- Today, we're taking a look
at how the 16 personality types handle stress.
Now stress is just an emotional, menticle,
menticle, it's a menticle process man,
emotional, mental, physical response
when we feel under pressure or in danger.
I know we trash talk stress all the time.
Stress is bad, right?
I mean, it's not a good feeling
but it serves a good purpose.
Stress is our body saying, hey, we gotta be on alert.
We gotta be functioning at our best right now
whether it's taking an exam at school
or having a difficult conversation
or landing a passenger jet with 157 souls on board,
because both pilots are incapacitated
after eating some bad sushi for lunch, just normal stuff.
To get through the situation
you need to be a little bit amped up.
You need to get the adrenaline and the stuff
flowing through your body
so you're on your A game.
From a personality standpoint,
in those situations,
you're naturally going to overuse
your dominant cognitive function.
Now, why is that?
It's because it's your favorite one.
It's your ride to die.
The problem is your inferior function
which is your least favorite function,
the opposite of the dominant,
gets dramatically underused in these stressful situations.
Ironically, this causes a dynamic
where you could make the problem much worse
because you're ignoring the insights
that your inferior function offers.
So all these examples I'm talking about today,
it's how the 16 personalities handle stress badly.
Pay attention so that when you're into stressful situation,
you can make sure that you're not overlying
on that dominant function.
If you don't know what dominant functions are, don't worry.
It'll all makes sense.
But you know what's stressing me out right now guys.
How am I gonna make a natural
and effortless segue into this next segment
sponsored by Cloverleaf.
Let's get this 16 personality types assessment started.
Okay.
First question.
Would you rather be completely isolated on Mars
or live in a house with 117 strangers who never sleep
and just wanna talk to you all the time?
Is the house on earth?
Okay, sounds like you're leaning
towards the house with 117 people
which tells me you're a big league extrovert.
No, it's just, I'd prefer to be on earth
where I can do stuff like go to the libraries.
What's wrong with the libraries on Mars?
There are no libraries on Mars.
Yeah, there are.
What?
In this hypothetical scenario I'm making up as I go along,
there are libraries on March.
How am I supposed to know that?
Well, if you were an intuitive thinking type
you would've figured it out by now.
So you're definitely one of those sensing feeling types.
You know, I'm sorry.
I don't think this assessment is right for me.
Wow, you seem pretty indecisive.
Which means you're wishy washy, perceiving type boom.
You're an ESFP.
That'll be $700.
Just took 30 seconds.
I'm not paying you 700 bucks for this bogus evaluation.
Wow.
That's exactly what an ESFP would say in this situation.
I should have just gone Cloverleaf.
Click my link to take your free 16 types test on Cloverleaf.
When you sign up, you get personalized insights
and coaching tips sent directly to your email
to learn more about yourself and start a 14-day free trial
with your entire work team to learn more
about each other and how you can work better together.
Hey, he said work team.
That means he's an ISTJ.
Okay.
That'll be $700 please.
Cash only.
Thanks to Cloverleaf for sponsoring
that portion of the video.
Now back to my regular content.
Starting off with the extroverted sensing types,
the ESFP and the ESTP.
Now what these two share in terms of their response
to stress is that they can oftentimes find themselves
overengaging with the present while brushing off
any bad potential future outcomes.
This is because their first function,
their dominant function extroverted sensing
is the one most attuned to sensations
that are going on right now, living in the moment.
So when they are stressed, they might dive head first
into things while subconsciously ignoring any insights
about how a situation might play out
which comes from their inferior, introverted intuition.
This can lead to them acting recklessly
without any consideration for the result of their actions.
Their actions might be directed
towards solving the stressful situation
but still they're not thinking things through.
This impulsiveness comes from their desire
to flood out the negative feelings of stress
with sensations that can elevate their mood.
You know, think of sad girls in the movies
and TV shows, and you know, you hold tub ice cream
after a breakup, they're escaping,
they're escaping into the sensory.
You can also see these two types of becoming paranoid
about a singular future outcome that they have seen,
they have projected
with their inferior, introverted intuition.
They might think someone has bad intentions
without any justification.
Or at worst they might be roped into conspiracy theories.
And if they do start to go down that path of thinking
this may even further their tendency to engage
in random activities because instead of sitting down
and just processing the situation slowly
with their intuition,
they will just be actively out there
looking for something to validate their perception.
Now onto the introverted sensing types.
The ISTJ and ISFJ.
The core stress response for these types
is to want to stabilize things,
to bring things back to normal.
So their first function SI, introverted sensing,
is the function most associated with stability
and keeping things at a level of homeostasis
which is, you know things functioning as they should be.
They have a strong inclination to learn the details
of how things function when they're going smoothly
so that when things get outta whack,
these types just wanna restore that specific previous order
even if it's not really working anymore.
So as they start to get more and more stressed,
you will see these two types try harder and harder
to bring things back to normal, back to homeostasis.
Because of their inferior function of extroverted intuition,
the ISFJ and ISTJ can be prone to overthinking
a bunch of negative outcomes during times of stress.
And usually this manifests itself as
oh, but what if this goes wrong?
Oh, but what if this goes wrong?
And they're gonna ask that over and over
about a wide variety of problems
that generally aren't likely to happen in the first place.
The extroverted thinking types are next.
the ENTJ and the ESTJ.
And when these types are stressed,
they immediately think what do I have to get done?
What do I have to fix?
What items do I have to check off the list
in order for the stressful thing to go away?
This can lead them to lose patience
with others very quickly.
In fact of all the types,
these two are probably the most impatient
when they're stressed.
You know, think of a manager in a movie,
who's yelling at his employees
like I didn't want that project done yesterday.
And this is because the extroverted thinking types
are very group oriented.
They're not just asking what do I have to get done,
but they're also going around and saying
what do you and you and you have to get done.
Under stress their TE goes into overdrive
and their mind turns into a checklist
of things that need to be done,
whether related to the actual thing
they're stressed out about or not.
So for example, an ESTJ or ENTJ college student
could be stressed about a project
in their business class.
And they bring it home with them
and they start badgering their roommates
way more than usual about doing chores
and paying bills, et cetera.
Not related to what they're stressed about,
but it's affecting everything.
Because under stress they rely so heavily
on their TE, their introverted feeling.
Their inferior function gets ignored,
which on the one hand could make them
lose sight of who they really are
which leads them to make decisions
that are yes, getting stuff done,
working towards a solution
but not in line with their values.
On the other hand, this can paralyze these types
and make it so that they are unable
to make any decisions
without others validating their choices.
Surprising, right?
I know.
The is ISTPs and INTPs, the introverted thinking types,
get hyper critical when they are stressed out.
Suddenly they're over the top, irritated
when anyone else suggests something they find dumb.
But the thing is to these types,
they consider anything that is not absolutely, logically,
flawless to their own way of thinking to be dumb.
So TI is all about what is correct
and what makes sense to them.
So as they become more and more stressed,
you will see them become more nitpicky
at small mistakes and logic to a point
where it can seem pedantic perhaps even persnickety.
Think of the stereotype
of the nerdy person who is always telling people
well, actually, and then everyone groans
and they're like, ah, you're a nerd.
We hate you.
Yeah, okay.
So except take that and turn it up to the point
where they make you feel like an absolute idiot
because you said something that wasn't even wrong,
it was just not exactly how they would say it.
Under stress, these types put all the pressure in the world
on themselves to figure out the absolutely best way forward.
They don't just want a solution.
They don't want a solution
that happened to work for someone else.
They want the exact intricately detailed,
perfect solution that they understand every part of.
Because extroverted feeling
is their last function under stress
they'll start pushing everyone else away
and burning bridges with others
maybe without even realizing that's what they're doing.
So a friend might come to an INTP or ISTP
with an idea that they're really excited to share
something that might even help these types
with their stressful situation.
But the INTP or ISTP, just tears it apart and leaves
the other person feeling hurt, just like Charlie's brother
when Charlie bit his finger.
Charlie ISTP confirmed.
All the kids in the audience are like, who's Charlie?
Up next, we have the extroverted feelers,
the ENFJ and the ESFJ.
Typically these types try to stay upbeat.
But when a stressful situation arises,
you're likely to see some mood swings.
Watch out.
Of all the types, these types are the most expressive
when it comes to feeling.
Telling others how they feel is a release valve
when they're feeling the pressure of a stressful situation.
You know, they might even feel like the best way
to resolve the situation is to get you stressed out too.
Let's just get everyone stressed.
If everyone can feel the emotional pain
that I'm going through,
maybe someone will step up and help me solve the problem.
If someone else can feel the menticle pain I'm going through
they might be able to comprehend a situa-shaune.
My name is Shaune, short first situa-shaune,
okay, let's get back.
So this is because these types are ignoring
their inferior function.
Introverted thinking, FE dominant types under stress
will feel very insecure about their own ability
to figure out a way forward.
That's a big part of what introverted thinking is.
It's not just, oh, being logical
and I'm doing a math problem or whatever.
No, it's also about what is my way forward?
What are the steps I wanna take that work for me?
So the ENFJ and ESFJ they worry
that their idea of how to fix the stressful situation,
how to move forward is wrong.
That's why they make sure everyone knows
how crappy they feel so that others will swoop in
and validate their decision.
Ironically, this can make the FE types feel like
they're a burden on everyone else.
And that they're the problem in the situation
because usually they're the ones taking care
of everyone else,
but in stressful situations
that require them to use their thinking function,
they can suddenly become the ones who need to be cared for.
ISFPs and INFPs, the introverted feelers
become really self-focused when under stress.
Like I said, with the INTP and ISTP,
how they put all the pressure on themselves
to figure out the logical path forward,
the ISFPs and INFPs are very similar.
They're putting all the pressure on themselves
to figure out the right way forward, the good way forward,
the appropriate way forward for themselves.
It's not necessarily what's gonna work and what's logical
but it's just like, what is right?
What do I feel lines up with my values
and who I am as a person.
Because introverted feeling is concerned
with making decisions based on
your own emotional authenticity, your values.
And this translates into situations
where these types will make decisions
that are in line with their values
but run counter to the interest of others around them.
When stressed, they're prone to isolating themselves
to deal with their emotions,
maybe only talking to one or two close confidants
to process things.
The reason they shut themselves away
is because unlike the FE types, the ESFJ and ENFJ,
the FI types need time to process their emotions
on their own without input or judgment from others.
Now, one of the issues is these types have
extroverted thinking last and they're ignoring it
when they're stressed.
And the issue here is that they might find themselves
overwhelmed by those tasks that need to be done.
Even if it's not that much stuff.
Unlike the TE dominant types
like the ESTJ the ENTJ who naturally breathe
through tasks and feel good when doing so,
these FI dominant types will feel pressured by those
to-dos in such a way that they might just ignore them
or put them off until they become a huge problem.
Next we'll move to the ENTP and ENFP.
Now, when we think of these types,
what comes to mind is creativity
and bursts of unstoppable energy.
And this can unfortunately be their downfall
in stressful situations.
As they get more stress, they get more random,
you know, kind of like the ESFP and ESTP,
who I talked about earlier,
these types also like to try random new things
in order to solve a problem.
But difference is the sensing types will actually try
random things in reality,
whereas the ENTP and ENFP will just think up
a bunch of possible ways to approach the issue
in their minds.
So contrast these types,
the ENTP and ENFP with their opposites,
the ISFJ and ISTJ who during stressful situations
will just go back to the same old procedures
to try to return to normalcy,
refusing to entertain new possibilities,
these types, the NE types go to the other extreme
and decide that the entire reason this stressful situation
has occurred is because the old way of doing things
was too restrictive and needs to be just thrown out.
This creates situations where they're thinking
so far outside the box, that the solution could be
right in front of them,
but they don't trust it because it's in the box.
It's known info, that's been there.
It's old, it's no, it's stale.
It's no good.
It's been, I don't know. (laughs)
But of course this is because they're now ignoring
their inferior introverted sensing function
and taken too far.
When under stress, the ENTP and ENFP
will distrust and perhaps throw out
any established routine or organization in their lives.
My sleeping routine, gone.
My chores, pff.
My daily routine, I don't need to do that no more.
It was holding me down, man.
They're hoping that
if I just keep thinking outside of the box,
I might be able to escape this stressor.
Last but not least, we have the introverted intuitive types,
the INTJ and the INFJ.
Naturally perceptive and usually laid back,
these types don't show their stress as openly
as many other types.
Yes, even the INFJ with extroverted feeling,
a lot of times they'll play things a little bit closer
to the vest.
Be a little more calculated with the emotions they share.
Now, when they're stressed, they will likely retreat
from immediate reality in order to process
what's going on.
Now, that's not that abnormal.
I feel like a lot of people will do that.
These types take it way too far.
These types, whether consciously or not,
they don't believe that anything is new.
So their intuition is trying to figure out
how is this stressful situation analogous
to another situation that I or someone else
has already faced.
As they become more stressed,
they invest more and more energy
into these abstractions of the stressful situation
which leads them to overlooking
the actual details of what is stressing them out.
And probably not even engaging with the problem itself.
Meanwhile, the problem is probably getting worse
and spiraling out of control.
That's what's really interesting about, well, I mean
all the IJ types, but especially INFJ and INTJ,
they're all about control.
And ironically, they're trying to control
this one abstraction of whatever's going on.
They get hyperfocused in
and what ends up happening is everything else
just gets out of control.
I think actually this is why a lot of NI types,
people who are INFJ and INTJ,
might actually think they are P types,
because they're very controlling and very organized
but it's in this abstract realm,
meanwhile, the physical world around them is suffering
like their closet's a mess, their desk is a mess,
not typical Js.
Now these types don't wanna deal
with the intricacies of reality as it is.
So not only are they trying to figure out
how this situation is just like another situation
that's already been solved,
they're trying to overplan how they will approach
the situation or create an efficient system
to solve the problem
so they don't actually need to get their hands dirty.
This is because they are ignoring
and trying to circumvent their inferior function,
extroverted sensing, which helps people see
all of the obvious details around them
and react in real time to the world.
As they're searching for an answer to their problem,
this tunnel vision can have unexpected consequences
as they forget to take care of other aspects of daily life.
They might unintentionally ignore friends
and family members,
forget to take care of their personal health
and let smaller daily tasks like laundry,
cleaning up, stack up.
Hope this video didn't stress you out too much.
So (laughs).
Thanks for watching it until next time.
Stay cool and attractive.
♪ Say a stranger is coming to town ♪
♪ They call him Mr. Frank James ♪