Last edit of this page 29/05/08
Links to Personality 2 (npd) and Personality 3 (bpd)
My Personality Profile
- "He who knows others is clever; he who knows himself is enlightened." Lao-Tzu
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- "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
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- "Change is inevitable. Acceptance is optional."
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Like any short cut to knowing someone, the systems below don't capture the essence of the person. Though empirical they all lack overt reference to love, will and devotion, which together can overcome almost any human limitation -90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.
Human motivations and behaviors are infinitely interwoven with the environment, history and with the observer. In my patch of the woods these and other methods of categorizing people are too easily confused with a result derived by the scientific method. They are used to confine and define health services. At their worst they create a convenient and isolated sick role where in fact, there is interdependence and reciprocity with social, political and ecological issues.
I put these here for cautious amusement and remind you to ask, who benefits from these systems.
This reliably accounts for over 25% of the variation between people and is, therefore, a good predictor of adult behavior.
Consistent with this as a middle child in my foster family, I was the communicator, the diplomat, the attention seeker and the rebel.
A birth order site and another birth order site with a longer view valuing the grandparents' influence and an excellent article.
2. Inequality in the pecking order within families accounts for significant sibling differences
Professor Dalton Conley dismisses birth order, and other sweeping hard-and-fast rules to explain which sibling gets ahead and which doesn't. He asks, which relative of yours is best off and which worse off? Most people pick siblings. Disparities between siblings is the norm not the exception. it is not about class, race or gender according to Conley.
The family is where much inequality is fostered and developed. First and last born get to spend time as an only child and this birth order makes a difference, whereas middle children on average are less likely to do as well socio-economically as the first and last because of the dividing up of resources.
The most important familial factors in an individual’s success are family size and the time and resources allotted to each child, not birth order per se. As each child is added, fewer resources are available for the others. The first child gets more attention until the second comes along, the oldest two get more until the third arrives, and so on.
3. Ratio of Length index finger to ring finger: 2D:4D
Lay your hand flat on a table and measure the length of your index finger and your middle or ring finger. In men divide the length of middle by index, in women index by middle and you will have the ratio. It has been used as a predictor of heart attack risk, football players ability, music aptitudes, sexuality and transexualism and testosterone levels in men and women and thus of dominance behaviour - all mad!
My ratio is 1.0126, so in the average range, dominance not an endocrine drive for me.
This hormone factor may colour the expression of birth order and through the mother, even the gender of your siblings. Check the ratio of the mothers of boys only families for the mum's long index finger and if not longer than middle, then ask about her stress levels around their conceptions.
4. ABO Blood Type
A four dimension model. Visit www.dadamo.com for excellent blood type resources. You will also find a free MBTI personality test there. For mental health markers I recommend the encyclopedic "Eat Right for Your Type - Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia" by Peter D'Adamo with Catherine Whitney, Viking 2002, over the other similarly titled books by the same authors.
5. Riso-Hudson Enneagram: type 2
This system describes the personality that evolves in response to significant parental figures. This apparently simple system of 9 types accommodates 486 subtypes. Do the test here. Notice similarity between 9 inherited temperaments and the types.
It is congruent with modern clinical diagnostic systems such as DSM IV. However, critiques that apply to the DSM may also apply to this and other systems. With that warning in mind, try the book by Don Richard Riso "Understanding the Enneagram" Houghton Mifflin 2000 Second Edition and the associated web site below.
The diagram and information from Don Riso and Russ Hudson provided with kind permission of The Enneagram Institute. All materials Copyright 2002 The Enneagram Institute All Rights Reserved. 
Type Two
The Helper
The caring, interpersonal type. Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their Best: unselfish and altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.
Type One: my wing, shadow or non-dominant influence
The Reformer
The principled, idealistic type. Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.
6. In the Myers Briggs Type Indicator I thought I was an INFP but taking the test May 2002, I came out an INTJ. What the.....?
Another four dimension model, indebted to the work of C.G. Jung. Last time I looked here there was a free Jung Typology test, which produces the same MBTI categories as does the one on the dadamo.com web site above. Not surprisingly, INFP is over represented in the helping professions. INTJ might be a designer.
The four preferences are:
1. Where, primarily, do you direct your energy? Introversion/Extraversion.
2. How do you prefer to process information? Sensate or iNtuition.
3. How do you prefer to make decisions? Feeling or Thinking.
4. How do you prefer to organize your life? Judging or Perceiving.
7. Instinctive Drive™ System my ID™ is 4827.
Based on four allegedly 'instinctive' drives: to verify, to authenticate, to complete and to improvise. According to this system I am a born rebel, a pioneer, driven to explore and experience adventure. The only exception is when it's faster and simpler to comply and where there's no value in experimenting. That qualification is all important in my experience of adventure :-).
This system also describes my key talents. Accordingly, I have a talent for inspiring and persuading people to do things they didn't think were possible. I am straight to the point and have a natural talent for seeing straight through all the hype, all the possible excuses and explanations and zooming right in on the fundamentals. I am quick off the mark, a strong sense of invention, jack of all trades, inspire by demonstration, identify and dealing with critical issues and role model by walking my talk. Whilst I love change one of my vulnerabilities is boredom as the novelty wears off. Whilst I have a knack for tailor making my approach and thinking on my feet, the downside is that I rarely say the same thing twice. This can lead to confusion for people who need a consistent recipe.
For more on this unique Australian system visit www.linkup.com.au Warning - there is a considerable fee if you want to receive a personality report from this site.
9. Try these sites for further personality and intelligence tests
10. Astrology
If you must, here's an excellent and free service with options in five languages.
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