now imperative for Australian businesses to include China as part of any export strategy. Chinese Australian Shuming Zhao ‘mind’ Emphasis ‘passion’ China is now Australia’s biggest export Nanjing University, Nanjing, P.R. China trading partner, and much effort has been Organisational put into the formulation of advice about respect for and cultural factors such as etiquette and how obedience to Hierarchy egalitarian to conduct negotiations (Austrade, 2009). superiors While more work has been done about basic knowledge, Training and problem solving, cultural factors, relatively little effort has basic skills education technical skills been given to issues of how Chinese and long term Planning short term Australian managers can relate to each other on personality factors. process oriented Controlling result oriented Organisational This paper reports two landmark studies tall, ambiguous flat, clear-cut structure of the four temperaments of Chinese and Knowledge of Australian managers, and the observed Individual similarities and differences. Some new circular Way of thinking linear temperaments evidence about the relative distributions harmony and of the temperaments across Chinese and Prioritising efficiency can play a role Australian managers is also presented. The human touch role of gender differences is explored. risk-avoiding Risk-taking experimenting in the interplay These comparisons highlight the significant effectiveness Patience efficiency role that knowledge of temperaments might situational Flexibility absolute of cultures have in the interplay of different cultures in Responsibilities situational absolute developing business new opportunities. and initiatives Identified cultural factors personal Loyalty organisational passive Motivation self-started There have been several studies of the sim- outer-directed Self-confidence inner-directed ilarities and differences between Chinese and Australian managers. These have con- situational Time reckoning efficiency sidered various individual behaviours and personal Power organisational attitudes, as well as more general cultural factors. Liang and Whiteley (2003), reported in Whiteley (2004)
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 3 Ian L Ball, Huifang Yang, Shuming Zhao: Chinese and Australian managers
This analysis was part of an interpretative It should be noted that Keirsey’s conception study of Australian managers in northern places greater importance on the sensing– China (Beijing region) and their Chinese intuition dichotomy than does Myers, and colleagues. While both similarities and uses an idea not found in Myers, about the differences were found at the national and difference between affiliation and prag- corporate levels, Table 1 reports only the matism. differences. Nevertheless, the four temperaments can be discerned within the MBTI codes. Each The idea of four temperaments represents a pairing of either a concrete or an abstract attitude with a theme based on According to Dunning (2004, p12), temp- either affiliation or pragmatism. erament theory asserts that individuals are born with a predisposition to act and A shorthand code is often used to indicate interact in certain ways to meet underly- the particular cognitive processes. Accord- ing needs: ing to Kroeger and Thuesen (1995), the first letter of a temperament pair represents one’s The theory is not about labelling or other- preferred information-gathering process, S wise limiting individuals. Rather, it is a tool (sensing) or N (intuition). The second letter is dependent on what the first letter is. for exploring individual differences. If the first letter is S, the preference for The temperament concepts were refined gathering information is concrete and tac- by Keirsey (1998), who noted regularities tile, and the next most important question in observations of behaviour patterns that is What you do with those perceptions? he termed ‘temperament styles’. A long his- Do you: tory of these four behaviour patterns exists from the time of Hippocrates through to the • organise them, J (a judging function); or four spirit keepers of the American Indians, • continue to take them in or perhaps even and to the investigations of Kretschmer and seek more, P (a perceiving function)? Spranger. This leads to the first two temperament Temperament theory uses a systems field groups, SJ and SP. theory model in its descriptions of the four temperaments. Keirsey and Bates (1978, If it is N, the preference is for gathering
p 30) observe that data in abstract and conceptual ways. The Ian Ball (ISTJ) is an honorary fellow at second most important question is How do Deakin University where he manages one’s temperament determines behavior you prefer to evaluate the data you have the Psychological Type Research because behavior is the instrument for gathered, either: Unit. This involvement has produced getting us what we must have, satisfying • objectively, T (thinking); or a number of published reports on our desire for that one thing we live for. type theory and practice, as well as • subjectively, F (feeling). conference presentations. In temperament theory, behaviours cluster This leads to the second two temperament into distinctive activity patterns that can be Ian is a fellow of the Australian Psy- groups, NT and NF. organised around core themes or values chological Society and an honorary specific to each temperament. life member of the Australian Assoc- Berens’s approach to the iation for Psychological Type. His A useful instrument to identify which of temperaments research interests are emotional the temperaments is at play is the Myers- intelligence, type theory and practice, Briggs Type Indicator. The MBTI was In her updating of temperament theory, and multiple intelligences. developed using patterns of preferences Berens (2006) has illuminated the four identified by Myers, drawing on Jung’s distinctive patterns in a series of portraits, [email protected] work on differences in the use of cognitive and has developed a new terminology to processes. Myers, McCaulley, Quenk and bring the essence of the SJ, SP, NT and Hammer (1998) set out the theory, where NF concepts to the foreground. This term- introversion and extraversion play signif- inology is depicted by the temperament icant roles in the use of cognitive processes. matrix in Table 2.
4 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
Table 2: Berens’s formulation Models, systems and organising frame- of the temperament matrix works are used frequently to assist in these processes, as Theorists favour logical Abstract Concrete analysis. They are happy working with a attitude attitude level of abstraction, and have a talent for Affiliative roles ‘Catalyst’ NF ‘Stabilizer’ SJ thinking through contingencies and devel- Pragmatic roles ‘Theorist’ NT ‘Improviser’ SP oping multiple plans for them. People with the Improviser temperament Source: after Berens, 2006, p 37 use the extraverted sensing process. This process keeps them in touch with the needs Descriptions of the four temperaments of the moment and the tactical moves they can make to seize opportunities. There is a People with the Catalyst temperament pairing of sensing (S) with perception (P). rely on the use of the mental processes of intuition (N) and feeling (F). Such people Improvisers value their freedom to respond use the feeling judgement process to give and their ability to make an impact ‘here them ways to act in accordance with their and now’ through their drive to take action. value set, and use the intuition perception They are seen as having special talents for process to think about what is or what will troubleshooting and being able to ‘read’ a be significant in the long run. situation. Catalysts seem to be forever in search of The dynamics of the four temperaments the question Who am I? as they establish that what they are doing has meaning, con- The 2 x 2 format of Table 2 depicts that tributes to some higher purpose, and is val- each temperament pattern has something ued by others. Their key talents are building in common with each of the others. These bridges between people and using their commonalities reveal themselves in the empathetic skills to help to resolve inter- ways that people communicate: their style personal conflicts. of language, preferred roles and focus of attention. People with the Stabilizer temperament have needs for membership or belonging, The vertical dimension, abstract versus and for responsibility or duty. These needs concrete attitudes, illustrates differences in the way we tend to think about things, are met through introverted sensing. The reference point for these people is usually and the way we use words. what has gone on before, and their stored Language usually reflects our natural, pre- Language reflects images and impressions (S) inform their ferred way of viewing the world. The Cat- decision-making that tends to be logistical alyst and Theorist share a preference for our natural way of (J) in focus. working with the abstract—talking about viewing the world Stabilizers have a strong need for connect- concepts and patterns, and searching for edness and clarity about their place in a their meanings. The Stabilizer and Impro- group. Their focus on traditional ways of viser both prefer the concrete, talking about doing things expresses their desire for tangible realities—those based on their stability. They have a talent for logistics experiences and observations. and knowing what the right sequence is The horizontal dimension, affiliative ver- to get the right things in the right place, sus pragmatic roles, illustrates differences quantity and time, to the right people. in the way we prefer to interact with others. People with the Theorist temperament The Catalyst and the Stabilizer share an in- have strong needs for being competent. terest in affiliative roles, where people act Their search for expert knowledge and in community with a sense of what is a good mastery is supported by their use of intu- outcome for the group. The Improviser and ition (N) and thinking (T). These people Theorist are more interested in pragmatic are often found dealing with the world of roles, in which people are guided by what theories and strategy, and prefer making they see as needing to be done to achieve objective decisions. desired outcomes.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 5 Ian L Ball, Huifang Yang, Shuming Zhao: Chinese and Australian managers
The two diagonal relationships express The four temperaments the focus of attention on structure versus and Australian managers motive. The Catalyst and Improviser share a focus on motive, or why people do things; In a landmark study, Guthrie reported the the Theorist and Stabilizer share a focus MBTI profiles of managers undertaking on structure, valuing order and organisation. leadership and executive development The important distinction is the nature of courses at the Australian Management what attention is paid to, not what people’s College (1993). interests are. This model of the dynamics This was a significant sample of managers of interaction explains why people can (n = 2288), whose profiles were collected become polarised and have difficulty in in the period 1990 to 1993. There were 280 communicating and working with others females and 2008 males. All participants of a different temperament. had management roles in the private sector, In the next section we review two early statutory corporations, government, or the landmark studies of the distribution of military. Less than 1% were self-employed temperaments—one in mainland China, or business owners. and the other in Australia. Guthrie reported on the frequencies of psy- chological types, as well as temperaments. The four temperaments The results clearly indicated significant and Chinese managers differences between the two genders for each temperament. Of particular interest Broer and McCarley (1999) conducted a was the difference in frequencies between study of the MBTI profiles of managers males and females: undertaking workshops in a joint venture • males indicated a strong SJ Stabilizer company with about 800 employees. This pattern (48%), followed by NT Theor- appears to be the first published study in ist (38%) the West of the MBTI in China. The profiles were from Chinese nationals • the results for females were NT Theorist in managerial and professional positions. (45%), followed by SJ Stabilizer (32%) There were 66 males and 53 females, and Both of these differences were significant their ages ranged from 22 to 43 years. Some (p < 0.001). 96% had degrees from Chinese universities. Huifang Yang (ISTP) is a postdoc- The following analysis has been drawn The patterns for the other temperaments toral research fellow in the School from the published data of psychological were also different: of Business, Nanjing University, and type distributions. • male managers indicated SP Improviser is currently a research fellow at the Broer and McCarley found that managers (9%), followed by NF Catalyst (5%) University of Newcastle. reported strong SJ preferences: 41.5% of • female managers indicated NF Catalyst Dr Yang has interests in personality females and 57.6% of males were classi- (17%), followed by SP Improviser (6%) and human resource management. fied as Stabilizers, the highest frequencies She is participating in several for each sample. Next were NT Theorists Both of these differences were significant international co-operative research (34.0% of females and 19.7% of males), (p < 0.01). projects. followed by small numbers of SP Impro- After making comparisons with data from visers (13.2% of females, 12.1% of males) the USA and the UK, Guthrie noted that [email protected] and NF Catalysts (11.3% of females, 10.6% there is a consistent pattern, in that in the of males). Australian data Overall, there were no significant differ- ences between the genders in the distrib- … there are more female managers that are ution of the four temperaments: the order change oriented than their male counterparts of frequencies and their magnitudes are … and more female managers than male very similar. The results were virtually managers have preferences that take account identical for reported type and validated of values in the decision-making process. type results. (p 16)
6 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
New evidence about Chinese The managers responded to a Chinese and Australian managers version of Form M of the MBTI. Further information on this version is available in Yang and Zhao (2007). Figure 1 shows the A paper by Yang and Zhao (2004) provided high frequency of the Stabilizer tempera- the stimulus for a new look at the distribut- ment in the Chinese samples. ion of the four temperaments of managers in China and Australia. Yang and Zhao re- The Australian sample was extracted from ported on the range of types for Chinese the MBTI Australian Data Archive, an on- managers. Their results echo the Broer and going project of the Psychological Type McCarley (1999) study. Research Unit at Deakin University. The data were from Form K and Form G pro- Yang and Zhao drew a random sample from files for 300 females and 650 males, from students undertaking postgraduate courses donated data from a range of leadership in business management. There were 253 and management courses conducted by Chinese business managers in the sample MBTI practitioners across Australia. (195 males and 58 females), employed in These profiles did not include any of the state-owned enterprises, joint venture com- profiles used by Guthrie (1993) and were panies and private enterprises in various of more recent origin. industrial sectors in Jiangsu province and Beijing. The sample ratio of 68% males to 32% females approximates the gender ratio for Yang and Zhao (2007) noted that the ratio persons classified as ‘managers’ in the of 77% male to 23% female corresponds 2006 Australian Census (66% males to to the gender distribution of managers in 34% females). This Australian sample is China. The managers included individuals drawn from samples of convenience, and of higher, middle and lower rank, respon- is not presented as a random sample of sible for management positions including managers. human resources, technology, sales, finance, strategic planning and project management. Figure 2 shows the distribution of frequencies They were aged from 25 to 55, and most in the Australian samples and the gender had a college or university education. differences in these distributions.
80 Stabilizers had the
70 highest frequencies
60 in both groups
50 195 males 40 58 females 30 20
10
0 Catalyst Theorist Stabilizer Improviser Temperaments Figure 1: Frequencies of the temperaments in the Chinese sample of managers, by gender
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 7 Ian L Ball, Huifang Yang, Shuming Zhao: Chinese and Australian managers
45 40 35 30
25 650 males 20 300 females
15 10 5 0 Catalyst Theorist Stabilizer Improviser Figure 2: Frequencies of temperaments in the Australian sample of managers, by gender
Gender differences in the Tables 3 and 4 present the percentages of temperaments of Chinese males and females across the Chinese and and Australian managers Australian samples who expressed prefer- ences for one of the temperament patterns. Comparisons of the temperaments derived from MBTI data from the Australian and Table 3: Comparison of temperaments of Chinese samples were analysed using SPSS Chinese and Australian managers—male and the Selection Ratio Program (Moody, Granada and Myers, 1993). Chinese Australian male managers male managers Within the national groups, there are sig- (n = 195) (n =650) nificantly more NF preferences shown by female Australian managers, compared NF Catalyst 7.7% 9.4% to male Australian managers (p < 0.001). NT Theorist 18.0%*** 34.5%*** Overall, the modal temperament is SJ, the SJ Stabilizer 69.2%*** 41.1%*** highest frequency for managers of either Shuming Zhao (ENFJ) is dean of *** *** gender, but these results are stronger in the SP Improviser 5.1% 15.1% the School of Business at Nanjing Chinese than in the Australian samples. University and dean of the School ***p < 0.001 of Graduate Studies at Macau Uni- When comparing the males across national versity of Science and Technology. groups, there were significant differences The comparison of the male Chinese and between Chinese and Australian managers: Australian managers shows significant Professor Zhao has had many the frequencies for NT, SJ and SP were differences for three of the four tempera- international engagements and all significantly different (p < 0.001). This ments. These results could occur by chance regularly visits the University of evidence seems to suggest there is more about once in a thousand times (p < 0.001), Southern California. His research variety in the distribution of temperaments implying that the two sets of managers are interests are human resource in male Australian managers compared to not alike in their distributions of tempera- management and international male Chinese managers. ments. business. The comparative data for the Chinese and Although the Stabilizer temperament has [email protected] Australian female managers show two the highest frequency in both groups, only significant differences for SJ Stabilizer about four in ten Australian managers ex- (p < 0.01) and SP Improviser (p < 0.05). press that temperament, compared to nearly It appears that female Chinese managers seven in ten Chinese managers. are more closely aligned to having a high The percentages of the Improviser and proportion of SJ as their male counterparts, Theorist temperaments are higher among but this difference is not as apparent for the male Australian managers than among female Australian managers. the male Chinese managers.
8 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
Table 4: Comparison of temperaments of These variations are likely to be exhibited References Chinese and Australian managers—female in what managers take for granted in busi- ness interactions. Different world views Austrade. 2009.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 9 Berlin, Germany Speakers Richard Bents, PhD 27–29 May 2010 Dr Lynne Bils Dr Reiner Blank The third European Type Conference invites Mark Bodnarczuk you to Berlin, the capital of Germany. A lively venue at the heart of Berlin, ‘Prenzlauer Berg’, Geneviève Cailloux offers a wonderful ambience. Pierre Cauvin More than 100 participants will come together to Richard Custer discuss all aspects of using typology in personnel Annette Elgaard Böttger development. You will have the chance to attend workshops from international experts in human Pieter Gallas resources development and talk to them in person. Donald G Hester, PhD Our program is focused on diversity and education. Katherine W Hirsh, DPhil I’m looking forward to meeting you in Berlin. David Hodgson Georg M Stüer Dr Clare Howard Member of the Board of the German APT Jane Kise EdD Robert R Klein Prices Belinda Lange APT members (ID required): Hannah Meierhofer Pre-conference ..... € 160 Patricia Mumme Stotz Conference ...... € 450 Dario Nardi PhD Package ...... € 520 Susan Nash Early bird registration gets you 5% off (available Dick Otter until 31 December 2009). Prices include morning Edit Szathmari and afternoon coffee breaks and buffet lunches. Gudula van Beem More information and registration at Rianne van Strien www.typeconference.eu Lieve Vermeulen Culture changes over time
Effects on cultures across the world
As the dust clears after the collapse of the work-dominated lives and the hierarchical old financial order, there’s a sense that mar- structures, insensitive to the needs of ket ‘solutions’ are no longer self-justifying. people, that dominated for decades. It has been suggested by Philip Bond in Instead, their career dream is the ability to the Financial Times that society may come make a difference, balanced by plenty of before markets. Pragmatism and a sense downtime. Further, they are not prepared of the importance of social relations have to put up with stressful working conditions: been sacrificed to notions of efficiency. when unhappy, they simply resign. In this recession it appears that Generation Xs George Packer in the New Yorker wrote cling on, while Generation Ys are leaving that modern conservatism, especially neo- jobs before they are pushed, unaware or liberalism, has turned its back on tradition unafraid of the downturn. This leads to pro- and the need for checks and balances, activeness and flexibility of mind—a more and become its rabid opposite—‘abstract, NP/SP/NJ approach, perhaps? hard-edged and indifferent to experience Sally Campbell and existing conditions’. Computer models Organisational structures have changed in and targets replaced reality. the last 20 years. The gold watch after 40 years of service is a rarity. Now, collabor- Establishing a new equilibrium between ative structures, in which hierarchy plays individuals and broad economic forces, so second fiddle to flexibility and innovation, that markets can be made to serve social From Generation Y to are seen as the way to attract and retain ends, will be a priority. Stakeholders, rather the best graduates. Managers have to ad- than just shareholder value, may return to Confucian cultures, just, letting go of much of their control need: being an important part of banking and difficult in a recession and stressful time. change is happening other services, rather than concentrating on making bonuses. But there is another issue. Over the past 15 years the school system has led many across the world But what effect has this 20-year charge to of Generation Y to believe that economic markets had on the people born between success is available to all, and they can 1980 and 1998, the Y Generation? How always succeed. Micromanagement does different are they from Generation X and not fit in with that. the Baby Boomers? How does their be- Sally Campbell (ENTP) has been haviour differ? How might they report on Further, Sally Bibb, co-founder of talent- interested in type since 1988. She the MBTI—and is that reported type their moothie, says: ‘Generation Y, under 30 became a trainer of trainers, and best-fit type? years old, are natives of the digital world, wrote articles for APT International’s which means the rest of us are immigrants’. multicultural interest area for four Sue Honore, consultant at Ashridge Busi- years. She uses type and Jungian ness School (UK) is interviewing Gen Ys In Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the Net ideas in many settings, from 1:1 to on their impact on business. They have Generation, Don Tapscott describes the teams and community groups. been raised during the greatest sustained impact this ‘Net’ generation, a tech-savvy period of economic growth, mollycoddled, Generation Y, will have on work practices, Sally lives on the Isle of Arran, west with expectations of an easy life. They were as happened through the coordinated soc- of Glasgow. sold the ‘economic miracle’ with easy credit. ial networking strategies we saw in Barack [email protected] They have little interest in their parents’ Obama’s presidential campaign.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 11 Sally Campbell: Culture changes over time
Tapscott argues that while Generation X • One must behave in a virtuous manner grew up anxious, the Net Generation is towards others: everybody’s ‘face’ must more positive and proactive, and, with the be maintained help of technology, values multi-tasking • Education and hard work must be prized and collaboration through networks as a way to solve complex problems. His latest • One should be moderate in all things: book Grown Up Digital: How the Net Gen- save, stay calm, avoid extremes, and eration Is Changing Your World develops shun indulgence this theme, and is an important read for Confucianism still exerts a strong influence those in training and development. on the daily lives and business cultures in The positive conclusion to education and China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore training is that Generation Y is much more and Hong Kong. While we have witnessed able to find creative solutions to problems huge economic changes in the region with for themselves. They are less tolerant of market-led expansion in recent years, the senior managers who throw their power culture is changing only slowly and reluct- around! antly, especially with the older generations and present leaders. So, if such changes are happening on our doorstep, what about taking type to other References cultures across the world? The Internet is Tapscott, D (1999). Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the reaching every corner. We certainly need Net Generation. Oracle Series. to be extremely sensitive and cautious in Tapscott, D (2008). Grown Up Digital: How the Net making decisions as to type. Generation is Changing Your World. As a complete contrast to the West, con- sider Confucian cultures. Confucius, born This article was first published in the Summer 2560 years ago, is one of the most seminal 2009 issue of TypeFace, and is reprinted here and influential thinkers, educators and pol- in an edited version by kind permission of the itical philosophers in Chinese history. His British Association for Psychological Type. basic teaching is that the stability of society is based on unequal relationships between Ian Ball, Huifang Yang and Shuming Zhao
people—almost diametrically opposite to report on the temperaments of managers in Confucius: stability British, American and Australian ideas. China and Australia on page 3. The Chinese believe that there are five is based on unequal relationships basic to ethical behaviour: relationships • ruler to subject Psychological Type and • father to son Culture—East and West • older brother to younger brother Honolulu, Hawaii • husband to wife 7—9 January 2010 • senior friend to junior friend The Chinese believe that non-observance of these relationships is responsible for dis- order, crime, and lack of societal respon- sibility. The basic teachings of Confucius can be summarised as:
• Observance of unequal relationships.
• The family as the prototype of all social [email protected] organisation: we are members of a www.typeandculture.org group, not individuals
12 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
part 14 s Workspaces s P P Act I: F F The photographic artist/teacher aide and the air-conditioning mechanic S S I I In the last issue of the Review I explored aggression, it’s simply that they won’t be the dependable ISFJs. In this article I look coerced into going anywhere they don’t at the nature-loving ISFPs. wish to go, figuratively and literally. Alongside their humorous and downright TJs may be irritated by ISFP slowness or funny streaks, all of the ISFP case studies non-compliance with their urgent agendas; mention their love of the sea. Louise, as but really, ISFPs simply need to follow their diminutive as Grant is gigantic, shares his own impulses in their own timeframe. love of sailing, as well as the inland. Mars The ISFP ability to ignore other people’s and Bernadette live on the coast; Lily agendas may frustrate, but their calm and Heather adore the ocean, too. refusal to get whipped up by others’ imperious demands provides the still ISFPs display a heightened sensitivity to point in the eye of organisational storms. nature and animals, and graceful elegance While others may bemoan ISFPS as in how they inhabit their workspaces. Some wishy-washy, pleasure-seeking, or not heal the sick, others help learners. Career serious enough, SPs know that they are areas often selected by ISFPs include health really spontaneous, able to enjoy life, and Meredith Fuller care and service work, nursing, personal are hands-on practical. I N F P services, craft work, trade, community clear very clear moderate very clear police and detective work, and teaching Lily, Louise, Heather and Bernadette are (particularly kindergarten and primary). kind, sensitive and adaptable. Their warm and sympathetic natures, though slightly ISFPs illuminate embodied experience to concealed, are easily felt by others, and those who live in their heads. By their they are particularly skilled at dealing with very presence, they invite others to take children, animals or people in need. a deep breath and appreciate their sur- roundings: smell those roses! They like to In addition, they have a special empathy take their time executing tasks (attuned for natural things and crave being out- to their senses), and resent being frazzled doors, out and about, rather than sitting or pressurised. Louise, for example, gets behind a desk all day. Much of their con- agitated when confronted with things she tribution is unseen, as they perform happily doesn’t understand, such as technology: in the background, wishing to avoid the Meredith Fuller is a psychologist in spotlight. Similarly to Mars and Grant, they private practice and a recognised I find it immobilising when I have too many engage in direct practical care of people specialist in vocational behaviour tasks on the go. On the other hand, I find and hands-on detailed work. One of and career change. She is also a it difficult to complete tasks to reduce the Louise’s friends says: columnist, psychological profiler, burden. I procrastinate too much! On a macro level, Louise has integrity, re- and media spokesperson for the However, for things of intrinsic importance spect, sense of justice, and hard-working Australian Psychological Society. to them, they have a steely resolve that ethic. On a micro level, she has great Meredith is a life member of AusAPT. may perplex other people. Their determ- attention to detail, especially for patients— She is currently writing a book on ination is often masked by their outward for example clean fangs, nails, etc. women and work. gentleness or reasonableness—potentially and inadvertently conveying a message to Another friend mentioned her ‘reliable, www.meredithfuller.com.au others that they agree, when in fact they practical care about other people’s welfare: [email protected] disagree! Easily misinterpreted as passive gently verbal when she needs to be.’
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David’s and Geoff’s artisan skills are evi- Painstaking Heather settled in for an en- dent in their mechanical and engineering joyably long activity. ‘Every time, this is a roles, and both have a supportive approach totally new experience—minute changes towards people. in the breeze, the light’, she declared. ISFPs’ realistic grounding, depth of feeling, Unlike Helen’s Si ‘Recalling’, Heather’s Se and very personal approach to life means ‘Experiencing’ was fascinated by all of the that they help others in pragmatic ways. concrete data in the moment. While Helen Their positive, trusting natures may be felt compelled to follow her strict order accompanied by a lack of perspicacity to of pegging, Heather happily adjusted her see what could go wrong, and there may equipment to accommodate miniscule be a tendency to take people at face value, changes in sensory data. assuming they are competent or skilled. Heather’s photographic art is exquisite. Susan Nash notes how ISFJs and ISFPs can Her languid ongoing enjoyment of the look similar. Both types tend to be gentle, present moment and expression through interested in people, and grounded in con- action leads to a craftsman-like elegance crete reality. Their ‘Behind the Scenes’ in whatever she does. When her photo- interaction style prefers to motivate by graphic restoration business was altered giving information (Informing), rather than with the advent of digital technology, she having a time-and-task focus (Directing). adapted quietly, embracing the digital and Nash notes that ISFJS and ISFPs expanding into artwork. Her various roles have included taking photos for Real Estate, tend to move at a slower pace, and producing cards and jewellery for markets, appear quietly friendly and helpful. Both and working with children: comfortable in types tend to let others take the first jobs that take advantage of her attention move, responding to openings, rather than to detail and also allow her freedom from initiating interactions themselves. restricting structures and rules. (In contrast, an ENTP photographer de- But she highlights the temperament differ- cided to end his photographic career when ence between the ISFJ Guardians, focused the digital age hit; he thought that digital on responsibility, and the ISFP Artisans, was ‘impure’ and forfeited a person’s skill focused on freedom in the moment. and competence.) The similarity of slower pace and difference Many ISFPs set high personal standards of functional perception of information for their artistic endeavours, and this Languid enjoyment of can be seen in two contrasting vignettes: perfectionism—quality over quantity— ISFJ Helen hanging out her washing (as the moment: Heather (r) may hamper their output. Some spend mentioned in my last article), and ISFP years waiting for the perfect moment to with her sister Anne Heather taking a photograph. ‘give birth’ when all the conditions are As I observed Helen, she painstakingly took ‘just right’, remaining ‘pregnant’ forever. one item at a time from the basket—this Others may prefer to revisit an apex careful exercise was applied to socks, tops, achievement that could not be sullied by pants, undies and doona covers. Every item attempting new productions. Generally, was carefully inspected, turned inside out, ISFPs bring forth a number of lovingly- and methodically smoothed before precis- executed fruits of their endeavours. ion-hanging. It took her over two hours. ISFPs tend to be identified as gentle, un- As she recalled: assuming and kindly. Complacent rather Once I got a shock when I found a spider than competitive, there is an unhurried in my clothes. By turning everything inside attitude to their enjoyment of life. Good out before I hang it on the line, I make sure at calmly gathering information from people, they are easy people to trust. We can that never happens again. observe the importance of this agility in In contrast, I observed Heather taking a nursing and teaching, as well as in gaining photograph of a sunset, a regular activity. rapport with any living creatures.
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‘They appreciate sensual variety—like a One of the art teachers who works with painter observing the beauty of colour Heather describes her ‘gifted photography and contour in the natural world’, says with an eye for detail, especially with nat- Montgomery in The Pygmalion Project. ural subjects. She is also a talented artist, ‘Whatever catches their eye can fill their especially in ceramics.’ awareness.’ Life and love need to be ‘fun’, ISFPs can offer their ‘jigsaw’ puzzle skills: sharing good-natured, sensuous pleasure the gift of putting bits together with a of experiences, with nature, food, doing, heightened awareness of the subtlety of playing and being. colour, form, and texture. This patient ISFPs have a capacity for living completely working and reworking might be likened in the present moment, their senses fully to a small research team putting archaeo- involved in the details of immediate reality. logical pieces back together in a loving, This living on the razor’s edge of time, act- painstaking, careful process that tolerates ively being-here-now, lies at the heart of the unexpected and changing priorities. their Artisan or artistic nature. It’s gener- This love of restoration and reconstruct- ally considered that ISFPs experience the ion is highlighted in Bernadette’s original world in a kind of slow motion, unhurried fantasy of working in the film industry as and unconcerned as they are absorbed in a designer and constructor of period sets. the present moment. This is likely to give them split-second agility, whether dancing, While curious and attentive, ISFPs may ice skating, nursing, taking photographs, not be academically oriented. At school operating tools, cooking or childminding. they are often described as being easily distracted—unless the topic is filtered While some other types may prefer to through their personal experience, weigh- undertake abstract postgraduate study, ing how things matter to them. ISFPs relish a kinaesthetic connection to the real world that they heartily inhabit. But they are likely to enjoy practical or The urge to make (for example, to paint, experiential interest subjects with hands- sculpt, play music), touch (to nurse the on learning, such as horticulture, cooking, sick, children, animals or environment), art and music. They may demonstrate an or beautify (garden, decorate, adorn, indifference to intellectual complications, arrange) is more powerful than a desire replacing academic rigour with a delight- to pore over musty texts. ful, almost childlike sense of wonder and innocence. Almost always modest and reticent, their cleverness lies within their healing hands, Lily recalls feeling acutely bored sitting in Grant was happy to whether making art, craft, mending, sewing, class, longing for breaks so she could talk leave school at the gardening, cooking, or providing nursing with her friends behind the shelter sheds. or paramedical care. They commune with Heather loved her art subjects, but felt first opportunity nature and help the world see her beauty. indifferent to the academic ones. David, like Grant, was happy to leave school at Heather’s sister, an academic, notes her, the first opportunity to begin his apprent- ‘strong aesthetic sensibility’, ‘especially iceship. They all prefer to learn by doing, good with colour, careful and persistent’: rather than attending classes. As a mother, both at home, in school and Mars, a photography teacher in a small holiday settings, you have been patient and alternative school, sees himself as a prac- shown an awareness of your children’s tical teacher, not an academic: needs. You are thoughtful in the process of developing their skills and abilities, and Academics are the ones who can take every- worked and played with them at their thing in and then regurgitate it—and pass level to stimulate and engage them. exams. The practical ones don’t seem to be able to that—they can’t take it in and So suited to teaching, home decorating, order it to make sense, and they can’t re- gardening and landscaping, horticulture member anything anyway. and botanical, and of course, photography.
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But if you do something creative like art ‘In the 21st Century we are using computer or photography, you can just do what you technology to return to the ancestral vis- like as there is no right or wrong way. ual way of communicating’, says Mars: The academic kids in my class get uptight because they’re perfectionists who want Technology is a vehicle to illuminate our prescriptive assignments, and I deliberately visual exchanges. Visuals are more immed- get them to just play around with their iate than words, and more real. We all cameras. Hand in whatever they like. relate to images—images mean something to us, and we ‘know’. ‘I don’t do much’, says Mars. Everything is visual—TV, the internet, films—it is an immediate transfer. People I just turn up to class and say, ‘Hey, let’s don’t need to write things down, or write all take photos of X’, and then I encourage books, or text. Go straight to image and them with whatever they come up with. I we immediately understand. don’t have to prepare anything. I can show them a film and ask, ‘How was that?’ I don’t ‘We shouldn’t fear technology’, Mars adds, have to understand it. I am not into that ‘because it is our tool for our visual world intellectual, conceptual stuff. to be instant communication’:
The ISFP’s capacity for ‘living in the now, Even at art galleries, we stare at the not the past or future’ can help others to posters advertising the images inside, we capture the present moment through their don’t bother reading. Images are the way eyes. Being in love is sensuous, carefree, to taking in what you notice, and what has and exciting with an embodied ISFP. meaning for you, and people respond They are physically sensitive, having an differently to different imagery. instinctive one-ness with nature and art. Our world is returning to visuals as the They can be highly adroit artists—they immediate way of being—and exchanging don’t ‘think’ about their art, they just do our feeling—we show each other. Far it. Strategic NTs might describe their lack more is communicated in a visual moment of planning as ‘aimlessness’; but then again, than in reading a book. So why would you the SP is really uncomfortable with long- bother trying to read a book? As children, term goal-setting and bored by dogged perseverance at the expense of pleasure- our books had illustrations. We are of-the-senses in the now. returning to graphic books, while for Mars: I am not into many years they were text based. It cuts that intellectual and There is a paradoxical need for both out many steps, and we can know things privacy and playful ‘living in the moment’ faster by visuals. conceptual stuff with others. On one hand, ISFPs appear to be self-contained; but on the other, Visual communications may be less access- they playfully engage with others, loving ible to others who are more verbal or to make them happy with their kindness auditory. When pressed to speak, ISFPs and spontaneity. This may take the form may struggle. There can be an inability or of cooking delicious food, creating a lov- reluctance to put feelings into words; a ing ambience in the home, or providing shy silence that can be frustrating for relaxing and humorous entertainment. their lovers. Bernadette has a steady stream of locals ISFPs show their depth of feeling through popping in to her shop for a yarn and a actions. Words are used sparingly, or giggle—a lively atmosphere that delights exactly. Effusiveness and elaboration of customers and tourists. Louise ‘can get language is difficult. If love becomes a lost in conversation that is longwinded’, committed drag with rule-bound she says, ‘particularly in the workplace. demands, the instinct is to escape. People seem to talk a lot and say very little, which causes me to miss the point, It is inadvisable to ‘punish and prod’ the if indeed there is one!’ ISFP. When constrained or pushed, their
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dark side may emerge—they can become I know her attention to detail and perfect- self-destructive manipulators or cruel ionism can put her under enormous press- withdrawers. ure when quotas are required. Valuing her My case studies prefer to work in non- clients will always be her priority so therein competitive situations, where they can lies an ongoing difficulty. make use of their practical common sense. They appreciate working in supportive ISFPs can negotiate to get what they want environments that foster harmony, and and may step outside of the boundaries. where they can work independently to They are not impressed by rules, hierarchy, some degree but still be involved with position or status. They often question the others. Although they enjoy working with rules if they don’t make sense or conflict others, they’re not inclined to want to with values. They may exercise unfathom- manage or supervise them. ably ‘resistant’ behaviour by simply not finishing a delegated task if they don’t see Despite a disinclination to lead groups, any point to it. Louise has done so in hospital settings when her ideals required her to for the There is a desire to make a difference in greater good. ‘I feel like I don’t want the world, which is why ISFPs often choose much stress in the workplace’, she says, roles where they can help people in prac- ‘yet at times feel surprised about how tical ways. They will often require that their well I cope with organisational conflict, organisation acts with compassion. The and how energised I feel after a good ISFP personality can add low-key fun and challenge’. encouragement to a team. They are good at contributing to a relaxed, harmonious In addition to freedom, autonomy and atmosphere. variety, the case studies, like most ISFPs, also require private time alone to feel The main causes of stress for ISFPs are ‘themselves’ and ward off stress. They conflict, loss of freedom, and being the need a stream of new problems or situ- unwanted centre of attention. They can ations to challenge them, and work best be irritated or upset by people who are in environments that alternate intensity uncaring, critical, cruel or aggressive. The and excitement with slower, relaxed need for freedom usually means that they periods. are stressed by inflexible situations that tie them down or control with deadlines. They need physical freedom with oppor- tunities to be spontaneous. Bored with When stressed, ISFPs may feel hurt and Warm and sympathetic routine, they prefer jobs where no two become defensive. They are likely to lose days are the same. They like to be busy their spontaneity and feel unappreciated, nature: Lily (r) with and to have fun. or may withdraw. If severely stressed, Meredith Fuller they may have angry outburst which can One friend of Louise notes ‘things that be exhausting for them. To reduce stress, spring to mind’: ‘you are a quiet achiever ISFPs will often use physical activity, fun, with an appealing giggle’. Another mentions risk-taking or new experiences. They are Louise’s capacity to enjoy belly laughs that more likely to disappear for a bushwalk are infectious. A further friend says: ‘She than to stay for a long counselling debrief. has a great capacity to be totally present to the person she is’: ISFPs enjoy spending quiet time alone read- ing, taking a bath, being with nature, child- She listens attentively and empathically, ren or animals, being near water, walking always respectful of the needs of others. along the beach or bush, or athletics. They She is a team player who knows the value might enjoy activities such as line dancing, of addressing issues that create disharmony hot air balloon rides, visiting markets, or in the workplace. Even though such situat- abseiling or motorbike riding. They are ions may cause significant angst, she always also likely to enjoy cooking new recipes, does what she believes to be best for the making patchwork quilts, sewing, playing good of the whole group. music, creating haikus, playing practical jokes, and community service.
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While raising her children, Heather spent The photographic many years doing voluntary work at their primary school, including assisting in art artist/teacher aide classes, conducting a photographic club, offering darkroom experience for students, and assisting on excursions to the National Heather Davies ISFP Gallery Victoria. Heather has had extensive experience in Heather, in her 40s, has a certificate in illus- schools and industry with materials related trative photography from the Photography to photography and printing (both digital Studies College, South Melbourne and has and traditional), painting, drawing, textiles, also completed a short course in profess- felting, mosaics, ceramics and sculpture. ional picture framing. She describes herself She is also experienced in preparations for as a self-motivated photographic artist and class activities in those areas, and setting technician committed to providing aesthet- up computers, printing equipment and ically pleasing and high quality artworks. darkrooms. Heather has successfully operated a photo- ‘I have grown up surrounded by carpen- graphic business which has required her to try, building and art’, says Heather, ‘and become computer literate. She is passion- appreciate the importance of display’. She ate about art, always seeking and learning has operated her own business for over new skills and techniques to improve each 20 years, working independently, solving finished artwork or assignment. problems and taking initiatives when the need arose: Heather enjoys sharing her love of the arts with students and adults, motivating I am well organised and reliable in terms of them to create beautiful art. She works satisfying clients’ requirements and meeting part-time as a teacher aide (visual arts, deadlines. In order to be successful I have technology and textiles) and an after- planned, taken on new ideas, developed school care program assistant at several new skills and created new opportunities. private schools. Heather also has an understanding of Home and work in the same place is great. new technologies for displaying art work It is important for me to live in a calm, on the web, through building her website Heather Davies soothing and relaxed atmosphere sur- and being involved in redbubble.com, an rounded by all the colours, images, books online art community displaying art work I S F P and music that I love, with a beautiful out- and enabling communication with artists clear slight clear clear look of the garden I have created and the from all around the world. park beyond. Heather started photography while she All this makes for a wonderful creative was at school, liked it, and so studied it working environment. full-time when she left school.
As a self-employed photographic artist, in I have been involved in photography ever addition to taking photographs, Heather since then, for 30 years. I also spent eight carries out film processing, photographic years as a volunteer working with primary printing, retouching, hand colouring, design school students doing photography and and production, digital image manipulation, many other creative activities, and now I’m restoration and printing. She also mounts working in primary and secondary schools and frames artwork, liaises with clients, involved in the visual arts. prepares quotes, orders and accounts, and purchases supplies. What’s great/not so great about it? To view Heather’s photographic art: In a former life, Heather worked with Photography is fantastic. I absolutely love www.hdphotography.com.au Channel 9 in Melbourne as photographic everything about it. www.redbubble.com/people/hdphotos technician.
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Heather’s work space is a long desk with My sister—creating a wonderful life and all of her computer gear for working on achieving amazing academic status through her images. years of hard work. Now teaching tertiary students and passing on her passion for The desk is surrounded by images I love, education. She is always an enthusiastic from an old photograph of a photographic lover of life, engaging all around her. studio from the 1800s to an all-time fav- ourite photograph by Bill Brant to some What were you like as a child? of my own landscape photographs. There are also lots of books and artworks that Very shy and creative. my kids have made. What do you value most in life? My desk is in the corner of the main living area, so I’m in the thick of everything that The wonderful people in my life, my is happening in my home. partner, family and close friends.
‘I like to keep my work space pretty tidy’, What is your long-term dream? says Heather, ‘but it does get a little bit messy when I’m working on a project.’ Travel with my partner and working on my photography. Describe yourself What makes you happiest/most I'm quiet and easy going. I’m very patient, fulfilled? creative and passionate. Being with my kids, my partner and being What are your interests? at the beach. Photography, reading, photography books, What do you enjoy on a daily basis? crime fiction, walking, movies. Spending time with the people that I love. Your passions? What excites you? Photography is my passion and my work. I love getting out of town to the coast to Being creative and sharing the passion walk and take photographs. with my kids. I’m patient, creative What is it about the three people that What are you most pleased and proud and passionate you admire? of having accomplished?
Imogen Cunningham (1883–1976) Bringing up two beautiful children that are worked as a photographer for 75 years. now pursuing their own passions, and always She was a strong, determined, well edu- love me no matter what. cated, hard-working woman of her time, achieving great respect amongst her peers. Following my own passion of photography. Passionate about photography, combining I am so happy with my partner of the last her work and family and working right two years for loving, supporting and through to her 93rd year. encouraging me to be the creative me.
My partner—incredible determination Having close friends that love and support striving to create a successful business from each other through life’s ups and downs. his passion for music and guitar making, sharing his passion with hundreds of stu- Where do you get your energy to refuel? dents from all walks of life, teaching them Walking on the beach, being surrounded to make beautiful guitars from Australian by the beauty of the landscape. timbers.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 1 May 2009 19 Meredith Fuller: Workspaces #14: ISFPs
What are you putting up with in your was particularly fond of playing ‘Strawberry life? Fields Forever’.
Not being able to spend as much time David’s small group of friends were vitally as I would like on my photography. important to him, as was the opportunity to work out and about. He wasn’t ambit- What are you addicted to? ious and his life path ‘just happened to him’. Keen to leave school, David began a fitter Living life, creating beautiful images, reading. and turner apprenticeship, which evolved How should a manager treat you into working as an air-conditioning mech- to get the best out of you? anic. He loved driving his first car, a pink and white Holden FB. He enjoyed the film Respect, and good communication. American Graffiti, and loved cruising in his car with some mates. What would cause you stress and In his early 20s David married a teacher how would you handle it? and they had two girls. After many years working for car parts companies, he spent Don’t very often get stressed. It’s usually a number of years teaching apprentices in when I have too many things going on and TAFE, which involved regular teaching too much to do in a short space of time. stints in Indonesia. It usually helps to mind-map or write things His marriage failed in his late 40s. During down to get a clear picture of what needs this time David demonstrated tolerance to be done, then work through things. It’s and understanding: important to fit in some relaxation time, too. I realised that I had not spent enough time In the future Heather would like more time with my wife, and out of necessity she had for her photographic work, gardening and developed a friendship with a fellow teacher. being at the coast—but still living in town. I was appreciative to him for the support he gave her during a lonely time, and tried to rectify the situation without levelling blame. It was too late. The air-conditioning One mate had introduced him to his first David mechanic wife, and another introduced him to his second. David’s second marriage failed, I S F P mainly due to his being forced to choose moderate slight moderate moderate David, ISFP between his new wife and his children— he would not abandon his daughters.
Easygoing, mild and friendly, David loves He moved to a job as a service technician, listening to music and occasionally jams performing repair work and maintenance with mates. He has painted watercolours on air-conditioning equipment at an air- and acrylics, and enjoys doing handy work. port. His style is shy, hesitant, apologetic and David still walks with a spring in his step, thoughtful. He has a fun sense of humour, although he is unsure of what the future and manages to find the funny things, even holds regarding where he will reside and in misfortune. what will become of him. The youngest of three, David had a regular David describes his personality as ‘pretty suburban childhood. When he started high quiet and reserved, not gregarious’. school, he became interested in playing bass guitar and soon formed a band with I don’t mind a challenge, but hate making a schoolmates. Fascinated by The Beatles, fool of myself. Sense of humour, and I like they played covers at local gigs for many to enjoy life. I want to make the most of years. David adored Sergeant Pepper’s and my life and what I am doing now.
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I have made the mistake of letting time pass. I like to be tidy, except for any paperwork Even when I was a kid, all those times my and the desk! I try to be methodical, rather girlfriends would be studying and I would than slapdash. be playing around; I could never focus on that need to study to get ahead. I was only What do you like and dislike about interested in the here-and-now. I guess I your work? still am! Like: It is physical, involves lots of moving What are you most passionate about? around, walking, etc. Something different every moment. I love the lack of routine. Music. I started playing the trombone, and Dislike: Remoteness of location, as I am was in the Moorabbin City Brass Band for far away from friends. years. But really, bass guitar, since I was in primary school. Love The Beatles, Santana, What is the best way to treat you to Clapton, Boz Scaggs. get the best out of you?
David was in several bands, playing local I like to work with people who want to gigs—Sixties and Seventies covers and work with me, not at me. Doesn’t matter some originals. Bands included Earstring, whether they are my superiors or colleag- Stonehenge (who backed Ayers Rock), ues or people working under me. and Smealey PinHol. At 54 I am the oldest person at work now, I enjoy playing bass because it was the only four of us on site. I hate people who area I could relate to, carrying the beat lose their temper. I hate people who have and providing that counterpoint to the anger management problems or spit the melody. Played a Beatles copy, a Hofner. dummy. I can’t work with people like that; Progressed to Fenders, and still play a we have to be a team who enjoys working Fender Precision bass. together.
David also loves his cars. ‘I wanted to be “everything” when I grew up’, says David, ‘but still haven’t decided! I have owned a ’57 Ford Customline, ’56 I wasn’t academically minded.’ F100, ’52 Customline and ’69 ZC Fairlane. Then I got married and bought an XR Tell me about your childhood. What Falcon, another Customline, ’69 Mustang sort of child were you? I love fishing, getting Grande Coupe, Ford Bronco, and a 1990 out in my little boat Capri convertible. I found school bewildering when I first started. Best part of school was my girl- Another love is fishing, ‘just getting out in friend, from Grade 1. my little boat’. In Grade 6 a team of us were chosen to make the School Paper, and I was one of Go with my mate. I enjoy the companion- the editors, with my girlfriend. ship, having a few laughs. Different politics, and we drive each other nuts! I was a card- I wasn’t much good at sport. Had a lot of carrying Labor Party member, at election mates, and they also went to high school days handing out cards and letterboxing. with me.
I love doing handiwork around houses. ‘I never related well to females’, says Love doing bits and pieces—reminds me David, ‘except my girlfriend’. of my father, who died fifteen years ago, This one year we got put into different of asbestosis, mesothelioma. classes, and I walked over and said, ‘Let’s play’, and she told me to go jump in the Describe your work environment, how lake as she wanted to play with her girl- you inhabit this space and go about your work. friends, and I was devastated.
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High school was ‘a disappointment’ for When I was an apprentice, one particular David. ‘I wanted to go to the Tech, ’cos tradesman (ex Royal Navy) was willing to Mum wanted me to be a brain surgeon.’ take me under his wing and give me some values, as well as sharing knowledge. I act- I left school early in Form 5—I wasn’t going ually joined the Navy Reserve for 4 years to pass. I went through The Age and found —played in their brass band, and became a job working in a camera shop in the city, a diver. and I was playing in my band, expecting to become a rock’n’roll superstar. Music, films or books that have had a In the city it was easy to go to Allan’s and major impact at various stages during use one of their classrooms as a practice your life? room with an instructor, Tony Naylor, who I always wanted to be a Beatle—Paul Mc- used to play with Brian Cadd. Cartney, the bass player who inspired me. The parents of the lead singer in David’s Our band wanted to be like The Beatles, band teed them up to play at their firm, but it didn’t happen—although some of us Repco. went on to successful musical careers. Felix Meagher graduated from the Conservator- I was offered an apprenticeship there. I ium and makes a living out of music, and didn’t even know what the job was, but I our drummer, Professor Bruce Smyth, took it. First I had to do a bridging maths toured internationally. But he put down course at the Tech. his drumsticks in his 30s and became an academic in psychology! Go figure! After 10 years with Repco, David went Easy Rider—love those escapist films! to work on the wharves for a further 10 years, doing refrigeration contracting. A significant achievement as an adult that you are proud of? Went into business with one of the guys, doing repair work for another 10 years. Going back to get my Diploma of Teaching Then started teaching apprentices fitting for my TAFE teaching. and machining at a TAFE. Sent overseas to Indonesia several times per year. And my two daughters, Mallory and Shelby.
From being a Fifth Form dropout to manag- After the arrival of a new head of depart- ing to get through and make totally differ- Mum wanted me to ment and ‘some disappointments’, David ent career streams work for me. You’ve left to set up his own air-conditioning be a brain surgeon gotta feel happy about what you do in life. business.
I am not good at being self-employed, so If you could sit down to a meal with it didn’t work out. I do things for fun, not five people at any time in history, who profit. would they be? After three years, ran into an old mate Jimi Hendrix. Paul McCartney. Ernest from the wharves who helped me get a Hemingway. James A Michener. The job at the airport. I have been there for soldier/explorer Cortez. the last three years. What are the things you struggle with? Who have been your initial mentors, What frustrates or annoys you? heroes? What drew you to them and what have you learned from them? My lack of ability to do maths. Bad mem- ories of my teachers saying I was a failure My Dad, a builder, because there was because I couldn’t do it. nothing he wouldn’t take on. Now I just think, ‘Blow that!’ You don’t My ex brother-in-law, a Tech School have to be good at everything—just work principal, who took me to soccer. around it!
22 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 1 May 2009
‘Never tell a kid they are rubbish just because they can’t do something’, David maintains. ‘They might struggle, but they AusAPT: past, are still good kids.’ present, future Find a free download on your computer, like Machinist’s Friend! I used to say to the apprentices I taught, ‘This is a cheat, use it! Better things to do with your time than An invitation from buggerising around with maths when you can use a download! Faster than doing it Meredith Fuller the hard way!’
‘I always feel as if I have been fighting I’m making a short film on the against some sort of a barrier that I can’t history of AusAPT. get through, can’t feel successful’, says David. ‘Like playing bass guitar or piano. I’m interviewing people who Some sort of handicap—something that have stories to tell about our means I don’t become the best.’ association. I’m also compil- What makes you happy or sad? ing video clips from AusAPT functions, plus a gallery of Happy: being with friends and my kids. photographs. Sad: missing people, and feeling ‘outside the moment’. Feeling rejected makes me feel down, I don’t handle it well.
What are your strongest values in life?
I need to give value in what I do. I take life lightheartedly, I think—probably to some other people’s disgust! I don’t take myself too seriously and I don’t take life seriously: we are here to enjoy it. Describe your ideal life for the distant future. My aim is to collect lots of material. So, this is an open Being able to live at leisure, and to travel invitation to anyone who is with a partner who values me. interested in contributing to ‘My life revolves around my family, my this film project. daughters’, says David. ‘I don’t dwell on the future, to be honest. Being here now If you would like to offer your is it!’ recollections in an interview, provide photos (on loan), or contribute in any other way, Workspaces part 14 continues on page 45 I’d love to hear from you! with the hospital orderly and former chef, actor, Young Libs president, God Squad member and Meredith Fuller roadhouse owner; the personal care worker; and the hippie teacher/musician. [email protected]
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 1 May 2009 23 BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 6th – 7th MARCH 2010 Harben House, Milton Keynes, UK
Pre-conference workshop 5th March
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise? Using Type to Maximise Potential
The Wheel of Life coaching tool provides us with a look at how satisfied and balanced we are in the different areas of our life. Using psychological type we can aim to enhance a variety of aspects of our life.
For our 2010 conference we are delighted to have two keynote speakers – Susan Nash and Dr Eve Delunas – plus many other excellent presenters who will provide ideas and insight into how to use type to enhance all areas of your life – relationships, career, spirituality, leisure time, money, health and personal development.
For more details go to www.bapt.org.uk Views from the Grassy Knoll and other vantage points
Two perspectives on the Dallas APTi conference
Phil’s perspective
The consensus among the witnesses at the Prologue scene was that three shots were fired.
However, some heard only two shots, while In need of US currency, I visit the National others testified that they heard four and Australia Bank. It’s opposite the site of the ‘Battle of Brisbane’, two nights of brawling perhaps as many as five or six shots. between American and Australian service- men in 1942. I’m told that NAB is backing Warren Commission report (1964) out of currency exchange. I ask for $150; they have only one $100 bill, one $10 bill, and the balance in dollar bills. I leave with an unaccustomedly bulging wallet.
Wednesday: Here and there
Peter Geyer and The American Customs and Immigration were less than welcoming, and we left … Philip L Kerr in a morass of red-tape form-filling and an indefinable feeling of mistrust. Michael Palin, diary entry, 1973
He who would cross the Bridge of Death Peter Geyer and Philip L Kerr travelled Must answer me these questions three to the APT International Conference in Monty Python and the Holy Grail Dallas, Texas in August. It was Peter’s ninth APTi conference and Phil’s first. At Brisbane Airport I clear security, only to find a second check at the departure gate, Peter is APTi’s interest area consultant where shoeless passengers are frisked as their bags are hand-searched. It’s required for Theory and Research. Phil is national by US law—as is the announcement that president of AusAPT and editor of the passengers are not permitted to gather in Australian Psychological Type Review. groups anywhere on the aircraft. Both prefer INTP. Our 747 is named ‘Longreach’, the town where Qantas has its roots, and a town Peter and Phil present their parallel I’ve visited several times over the years. An hour into the flight, the on-demand en- APT International conference perspectives on the proceedings, the tertainment system packs up. I hope that Dallas, Texas | 5–9 August 2009 people, and the place. the flight systems are more robust.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 25 Two perspectives on the Peter’s perspective Dallas APTi conference Phil’s perspective (continued)
We cross the International Date Line, and People in the US want things to be clean hey hey, it’s Wednesday—again. As dawn and neat and good and not rotting. draws near, a gang of four seniors defies US regulations by gathering at the back of Angelo Spoto the plane to pass the time chatting. In the entry queue at Los Angeles, one of Among the possibilities, you make fine the Gang of Four stridently proclaims that distinctions … she has already answered the questions Rachel Fitzgerald on the Immigration card online, and plans to tell that to the Immigration officer. Her fellow travellers counsel her against that— but we share her sense of frustration. Every two years a different part of North America is laid open for inspection by an Providing a passport number when book- APTi conference. For this type traveller ing my trip got me to first base. US visitors it’s an opportunity to meet colleagues and must now apply, on line, for a visa waiver. friends in a familiar environment, albeit in Ticking off the questions about my history a place never visited before or unfamiliar in of mental disorders, drug use and ‘crimes other ways. Notwithstanding the benefits of moral turpitude’ advanced me to second base, an authorisation to travel. and the surprises, it’s an expensive way to I wanted to walk meet, no matter where you come from— Third base is the filling out of a green card particularly in the current climate. around that area (as distinct from a Green Card) handed out If you have a formal role to play—as I do, in flight. ‘Welcome to the United States’, it says, then asks the same questions as the being the APTi Interest Area person for online visa application. Theory and Research—you find a way to get there, much as others do who have Who’s on fourth? A Homeland Security presentations to make and people to meet. functionary in paramilitary uniform, buzz There’s also Dallas to look at and things to cut and dour demeanour, who asks me: look for, particularly for me as the place What is the purpose of your visit to the of the assassination of John F Kennedy in United States? ‘To attend a conference.’ 1963. I wanted to go and find out where What sort of conference? ‘Psychological that was and walk around that area. type.’ Are you a psychologist? ‘Er, no— I work for a State government.’ The way I found was via United Airlines, an old favourite. A recent experience had Dallas was accessed Answering these questions three admits saddened me a bit, with both plane and staff me over the Gorge of Eternal Peril. After my fingerprints are scanned, it’s into the appearing to have had better days, but this via wide freeways Third World chaos of Los Angeles Airport. time everything seemed much better and the I join a queue snaking along the footpath, United geniality had returned. The flight through the gridlocked terminal and up the from Sydney to Los Angeles contained escalator to another security check, before several dozen people from New Guinea, checking in for my flight to Dallas. brightly clad in identifying T-shirts and with a demeanour of gentleness, quietness ‘Breakfast served’, said American Airlines’ and calm. The arrival over the expanse of itinerary. Translation: breakfast is sold in a urban Los Angeles produced a number of box. I settle for a ginger ale, which seems awestruck comments and sounds. to be uncontaminated by any ginger. With an eerie synchronicity, in Time magazine I The airport, personally familiar, continued encounter Werner Hertzog lauding the logic to fit current security requirements into old, of the Warren Report. In my bag I have my unsuitable structures. Signs were displayed own well-worn copy of the official report on asking for patience, calmness and attention the JFK assassination. to directions, including attention to instruct- In 1963 the New York Times called Dallas ions that were not explained in any way. a city ‘where right-wing conservatism is the To be fair, the environment was not helpful rule’. Curiously, a decade later it was Dallas to the people there trying to do their job, where Monty Python’s Flying Circus gained and with a particular mindset. a foothold in the USA.
26 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 Two perspectives on the T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
Dallas was amiably reached at any rate and Dallas–Fort Worth Airport sits between the the conference hotel accessed quickly via two cities that form the ‘Metroplex’. I board wide, clean freeways and a few turns in the a taxi, and see Arabic newspapers on the older part of the city. The streets weren’t floor. Post ‘9/11’, I would have thought the exactly teeming with people, but in the driver risked being reported to Homeland oven-like heat, perhaps it was a sensible Security. Maybe Texans don’t have fridge idea to stay inside. Although there was a magnets to tell them who to call. day or so until the conference proper, there At the Fairmont Hotel I drop my bags in the were preconference workshops and people room I’m sharing with Peter, then head to setting up stalls and displays, so I managed the conference desk. After registering, the to run into a few people I knew, such as first person I see is … Peter. He was not Jamie Johnson and Sally Campbell. expecting me until the next day—perhaps because that’s what I’d told him. Everyone’s conference is different: random encounters and longer meetings, as well We adjourn to the lounge bar, from where as personal interest and choice, take you I meet a passing parade of people familiar away from what’s on offer. And the people from type literature. A personal pleasure is you meet and discuss things with over a meeting Jamie Johnson from CAPT after meal and or a drink may not be the ones years of congenial email exchanges. expected, or intended, if there are such in- tentions in mind at the start. Even before A personal pleasure is Thursday: Party like it’s 2009 the formal opening of the conference, this pattern was apparent as people sat together meeting Jamie Johnson in various places, others as yet unseen, or I’ve been bad, I’ve been good elsewhere. In Dallas, Texas … Hollywood A surprise for me was the appearance of Z Z Top, ‘Tush’ Review editor and AusAPT president Phil Kerr one day earlier than I’d anticipated. We’d agreed to share a hotel room, some- I’d like to say it’s a bulletproof study. thing not undertaken lightly by INTPs in Marcus Barnes, in Dallas particular, and I had anticipated a day of sole occupancy before his arrival. Day 2 of the preconference program offers Research and Theory symposium symposiums in 7 of APTi’s 8 interest areas My presentation was (apart from Religion and Spirituality, listed One of my duties was to facilitate and pre- on Self and Identity as cancelled). I opt to support Peter in the sent at the Theory and Research event, one symposium he’s convening as Interest Area of a number of interest area symposia trad- Consultant for Theory and Research. itionally held prior to the Thursday evening conference opening. Theory and Research symposium Apart from my own presentation on Self and Identity, the papers were from research ‘Personal identity and psychological type’ conducted at the University of Texas at is the theme. Peter introduces Raymond Austin, mostly under the tutelage of Ray Hawkins and Marcus Barnes, a pair who Hawkins. Ray was the main presenter, as present just as you might expect INTJ and his students were, for various reasons, un- INTP academics to. Raymond examines able to attend. He presented on type and the contributions to type theory of J H van dreams, projection, eating disorders, and, der Hoop and Marcus previews a research with Marcus Barnes, on a handwriting project on handwriting and type. project. His feature presentation was on But this is Peter’s show, so I’ll let him tell J H van der Hoop, whose 1939 book Con- you about it … scious Orientation was a key reference for Isabel Myers. All the presentations were In the lunch break, I join APTi President appreciated by a small but attentive group Suzanne Brue and her husband Nordahl and much was learned. in the hotel restaurant.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 27 T Peter Geyer Two perspectives on the T Philip L Kerr Dallas APTi conference
Multicultural and International Issues symposium In the afternoon I call in on the symposium convened by Ray Moody. The audience is indeed international—from Finland, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada and the USA. Kathleen Hughes is present, 30 years after her grandmother Isabel Myers spoke at the first conference of what was to become APT International. Our own Sue White had presented earlier. Sally Campbell from Scotland opens the afternoon by sharing what she learned as a marine biologist: ‘everything influences people systems’. The self-described ‘first multicultural person’ for APTi observes that the ‘American mindset’ is application. ‘I’m a survey guy’, says Rich Thompson, reporting on CPP and OPP’s research on behavioural expressions of type. A survey of experts in 22 countries found that type is generally perceived to be similar across cultures. [See discovery.skillsone.com]
The conference proper opens on an inter- national note, with convener Dario Nardi introducing Daniel Liew from Malaysia. In his keynote speech on ‘type in challenging times’, Daniel highlights the need for ‘mind- Ray Linder and fulness’ of the uniqueness of each type and The Conference Karla Edwards the values that make us all unique. A buffet dinner follows. After a welcome
In the evening Daniel Liew from Malaysia from Suzanne Brue, APTi’s Membership Director Jill Chivers steps up as MC with opened the conference, mixing his ENTJ Daniel Liew an attention-getting ‘G’day!’ that leaves no preferences with his cultural background. doubt as to her nationality. As it’s the 30th His very active presentation was based on anniversary of the first MBTI conference, the eight functions, although I missed a bit Jamie Johnson hosts a celebration with of that, because he began with two inter- archival photos and audio, plus a birthday active exercises which derailed me a bit— cake. A Texan band adds to the festivities although they seemed much appreciated by leading some line dancing. as icebreakers by the group. It takes me a while to adjust to the idea of interacting After dinner, several APTi Board members with others in this way: it’s highly public and friends adjourn to Ray Linder’s room. to me and I feel exposed emotionally, so I APTi’s INTP Director of Finance is nothing naturally retreat, rather than engage. like the dour stereotype of a bean counter. INTP is the modal type in the room, so I’m I spent some time managing that and was right at home: and even more so after Ray then able to appreciate Daniel’s excellent produces a litre of Australian shiraz. understanding of, and approach to, type. There are also two bottles of a Californian His ethical approach impressed me, and red with the evocative appellation Ménage he finished with an evocative short video A Trois. Having sworn on my green card clip exemplifying culture and type, to me, that I wasn’t seeking ‘to engage in immoral anyway. activities’, I repress any impure thoughts.
28 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 Two perspectives on the
T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
The next day I met with Mark Majors, Friday: Nothing but heat today whom I hadn’t seen since the 2001 APTi conference in Minneapolis when he was Director of Research for CAPT. Mark has Friday begins with a Regional Breakfast, his own questionnaire in the MajorsPTI, complete with breakfast burritos. I head for worked on MBTI Step I and II, and is a the International table to join Susan Nash, co-author of the Step II Manual. With his Sally Campbell and Wynn Rees (Britain), wife, Mary, we had a genial chat about a Damien Killen (Ireland), Mauricio Rocha number of issues, from historical aspects (Brazil), Andreas Thomma (Switzerland), of Isabel Myers’s and Mary McCaulley’s Sue Blair (New Zealand), and Sue White collaboration to teaching the Majors, which and Marie Carmody (Australia). I commenced this year for ACER. All up, eight Australians are in Dallas. Jill In the afternoon I had a presentation on my Chivers and Peter Geyer are prominent method of using MBTI Step II categories in their APTi roles, and Mary McGuiness is presenting a concurrent session. Trudy in Step I interpretation, which I’ve been McCutcheon, like me, is at her first APTi working on and using for several years. I conference. There’s also expat Robin Wiley was unsure how compressing a day course with his wife, Vicky Jo Varner. into 90 minutes would go, but it worked well and I had a large, appreciative group who appeared to find my method interesting. Jill Chivers: no doubt Panel: Sustainable use of type in organizations The rest of the day was spent maintaining as to her nationality energy levels: essentially sitting quietly in Linda Berens introduces panellists from the conference area, reading newspapers. organisations that have embedded type in The hotel provided USA Today (described their cultures. ‘We had a sense that there enthusiastically by one staff member as had to be a better way to work together’, ‘America’s paper! Because it’s positive!’), says Brian Robertson. His ‘Holacracy’ The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, method embodies learnings from applying Dallas Morning News, and financial papers type in his company, Ternary Software. beyond my knowledge or interest. I had a The MBTI is SouthWest Airlines’ ‘person- relaxing time with those throughout the con- ality assessment of choice’. ‘We geek out ference, mixed with random conversations. on Myers-Briggs in my department’, says Nichole Miller. A key lesson is that it’s not vital to know the other person’s type code; just that they are different from you. Jennifer Tate tells of Yakima Valley Mem- orial Hospital’s success in improving staff communication with a type-based program that has run for 12 years—and has earned the hospital an Organizational Excellence Award, to be presented on Sunday.
After the panel, I take some time out. Get ready for Buddy, Beatles, Bee Gees!, says Platinum Radio, bridging the gulf between the bespectacled rock’n’roller from nearby Lubbock and the brotherly balladeers from over yonder in Redcliffe, Queensland. At high noon, the type editors meet: Gayle Veltman (APTi Bulletin), Sue Blair (TYPE- type, New Zealand), Nancy Silcox (Type- Face, UK) and me (Review)—plus Jamie Johnson (CAPT) and Katherine Hirsh (APTi). We reaffirm our policies of mutual support in reprinting and advertising. Australians abroad: Marie Carmody, Sue White, Trudy McCutcheon
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 29 T Peter Geyer T Philip L Kerr
When you‘ve begun to think like a gun, … here we were … on the most famous— the rest of the year is already gone the only famous—grassy knoll in the world, looking up at the Book Depository windows Once you’ve begun to think like a gun, from which Oswald had fired … the days of the year have suddenly gone Michael Palin, diary entry, 1975 John Cale
… the ghost of Oswald … has always been I found that Dealey Plaza, the location of John F Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, beyond the reach of anyone’s tape measure. was not too far away from the hotel, so I Thomas Mallon headed off in that direction in the morning heat and vacant streets. Although I’d read quite a lot about the event, I found I had a As I get ready for Friday, Platinum Radio different picture of the locality to what it plays ‘Abraham, Martin and John’, Dion’s was really like: it was much smaller than I eulogy for assassinated American leaders, thought and some things seemed in reverse, including the President who was slain just perhaps because I hadn’t factored in that a few blocks away. Americans drive on the opposite side of After lunch I pass up Sarah Michel’s ‘inter- the road to Australians. active event’ and step outside for the first I sneak a shot from time in two days. Nothing but heat today, So I wandered around what was essentially above the sniper’s nest Platinum Radio had warned. Dallas’s sun- a grassy area in three parts, near where a baked streets are deserted as I wend my wide road came together, went under the way past the Baptist Credit Union and the bridge and stood behind the Grassy Knoll Downtown Pregnancy Center to the city’s fence (the knoll being one of those parts), most infamous landmark. and looked out at the marker for the event, an ‘X’ painted in the middle of the road, a Have I had a lifelong interest in the JFK faintly eerie thing to see. assassination? Put it this way: I have a daughter named Jackie. The building from where shots were fired had been renamed, and the 6th floor from ‘What struck me most was the eerie ord- where Lee Harvey Oswald had almost cer- inariness of the spot’, Michael Palin wrote during a 1975 visit. I see what he means. tainly taken his mark was now a museum. Photographs were not allowed. The floor The former Texas School Book Depository comprised an excellent social and political I stood behind the houses the Sixth Floor Museum, a worthy history of the period in word and picture. tribute to the fallen President. On this hot The corner from which shots were fired Grassy Knoll fence August afternoon dozens of visitors are was glassed off and left in a similar way inside, including, it appears to me, a high to how it was after investigators came proportion of African-Americans. upon it after the assassination. Cartons stacked by a window overlooking The floor above displayed the work of a the Triple Underpass reproduce the scene news photographer whose photo of Jack on 22 November 1963. Photography is not Ruby shooting Oswald was used across allowed, but I sneak a shot (as it were) from the world. It was an interesting present- the 7th floor, right above the ‘sniper’s nest’. ation that took you outside the Kennedy In the museum shop I buy a fridge magnet event and to other aspects of that time. of Warhol’s iconic Jackie Kennedy for her namesake, and a ‘JFK’ T-shirt for myself. I I walked back by a different route, past learn later that my INTP roommate bought a pioneer hut (Dealey Plaza is where the the same shirt in a similar colour. founding buildings of Dallas were erected) and up a sparsely-populated street mostly comprised of glass-fronted buildings and The year 2000 will see men still arguing and interesting street sculptures and art, before writing about the President’s death. tiring and heading to the hotel, past a very A New York Times editor, on hearing of modern light rail service that locals some- JFK’s assassination, quoted in Salisbury what incongruously call a ‘trolley’.
30 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
Two perspectives on the
T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
The evening brought with it a reception for Type in the land of technology meeting leaders and authors, which was pleasant and agreeable. My day job is in an IT unit, so this session This was followed by a Type Research from Carol Linden was a must, as it was for the woman from Google sitting next to me. and Theory Forum, which was a surprise addition to the conference format that I’d ‘I’m ENFP and Southern’, says Carol. She agreed to facilitate. A group of 20 or so on sounds like Dolly Parton—and says ‘y’all’. commencement grew to well over 40, and We undertake group activities on type and there were some interesting and valuable role choices in IT. Carol says she spends contributions. a lot of time on the S–N dichotomy, which is ‘huge in terms of communicating’. My role wasn’t to pursue a particular point of view, although I’d written a discussion Carol show some striking EEG prints from context as a guide. I started by displaying Dario Nardi’s research on type and neuro- two old books containing Jungian ideas: science, and shares an example from the Herbert Read’s Education Through Art and Hurricane Katrina disaster. The Federal Jolan Jacobi’s Psychology of C G Jung, Emergency Management Agency had a Guardian culture: ‘the faxes had to come both from 1942, the time of commencement in’ before FEMA would act. The US Coast of MBTI research and development, which Guard, by contrast, is trained as an Artisan aroused some interest. I displayed old books agency, ready to act. The ensuing discussion varied a bit. I dis- covered many different and some unusual of Jungian ideas Evening brings the ‘Meet the Leaders and views of what research entails, and a gen- Authors’ event, with a wraparound array of eral restlessness about the current research tables and authors displaying their wares. and theory situation, particularly associated with the MBTI and its use. I took down Type Research and Theory forum some general points and promised to pur- sue them, inviting further discussion via By a programming quirk, Peter Geyer has email. It was a fairly successful event, inherited a ‘special evening discussion’ at which was pleasing. 8 pm. Despite the hour, 35 people turn up. A remark from Peter about the American preoccupation with measurement sets the ball rolling. Bold statements are batted to Sue Blair meets the and fro by a few of the participants. I often get caught up in such sparring, but tonight author Susan Nash I’m content to observe. Peter will tell you how it felt to be in the firing line.
Saturday brought an Interest Area Break- Saturday: Beware of the dudes fast where tables were set up for the various interest areas—careers, health, education, You're so sadly neglected, and often ignored multicultural, etc. (The previous morning had been geographical, so International A poor second to Belgium when going abroad tables were provided.) Both events were Michael Palin, ‘Finland’ agreeable and enjoyable, notwithstanding my lack of a morning perspective regard- ing networking or any interactive activity. Today the breakfast tables display signs Perhaps a different time zone helps, although for APTi’s interest areas. (Curiously, the the discussions were genial and interesting. Religion and Spirituality table is vacant.) I join the Theory and Research table with The breakfast brought a formal end to my Dario Nardi, Don Dangremonde, Jenny participation in the conference as a leader LaChance, Julie Campe, Sally Campbell and presenter, which had been enjoyable, and, of course, Interest Area Consultant but also took up a lot of energy. Peter Geyer.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 31 Two perspectives on the
T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
If you’re going to sit under the light, you’re Does type influence your approach missing out on a lot of your life. to change? Angelo Spoto Greg Husczco defies INTP stereotypes with his confident presence and focus on Steve Myers, developer of the MTRi and real life: his past life on a Detroit assembly currently undergoing Jungian Studies at the line, and his audience’s work experience. University of Essex, facilitated ‘Rediscov- (One young participant refers to her job in ering Jung’, a panel of three Jungians in a Pizza Parlor.) Greg shares advice from a John Beebe, Angelo Spoto and Rachel ‘curmudgeon’ he’d met early in his career: Fitzgerald. This followed the format of a Beware of the dudes—the managers who previous conference, with Rachel in place dress like cowboys, but can’t ride a horse. of John Giannini. It was a pleasure to meet A study by Greg and his student Vanessa her beforehand for a brief chat. (Lenore VanClaus found that during organisational Thomson had originally been scheduled. change, behaviours are driven by situations I was disappointed that she was unable to at least as much as type preferences. (The attend, as I’d corresponded with her, but subjects were that captive audience much we’d never met.) favoured by researchers, students.) Steve started drolly with Cliff Richard and Steve Myers facilitated the Shadows performing The Young Ones, Type and strategic planning which must have been a cultural mystery a panel of Jungians to North Americans, at least. There were Having worked in strategic planning, I’m clips featuring Jung and others associated curious about the application of type to it. with him before. In many ways, this was a Jennifer Tucker suggests it’s a predomin- somewhat random conversation observed antly intuitive activity that tends to produce plans that are too abstract—which fits with vicariously, and it seemed to me that John Beebe, a genial man, wished to have the my experience. last word at most junctures. It might have When Hile Rutledge asks, ‘Who knows been the dominant extraverted intuition or temperament?’ barely a third of the group something unconscious. raise a hand. I’d expect more in Australia. A feature of this kind of exchange is that Oddly, Hile cites Keirsey’s 1978 estimates (to paraphrase Angelo Spoto, who made of temperament frequencies, rather than those from the 1996 US national sample. some memorable statements), in contrast to the general aspect of this kind of confer- Jennifer Tucker: type ence, there aren’t any answers or applicat- and strategic planning Downtown Dallas is deserted at lunchtime. ions: you had to read between the lines as Searching for an ATM, I miss the Jungian panel—but Peter will tell you about that. things darted everywhere from persona as a lie, shadow knowledge and a preoccupat- ion with rotting, to religious and medieval Decoding the mystery of midlife ideas and a grumpy, angry Jung. At times reorientation I felt challenged and wished I had more of Vesa Routamaa was a generous host to a classical education, but in retrospect this my wife Chris and me last year (as well as was the apogee of the conference. Interest- a guide to Finland’s ‘roads less travelled’). ingly, a question about the future of APTi After a drama over the unavailability of a was asked of the panel at the end. projector, Vesa reports on his research. I continued with Steve Myers in his pres- 456 adults aged from 22 to 61 completed entation on whether Jung believed in God, the MBTI and a Maslow Needs Hierarchy which contained the closest to a philosoph- survey. The results supported the propos- ical discussion I’d experienced at any type ition that the hierarchy of needs changes conference, with interesting comments through life in line with the development of from an interested and interesting group the less-preferred functions. of attendees. Steve didn’t have a concrete answer to the question, but that wasn’t the I forego a ‘conference mixer’ at Dick’s Last point of the exercise. Resort to dine in with Susan Nash.
32 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
Two perspectives on the
T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
The evening provided an opportunity to go Sunday: High noon to a place called Dick’s Last Resort for what was called a ‘conference mixer’. I had considered attending, but synchronicity got After a memorial service for now-departed in the way and instead I had a quiet, agree- members of the type community, it’s on to able and special discussion and meal with the Awards Breakfast. The spread of the Sally Campbell, Rachel Fitzgerald, Steve awards is pleasingly international. Myers and Sharon Wallace in a corner of Korea’s Haesook Sim receives the Mary the hotel restaurant. McCaulley Lifetime Achievement Award— The decision to miss the mixer was further fittingly, as Mary had been one of Dr Sim’s justified the next morning when panellist mentors. The Innovations Award goes to Fatma Al-Hawsawi announced that her Canadian Danielle Poirier, creator of the answer to the question ‘What de-energises multimedia package The Magnificent 16. you?’—previously ‘Times Square, New The Excellence in APTi Leadership awards range near and far: Cash Keahey of the York’—had been supplanted by ‘going to Dallas–Fort Worth APT, Julie Cummins Dick’s Last Resort’. I gathered that con- of the New Zealand APT, and APTi Board versation had been difficult, amongst other member Katherine Hirsh. things, and I reflected that my favourite event at APTi conferences by a long way The Journal of Psychological Type Award was a tour of jazz and blues music bars in Leadership award: goes to Brian Gerrard for a case study of Kansas City in 1995. discrimination. Yakima Valley Memorial Katherine Hirsh Hospital receives the Otto Kroeger Award My friends Sally Campbell, Ray Moody for Organizational Excellence for its type- and Danielle Poirier were also on the panel. based communication skills program. Danielle had flown in from a remote part of Canada, and I was fortunate to have a Other recipients include academic Scott brief chat. There were some interesting Anchors (Gordon Lawrence Educational moments, but this seemed disjointed to me, Achievement Award); APTi Bulletin Editor Gayle Veltman and Jungian John Beebe as it was a bunch of people telling their (President’s Awards); and the developers stories, or a particular story, as a way of of the MBTI Step III, Naomi Quenk, Allen stating what they did. Hammer and Wayne Mitchell (Isabel Myers Memorial Research Award). I’ve been down, but not like this before Can’t be round this kind of show no more Dario Nardi and Panel: Insights from the experts Stop and realise what is true Just follow the rules John Beebe Sharon Richmond chairs the final panel, Keep your eyes on the road that’s ahead of you again international in flavour. Fatima Al- Hawsawi, founder of the Middle Eastern Lowell George APT, talks about type in Saudi Arabia, and Sally Campbell shares her memories of wartime Britain. Danielle Poirier (Canada) That was the conference at any rate. I found and Ray Moody (USA) also offer insights. it enjoyable whilst missing out on various sessions that had some interest, which is Vicky Jo Varner introduces me to John fairly much the norm for me, as energy and Beebe, who takes time to talk. Profound time only goes so far. ideas, and a point to take away: ‘Yes, type A feature of this event not really articulated is complex—but no more so than music.’ was the difficulty that some I knew had in The conference ends at high noon with attending the conference at all, from both the usual mix of euphoria and anticlimax. regular and first-time attendees. Some are Afterwards, most of the Australians hang looking for work outside what they have out in the lounge, with Dario Nardi, John normally done with type, so Dallas might Beebe and Steve Myers. Robin Wiley en- have been a final meeting for some, which lists me for an interview for his website to is sad, however realistic. illustrate how INTPs differ from INTJs. We then all head out for a convivial dinner.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 33 Two perspectives on the
T Peter Geyer Dallas APTi conference T Philip L Kerr
The final day in Dallas was spent largely Monday: Lost in translation chatting with Mary McGuiness and Phil Kerr whilst processing the newspapers I’d read. Naturally, Australia did not really Platinum Radio plays Elvis, and I think of feature, apart from brief news about busi- Mary McGuiness. I’m unable to check in nessman Stern Hu in China. online as the first leg of my flight is not on Qantas (although it’s code-shared). Peter There was a discussion on the death pen- and I occupy a table in the lounge to see alty, suggesting that if it was abolished in the day out, where Mary joins us to form Texas, it might be more for cost reasons an apt trio: Peter, Phil and Mary. than anything else. The positive USA To- day provided an article on happiness that We head to the airport, passing Parkland suggested a number of people aren’t all Hospital where JFK received the last rites. that happy when pursuing it, and another The check-in clerk somehow fails to grasp on obesity that implied we’d be better off that Brisbane, Australia is an international if we soberly considered food as fuel rather destination. Later, at LA Airport, QF16 is not listed on the departures board. Foreign than a happiness-inducing social lubricant. travel seems to be an alien concept here. And the Wall Street Journal remembered the 100th anniversary of Freud’s visit to I find the gate and board ‘Longreach’ again. America, which was of course C G Jung’s Tuesday disappears into a black hole over first visit. The final day was spent the mid-Pacific and we land in Brisbane as Wednesday dawns. Chris is waiting and we Eventually, the three of us went out into processing newspapers head off for my first flat white in a week. the oven-like heat of Dallas for the last time, heading to the airport to take our respective flights and perspectives to our Epilogue various home cities in Australia.
A few years ago, Peter Geyer noted that Peter’s references the APT ‘International’ conferences were essentially American. In Dallas, however, faces from around the world featured as Akst, Daniel 2009, ‘One hundred years of Freud in America’, Wall Street Journal, 7 August, W13. presenters, panellists and award winners, and delegates came from 21 countries. Cale, John 1974, ‘Gun’ (Island Music), Fear, Island. George, Lowell 1975, ‘All that you dream’ (Paul Barrere and The election of a President who has lived Bill Payne, Naked Snake Music), Little Feat, The Last I land in Brisbane as outside the USA holds out hope of a less Record Album, Warner Brothers. insular America, re-engaged with the world. Jayson, Sharon 2009, ‘Staying positive in negative territory’, Wednesday dawns Similarly, I’m confident that when the next USA Today, 6 August, D1-2. conference rolls around in 2011, APTi will Jones, Rodger, and Miklos, Robert 2009, ‘Death as de- be even more international in its outlook. terrent: New point person’, The Dallas Morning News, Maybe I’ll see you in San Diego. 9 August, 5P. Wickham, DeWayne 2009, ‘Obesity won’t subside without a cultural shift’, USA Today, 4 August, 9A. Phil’s references
Photos: Philip L Kerr, Peter Geyer, Geyer, Peter 2006, ‘Counted out/in: Type in Bethesda and Nancy Silcox, Vicky Jo Varner. other views’, Australian Psychological Type Review 8:2, 15-22.
Peter Geyer (INTP) is APT International’s interest Hertzog, Werner 2009, ‘Werner Hertzog’s short list’, Time, area consultant for Theory and Research and a 10 August 2009, 67. life member of AusAPT. Mallon, Thomas 2002, Mrs Paine’s garage and the murder of John F Kennedy, New York: Pantheon. www.petergeyer.com.au Palin, Michael 2007, Diaries 1969–1979: The Python years, [email protected] London: Phoenix. Philip L Kerr (INTP) is the national president of Report of the Warren Commission on the assassination of AusAPT and editor of the Australian Psycholog- President Kennedy: The dramatic official answer to ical Type Review. He travelled to Dallas at his who killed Kennedy, New York: Bantam, 1964. own expense. Salisbury, Harrison E 1964, Introduction to the Bantam [email protected] reprint of the Warren Commission report, xv-xxix.
34 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 The new type community
The online type experience is muddled with naiveté and ignorance
Four out of every five homes have access In the past, a truism was that, ‘I read it in to the internet. ‘Google’ is a verb. The a magazine, so it must be true’. The mod- ‘net’ is a part of modern life. Along with ern-day equivalent is ‘I took the test online it, there’s growing interest in social net- so it must be true’. working. People want to hook up with other like-minded individuals. So we see common-interest groups forming—stamp I’m ISTJ. last time i did that. the time collectors, quilters, horse-riders, redheads, before i was INTJ. IM A LOT OF PEOPLE! left-handed people and, predictably, people who share the same personality type code. As a predictable result, hordes of people Personality type is becoming the new as- are misclassified. From the quiz, they are trology—people sign off emails with their directed to read some romantic portrait sun sign, four-letter code, temperament of a type that’s posted online, generally and enneagram numbers. Several years ago fall in love with that description, perhaps Dr John Beebe made the wry comment delight in being told their type is rare, and Vicky Jo Varner that ‘type can now be found on the backs crow about their new identity. These users of cereal boxes’. He has fretted that we tout their results and exhort others to take may ‘lose type to the Collective’. That the ‘type test’. seems to be coming true these days. Blogs abound of people posting their scores, analysing their results, explaining In these text boxes throughout this the dichotomies to others, and liberally article, I’ll be quoting from actual sharing their opinions and personal ‘tips’ about type. When confronted with any A reformed freelance computer con- internet postings I’ve encountered. sultant whose clients have included contradiction, they typically adopt an atti- tude of ‘I don’t want to hear it’. Conse- The Disney Channel, Buena Vista quently, there are a lot of urban myths Pictures and the Getty Center, Vicky How do they get it? springing up around type that we, as pro- Jo Varner (INFJ) attained her MBTI fessionals, have been educated to avoid. qualifications over 12 years ago from People troll the internet for free online TRI (now Interstrength Associates), quizzes, and don’t realise the benefit of professional facilitation in helping them and has achieved the status of MBTI I believe that any scores below 25 are Master Practitioner. determine their best-fit type. A quiz on Facebook pretending to be the real MBTI not necessarily to be relied upon. My Vicky Jo is a Certified Professional (with text lifted from CPP’s website and a extraversion score is typically about Co-Active Coach, Certified Guided graphic from Steve Myers’ MTR-i website) 22. It can swing to introversion at the Imagery Practitioner and member of had 3 043 296 active users and 4386 fans same level. What are your scores? the International Coach Federation. at this time of writing. She regularly presents sessions on People take the results of such online psychological types at international gimmicks as gospel. They don’t appear What does it mean to the conferences, including APTi, Share, to realise it isn’t the real thing, and don’t type community? and Convergence. know (or don’t care) that the genuine www.TypeInsights.com MBTI has had 60 years of psychometric Like it or not, this is the new type com- [email protected] development behind it and is classified as munity! We can’t turn our back on it, a Level B validated instrument. ignore it, or pretend it doesn’t exist.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 39 Vicky Jo Varner: The new type community
We can’t assume that the MBTI publisher, CPP, will eliminate all the knock-off sites. I admit it. I am a Myers-Briggshead. We dare not expect that APT International That means I am a ‘devotee’ of the has any control or jurisdiction over these new members of our ‘type community’. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator method Welcome to the 21st Century! of personality classification. It is an
The notion of discovering one’s personality easy and effective way to pigeonhole type has become increasingly popular, but your loved ones into one of 16 neat what’s the benefit? Certainly there’s greater little personality types. You can use awareness and acceptance of type as a valid means of classifying people, which is their type description to examine their good news. In a best-case scenario, people strengths and weaknesses, their inner would use this knowledge to appreciate motivations, and figure out the best differences and become more tolerant. However, the reality falls somewhat short and most effective ways to hit them of this ideal. up for money.
If you’re about to comment suggesting Worse, many of these amateurs adopt a confrontational attitude against type that my need to label myself is patho- professionals, somehow believing we’re logical, I will only reply that you are out to ‘rip them off’. They don’t seem to probably a ‘P’ and it’s a typical feature understand that our role is to clarify type, of both INTJs and INFJs. to counteract the inherent inaccuracies in assessments, and to coach people to their best-fit pattern. Many’s the time I’ve been The cult of the amateur demonised online for having unwanted expertise. In his book The Cult of the Amateur, Andrew perpetuate misconceptions, Keen writes: First, the online tools are just that ... We—those of us who want to know tools. Any intuitive worth his/her salt more about the world, those of us who will quickly discard such things once are consumers of mainstream culture— they know what the silly tests are trying are being seduced by the empty promise of ‘democratised’ media. For the real to get out of you. consequence of the Web … revolution is Second, if I was serious, the last thing I less culture, less reliable news, and a chaos of information. One chilling reality of this would do would be to go to a profess- brave new digital epoch is the blurring, ional. That is exactly why this group was obfuscation, and even disappearance of formed. To get away from that kind of truth. thinking. If you had come to one of our This ‘democratisation’ has been spreading meetups then you would know that to the world of psychological type, and there is a very strong ‘down with the Armchair psychologists we now have a proliferation of armchair system’ theme that is pervasive in every psychologists who perpetuate misconcept- meetup we have had and that your pro- misinformation, misunderstandings and misapprehensions ions, misinformation, misunderstandings, and misapprehensions. fessional schtick would be ill received. The online type experience is muddled with naiveté and ignorance. There’s even a free The proliferation of readily-available inform- PDF book available that consists of little ation on the internet has emboldened more than a collection of the author’s people to believe they know more than type prejudices. they actually do. As Andrew Keen says:
40 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
Today, on a Web where everyone has an equal voice, the words of the wise man count I just took the online test for the 27th for no more than the mutterings of a fool. time and I’m nearly at an XXXX type. After a few more attempts I’m sure I’ll I prefer to talk about traits rather than be able get zero on all my scores and a personality types since over time, be perfectly balanced. and sometimes short periods of time, these traits change. Fifteen years ago, Then there are those who have precon- I was an INFJ like you! ceptions about certain type issues and will poke experts like me as if we are a piñata, asking questions that the askers don’t truly want answered. They’ve already made up
How do they use it? make sense of their minds and merely want to be valid- I find myself in the position of trying to Most novices on the internet assume type ated, responding with pique or disinterest describes personality traits. The majority if we don’t ‘rubber stamp’ their queries. believe they know what introversion and extraversion mean. They assume that the Why are we INTJs always treated like social definitions of thinking, feeling and judging match C G Jung’s usage. Of course, extraterrestrials and why can’t other type professionals know the definitions are persons just accept us the way we are!!! different, but trying to get that message across is a Sisyphean task. Some people take advantage of my offer other people’s nonsense of a free strategy session and then indicate I’m still an INTJ, but getting dangerously that what they really want is for me to close to becoming an INFJ. tell them what type they are, for free, in less than 30 minutes on the phone. I’ve been invited to surf someone’s website Another common misconception is that and guess what type they are (as if I have the scores on each scale represent ability nothing better to do). When I’m engaged or facility. The assumption is that these to facilitate a self-discovery session, I must numbers demonstrate strength of a pro- often devote as much time to un-learning cess, rather than certainty of preference. as to learning, and I frequently find myself I see many who trumpet their scores as in the position of trying to make sense of though they were points hard won in a other people’s nonsense. basketball game—in some cases being out- right deceived by the quiz authors, who I finally thought of a reason for you to misrepresent the meaning of the figures. Even those who take the official MBTI reify actually help me! I re-took the Jung
their scores, imbuing them with far more type test again and I scored 56 introvert, significance than was ever intended. 12 intuitive, 44 feeling, 33 judging. I would like to know how to raise these I have never met another person with scores back up. an iNtuition score as high as mine! Type is routinely used to make noncha- Alternatively, some believe an ideal, ‘well- lantly demeaning comments about other balanced’ personality features zero results types, sometimes employing deliberately on all scores. There’s an attitude that Jung’s provocative and hateful barbs. It’s often concept of individuation equates to equal used for slander and readily invoked in proficiency with all 8 letters of the code, ‘flame wars’. Type has become a primary and that there's an ideal ‘midpoint’ on each weapon in the arsenal of bigotry, with dichotomy that one should strive for. MBTI letters being hurled like projectiles.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 41 Vicky Jo Varner: The new type community
what the topic is all about and don’t give The reply was No to answering his ques- any credence to professional knowledge, training, or experience. tion. That was a negotiating position, but Guardians do not understand this, This saddens me, because it seems type is heading where Jung didn’t wish it to go— especially the ESTJ bullies. devolving into the very parlour game he decried. Type is now used to marginalise Lest you think it’s all bad, there are some people and to propagate stereotypes. It’s islands of hope in this sea of despair. A few gone horribly wrong from Isabel’s idealistic people are using type to bridge differences vision. in the spirit that Isabel intended. Many are using it to develop themselves, and regard I do not believe that I am completely a J. individuation as the ultimate goal, much as Jung had hoped for. In fact, I still think I am a P, but I also believe it may be possible for some
I am now an INFJ. I used to be an ISTJ. INFPs to have INFJ qualities (and vice I love the new me. versa), or perhaps individuals can de- velop functions that are not typically One type expert holds the contrarian their strong ones and thereby use them view that this wealth of attention is a in their day-to-day situations. good thing—it increases awareness of psychological type and raises its profile, When I’ve approached companies to what the topic is about rather than diminishing it. He views these tools as a first step on the individual’s type provide them with coaching services and journey, and takes the thought-provoking propose assessing type as part of a team stance that exploring one’s type pattern development program, I’m sometimes told should be fun, and more power to them. that everyone’s already done the free online test and they think they’ve already mastered that topic. Or, because it’s How does it affect us? available online for free, it’s considered devoid of any real value. In his book Why Good People Do Bad Things, James Hollis recalls ‘when the Internet was first becoming a reality for ordinary folks’:
One person said to me that this break- through would ensure world peace and the spread of democracy … I predicted that if a new instrument was available,
think they already know new darkness would follow. … So today we know the Internet is used by terrorists to communicate, that the virtual
and don’t give credence to professional knowledge ether is full of pornography, seductions of
People innocents, political vitriol, and that phlegm in the body of capitalism called ‘spam’. So much for enlightened progress.
As a psychological type professional, I find the online trend alarming—it trivialises type. On some days I feel as anachronistic as a telephone switchboard operator, since so many people think they already know Many regard individuation as the goal, as Jung had hoped for
42 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
I’m on a type-related special interest group no threat. Perhaps you’re employed in an where someone recently wanted to know environment where the internet has had where to find the link to the ‘free test’. minimal impact thus far. Apparently their client didn’t want to pay My particular business runs on the internet. for a validated instrument. I don’t maintain a storefront; I’m not housed in a corporate environment; I’m Is anyone familiar with the Human not an academic. So perhaps I encounter these circumstances more than some type Metrics MBTI online instrument? I’ve professionals do. Nevertheless, assuming just had a client request this because your business won’t be affected because raise these issues it’s free. I have no idea whether it’s it is not internet-based is equivalent to the I don’t have answers, but believe we need to valid and/or reliable. Thanks! proverbial ostrich burying its head in the sand.
What can be done? I have noticed I’m really sensitive to How can we honour type if popular opin- loud noises and smells no one else can ion is going to take over the type world? seem to smell. Since I’m apparently Are we as professionals to be dispensed with in favour of the amateur? 100% iNtuitive and not Sensory at all, I find this weird. How do we retain the value of our edu- cation and experience? Most of us have and begin considering solutions invested time and money to acquire our I don’t have answers, but I believe we need certifications. These credentials were the to raise these issues and begin considering destination, but during our journey we solutions. How do we reinvent ourselves grasped the value of ‘gifts differing’. to be in tune with the modern notion of personality typing? What will it take to Now that value is being trampled by boor- ensure that we do not become irrelevant? ish dilettantes who perceive us as price- How do we uphold the values that Isabel gouging ‘middle men’ raking in profits and Briggs Myers and C G Jung promoted in preying on their vulnerability. How do we the face of such severe challenges? refute that image? Most of all, how do we hold the ‘tension of opposites’ between encouraging the I would also like to add that only one delight of discovering one’s type pattern, while equally honouring the professional- percent of the population is an INFJ ism of working with type and respecting making it the most rare personality the depth of this amazing tool? type. That’s right, I am ONE PERCENT Speaking from experience, this is not an of the population! easy tension to hold gracefully.
Famous INFJ personalities include Oprah, Mother Teresa and MLK [Martin I’m pretty convinced by now that I’ve
Luther King]. Another famous INFJ is probably not used Ne before in my life. Woody Allen but I’m not counting him because I do not get the guy and we apparently think the same. References
Hollis, J (2007). Why Good People Do Bad Things. New Maybe this issue hasn’t impacted you per- York, NY: Gotham sonally yet because you’re in a brick-and- Keen, A (2007). The Cult of the Amateur. New York, NY: mortar business and feel the Web poses Doubleday
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 43 Take it from here!
Using type in a different culture with people of widely different educational backgrounds
Do MBTI group activities assume too readily Several people lit up and named the human that members are articulate, intelligent, middle- resources manager. 10 minutes later he class people of goodwill? came in; he’d decided to fit a few more things into his morning. He very quickly Humphrey Prideaux cottoned on to the concept, and yes, he was an SP! We did have one ‘middle-class’ group—a Humphrey Prideaux questions whether mixture of mostly white Africans running MBTI activities assume that group mem- businesses and charities. They too found bers are ‘articulate, intelligent, middle-class it a very helpful tool. people of goodwill’, and whether the MBTI relates to marginalised groups. Two women with INTP preferences found it such a relief to discover someone who Anne Marsden Tim and I have come back from Zambia, questioned everything and could be seen with Tim Marsden where we were able to use many of the as bossy! They didn’t fit African cultural things we have learnt at MBTI workshops norms. Their husbands questioned Tim given by generous professionals. closely to find out how to cope with such Our first workshop was for 40 student women! motor mechanics. To our relief and delight Four brothers running a big transport most of the 16 types were represented, business were not surprised to find that and knowing one another well, they could they each had a different temperament! clearly see the relevance of MBTI. The Whether the day will help them to get on posters they made to advertise an imagined better remains to be seen. new business illustrated their differences. Anne Marsden (INTP) and Tim For us it was a wonderful way to have an Marsden (ISTJ) got hooked on the We then worked with the staff of an or- insight into the lives of a large number of MBTI when their church leadership phanage. The group had social workers people living in a different culture with team in southern England were led and management staff, as well as house widely different educational backgrounds. through a workshop and found much- mothers who were simple women with needed keys to working together. Ten little education. They were so excited that Back home, we find it helps enormously years of attending local meetings of we had to go back for a second session, in smoothing relationships and understand- the British APT followed. so they could work out how the children ing the people around us. I am in danger in their care showed type preferences of being an MBTI bore, but I hope that After early retirement from property and could be helped more effectively to doesn’t mean I exclude other approaches (Tim) and legal (Anne) professions, work through their social and emotional and ideas. As an INTP, I think I can keep they started visiting expat groups in problems. hold of several things at once! Africa to provide encouragement and Then we got whisked off to a game reserve support. MBTI proved an effective Reference route into tackling the stress and and farm to do a workshop for the 20 most senior Zambian staff and the white farmers conflict of community life. Many of Humphrey Prideaux, ‘Report of the BAPT Southern Area who owned the place. As we were looking Group workshop on “What am I doing with my life”’, the strains turned out to be more to at temperament, we noted that there was TypeFace, Spring 2009 10-11. do with personality than to cultural no SP. Someone suddenly interrupted and divergence. said, ‘Does anyone know someone who This article first appeared as a letter in the Summer 2009 issue of TypeFace. It is reprinted here in an edited form by [email protected] fits the SP profile?’ permission of the British Association for Psychological Type.
44 Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009
s s Workspaces part 14
P Act II (continued from page 23): P The hospital orderly and former chef, actor, F F roadhouse owner, God Squad member and Young Libs president; the personal care S S worker; and the hippie teacher/musician I I
Meredith Fuller I am an orderly in a small hospital. I like The hospital orderly the job, it is worthwhile caring for people: although not directly medical, it still helps and former chef, actor, the patients. I remember one patient say- God Squad member, ing to us, ‘Oh, you guys are the human face of the hospital’. A nice, small, intimate Young Libs president hospital has a nicer feel that I like, rather and roadhouse owner than a larger, more impersonal hospital. ‘I am a sailor’, Grant adds.
Grant ISFP Ah, sailing: they say it’s long periods inter- spersed with moments of intense panic. Grant, a hirsute 60, has an easygoing atti- You try to keep the intense moments of tude that belies his extraordinary number panic to a minimum—being out in a gale is of work roles. His sweet, affable nature no fun. gets things done without rush or fuss. Sailors describe boats as living things, and I In his youth, he cooked by day and acted see why they do. You get out in a sailboat in the theatre at night. He retains a prod- and feel the wind breathe life into the igious memory—useful for learning lines boat, and you feel the vibration through or reciting long poems at dinner parties. the helm and feel your boat come alive. As president of his local Young Liberals That is part of what I love. You can hear I S F P branch, he spent weekends attending nothing other than the wind singing in the clear moderate moderate very clear meetings and activities and fundraising at rigging and the lap of the water. Tammy and Malcolm Fraser’s property. If you sail at night, Bass Strait in the calm Hirsute Grant has an His love of red wine and Collingwood saw (and you get this experience in the desert Grant in the Outer cheer squad, resplend- too), you see the vast southern sky, the easygoing attitude ent in long scarf, sipping a red from a silver amazing stars. On a night passage, a beaut- goblet to incredulous stares from beer- iful calm night, and under the stars and I felt swilling compatriots. almost this overwhelming sense of vast After many years in the country, the lure indifference. of sailing brought Grant and his wife, Jenny, The sea is a funny thing, it has an impers- close to the Bay, working at the local hos- onal feel, it doesn’t mind what it does and pital, with a recent return to some acting. you have no control. It can be benevolent How would you describe who you are and give you calm passage, or it can and what you do? destroy with a gale. It is not malicious, it just does, it just is. You must treat it with At this very moment I am a dog wrestler! respect.
[During the interview my Rottweiler took a shine to ‘I like the unpredictability’, says Grant, Grant, boisterously playing with him for three hours.] ‘both frightening and inspiring’.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 45 Meredith Fuller: Workspaces #14: ISFPs
How you go about doing your work? costumes for theme days; for example, when Collingwood won the Grand Final My first description is how it isn’t: I am not I wore a B&W ensemble that brought the terribly organised. Tidiness and a tidy mind house down. Otherwise I am quiet at work. are as synonymous as a frog and feathers. Yet I have a good memory: I don’t tend to (One of Grant’s greatest attributes is his forget things. marvellous humour: a very funny teller of Other people would be better to ask. They tales, droll reciter of poetry, lurid language and hysterically funny story teller!) would say I bring a fair bit of care to my job; I do not take shortcuts. I am never quick, What is most important to you, what but I am always thorough, you might say. are you most passionate about? At work they wonder how I cope with the Anything to do with sea, ships, and things demands that all the varying departments that float. I started sailing because I like put on me simultaneously, I remember the sea. once a chief of a department imperiously saying, ‘I need these three patients!’ Well, When up at the roadhouse we had in I said, ‘One at a time is very good fishing!’ Marysville 14 years ago, my wife and I He stormed off. I thought, ‘We will fetch went to the Boat Show and they had a one patient at a time’, which is the only few yachts. I thought I wouldn’t mind way I can get them. learning how to sail at 46. Neither of us had ever been on a sail boat before. I am not a great respecter of persons, in the sense I don’t care what status they Did a course through Yacht Master Sailing have, it doesn’t worry me. They all get School, started from there, and we enjoy it. the same response from me, regardless We go on a major voyage—Bass Strait— of their position. each year, and out on the bay as often as we can. Even to go up to Docklands over- Key words to describe your personality? night and spend a weekend in the city.
Ask my wife. She would have something ‘Collingwood supporter’, Grant adds. helpful to say. There’s a Biblical proverb saying praise should come from the mouth I was a member of Collingwood Outer of strangers, not one’s own! cheer squad, the largest and least respect- Exhilarating trips in able of all the cheer squads, with the most Others would have different perspectives, dubious characters. At the same time I was Grant’s Mark 9 Jag but there’d be a common denominator— a member of the Liberal Party, and I went they would all say that I am absent-minded! to the matches in a very long scarf, drinking How they’ve coped with it has been vastly red from a silver goblet in my famous cheer different: some find it a deep source of squad coat! trouble, others just roll with the punches. And, last but not least: ‘Mark 9 Jag’. As a ‘I daydream’, says Grant. teenager, Grant lived in a household with I have an ability to turn off. I read and I a Sheltie who had bonded with his Jag to become impervious to whatever else is such an extent that the dog insisted on happening, I am so in my moment. The midnight rides. Householders piled into lights are on, but who is home? the car, sun roof open, for exhilarating trips to the beach. My wife is aghast at the amount of trivia I store up, and wonders why I store it up! Spirituality? A lot of people say I am patient; in many ‘I underwent a religious conversion over ways I guess there is a strange blend of the 30 years ago’, says Grant. ‘I have under- real exhibitionist and the introvert. Some- gone several changes over time, a strong times I go to work in some outrageous undercurrent in my life.’
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I spent many years as a conservative evan- Grant returned to Melbourne in 2000 gelical, with my former wife. There was a and got a job in hospital ‘by accident’. massive split within the leadership in the community in the early 1980s that deeply Didn’t want to return to cooking, and told affected me, I was torn between the two. an agency I will give anything a go! I felt a deep sense of disillusionment and The only thing I ever wanted to do as a sadness, and no longer wished to remain. kid was be in the Navy, but being born blind in one eye precluded that. The one Grant moved to a guest house in Marysville thing I wanted to do, I couldn’t. in 1986. Grant’s grandparents had some influence I flourished in that rural environment and on what he decided to train in. loved being there, but my partner didn’t. We separated in 1989. I stayed. My grandfather was a wonderful amateur This all had a profound effect on my belief cabinetmaker, beautiful furniture and mag- system. My father also died that year. It was nificent workshop. I had no natural attribute painful telling the two boys their mother was for that, yet my grandmother was good in leaving. the kitchen. I remember helping her bottle fruit as a child, and I enjoyed it. She was I used to have that triumphant sense— thrilled because I could get my long arms with faith anything is possible—but that right down into the bottom of the jar. confidence was gone. Now I am more attuned to Tom Keneally’s notion of God At school I was good at chemistry and as a ‘Cosmic Author’: many chapters, some science, but hopeless at maths, and good may be dreadful, but eventually good will at history. Told to drop one of my best triumph over evil. two subjects to go on to Year 12, I thought ‘No, I will give cooking a go’, and got an Grant went on a single parent’s pension apprenticeship. I had a sense of the hos- for a while to raise his boys. pitality field: Dad was in the hotel industry and I worked in bottle shops during school Then I met Jenny, my wife. I had seen her holidays. before but not spoken to her. At the Bush Dance progressive barn dance (dunno why At the Florentino Restaurant, Grant liked I was there, given my dancing prowess), we the creativity of the cooking, but disliked An electric thunderbolt: were told to ‘Now take the woman on your the hours and, later, the pressure. That right for the Pride of Erin, put your arm eventually caused him to leave cooking. Grant and Jenny around her’. At the Golden Trout Hotel once in Eildon, I did and it was like an electric thunderbolt, I worked with a young chef who was ex- I felt something go through me, it scared tending his house. He was having a hard me! I was so scared I had to be ginger, if time trying to get the plumbers and elec- I’d really put my arm round her I would tricians to turn up. All the tradies kept have ravished her on the spot! I didn’t know saying, ‘Sorry we are too busy to come!’ what she was feeling! Oh crumbs! I asked and he couldn’t get his house finished. her out later that night. One summer Saturday night at 8pm daylight ‘We are both introspective’, says Grant. saving, no patrons had arrived in the dining room—they were all still water skiing— We married, she stopped working fulltime but by 8.30 pm there were 200 bums on to job-share and moved in with me and the seats, with only four of us in the kitchen. I boys. She had come from the bush originally, had a suggestion: ‘Alan, you should go out and loved it. I did various jobs, then we and say Any electricians here? Well, we’re too bought the roadhouse in a partnership busy to feed you tonight, come back next week! with another couple. You see, chefs cannot do that! You must meet outrageous expectations.’ Photo: Meredith Fuller
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 47 Meredith Fuller: Workspaces #14: ISFPs
Grant was a president of the Coatesville I wasn’t good at ball games, didn’t under- branch of the Young Liberals. ‘I was always stand why until I was much older (no one interested in politics’, he says, ‘and at the had made that connection about my eye). time I was sympathetic to both parties on I overcame an initial fear of deep water various issues. through a persistent coach.
I was a small-l liberal. I was the youngest I loved reading anything. Loved nature: I was ever member to join the Liberal Speakers always out collecting lizards, had pet lizards, Group, be on State Council, on Don Chipp’s caterpillars—fed my emperor gum cater- electorate committee: but I couldn’t wholly pillars to make cocoons—and I collected embrace the Liberals, because I thought spiders. there was good on both sides. Describe the dynamics of your relat- Grant resigned in 1974, for two reasons. ionship with your family of origin? My religious experience of the time had a Mum was good, but she was overprotective strong social justice element that I thought because I was her blind-in-one-eye only the Liberal Party lacked. child. She has been, and still is, the most The other was that we threatened to block brilliant grandma to my own sons. Supply in the Senate in ’74, I didn’t feel comfortable with that either. We didn’t ‘Dad and I had different values’, says Grant, end up doing it, as Gough called their bluff. ‘but it never stopped us from being good There had been a gentleman’s agreement friends. We were very different people.’ never to block Supply, and I felt it would Ironically, my life is similar to his unconsci- damage our system to do so. ously: both of us initially married women Grant got into acting via Liberal Party who were desperate to escape from their connections. mothers, both marriages lasted 14.5 years, neither were happy marriages. Bob Suggett, Peg Morgan and Joy Head. I Then both Dad and I met and married again went to her for elocution lessons and she within 6 months of meeting, both 40 when encouraged me to join the Moorabbin we married our second wives. Both of our Theatre Group. Did Brides of March, Who’s second marriages were happy, both of us Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, Twelfth Night, Johnny married women who hadn’t been married Acting: Grant (at back) Belinda and Shifting Heart, among other before. with Dean Nottle, Meredith productions, until my geographical move precluded continuing involvement. How do you view the world, purpose Fuller and Jacquie Willox of life, etc? What is the best way to treat you, to behave to get the best out of you? ‘We are meant to be here.’
Be clear what you want. I do not think we are just biological freaks in a cosmic zoo. We are the only animals I am very much my own person, yet I am on the planet that seek meaning; that is also the servant of many masters. In my what makes us human. I don’t know that I current job I am at everyone’s beck and have discovered the meaning of life yet! call, which can be interesting! At my grandfather’s, father’s and stepfather’s I don’t appreciate being treated like a eulogies I have said: When a person dies, moron: just because you are not qualified their spirit returns to the God who gave it. like, say the medical staff, it doesn’t mean Ecclesiastes. you are stupid. Do not treat me like an idiot; do not be dismissive or rude. Who have been your initial mentors, heroes? What drew you to them and What sort of child were you? what have you learned from them?
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Dietrich Bonheoffer, a man of extraordinary If you could sit down to a meal with courage. five people at any time in history, who would they be? My wife. (A colleague of hers who doesn’t know me, but knows that Jenny barracks Dietrich Bonheoffer, German theologian for Carlton and I barrack for Collingwood, executed in 1945 by the Nazis. says: ‘Oh, you are in a mixed marriage!’) Paul Tillich: ‘The courage to be is rooted in Sid Parsons, maternal grandfather: through the God who appears when God disappears his wonderful storytelling, he gave me a deep in the anxiety of doubt’. interest in history. Mahler and Shostakovich. Helen, an extraordinary friend who has great strength. Kurt Vonnegut and Eleanor Dark, authors. My wife Jenny. Music, films or books that have been influential or significant during your life? Ian and Glynnis Murray, friends. Anita and Suzy, mischievous, fun-loving So much music! Classical. Depends what nurses at work. mood I’m in. Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony: as a whole What are the things you struggle with? work, it is extraordinary. Shostakovich— What frustrates or annoys you? walking the fine line, the torment in his music, tortured and haunting beauty. Bach: Frustrated by my lack of discipline, or ‘Make Me Pure My Heart’ from The Passion laziness! of St Matthew inspires me. I have never felt comfortable with people Vonnegut—Time Quake, a mishmash of who are utterly cocksure of themselves or stories, outrageous, yet some contained in their position: e.g., Phillip Adams. the book are poignant, very funny, tragic. Not that I dislike the man, but, as Manning The Gospels, I find intriguing and powerful. Clarke said, he always found two philos- The book of Ecclesiastes, a struggle for ophies uncomfortable. One was a religious the search for meaning, unresolved, and fundamentalism where they think they have
that is why I like it. all the answers, and [the other was] the secular atheists who are equally dogmatic. I am a contradiction and A significant achievement as an adult That rigid singlemindedness I find frustrat- that you are proud of? ing, which may mean that is why I am not that doesn’t worry me a high achiever. I think that requires a sort In 1984 I was cooking at a PHAB camp— of singlemindedness and ego I just don’t re- ‘physically handicapped, able bodied’, equal late to. We do need those types of people: numbers, each PH matched with AB com- if there were too many types like me in the panion. 70 of us, down the coast. A lot had world, not a lot would get done! come from institutions. I was asked to cook for them as a volunteer. What makes you happy or sad? I brought in two helpers so I could make all of the food from scratch—all fresh, no I could give an outrageously flippant answer pre-prepared food—to give them the best to that! A sad thing is Carlton beating Col- I could do. lingwood in the Grand Final; they’ve done it far too many times! We worked 14 hour days for a week, tiring and stressful: and yet the final night we had An event that made me happy was after a banquet, and at the end we were called we had been sailing with my family, and it out, they stood on the tables to applaud us. was my birthday. Instead of going back to I will never forget their heartfelt applause. the Club for dinner, we went to a small A standout moment. local restaurant with a good wine, being Photo: Selby Markham
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with my wife and two sons. It doesn’t get ‘Life takes interesting turns’, says Grant, any better than that. A moment of extra- ‘by accident, you might think—but you ordinary contentment! A simple thing. don’t know’.
Describe your ideal future life Perhaps even though we will never discover it, there is a mystery at the heart of things. I want to still be able to enjoy my life with I am always asking, Why? my family. I may not be able to afford to keep the boat—a 30-foot sloop, masthead rig—but if I could, I would be sailing. The personal care Still want to do the inland trip around Australia. It’s funny, as a population we worker live on the coastal fringes with our backs to the Outback, looking out to sea, and we never go to sea or to the Outback! Lily ISFP A touch of irony in that. Want to explore the Inland—want to see a lot more, want Lily is the youngest of three from a tradit- to explore our heartland. ional working-class family. She has suffered from migraines throughout her life. What stresses you, how do you react? In her early 50s, this dark-eyed, dark-haired Cooking: with all the demands made all at beauty has a husband and four children. once and no way out! I tend to internalise, Three of her adult children are at home, I bottle things up. I can be cynical or adopt as well as her granddaughter, whom she a sarcastic manner if stressed. I do magnif- minds while her eldest daughter works. icent vintage Basil Fawlty! Lily’s house is filled with laughter, people and neighbours wandering in and out in a Finally? laidback, timeless atmosphere. The kitchen ‘He despised nothing’: I would like to be is the hub of the house, where guests are made welcome with cups of tea or drinks like that. To be open and accepting, not to from the huge fridge. be judgemental. Manning Clarke described
it as having the eye of pity: putting yourself Whatever life dishes up is handled with in the other person’s boots. equanimity and acceptance. With Lily, I S F P what you see is what you get. Her dis- clear moderate moderate moderate I haven’t achieved much as far as status or arming frankness and mischievous sense position in terms of our competitive society. of humour ensure that she is a pleasure Lily: what you see I once said to my boss, ‘We (the orderlies) to be around. are about half a notch above the hospital is what you get cockroach here!’ I am known for my col- Nigella Lawson’s cookery books and ourful turn of phrase! It tickled him so much House and Garden magazines are strewn he asked my permission to repeat it at the about Lily’s comfy sunroom. Meals may staff meeting. be hours late, and it may hard to pin her down to appointments or long-range But having said that, the one thing my life plans. hasn’t been is boring: it has been interesting, and that I have liked! I am a contradiction, Lily is a casual personal care worker. This involves two main tasks: and that doesn’t worry me either. • We are an enigmatic lot: that is part of the showering and dressing clients, helping them in and out of bed, breakfast, and human condition. In a competitive society setting up for the day I might be regarded as a low achiever, but I have lived a lot more interestingly than • respite: staying 3 or 4 hours with the many high achievers, and I wouldn’t swap client while the spouse or carer goes that for anything. I don’t regret anything. shopping.
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I like helping people’, says Lily. Film?
Usually they are older, from WW2 vintage, My favourite was The Piano. I also love and I enjoy their stories and talking about James Bond films, Indiana Jones, the Die their families. After a few years you become Hard series. part of the family. Interests? For example, I have worked for John for 8 years now, showering and preparing his I love gardening, cooking, and doing my meals. He is an alcoholic and if I didn’t look family tree. I love doing family tree research, after him, he wouldn’t have any quality of I have tubfuls of material and I want to get life. it put together. I would like to travel over- seas and do more research ‘I sometimes getting sick of it all’, Lily adds, ‘but I haven’t done anything about it!’ How did you find your work?
I remain in the Home Care Division for I got my job through my friend, who is a aged people with disability, as I won’t do nurse. Firstly, she got me a nursing home housework and risk a bad back, and I won’t job part-time and then into the agency do children with disability as it would upset work. I saw an ad for personal care work me too much. I like my coordinator: she is and then applied. pleasant, she doesn’t crowd me. We have yearly reviews and assessments, and you I disliked school, and dislike the short know where you stand. courses you have to do for the job. I’m more of a doer. I hate exams. In the work environment Favourite colours? If you want to get the best out of me, be polite and not formal. Tell me up front Blue, red and cobalt. what you want and expect. I really resent rigid, condescending treatment. I do not Favourite flower? like manipulative behaviour. I prefer plain Daisy. speaking and friendly behaviour.
Your style? Sit and have a laugh, and ask me—don’t Ask me about my family: tell me what to do. Treat me like a human Stylewise, I am eclectic. I like a soft look. being. Ask me about my family, and know I hate those unlived-in perfect houses. I Lily (r) with daughter you can trust me. I like giving good service. like lots of pillows on the bed, a homely and granddaughter A good boss is a good listener, and then we feel (not just a ‘house’) where you can sit can work together. I resent authoritarian and enjoy a warm environment. Where bosses. guests come in and immediately feel they can relax. I am excellent, a good team player, and I do above and beyond the call of duty, I do ‘My lifestyle is lazy and relaxed’, says Lily. more than the plan sets out. For example, I like things to look nice only because I I am happy to post letters, bring people want it for myself, not for other people, milk. I like my clients to feel that they can not for show. I wear jeans, I am not very relax, it will all be taken care of and then dressy. I do like jewellery and wear bangles they don’t have to worry. a lot. I usually wear casual tops, pants or Music? skirts. But not frilly or flowery.
I like anything—blues, soul, pop and Lily says that she tries to help others, but opera. can be a control freak.
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Take a deep look at people, talk to them For example, I think about changing my and then you can buy a gift they’d like. job, but I don’t do anything about it! I’m that is what relationships are all about: not career minded - I don’t really want to getting to know people. think about it!
Lily describes herself as ‘short and busty, At one stage, Lily thought she might like with a good sense of humour’. to be an interpreter.
I am attracted to men with a sense of I had an idea that people who speak lang- humour! Like my husband, very funny, uages must be smart and it would be an witty. easy job that paid well, but I wouldn’t want to study. Similarly, I would like to sing, but The most important thing in Lily’s life is I can’t! Maybe one day I could run a fran- her family—her children and grandchild. chise business, say, coordinating plumbers or something like that. Meaning of life? I love my job because I only have to inter- I have no clue what we are on the planet act with people, not sit at a desk. I would for. hate office work and administration. I like getting out and about. I am a P, I struggle trying to be consistent, I usually try to have a plan, but then I am a Your motto? non-finisher! I love peace and quiet. I hate arguing with ‘Que Sera Sera.’ people. I don’t like rigid, bustling people who get in a fluster. If you could invite anyone famous for dinner …? I love sitting down at the end of the day, going to bed, doing crossword puzzles, I I’d have to invite a Royal! Henry 8th, Billy sing to myself. Connolly, and John Howard.
Describe your ideal day? Your school years?
A recent ‘special’ day for me: I went on a I went to a Catholic primary school, but tram in to the city, walked around the I can hardly recall a thing from my school My childhood felt like Block arcade, had all the time and choice years. A limited memory, probably because a dream I didn’t want in the world, stopped for a few coffees, I hated school so much. I wasn’t interested visited the Immigration Museum. in school, but I enjoyed my girlfriends and to be having social things. It was a special day because no pressure, I could do what I liked (I hate being stuck My childhood felt like a dream that I didn’t with timeframes) and I could enjoy seeing want to be having! The nuns said I all the scenery on the tram ride. daydreamed all the time. I just got by scholastically: I was bored sitting in class. What are you most proud of? When she was young, Lily wanted to be a I am proud of my kids, and I am a good- hairdresser. hearted person. Mum wouldn’t let me. She said that stand- I need quiet. I respect people who have ing up all day would cause varicose veins. done it hard and come out the other end, I used to do everybody’s hair if they came not having had it handed to them on a plate. to our house, but Mum really wanted me ‘I like to try to better myself’, Lily adds. to work in an office. My parents sent me to a private school, although I would have been I can get a bit stuck. I say to myself, ‘Come just as happy to go to the local Catholic on, get up’, then I am fine. I don’t tend to school with my friends. do things.
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Lily recalls a ‘horror memory’: The hippie teacher/ We went to the intake interview one school day. The next day the nun at my local musician school asks, ‘Where were you yesterday?’ I was naive and I answered simply, ‘Going for an interview for the private school’. Mars ISFP The nuns were furious—‘You think you’re too good for this class since you’re trying Mars loved baby animals and children to get a place at a different school’. They from an early age. He loved visiting the made me stand in the corner all day. I felt zoo and had an array of soft toys he took dreadful about it. to bed, alongside his cricket bat. He has But if I told mum any time I was strapped lived in the country or on the coast for by the nuns, her attitude was, ‘Well, you most of his life, and is a vegan. must have done something wrong’. Quiet and shy, Mars rarely spoke. He taught himself to play guitar and spent Mum was strict. Even when I was 12, she hours jamming with a few mates. put out my clothes ready on the bed for me to wear. You learned that you didn’t Hanging around at the ice skating rink, his ask questions or answer back. self-taught prowess led to an invitation to join an ice hockey team. For several years In those days, parents were in awe of his life was consumed by ice hockey, music teachers and doctors—authority figures. and relaxing in the moment. As children you were supposed to be seen and not heard. At competition level the game was highly physical and dangerous. Players sustained Lily liked the private school ‘because it was many injuries. ‘I had several teeth knocked nice’, but was happy to leave in Year 10. out and several broken toes and arms’, says Mars. A team member was accidentally I left school and got a job in an office at a killed during a game. Mars ceased playing motor dealership, in the credit loan depart- after that. ment. I hated it. Then I worked for the Mars wasn’t happy at school and needed Transport Workers Union until I got to repeat year 12. After a few years of not married. doing anything, he enrolled in a technical school and bumped into a love of photog- I S F P Lily’s family used to go to Maldon for raphy when a teacher noticed he had a clear slight clear clear camping holidays. good eye. This led to learning photography as part of a media teaching degree that he Mars I met my husband when we were 8. We undertook part time. were in love by 14, at 18 he asked me out, and we were married by 21. After graduation, someone mentioned that Nimbin had like-minded souls, so he I love having my kids at home around me, hopped on a train without money or and I get so much joy out of my grand- possessions. For a number of years Mars daughter—she is so funny. lived in share accommodations, including flats, buses and cowsheds. On the dole, the households played music, sat in the sun and communed with nature. Eventually Mars completed additional studies, and now teaches photography part-time in an alternative school. He lives in a former shop on the top of a mountain near the coast, and plays in a Lily and her baby daughter band a few nights a week.
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‘Everything is about light beams’, says Mars. ‘What’s a camera?’, Mars asks. ‘Basically, ‘Capturing moments in time, observing the it’s just a box that bounces reflected light.’ subtleties in the light beams. Photography captures the quality of this hidden world: I teach the students by asking, ‘If you are the space, the light.’ walking along a beach and you see someone in the distance you think may be a friend, At primary school I was good at maths. how do you try to figure it out? You squint. I even sat around adding and subtracting Your eyes go smaller, letting less light in, and numbers. I found the tricks—whatever you that is depth of field. Then you just learn want to learn, there are a few basic tricks. to increase this, decrease that by doubling, Apply them, and you can get by. Find the and that is your basic shutter speed, and basic tricks and you can apply them to how big or small you want the hole. everything, and get the right answer. Of his own photography, Mars comments: Mars remembers spending a lot of time in his childhood on the floor with his dinky I don’t need people to see what I took, it cars, ‘feeling unloved’. has meaning for me. I just have to observe what I see with myself as camera, and I don’t I struggled to get top of the class, but I never even need to take shots. I like to sit and did. Something changed for me when I was think about the big questions. Light versus around 13. I thought, ‘What is the point in dark. trying? This is all a crock.’ So I stopped. I was
smoking dope and think it affected my brain: I simply stopped trying. I hung around with my mates and didn’t go to school much. When I returned to school I assumed I’d pick up maths again, but it wasn’t easy anymore; it was all gobbledygook that I couldn’t understand, and I couldn’t do it anymore. My brain somehow turned off the logical maths switch and turned up the creative side.
Mars used to think that he wanted to be Light versus dark: photo by Heather Davies (ISFP) an accountant or a chef. ‘In a darkened room there is only black’, I wasn’t interested in humanities where says Mars. ‘No light, no image. Nothing.’ Facing the light: there wasn’t a right answer. But it felt Mars that there was a hole in my left brain and The key to everything is light. Ambient I couldn’t use my logic any more. That light: how light bounces off everything and space let in my creative side and I became spread itself everywhere, and the beauty interested in media. of knowing that those light particles are When I teach my photography students, bouncing round. I give them the tricks—but if they want Direct light hitting has yet another effect. to get into more complex things, I expect It’s very subtle, noticing how light and shad- them to play around and figure it out. I tell ows on my face are affected by where I am, them to go off and learn how by playing with what time it is, and how I am facing the light. their cameras and in the darkroom. Always fascinated by light, and the enormity of the Universe. ‘I can’t read manuals’, says Mars, ‘I hate technical stuff! If someone shows you basic survival tricks, you can apply that to what- Workspaces part 14 continues on page 63 ever you are doing, whether it’s learning with the nurse, the desktop support engineer, and the shop owner. to use a camera or fix a bicycle pump.
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Life in two unhurried societies
Bright Star, directed by Jane Campion Samson and Delilah, directed by Warwick Thornton
Australian films have been scarce in Cannes This background is by way of contrasting since 2006, a bumper year with Jindabyne, Jane Campion’s quiet and intimate 2:37, Suburban Madness, Jewboy and Ten portrait of Keats’s last years and his love Canoes—a fine selection for a panorama for and engagement to Fanny Brawne of the Australian industry. with other films about artists. Apart from a glimpse of Keats’s coffin being carried 2009 saw the Screen Australia logo come across the Spanish Steps in Rome (where up on screen two days in succession. The his room can still be visited), everything first was Jane Campion’s film of the love takes place on Hampstead Hill near the between John Keats and Fanny Brawne, London of 1819, the woods at the back the filmed-in-England Bright Star, and of the house in a pretty spring and a snow- the second was Warwick Thornton’s clad winter but, mainly, interiors. Keats Northern Territory-set Samson and was a poet of interiors, of musings. Delilah: both Australia-endorsed, but worlds apart. Which certainly does not make for a slambang action show for the perpetual- Any creative link between them to make texters or the Internet surfers. But it Peter Malone an article on type issues? A task for the would not be a bad thing for an audience unrepentantly intuitive! to slow down if it could and simply be The intuition linking the two productions with people who lived at a slower pace The contrasting is this: the quietly isolated and unhurried and had time to feel and reflect. Texts of society that was portrayed in each film. poems are used throughout, and the title comes from the beginning of a sonnet cultures and eras While many critics were kind to Bright Keats wrote for Fanny. Star, members of the public were not are not dissimilar quite so tolerant. Some said it was too For those who do go, I hope they don’t slow, others that it was boring. It’s a pity make that instant dash for exits as soon in type terms that contemporary sensibilities tend to as the final credits appear, as throughout make their owners want everything to the credits Ben Wishaw recites Keats’s move fast, that a film’s being ‘slow’ is a ‘Ode to a Nightingale’. derogatory comment, and an absence of Jane Campion’s films are varied, but they Peter Malone (INFJ) was a founding action (preferably conflict) means that a all take on a female perspective. Fanny member of AusAPT. Peter is based film is dismissed. Brawne and her love for Keats are the in London, where he heads SIGNIS, John Keats’s short 25-year life was not as principal focus here. Abbie Cornish the World Catholic Association for filled with great excitement and adventure gives a vigorously romantic performance, Communications and is responsible as those of his two Romantic contempor- embodying the more liberating attitudes for its international film desk. aries, Byron and Shelley (as the two 1987 and behaviour in an immediate post-Jane Peter writes on films and type in the films about them, The Haunted Summer and Austen era. She is down to earth, a cre- UK and Australia. His books include Gothic, certainly illustrate). Nor was he as ative dressmaker who is attracted to the Myers-Briggs Goes To The Movies, long-lived and influential as the former wispy Keats. He is played by that thinnest Mirror, Mirror On The Screen, and generation of Romantics, Coleridge and of actors, Ben Whishaw, with a melancholy The Same as Christ Jesus: Gospel Wordsworth (whose early career was which Fanny almost drives out of him as and Type. dramatised in the 2001 Pandaemonium). he discovers love and affection.
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Peter Malone: Life in two unhurried societies
To spark some drama, a great deal of neglecting her Nana and is beaten. Samson attention is given to Keats’s writing part- and Delilah leave in the communal truck. ner, Charles Brown (a vigorous perform- They take refuge under a bridge in the ance from Paul Schneider) and Fanny’s dry Todd River bed, where they are be- not-concealed dislike of and disdain for him. friended and fed by a an alcoholic drifter, Kerry Fox (once Campion’s An Angel at Gonzo (Scott Thornton), who has a my Table) plays Fanny’s mother. sense of humour and loves singing. Bright Star is a very This is a very refined film, a picture of Things go from bad to worse. Samson is gentle passion for Keats and of passion almost incessantly dependent on glue and refined film, a picture taking possession of her for Fanny. It is petrol fumes. But the final part of the film of gentle passion a tribute to the quiet genius of Keats’s does offer hope, especially with the ener- imagination and love of language. It is a gies, initiatives and care by the woman, by picture of a society that is at home with Delilah. Women are the hope for the men. what we might call an ISFP culture. The leads are naturals, and Nana and Gonzo offer telling glimpses of the older Critics and public were kinder to the fine generations. The white community is not Australian film by an indigenous writer- presented in any complimentary way. director and cast. Graham Thornton won the Camera D’Or (the prize for a In the last eight years there have been a first filmmaker). number of films about, with and by Abor- iginal people, some using local language as His film is also of an ISFP culture, an ISFP does this one. One hopes there will be Aboriginal culture. Well, the men seem many more and as persuasive as this one. more ISFP/ISTP, while the women make the decisions for themselves and for the So, the link between the two films was men (and this is true for Samson and more than just Screen Australia backing. Delilah in this film—in the community in The contrasting cultures, different eras the bush, in their troubles in Alice Springs and different places, were not entirely and, especially, in their return even further dissimilar in type terms. into the bush). One hopes that contemporary audiences Warwick Thornton has found the right will slow down. Terminators and Trans- pace, tone and empathy to make this a formers are not the norm for screen significant story about a young man and a interest and entertainment. young woman whom many would judge Bright Star: Abbie Cornish and Ben Wishaw as insignificant. At the beginning of the film, the sameness of the routine is emphasised as, day by day, Samson wakes up, listens to music, sniffs his jar of glue, then sits waiting for some- thing to happen. Delilah wakes, rouses her Nana and gives her her tablets, joins her in dot painting, wheels her to the infirmary and to the chapel. They live in a small town- Samson and Delilah settlement in the Northern Territory bush. finds the right pace, Samson doesn’t talk, but Rowan McNamara makes him an engaging tone and empathy mischievous character who one day kills a kangaroo by chance and proudly carries it past all the houses. But he falls foul of his brother, who plays in a little band on the verandah all day. Delilah (Marissa Gibson) is wrongly accused by the aunties of the town of Samson and Delilah: Marissa Gibson and Rowan McNamara
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All in it together … or is it just for the money?
Some conjectures
What does it mean to describe an emotion get’ that many people don’t naturally under- stand people and emotions, or are unable as characteristic of a country or era…? How to take a personal approach, notwithstanding and how far do we measure its prevalence? it was all around her in her workplace.
Eric Hobsbawm This is, of course, a stereotypical story of an INTP male, with the advantage of being an inferior function issue. But it would be One of the problems in saying something unwise to generalise too much by applying about a group of people—whether it be a this person’s experience to others, presum- country, members of a ‘community’, or ing that issues with emotional expression particular groupings such as what are cur- (say) mean that INTPs don’t or won’t hug, rently called ‘personality preferences’—is for instance. I know a few INTPs who are the level of truth in the representation. great huggers, as well as others who keep In public discourse, generalisations abound their distance, or take time to warm up.
regarding behaviour and attitude where ‘we’ So you can tell a lot about someone if you (or ‘they’) all fit in as identikit consumers, The freewheelin’ whack a label on them, particularly if it’s voters or, perhaps, INTPs (although any a good one, but you may also completely Peter Geyer type will do). miss out on who they are, if you think of Styles and labels them as that label and nothing else; a one- or two-page transcript, in a way. Turning up late, for instance (or not turning up at all) can be attributed to someone’s Helping individuals You can tell a lot ‘style’, as if it’s something they are bound about someone if to do, like a type automaton. But the person It seems that the fashion these days is to themselves might not act in that way at all, expect that one or other specific therapeutic or at least infrequently; enquiring about you label them— other aspects of their lives might provide strategy (CBT, ACT, DBT, etc) will suit insight into where being on time fits. Many most presenting clients, despite the un- but you may miss years ago, an INFP said to me, ‘I turn up acknowledged uniqueness of such clients. on time because it’s a value’. who they are It can even be difficult when people act as Will Pitty expected, at least as far as their type label goes. Every so often I meet with a long- Like ‘interventions’ in organisations and time friend, and part of our discussions can counselling of witnesses to traumatic events, be about her philosophically-inclined son, therapeutic techniques can have favoured a man in his late 20s. He prefers INTP, and labels, which may have more importance Peter Geyer (INTP) pursues the than their targets. Perhaps this is part of meaning of psychological type and emotional expression isn’t one of his many attributes. the onrush of efficiencies associated with other Jungian ideas on personality, materialism. The Australian Psychological often finding them in unexpected My friend, who prefers introverted intuition Society further confuses with its motto of places. with feeling, doesn’t need a type label to Good Thinking, which seems only part of www.petergeyer.com.au identify this, of course. Though intelligent what might be required in helping people [email protected] and well-read, she freely admits she ‘didn’t in trouble.
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Gemma Soames writes about the prolifer- editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, wrote ation of syndromes in this way: someone of the ‘strong … character of Australians’: who is shy has ‘social phobia’, or a lack of expression of emotions is problematic Rough rather than tough, kindly but not (2009). A syndrome is usefully described tolerant, a generous sardonic, sceptical as something that detracts from the notion but surprisingly gullible character, quick of you as a perfect being—implausible in to take offence and by no means unwilling itself, but much research goes into psych- to give it. Always ready for a fight, but just ological and other notions of ‘perfection’, as ready to help … which seems somewhat distant from living life (2009). … its worst faults are aggressiveness, which leads easily to violence in word and deed, A person becomes a syndrome, then, and, and a dreadful complacency; its greatest as with any label, loses something of their virtues courage and a certain downright personal identity. A ‘style’ can appear pre- honesty, which at least says what it thinks. dictive and determinist of behaviour, and (Strong 2009) presuming that people do things because of that, and not their (content free) psych- How much of that seems relevant today? ological orientation intertwined with their life experience, seems not the best road to Cynthia Banham summarises a recent poll travel. I suppose this is a reason why John conducted by the Australian Red Cross: Beebe thinks it’s arrogant to type people. Australians are cynical about the effective- National perspectives ness of the laws of war, and large numbers of them think it is acceptable—and legal— The normal observer naively assumes that to torture captured enemy soldiers in certain situations. (2009) the world is exactly as he sees it.
Segall, Campbell and Herskovits Being tolerant is presumably a statement about warmth and inclusiveness, notwith- standing that a reasonable dictionary or From both general and social perspectives, history book would suggest something a changes in attitude or approach can be pre- little more rubbery and contradictory. You sumed even when that hasn’t happened at can be tolerated but essentially disliked, all—or, at least, large numbers of people or patronised. remain unaffected. Things can be accepted Gallipoli: part of the without being appreciated. Quite clearly, a number of Australians to- day are not all that tolerant, In some ways Australian mythos People can hold opposed or contradictory this is what you’d expect with a pluralist views of the society they’re in, while still society, but it also applies to a homogen- identifying with it. Some of what goes on eous one, in which the people essentially mightn’t make sense or have much utility, share a similar cultural background and but in the end it’s what is done, how people experience. At an extreme, others can be act in a particular culture. perceived as not fully human, for reasons Similarly, with ideas about ‘evolutionary such as ‘civility, refinement, rationality fitness’, it’s a mistake to think that every- and language’ (Costigan 2009). thing relating to a species’ genetic makeup Sometimes parts of other countries are is to do with enhancing fitness or survival. considered to be Australian, part of the An attribute may be an accident, just some- Australian mythos, or something many thing that has been done. Australians feel that they have a say in— What Australians really think would be in- for example, Gallipoli, the Western Front formative, but perhaps frightening in some of the Great War, the Kokoda Trail/Track, respects. The proposition that Australians and, latterly, Bali. An unconscious behav- are a tolerant people, for instance, is test- iour in many ways, as seen in attempts to able in many ways. Fifty years ago, John circumvent local laws, or planning, or other Douglas Pringle, a Scot who was twice decisions. Lone Pine: © David Pedler, 2009
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It doesn’t seem to bode well for tolerating an ‘observer’s assumption that all other or appreciating other cultures on their terms. observers perceive the situation as he does, Denis Altman see this played out in more and that if they respond differently it is be- formal aspects of Australia’s dealing with cause of some perverse wilfulness rather the outer world in the ‘failure to accept than because they act on different percept- that not everyone will accept the domin- ual content’ (Segall, Campbell & Hersko- ant Western understandings [presumed vits 1966, p 5). This seems to be compatible universal] values’ (2009). with the Jungian notion being unconscious in some way. This kind of perspective isn’t peculiar to Australia. In the USA, for instance, a recent The actress Helen Dallimore has reported book plausibly identifies the period of that the book that changed her life is the Richard Nixon’s involvement in politics Bible: not for the usual reasons, but because (1940s–1970s) as a time of virtual civil she ‘had to come to terms with the fact that war, with much violence around issues normal people believe some really weird such as race, behaviour, and appearance, things’ (2009). with a number of different definitions of Recently, the television show Master Chef what it meant to be ‘American’. has apparently entranced all Australians, This included a disdain by the majority for who also remember with affection Skippy, ‘intellectuals’ and ‘experts’ telling them a show that’s been around for more than to behave differently from what they were 40 years and would probably be labelled accustomed to, and approval of acts of vio- ‘iconic’. If, as in my case, you have no lence against demonstrators and dissidents. experience of either show, that may be On the other hand, and somewhat naively, problematic, and others may not ‘get it’, these experts possessed a view of the pop- i.e. be able to accept that someone else’s ulace as giving rational consideration to interest and experience are different. everything, and that politics was something Modern technology can also get in the way, of which they had knowledge (Perlstein as Catherine Deveny found. Her children 2008). looked up Skippy on the internet and found Current events in the United States regard- a satire, not the actual show. Naturally, they ing Barack Obama’s presidency seem to had to be informed about the difference, as reflect similar issues (Davies 2009; Herbert their experience indicated that they had 2009). Free speech, a notional good, can successfully located what they were seek- encourage actions and opinions that are not ing (2009). inclusive or well thought out. Skippy: probably Being appropriate Sharing expectations labelled ‘iconic’
People can have shared experiences, but There is a deep contradiction between the sharing may be in the event, rather the demands ‘be yourself’ and ‘change than in the experience, which is always and adapt all the time’. subjective, unless there’s an element of the unconscious. A presumption about Svend Brinkmann people having shared experiences is that this is crucial to the social bond. Reading the play about what’s appropriate It also includes the idea that if I’m doing to say and do can be a minefield if you think something, or if I remember something everyone is like you, or would be like you important from the past, then others will if they could, or should be, anyway. The do so too, such as an enjoyment of Abba current media jargon term for this appears songs, or The Beatles. It won’t do to pre- to be ‘narcissistic personality disorder’, life fer Weather Report, say, or Blue Oyster being ‘all about me’. Cult. Kyle Sandilands—possibly a household This perspective has been labelled ‘phen- name, although I’ve never attempted to omenal absolutism’. Socially, it refers to view or listen to his work—has been in
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Peter Geyer: All in it together
trouble for broadcasting inappropriate These events demonstrate a broader express- material. Paradoxically, being inapprop- ion of emotion and opinion that appears to riate seems to be what he’s paid for, so it swing between ‘leave me alone and let me isn’t surprising that he doesn’t seem to live my life the way I want’ and ‘people ‘get it’ either—nor, for that matter, do the should all do X’—sometimes uttered by people in authority surrounding him. the same person on the same subject at the same point in time. Helen Razer, by no means a fan, cautions against limiting perception of Sandilands’ We may criticise people for their eating or misdemeanours to being all about him. This shopping, or lack of political engagement means thinking the problem is resolved by or interest in the arts or education, but per- punishment, rather than being symptomatic haps that’s their approach to life and should of a general malaise (2009). Mia Freedman be understood as that. alludes to this in a different style in writing about celebrities who don’t really know Food writ large where the boundaries of being appropriate are (2009). Telling people what to do and when and Tim Holding, the Victorian cabinet min- how to do is a flawed, but consistently ister, provoked a number of reactions on applied, method. The carrot seems more being lost and found in the cold, snowy effective than the stick (Campbell 2009). mountains in the state’s north-east. Appar- However, the search for one solution to fit ently a reserved and quiet man, his lack of everyone continues: for example, in what an expected emotional expression on meet- everyone is supposed to eat, or not eat— ing loved ones was criticised by many, as including how to eat. though the appropriate thing for anyone in This is confusing to me, given that gener- his circumstances was to freely and loose- alising about bodies, like psyches, is hard- ly express themselves in public and to the ly productive or helpful. Nutrition advice public, much as many citizens do these days is detailed and prescriptive, something with photographs and ‘beautiful’ memories. Michael Pollan criticises for its concentrat- A long-time friend of my age considered ion on the chemical components of a food Holding not emotional enough, and reck- or manufactured equivalents, rather than less into the bargain. the food itself (2008). The combinations of the nutrients in the whole seems greater A woman in her late 20s, similar to me than the sum of the parts. She laughed at the typologically, glanced at the book by Greg Huszczo (a personal friend), Making A Helen Elliott, probably not a fan of Master idea that this might Difference By Being Yourself, and laughed Chef, thinks that food has become a kind out loud at the idea that this might be a of porn, something salacious and out of be a possibility possibility for her at work—perhaps any- control, a public discussion rather than where, actually. private and practical, and in a Freudian way, this obsession leads to obesity, to say Your context might not be that of others nothing of the dumbing down of society and it may not be generational. in the discussion of and absorption of rec- Appropriateness can also be associated ipes and the like. So if people, particularly children, were told that this view wasn’t with money and possessions, such as a $1000 pram, which one might think is a true or good for them, then that would be functional purchase. But apparently any- that, they’d just do it (2009). thing costing less is embarrassing and a On a broader canvas, Katharine Murphy statement of your worth as a mother, taste, wonders why politicians like Anna Bligh style and social status (Kasey Edwards and Julia Gillard are making TV appear- 2009). ances on, respectively, Celebrity Master Money is sometimes taken up with worth, Chef and Are You Smarter Than A 5th even moral worth. You have to spend the Grader? She sees this as ‘displacement appropriate amount. Utility and outcome activity’, i.e. ‘shouldn’t they be doing what aren’t really examined. we elected them for?’(2009).
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Unlike Elliott, Murphy doesn’t want to be good and getting ‘value for money for the told what to do by what she labels ‘the fat taxpayer’. World Vision Australia is en- police’, in part because gaged in a project to help Indigenous people to buy houses at Mapoon in Queensland … it leads me to worry how long it will be that appear to be government owned. The before someone would be grateful if I would value or price for these homes appears to be stop wearing glasses, so I don’t impose costs related to return on investment, rather than on regulators who need to know I can see to an opportunity to enable use of property before giving me a driver’s licence. for social advantage (Costello 2009). Pre- sumably that doesn’t get costed. The joy of saving Tim Holding was temp- The utilisation of new technologies for ered by suggestions that he be punished in innovation and tackling climate change some way for getting lost, including being might be curtailed by a requirement that charged for the cost of his rescue, which they be cheaper than existing technology. didn’t seem particularly kindly or tolerant. One of the problems with a carbon trading The issue of food and obesity is obviously scheme is that many do not wish to change complex and requires multiple activities. their methods unless they get paid for what June Factor thinks it’d help in general if we should be an astute business decision, i.e. let kids run around a bit in an unstructured to modernise. way (2009). Others have pointed out that The use of broadband is actively encour- many people can’t cook and/or aren’t int- aged, but in outlying suburban areas like erested in doing so, no matter the number mine, the wires into dwellings and local of shows on food they view—gardening exchanges make this impossible. These are and cooking shows as fantasy entertainment financial decisions made by developers in a way. and other companies. Food also costs money, which, like social Some of this confusion in decision-mak- class, determines a lot about what people ing is to do with language. Don Watson do, and eat. points out the incomprehensible jargon Money and decisions of managers appearing at the Victorian Bushfires Commission, with a parallel in- ability to use plain language, use of which Our whole economy is based on aid to might help in telling people what’s going business. on and what they can do (2009). But the language in question is many things, par- Julia Gillard: smarter Tim Costello ticularly one designed to avoid trouble, particularly regarding new ideas. than a fifth grader? Doing something in government or busi- One of these people self-described as ‘add- ness, or not doing it, also hinges on money. ing value’. I first heard this phrase from an It’s easier to distribute it if you think every- intimidating senior manager many years body’s motives are the same, or if you ago. He was unimpressed when I replied decide they should be. I ‘added value’ simply by turning up to An example is the education policy focus on work. Although intelligent, he didn’t really parents being interested in their children’s grasp possibilities and ideas all that well, education in the same ways and for the same mostly looking for power and control, and reasons. In Victoria, large sums are being so, on reflection, I was a dangerous person spent on television advertising extolling the to have around, as far as he was concerned. virtues of state schools, notwithstanding With a similar level of respect, Michael continuous criticism of those who work Lallo has something to say about similar there, and the cognitive dissonance that language in radio management (2009), might be experienced by actually visiting essentially a variant of a technique associ- a school and looking around. ated with managerialism, the current and Sometimes there’s confusion between us- prevalent way of discussing anything in ing money for useful purposes as a social organisations—even, it seems, churches.
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Peter Geyer: All in it together
If you have to avoid mistakes, rather than Costigan, Genevieve (2009), ‘The psychology of dehuman- innovate (Lindy Edwards 2009), it’s easier isation’, Knowledge Transfer, The University of Mel- bourne September Voice (supplement to The Age), 3. to continue on with something that doesn’t Dallimore, Helen (2009), ‘Your time starts now ...’, Upfront, really work but has always been done that Good Weekend Magazine (undated), 3. way. Bob Ellis wonders why we are sur- Davies, Anne (2009), ‘Facing up to what lies beneath’, prised when we find people don’t like us The Age, 19 September. because we’re bombing them (2009). Deveny, Catherine (2009), ‘How to explain the shock of the roo?’, Couch Life, The Age A2, 5 September, 44. Doing something new will set you up for Edwards, Kasey (2009), ‘Your pram cost less than $1000? criticism, not least because of the idea of You bad mother, you’, The Age, 14 September, 13. wanting to know the outcome before you Edwards, Lindy (2009), ‘When faced with a good idea, our start—a curious requirement for some en- politicians just see trouble’, The Age, 14 September, 13. gaged in the climate change debate, which Elliott, Helen (2009), ‘Food porn is making our children seems to be conducted according to econ- fat’, The Age, 8 September, 13. omic and financial criteria, as though those Ellis, Bob (2009), ‘The battle for hearts and minds is worlds are separate from both the social crashing and burning’, The Age, 8 September; 18. and natural worlds. Factor, June (2009), ‘Let them play’, The Sunday Age, 13 September, 18. Variety and wisdom Freedman, Mia (2009), ‘Beyond the Pale’, Life Matters, Sunday Life, 30 August, 7. Phillip Adams wonders where wisdom can Herbert, Bob (2009), ‘Land of the absurd, home of the be found, because we certainly seem to need wacko’, The Age, 10 September. to find some (2009). This doesn’t mean Hobsbawm, Eric (2009), ‘C (for Crisis)’, London Review of consulting gurus for the right answers, en- Books, 31(15), 6 August, 12. gaging the machine that’s Dr Phil or some- Huszczo, Gregory E (2009), Making a difference by being yourself: Using your personality type at work and in one of his ilk (Neill 2009), or thinking that relationships, Davies Black. there should be a perfect world in which Jeffries, Rick (2009), ‘Calorie conundrum’, New Scientist, people will all be in agreement. There’s no 15 August, 22. indication—to me, anyway—of that being Lallo, Michael (2009) In a word—it’s all mumbo jumbo, a possibility; certainly, telling people what Radio Waves, The Age Green Guide, 20 August, 6. to do and how to act gets a very mixed re- Murphy, Katharine (2009), ‘This week’s biggest political sponse. Things could be better, but that’s loser is ...’, The Age Insight, 5 September, 10. always the case, and things will always be Neill, Rosemary (2009), ‘The power of oneself’, The Weekend Australian Review, 22–23 August, 4–5. bumbling along in some way. Perlstein, Rick (2009), Nixonland: The rise of a president and the fracturing of America, Scribner. Things will always Enlightenment might be its own reward, Pitty, Will (2009), ‘The cart before the horse’, Letters, but it can also bring on a migraine. So why InPsych, June 2009, 20. be bumbling along Pollan, Michael (2008), In defense of food: An eater’s not welcome a little time out in the dark? manifesto, Penguin. Razer, Helen (2009), ‘Before the witch-hunters burn the Jen Vuk radio star, think hard’, The Age, 11 September, 13. Segall, M H, Campbell, D T, and Herskovits, M J (1966), References The influence of culture on visual perception, Bobbs– Merrill. Adams, Phillip (2009), Lifextra, The Weekend Australian Magazine, 21–22 March, 38. Soames, Gemma (2009), ‘Mad world’, The Weekend Australian Magazine, 8–9 August, 19. Altman, Dennis (2009), ‘Listen here, there’s too much talking’, The Age, 9 September, 13. Strong, Geoff (2009), ‘Is street violence etched into the national character?’, The Age, 21 September, 11. Banham, Cynthia (2009), ‘Torture OK with many, poll finds’, The Age, 12 August, 9. Vuk, Jen (2009), ‘Sometimes, not knowing the why can be a good thing’, The Age, 25 August, 11. Brinkmann, Svend (2008), ‘Identity as self–interpretation’. Theory & Psychology 18(3), 404–422. Watson, Don (2009), ‘Vital lessons from the day the words fell short’, The Age, 19 September, 1+4. Broughton, Philip Delves (2009), ‘Nice work if you can get it’, The Weekend Australian Review, 29–30 August, 14. Campbell, McGregor (2009), ‘Carrots are better than sticks’, I’d like to remember Euan Comrie, New Scientist, 17 September, 17. who died in the Kokoda plane crash. I met him at a type workshop, and he Costello, Tim (2009), ‘Yet another apology is due’, The struck me as a gentle and kind man. Weekend Australian, 5–6 September, 15.
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s s Workspaces part 14 P P Act III (continued from page 54): F F The nurse, the desktop support engineer
S and the shop owner S I I
After Year 12 I couldn’t stand the thought Meredith Fuller The nurse of immediate further study, so I got a job in the Department of Agriculture. I enjoyed the social atmosphere and made lifelong Louise, ISFP friends. She began training in social work because Louise, pert and perky, brims with con- she wanted to do something of value that cern for people. She has a soothing pres- helped people, but disliked the stats and ence, interspersed with dry humour. Her philosophy. genuine care, wisdom, and unassuming manner create immediate rapport and I’d been too busy socialising and drinking trust. at the pub, so I got off that abstract merry Louise’s extensive knowledge of bodies go round to do something more practical: (medical) and plants (gardening) are inte- nursing. grated with her interest in complementary therapies and healthy cooking. She has Louise was offered places in Melbourne completed some study in Feldenkrais. and Darwin. She hopped on a plane for a big adventure, naively arriving at Darwin Louise’s father was a jackaroo, who be- hospital on a Sunday, only to find that came a textile worker when he married there was no record of her enrolment. her mother. Her first memory is playing British Bulldog wearing her brand new From nursing to midwifery to aged care, glasses—sliding over concrete, breaking Lou has demonstrated sound leadership, I S F P teamwork and followership in varied clear moderate slight moderate them. A quiet, earnest, funny (‘in the daggy sense of funny’) child, Louise’s humour roles. She stands up for her beliefs, and earned her a place with the ‘fashionable’ negotiates for staff who are undervalued. Louise brims with kids. There were lots of parties, RSL dances Louise’s love and commitment to friends concern for people and square-dancing in the kitchen. when they are ill is profound. A loyal friend, Louise recalls spending a lot of spare time she is the first at the bedside of anyone at her friend’s house, helping out with the who is ill. In addition to her professional eight daughters, bathing the little ones. She skills in care and understanding, she stocks loved netball and Little Athletics, socialising their fridge with well balanced meals, and ‘out and about with big groups from school’ delivers fresh posies of flowers and herbs and drawing and colouring. from her garden. Her caring gestures are unobtrusive, useful, and heartfelt. Lou is a nurse in aged care assessment. She dislikes the paperwork and pressure Louise has many friends she describes as cooker environment, but loves visiting down-to-earth, noisy, humorous, generous homes and doing all she can for the clients. and supportive. She alternates between bouts of interest Louise’s huge garden in the Hills is breath- in further study (including obtaining her takingly beautiful. Her home has a warm, Bachelor of Education), and times when earthy palette and delicious cooking smells she’s had enough. waft through this haven.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 63 Meredith Fuller: Workspaces #14: ISFPs
What is your occupation? How did you There are four staff members in my room get there? which is one of the largest. It's noisy and interruptions are commonplace. My desk Registered Nurse, Division 1. is messy when I am working, but tidy when My very first job was at the local milk bar I leave. Hate chaos from 14 to 18. Loved making milkshakes and eating green clinkers! Louise describes herself as ‘grounded, ordinary, honest, loyal’—and ‘low main- First real job was at Commercial Union tenance’. Insurance, and Friday nights at the Mitre Tavern unwinding! Next real job was with Your passions or interests? the Dept of Ag for three years with inter- mittent, yet regular, research at the MCG Not sure that I know passion. and Imperial pubs. Interested in understanding things. Next came a well-earned break and a six- month research expedition around Oz in What were you like as a child? a broken-down Kombi to check out more Happy. Well-behaved. Active. More into watering holes and potential opportunities. chasey, Little Athletics and gymnastics than dolls. Louise then took ‘the academic road’: Healthy. Diligent at school. Fitted in well. 18 months of social work at the then Phillip Institute of Technology. Casual work as a The things Louise values most in life are waitress at the Oxford pub in the city to companionship and health. And the most support my education and pay the rent. important thing she wants for herself is ‘to be able to tap into that sense of peaceful- She chucked in social work to study nursing ness/essence of who I am when the world in Darwin from 1980 to 1983. On returning around me is chaotic.’ to Melbourne, she worked at Moorabbin Hospital for 18 months, then did midwifery What is your long term dream? at Dandenong Hospital. After graduating, Louise worked in neonatal special care, Don't have one.
before taking on a charge nurse role in a As a child: happy, nursing home. What makes you most fulfilled? well-behaved, active From here it was a combination of more Simple things. Sharing food and stories. study, project work, hostel care coordin- Being in the Outback, particularly Central ation, nurse education, research nurse Australia and the Kimberley. Friends. work and community work as part of the Aged Care Assessment Service X 2 where What do you enjoy? I am currently employed. In the winter, being by the fire. In the summer, being in the sunshine. What’s great / not so great about it? Going to the movies. Listening to music Great: interaction with clients and their blaring in the house that I can sing along to. families, and making a positive difference in their lives. Love food and eating (but hate complicated recipes and lots of instructions!). Not great: useless paperwork and red tape. Lots of laughs help through tough times, as ‘I quite like others making plans, and just well as working with colleagues who are fitting into them if they suit’, says Louise. dedicated to the clients we advocate for. Where is the fun? Louise calls her workspace ‘archaic’, with 19 people crammed into an old house. Hiding!
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What excites you? I resonate with her sense of justice and loyalty, and her ability to call a spade a New life: e.g. watching a chicken hatch, spade. I envy her sense of passion and her noticing the new leaves appear in Spring. ability to engage with the world in a mean- ingful way, especially with the children she What are you most pleased and proud teaches. of having accomplished? I admire the way she takes into account the Having reached 53 without undermining whole person when teaching the children, others or using them as a stepladder on and goes out of her way to establish the my journey. Encouraging and supporting cause behind difficult behaviours that others on their journey. impede progress.
Who do you admire? Where do you get your energy and refuel? I admire all the carers I visit in the normal course of my work. I get my energy from contemplation, and refuel from solitude. I recently visited a woman in her 60s who has cared for her husband since 1975, when What motivates you? he contracted meningitis and became a quadriplegic. He developed status epilep- The notion that my relationship with the ticus and became further brain-damaged. world is positive and life giving. He was then in an accident that resulted in two fractured femurs and coccyx, sev- What are you addicted to? eral operations and chronic pain for the rest of his life. Procrastination and Solitaire.
The carer has developed an autoimmune Where are you most irresponsible? disorder that sometimes incapacitates, yet her devotion to and respect for the human- Keeping in touch with people. Hate the ness behind her husband’s disabilities was phone! palpable. Their lifestyle is structured to primarily meet her husband’s needs, and Ideal day in your current life? her courage to persevere and keep him from institutional care has been extraord- Get up earlyish. Make a fresh juice and have I get my energy from inary—as is the courage of all those in breaky. Head out to the garden for a mosie contemplation community who care for those they love and tidy round. Plant out a few vegies. Stop without question or recognition. for a coffee and snack. Do the grocery shopping and pick up some sushi for lunch. Louise admires ‘the people who are able Potter at home and catch a late arvo movie to get up each morning, despite having to at the local theatre. Meet friends for dinner. face life burdens that would immobilise most of the general population’. Ideal day in your fantasy life?
These people demonstrate the resilience Wake up with the sun shining and a view of the human spirit above and beyond that of the ocean. Good coffee and a Danish which I can understand. I admire the sense pastry for breakfast. A brisk walk along of hope that these people must have, the the foreshore before a sailing lesson on struggle that they tolerate, and the wisdom the bay. Meet good friends for lunch and that they must accumulate on their journey. enjoy an ice-cold beer on the deck.
Louise also admires her friend Julie, a pri- Time out for a rest with a good magazine mary school teacher who faces each day before another walk on the beach. A BBQ in chronic pain and still has the energy to tea with crisp salads and hot chips, followed care about others. by a good movie and a nice red.
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What are you putting up with in life? The desktop support The usual aches and pains and physical restrictions that ageing gifts us with! engineer Frustrations due to red tape and poor management in the workplace. Geoff ISFP Louise works for ‘an organisation that has a heart’. ‘My manager cares for the staff’, Geoff is a desktop support engineer. she says, ‘people are free to voice opinions, knowing that they won’t be shouted down, My job involves a lot of interacting with ridiculed or undermined.’ others in the company. My desk is usually a bit messy, and I’ll often have a second I wake up keen to get to work and down computer on my desk I’m working on. to business. I can work in a quiet environ- ment (inside). I don’t need to do ridiculous What’s great/not so great about it? amounts of paperwork in order to make a difference, and I work not too far from I enjoy the work that I do, enjoy working home a couple of days a week. with the people I work with, and I get On the other hand, I fancy being outside in enough variety in my work. the fresh air doing something constructive, something tangible that I can see and Not so great: distance to travel, and having measure and touch. Something creative, to take public transport. useful and pleasing to look at. Describe your work space Themes in a satisfying day? I have a relatively new computer, telephone, I wake up feeling refreshed, content and basic stationery, and usually some other grateful. I get into the garden, finishing things I happen to be working on, like other with Mother Earth under my fingernails computer equipment. My desk tends to be and a sense of having contributed to the a little on the messy side, usually has a few survival of our land. things I’m working on. I love to work with others in the garden How do you go about creating/thinking? I S F P on a project. Working alone gives me the clear moderate moderate clear opportunity for my thoughts to wander, At work, my main reason for thinking is to which I also like. try to solve a problem someone is having, Geoff enjoys making which will often involve researching on the Louise loves the sun: ‘I feel it on my skin, Internet or trying different things. friends, even though it drinking up the warmth with eyes closed, as the colours dance in front of me.’ Geoff list his interests as ‘friends, sport, doesn’t come naturally and technology’: I also love the Autumn: the vibrant colours, the cool clarity of the breeze, permission Sport: basketball, volleyball to play. When to start thinking about the joy of watching I was younger I played cricket, badminton, flames cavort in the Coonarra on a cold, squash. Also enjoy watching AFL, where I blustery Sunday arvo. follow Essendon. I enjoy the company of friends, sharing a Spending time with friends. Enjoy making meal, a nice cold beer or a red with cheese new friends, even though it doesn’t come and bikkies. Connecting with others in a naturally. meaningful way and laughing about ridiculous things. I love it when you don’t need to talk Geoff enjoys reading on a daily basis. He to understand the connection that can be is least interested in ‘selfishness, greed and waste’. shared with those you love and know well.
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What were you like as a child? What sort of child were you?
I moved a number of times when I was Easygoing. Most teachers said I was a quiet growing up, so I went through a couple of achiever. I think I mostly respected my huge changes in the environment I was liv- parents. ing in. I spent most of my childhood living I was fairly active, grew up in the country in country areas, generally played sport a so did a lot more of things like bike riding couple of times a week. and walking. Things that I take for granted What do you value most in life? now were rare treats then, from activities such as bowling to so many choices of fast Friends, family, faith, integrity, health, other food. people, the environment, animals. School: Key memories? Ideal day in your fantasy life? Favourite subjects: IT, electronics, PE, To have super powers. maths. Key memories: school camps, friends I made at school. What makes you unique? What are the strengths that you wish to orient How would you describe the dynamics your life around? of your relationship with your family?
Honesty, love, empathy, knowing what I Overall, I get on pretty well with my parents believe and why. and my younger sister, I still live at home, but as I’ve gotten older and more independ- Where do you get and refuel your ent I’ve spent less time at home and done energy? more things on my own. I’m probably about as independent as I can be while still living Quiet time. Also can get energized playing at home, but I’m sure when I move out I’ll sport. discover things I’ve taken for granted.
What motivates you? When did you first become aware that you were extraverted or introverted in I’m competitive, determined and stubborn. orientation? Self analysis: generally know what I’ve done well and what I should’ve done better, which Knew I was quieter probably around 8 to My teachers said I was makes me more determined next time. 9 years old. Would’ve been a few more a quiet achiever years before I knew it was introverted. Where are you most irresponsible? How do you view the world, purpose Organisation, time management. Don’t of life, etc? always get enough sleep. Living for something greater than yourself. Geoff describes his personality as ‘kind, For me, a key part of that is my Christian friendly, peacemaker, positive, determined, faith. empathetic’. He is passionate about ‘strong values, integrity, honesty, friends, family, What did you want to do/be when you sport, commitment’. grew up?
What is the best way to treat you, to Farmer or policeman. behave to get the best out of you? A childhood achievement that you are Encouragement, constructive criticism, set proud of? deadlines, have a moderate amount of work set. Getting a hat trick in junior cricket.
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An adolescent achievement that you What sort of people bring out the best were proud of? in you?
Got a HD [high distinction] in the maths People who challenge me either by asking competition. Got my license first time. the right questions, or presenting a differ- ent or new point of view. People who Music, films or books that have had a encourage by letting me know what I did major impact? well and how I can improve next time.
The Bible: when I was younger, more with What are your strongest values in life? the stories; later, also through the wisdom and life lessons. Love, integrity, faith, honesty, treating others as yourself. Boundaries: written by two counsellors, it talks about setting boundaries in your life, Geoff sees money as a tool: ‘good to have, and helps define where your without being too greedy—as long as it responsibilities need to begin and end. serves you, not the other way around’. In Matrix: think there’s a lot of good principles the distant future he would like to have a in it. I like movies that also challenge you. family and a house, see more of the world, keep fit, and be able to make a difference. How would you describe your career development?
Still early in my career. Since I’ve finished The shop owner studying, I’ve changed jobs once. My main development so far has been learning more about my job and getting better at it. I chose Bernadette ISFP to study because I enjoy learning and also to help me get a job. Bernadette has a loving nature and an infectious stillness. She lives in a coastal A significant achievement as an adult village with a residential population of 400, that you are proud of? where she owns a shop, ‘Coastal Yarns’.
Running my own successful business. I My philosophy, working in retail, is to make achieved awards from Shell as recognition I S F P it as personal as possible. ‘Coastal Yarns’ for my ideas and business input into Shell clear moderate clear clear operates on a return customer business in franchise businesses. Passing exams to get a small seaside community. I have been qualified. evolving the shop. When I began 12 years Bernadette has an ago, I sold anything in wool to Birkenstocks If you could sit down to a meal with to fashion clothing. Now I’m focusing on infectious stillness five people at any time in history, who footwear for any age, and some clothes. would they be? I preferred to purchase for the community Tough one … Jesus Christ, King David, of women I knew: I am not so interested Don Bradman, Mother Theresa, William in selling clothes per se. I geared the buying Wilberforce. to corporate women of my age down here on weekends, who were time-poor: the What makes you happy or sad? only time they could find to purchase was on weekends away. They are now retired, Happy: spending time with the people I so their needs have changed. care about, and when they have good news. Sad: when people I care about have bad Bernadette has had a long history helping news, or when reminded of how unfort- people with knitting projects. Prior to her unate many people in the world’s circum- shop, she was hand knitting and supplying stances are. to the Kyneton mills.
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Bernadette had dreamed of becoming a What sort of child were you? historical researcher for the film industry, using her observational skills to re-create Very easygoing, sociable, determined: but sets and props, or working in continuity. not to be top of class! I had asthma that I In her final year at university, however, she had to overcome, and I was determined married and became pregnant. to go to school despite the difficulties of being asthmatic. I have always pushed my- When her first four children were older, self to do what I wanted to do. Bernadette began teaching history, English and religion. After her youngest daughter, ‘My parents are opposites’, Bernadette says, her fifth child, was born, she left teaching ‘they are powerful, amazing people. Mum and moved to the coast. is a genteel lady who wanted her children Describe your personality. to be well-educated and proper, and Dad is anti-establishment, anti the system!’ Quiet, stubborn (by that, I mean I go for Bernadette first knew she was introverted what I want, I’m not flighty). Fun, sense of when she studied ballet dancing. humour, see the funny side of life. I preferred to be in the back, in the chorus. What is most important to you? What I loved being in the choir, but I wouldn’t are you most passionate about? want to sing solo!
My family. What is the purpose of life? My hobby is my garden—I’m passionate about plants. Also historical literature. Being nice to each other as much as you can is good, backing one another. Creating Bernadette is least interested in technology pleasant surroundings, comfy. I am not good and ‘keeping up, competing’. at confrontation.
Describe your work environment. What did you want to be when you grew up? Very casual: lots of chatting goes on, people call in, run into others, meet and chat acci- To be in a circus! On the trapeze! dentally. It has a very relaxed and communal feel. There’s no high pressure selling! A significant experience for Bernadette was losing her brother when she was 19. I aim to make it as What do you like and dislike about ‘He was my best mate’, she says. personal as possible your work? A childhood achievement that you are Like: meeting all the people, a community proud of? place. I conquered my asthma without drugs by Dislike: if too quiet and boring. doing the dancing—ballet barre work and the breathing. It took lots of hard-going ‘I would say that I am friendly’, Bernadette perseverance. Then, if I became sick, man- says—but ‘there’s always an appropriate aging to get through by counting in and out reserve with the customer’: only a handful and surviving it. There wasn’t Ventolin back of the people she meets in her shop would then, and you couldn’t afford to panic. become friends. ‘I prefer genuine, truthful people’, she adds. Bernadette’s sports included swimming, ballet and cycling. She would ride to 6.30 Sometimes a holiday customer is waiting am Mass on her bike, ‘rain, hail or shine’. for fish and chips next door and they’ll drop in and buy. I also have a committed I didn’t really shine in anything, but also group of customers. Honesty is the basis of didn’t get into any big trouble. I had great everything for me. friends and got through school.
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Who were your initial mentors, heroes? What are your strongest values in life?
Auntie Bonnie: she is 90, she has always Honesty, loyalty, long connection, seeing been there, positive and supportive through the funny side of life. I have had to learn thick and thin. You could have smashed up to be more open, I still struggle with that. a car and sneak in through a back window, Shame—hide away, have to confront and and she’d be fine! learn to share problems. Must trust, then I Always so welcoming, despite how tough can be more upfront. things were. Always cared for us all in an old dress, peeling the veggies, putting all Bernadette is thinking of retiring in the kids first. next few years.
Music, films or books that have had a What’s the plan? No, I don’t have any plans! major impact? I have an end in sight! I don’t know what I’ll do then! Of Human Bondage, powerful matched— quietly go along, no major achievements, overcoming hurdles, quietly getting along ISFPs: summing up bit by bit. As a child I loved The Railway Children. The ISFP case studies echo many similar Music: The Beatles’ ‘Long and Winding sentences and sentiments, amongst them- Road’. You can’t listen to the Beatles and selves and from various descriptive texts, not be happy—you end up with smile! such as Berens and Nardi (1999):
A significant achievement as an adult … if others are good to them, they’re good that you are proud of? in return. They trust people who aren’t go- ing to manipulate and hurt them. … they Being brave enough to get up and just do it! often struggle with nurturing their own self- Thankfully I just didn’t collapse, but I got up esteem and sometimes needlessly beat up and did it. on themselves. Others may not even John, a dear friend from here who just died. notice their struggle because their style is
My old friends: I don’t have a lot, but I have so quiet and unassuming. Bernadette with her very close ones that I’ve had forever. David says: ‘I’m not that much, I’m just … daughter Phoebe My best friend, Meg. Our grandmothers you know’. Bernadette is known for her were best friends, then our parents, then us. meek and mild self-regard. Heather’s friends are surprised that, given her extraordinary What are the things you struggle with? strengths, one of her greatest challenges What frustrates or annoys you? might be to develop greater confidence in her ability. Friends of Louise observe that Not having enough time to do things slowly. ‘you seem unable to accept your strengths and have had a lack of confidence in your What makes you happy or sad? abilities.’ Anything that goes wrong with the family upsets me. I feel happy when I chat with Relationships friends and we laugh. And when I’m in my garden, pottering. Five of the eight case studies have been divorced, and managed to raise children What sort of people bring out the best or get on with their lives despite hard- in you? ship. Of the other three, one has matter- of-factly, positively and humorously coped Like-minded souls, peaceful easygoing with a seriously ill husband and terminally people. ill father over a number of years.
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Echoing Berens’s and Nardi’s words, Lily Talents lie in combining, varying, and im- says that ‘relationships are about having provising, frequently in the arts … with fun doing things together … being able to their senses keenly tuned in, they become say or do anything. Loyalty is everything.’ totally absorbed in the action of the In David’s case, during his first marriage moment, finding just what fits the situation he was loyal, and assumed that working or the composition. Thrive on having the overseas for long periods was fine. As freedom to vary what they do until they Berens and Nardi note, ISFPs ‘don’t like get just the right effect. to constantly talk about the relationship; they assume if it’s good today, then it will Career development issues still be good tomorrow’. The ISFPs’ general tendency to remain Homes ‘on the fence’, avoiding confrontation, may be reinforced by a lack of persuasive My case studies’ homes are treasure troves or influencing skills. The latter may be of luxuriant colour, artworks, texture and useful if they must inhabit competitive peaceful ambience. Outdoor views reveal work environments. their green fingers and love of flowers. On the other hand, their typical public Heather’s home is a lovely example of silence may be their capacity to see the interior decoration—she has stippled and value in everyone’s opinions. Their natu- sponged her walls, gilt framed, sewed, up- ral inclination is to offer acceptance, kind- holstered and arranged her art and crafts ness and non-intrusive support to others. to perfection. Others may wish to honour their auton- She creates exquisite table settings, and omous capacity to know how to stick with her home is filled with love and beauty. what is truly important in life and not sell Food is expertly placed for visual delight, out. It is vital that others appreciate the and projects in progress reveal the crea- languid beauty and mirth they offer the tivity of Heather and her two children, world. Daniel and Ashleigh. Music is a feature, whether as background, or as entertain- ment by Heather on clarinet and Daniel Career development on guitar. recommendations Lily says that Similarly, Grant and Jenny’s home is warm • Obtain an advocate for commercial and welcoming, beautifully decorated with aspects if required. loyalty is everything Jenny’s tapestries and Grant’s model ships. Louise’s home has wonderful Indigenous • Have set deadlines imposed that will art, animals, and wooden ornaments that force completion. beg to be touched, and the veggie garden • Mindmapping, goal setting and action provides ingredients for delectable meals. planning. Lily’s home has lolly jars and house mag- azines by overstuffed sofas. • Have a mentor or supporter to Bernadette’s home boasts cathedral ceil- accompany. ings, brick walls, cosy chairs, crackling fires, a refectory table set with antique pewter dinner service and masses of candles. Like References her ‘Coastal Yarns’ shop, her home is Berens, Linda V, and Dario Nardi 1999, Understanding decorated with wool, cashmere, possum yourself and others: The 16 personality types, Telos. wool, and silk soft furnishings. McGuiness, Mary 2004, You’ve got personality, Epping, And that’s consistent with Berens’s and NSW: Marymac. Nardi’s ‘snapshot’ of the ISFP: ‘They use Montgomery, Stephen 1989, The Artisan, volume 1 of whatever is at hand to get a harmonious, The Pygmalion project: Love and coercion among aesthetic result.’ the types, Prometheus Nemesis.
Australian Psychological Type Review Vol 11 No. 2 October 2009 71 Type dissertations and theses
Adams, Tracey N. Evaluating decision-making skills in Saint Louis University, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts prospective jurors using the social problem-solving International, 69(07), A. (*AAT 3324183) inventory and the Myers-Briggs type indicator. Meyer, Jenne. A comparison study of personality types Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Philadelphia College and brand involvement (Harley-Davidson and Buell Jamie Johnson at the of Osteopathic Medicine. motorcycles) (doctoral dissertation, Capella University, Center for Applications Callaghan, Emily Kathryn. Brainstorming personalities: 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, 68(09), B. Brainstorming techniques and personality types in (*AAT 3278021) of Psychological Type new product development. Unpublished master’s Perel, Mel. Personality attributes in relation to technol- thesis, Arizona State University. ogy commercialization: An exploratory study of has compiled this list of Chongcharoenpanich, Supranee. A study identifying the technical doctoral degree holders at two technology- personality types: Learning implications of inter- intensive industrial companies (doctoral dissertation, doctoral dissertations national Asian students (Master’s thesis, Southern Capella University, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts Inter- Illinois University at Carbondale, 2007). Masters national, 68(07), B. (*AAT 3277204) and masters theses in Abstracts International, 46(04). (*AAT 1450058) Rodriguez, Steven, Jr. Making sense of divergent career Cianci, Harriet Rita. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test scores (doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, 2008. and self-efficacy in substance abuse treatment 2008). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(07), A. planning (doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University, (*AAT 3321773) 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, 68(10), B. Scheuerman, Edward A. E-care: Using email as a tool The diversity of topics (*AAT 3286872) for effective member care (doctoral dissertation, Biola Cohen, Juanita Jane. Learning styles of Myers-Briggs University, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, across disciplines and Type Indicators (Master’s thesis, Indiana State Uni- 69(07), A. (*AAT 3322815) cultures confirms that versity, 2008). Masters Abstracts International, 46(05). Smith, Charles Michael. Personality and the information (*AAT 1452656) seeking efforts of potential investors (doctoral disser- type has application to Cressman, Kim. Women at midlife: The influence of tation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, personality on career. Unpublished doctoral disser- 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(01), A. just about any field of tation, University of South Australia. (*AAT 3300071) Curry, Donna. The development of a training model for Steyn, Cornelius Stephanus. Personality types in human endeavour. collaborative leadership in the Black church worshippers: A practical-theological investigation (doctoral dissertation, United Theological Seminary, of the challenges a preacher faces to address 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(02), A. worshippers of all MBTI personality types effective- (*AAT 3301278) ly in sermons [in Afrikaans]. Doctoral dissertation, Fried, Trevor A. The relationship between psychologic- Universiteit van Pretoria, South Africa. al types, demographics and post-purchase buyer’s Sugerman, Dale S. Effects of functional diversity training, remorse (doctoral dissertation, Nova Southeastern using the MBTI instrument, on workgroup perform- University, 2008). Dissertation Abstracts International, ance (doctoral dissertation, Lynn University, 2007). 69(01), A. (*AAT 3295965) Dissertation Abstracts International, 68(09), 6379B. Harstine, Michael A. Understanding the relationship (*AAT 3281208) between the Diligence Inventory—Higher Education Thomas, Morris Henry Romando. Knowing styles of edition and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in the African American college students: Personality admission of college students to an orthopaedics- type or gender conditioning? (doctoral dissertation, based honors program (doctoral dissertation, Andrews Morgan State University, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts University, Michigan, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(01), A. (*AAT 3300811) International, 68(08), 3307A. (*AAT 3279245) Watson, Carol A. The relationship and differences Jacobs, Valerie J. Conflict behaviors: Can personality between MBTI type, team skills and perceived team type, culture, hierarchical status and/or gender pre- success in virtual and traditional teams (doctoral dict conflict behavior? (doctoral dissertation, Capella dissertation, Golden Gate University, 2008). Dissertation University, 2008). Dissertation Abstracts International, Abstracts International, 69(02), A. (*AAT 3303082) 69(11), A. (*AAT 3331390) Yocum, Carrie A. Understanding the relationship between Lawrence, Eleanor T. A study of Myers-Briggs psych- the Emotional Competence Inventory-University ological type and change style among hospital edition and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in the executives: Implications for leading organizational admission of college students to an orthopaedics- If you know of other dissertations or change in hospitals (doctoral dissertation, University based honors program (doctoral dissertation, Andrews theses to add to this list, you can let of the Rockies, 2008). Dissertation Abstracts Inter- University, 2007). Dissertation Abstracts International, national, 69(09), B. (*AAT 3329202) 68(08), 3313A. (*AAT 3279251) Jamie know at [email protected]. MacBeth, Gina Dailene. Associations between emotional Zitkus, Bruce S. The relationship among registered intelligence, personality type, and attitude towards nurses’ personality type, weight status, weight loss The CAPT bibliography has more seeking psychological assistance (Master’s thesis, motivating factors, weight loss regimens, and Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada, 2006). Masters successful or unsuccessful weight loss (doctoral than 11 000 entries, searchable at Abstracts International, 46(03). (*AAT MR34575) dissertation, Dowling College, 2008). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(06), A. (*AAT 3312896) www.capt.org: click on ‘Research’, Malloy, Hilda Diane. The relationship of learning style, academic achievement, and psychological type of then ‘MBTI Bibliography Search’. baccalaureate nursing students (doctoral dissertation, * University Microfilms Number
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