Revisiting Meyers-Briggs

Recently, a commenter asked a question on some very old writing over at The Swan's Heart. There, we once upon a time posted our divergent Meyers-Briggs personality profiles, and our commenter directed us back to those old posts (about us both) by asking this question:

"Do you think there is a relationship between being INFJ and submissive?"

Gosh! I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist, and I have absolutely no credentials to make that determination, but I honestly don't think so, actually. Probably, if you go and read the summary of what comes with that Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging personality, it is surely possible to find traits and characteristics that lend themselves to an erotic orientation toward submission. However, there are plenty of other attributes of this personality type that are far from what would be considered to be "naturally" submissive -- things like being prone to keep their "internal selves" to themselves, a natural stubbornness, and a conviction that whatever they understand about a situation is right regardless of the views of others, are all common traits of INFJ's that are not typically conducive to a harmonious existence as a submissive.

I believe that the tendency to submission is part of the personality, and part of the sexual identity and orientation of the individual, and that it exists independent of other personality traits. Some submissives are exceptional extroverts, while other of us are introverted. Some are naturally intuitive, while others tend toward the thinking/analytical side of things. Submissives, like Dominants, come in all sizes and shapes -- mentally and physically.

I am certain that when one begins to explore the natural inclinations that define a sexual/erotic orientation, it is useful to have as much information as possible. Knowing the Meyers-Briggs style personality traits that are part of the individual's makeup is a part of that, as is the awareness of a person's background, history, and heritage. It is good to understand the influences of education and religious upbringing; good to know what factors influenced development in the formative years of adolescence and young adulthood. We are each and all the product of our lifetime experiences. Submission is an expression of a part of our innate self hood. For each of us, that will be different and distinct. We can share our journeys, and share our experiences, but in my view, there is no one simple recipe for the creation of a submissive persona.

swan