cyberspace junkyard

The first few weeks of this year and reading Kaz's blog have made me reflect a little on my personality and how I relate to people. I discovered I was an INTJ about 8 years ago, and it hasn't changed since then. Here's a short description:

Life as an INTJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Thinker, Judger)

People of this type tend to be: autonomous, aloof, and intellectual; imaginative, innovative, and unique; critical, analytical, and logical; intellectually curious, driven to learn and increase their competence and knowledge; socially cautious and reserved; organized and definitive.

The most important thing to INTJs is their independence and being able to live according to their own standards.

I've been thinking about how much of our personalities and outlook on life are genetic as opposed to environmental. Y'know, the whole nature / nurture argument. I'm of the belief that both have a hand in it and particularly as a Christian, I know that God is refining me in the image of Christ. From a psychological standpoint, the argument swings either way. If it's purely environmental, then how come people raised in starkly different situations are molded to the same "type"... or that they are shaped not just because of what they have experienced, but despite what they have experienced - ie their true self shines out. On the other hand, we are clearly influenced and changed by what we experience in life, how we are treated by other people and what is passed down to us from those around us, despite what our genetic makeup is.

Meh, time to go home. I've finished my History & Philosophy of Science major now - but can't help thinking about this stuff for fun!