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Assignment 2.

Patricia Fearing
CNS 770 BG SP 16
Assignment 2.1
7 February 2016

The Myers-Briggs Assessment:


According to the Myers-Briggs personality test, I am an ENFP. The four domains that I
fall into are Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving. According to the Myers-Briggs site,
this means that I am warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities. Make
connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the
patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and
support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal
fluency (The Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2016).
Within these four domains, I would say that, like with most personality assessments, the
majority of the results affirm my personality traits. I am an extroverted person who processes
thoughts and emotions best in social settings and am highly sociable. I do tend to interpret and
add meaning to information as I process it, making me intuitive. When it comes to making
decisions, I tend to feel them out based on the situation or the people involved. Finally, I do tend
to base my thoughts as an open-minded person rather than as someone who is certain and wants
certainty, aligning me with the perceiving domain.
What I find fascinating about this particular assessment is that I have changed since the
first time I took it in 2010. From then to now, I have shifted from an ENFJ to an ENFP. This is
where I have trouble completely agreeing with a personality assessment. As we get older, we
change. From the time I took this assessment the first time to now, I turned 25 and my brain

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became fully developed. Through biological, emotional and experiential growth, my personality
has shifted. On the other hand, along with the Enneagram, I do think this assessment is easy to
understand and agree or disagree with. When there are are too many elements and definitions to
understand, the results feel convoluted and hard to relate to.
The Enneagram Assessment:
Using the Enneagram personality test, I found that my highest score defined me as a Two,
which was directly followed by a nine and seven tied for second. The multiple types to look at
made this process confusing for me, but they also made me take the time to consider the
elements of my personality on a deeper level, as well as seek the opinion of my spouse. Once
again, I had already taken this exam in my previous masters program, and my type at that point
in time was a seven. Those around me at the time concurred that this role of the Enthusiast fit
me quite well. That exam was taken in 2012. A lot has occurred in my life between then and now,
and I wonder if those life experiences, along with the process of growing older, has, again,
impacted the elements of my personality and calmed me down, so to speak. However, I still
feel that I am a combination of a two and a seven.
Once I had settled on my position as a two, it became clear that this personality type
explained a lot of my career decisions. The Enneagram institute describes a two as the Helper,
stating They also begin to seek ways to make themselves more interesting and useful to others.
They want to have a unique place in others lives and to know privileged information about
others that no one else knows (The Enneagram Institute, 2016). Becoming a counselor makes
sense in this understanding of my personality type, but it has also shed some light on the issues I
may fall into as a counselor if Im not careful.

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I found discussing this assessment, and its results, with my spouse to be an interesting
exercise. While the other two assessments provided a lot of information, the Enneagram results
included a section on Relationship Issues that a two could have, including Trying too hard to
please the other, Hovering around and not giving the other adequate space and Expecting
mind reading from the partner and being disappointed when they fail to anticipate the Twos
desires or needs. After reading them through together, we decided that, indeed, when I wasnt at
my emotional best these issues would arise. It turned into a very productive conversation for us
as a couple. I do not however fall into the four type when I am under stress or angry. This is
where the assessment falls short for me. I dont tend to tell people what to do when Im stressed,
but rather draw inward and feel hurt.
The NEO-PI-3 Assessment:
While I believe the Myers-Briggs revealed the most about my personality, and the
Enneagram was the easiest to understand, the NEO-PI-3 by far had the most detail in its results.
Unfortunately, the immense amount of information felt convoluted and overwhelming, making
the test the least helpful for me in terms of self discovery. However, the information did feel
relevant and true to my personality traits.
The 5 domains of my personality for the NEO-PI-3 include Neuroticism, Extraversion,
Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Among these, my highest score
is in Openness to Experience, quickly followed by Extraversion. My lowest scores were
Neuroticism and Conscientiousness, which werent surprising. This portion of the results felt the
most true to life out of any of the other assessments.
In the area of Neuroticism, my highest score was found in Impulsiveness. Self-discipline,
and at times, self-control, can be difficult for me. It takes sincere effort and motivation for me to

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be self-disciplined. On the other hand, my lowest score within this domain was Angry Hostility.
This is was interesting because according to my Enneagram assessment, under stress I lean
towards anger and hostility. However, in reality, I fall more inline with this assessment, as anger
is not something that I feel or resort to often.
Extraversion was not a surprising domain for me to score high in, as I have experienced
this personally, and in the other assessments. Within this domain, I had a three way tie for the
highest score. These included Gregariousness, Excitement-Seeking and Positive Emotions. These
high scores were as expected, as was revealed by the other assessments as well. My lowest score
in this domain was activity, suggesting that I am more relaxed in tempo. I would agree with
statement with the exception of when I am living in a fast paced place. I am currently living on a
slow paced island and have found myself to be more relaxed living here than I do living in the
city. Truthfully, I prefer the city life, so it would be interesting to see if my score changed if I
lived in a different environment. (NEO-PI-3, 2016)
Openness to Experience was, again, an unsurprisingly high score. All of my scores in this
area were relatively high and within a few points of each other. Within this domain, I scored
highest in Actions. I do enjoy trying and doing new things on a regular basis. Fantasy fell on the
lowest end of the spectrum. This was surprising to me, as I enjoy writing, creating and
daydreaming, but again, it is important to note that all of my scores were high in this area and
Fantasy fell just slightly lower than my highest scores.
In the Agreeableness facets, my highest score was in Tender-Mindedness. I was happy to
see this, as I believe that this factor has played a large role in my career path. My lowest score in
this area was Compliance. Honestly, this result made me laugh because I have been told in other

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assessments that I have problems with authority. Again, my scores in this area were all relatively
high and I fell towards the middle of the percentile in this facet.
Finally, in the area of Conscientiousness, my scores were a mixed bag. My highest scores
were neck and neck in Competence and Achievement Striving. I often feel prepared and capable,
and able to verbalize and strategize when I am not. In a similar light, I work very hard to achieve
the goals I set for myself. Order, my lowest score, on the other hand, was very low on the
spectrum. In my achievements, I would agree with the assessment that I tend to be
unmethodical and unable to get organized. Like with self-discipline, I have to work very
hard to get and stay organized in many areas of my life.
The DSM - V:
After considering all of the personality tests I have taken, there are a few personality
disorders that have traits my personality type consist of. These disorders include Histrionic
Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dependent Personality Disorder. Within
Histrionic Personality Disorder, the trait that can be seen within my own personality is diagnostic
criteria number seven: Is suggestible (301.50). With a helper personality, I have a tendency to
want to be liked and seen as helpful. As a result, if I am not careful, I can be easily influenced by
people for the sake of feeling liked or accepted by them.
In relation to Avoidant Personality Disorder, I have found one of the traits to be similar to
that of my assessment results. Number three in the diagnostic criteria states shows restraint
within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed (301.82). When,
as described by the Enneagram assessment, I am under stress or emotionally unhealthy, I tend to
be more self-conscious. This shows up particularly in my intimate relationships, but only when I
am really struggling with these issues.

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Finally, the trait within Dependent Personality Disorder that could be found in my
personality type is diagnostic criterion number five, Goes to excessive lengths to obtain
nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant
(301.8). Again, with the helper personality type that I fall into, I have watched myself struggle
with this trait since I was very young. Only when I am at my emotionally unhealthiest have I
found myself doing things that were truly unpleasant for the sake of others support, but from
time to time I will do things that I dont enjoy doing in order to get the nurturance of others. Of
all my traits, this is one that I have created red flags for in order to keep myself emotionally
aware and, ultimately, healthy. Truly asking myself why am doing or thinking something when I
am feeling unsure has helped me keep away from the unhealthy parts of this trait.
Personal Summary:
In taking these assessments and spending time thinking about the elements of my own
personality, I have been reminded of myself, who I am and why I make the decisions I do. I am
an extrovert who enjoys being with other people. The assessments suggest that I process things
best socially. I am flexible, agreeable and thrive on spontaneous excitement and opportunities. I
have tended to be a people pleaser, wanting the favor of others, but this is usually the case when I
am feeling more insecure or anxious. At my best, I desire to help people help when they want it,
rather than enforcing what I think is best for them on them.
I am energetic and optimistic, and I make creative, playful endeavors a priority. The NeoPI-3 describes me as tender-minded, with positive emotions and deep appreciation for art and
beauty. This is one of the best descriptions I have found about myself. Perceiving and feeling
deeply are parts of who I am that I dont think could ever change. Even in the changes in my
assessment results, these are pieces have been consistent. What has changed is how I see and

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respond to the reality around me. The Enneagram describes twos as able to accept others for
who they are and relate to them on their own level, whether the person is the president of a
corporation, the mailman, or a delivery boy (The Enneagram Institute, 2016). Rather than
looking about decisions as black or white, I am looking at the people involved and the events in
play.
If I were to describe myself to another person, I think I would use the Myer-Briggs
definition of an ENFP, as I mentioned before. I am warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See
life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and
confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and
readily give appreciation and support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to
improvise and their verbal fluency (The Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2016).
The Impact:
In terms of my relationships with others, the impact of my personality has depended on
my own emotional health. Due to the caring, empathetic and extroverted nature of my
personality, people come to me seeking a listening ear in my personal life. Friends and family
feel comfortable and hopeful when Im present, and at my emotional best. My husband feels
supported, heard and cared for when I am at my healthiest as well.
On the other hand, when Im not emotionally healthy, I have a tendency to butt into
peoples lives and offer unsolicited advice. I naturally will take others actions or decisions
personally that have nothing to do with me. I worry and try to fix things outside of my control,
in my marriage and with friends. This makes the people I love annoyed and preached at, and,
ultimately, trust me less. In business, my outgoing personality helps me to reach the goals I set
for myself, as long as I stay focused and disciplined. When I am working in the interest of others,

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they appreciate my drive, unless I get distracted. My empathetic and listening ear makes me
trustworthy for my coworkers. Dropping the ball, like not doing the paperwork assigned to me or
fulfilling my end of a promise or project, makes me less trustworthy and reliable to the people I
work with.
As a counselor, it is interesting to counsel someone who is similar to me. In these
experiences I have urged clients to seek emotional healthy so that they can be better helpers for
others. Mindfulness and self-awareness are practical tools I use with these clients. I admit, I use
these myself for the same reasons. I have to be careful not to be personally bothered by these
types of clients, as they remind me of myself. Positively, I can empathize with these clients
desires to help others. On the opposite end, clients who are entirely focused on themselves or
have a victim mentality can invoke the unhealthy advice giving side of my personality if I am not
careful to set boundaries for myself, as well as my relationship with the client. I believe the a
counselor is supposed to be a mirror for the client that becomes window. Keeping tabs on my
personality traits, and a keen awareness of where I am emotionally, help me to keep this goal in
focus.
Relational Summary:
In order to gauge the reality of the results of the personality exams I took, I had my
husband read my personality summary. Overall, he felt that the exams were relevant and
consistent with my personality traits, with the exception of the Enneagram. In terms of the
Enneagram type, I had him read through my top three scores to in order to see which fit my
personality the best. He felt that the exam was correct in its choice of 2, a Helper, as my top
number. Where he disagreed was with the types that tied for second in the results. While he felt

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there were elements of my personality within these types, they didnt quite fit the way that my
top result of a 2 type did.
What was most fascinating was going through the strengths and weaknesses within the
personality types with him. After a year of marriage, we have become very aware of each others
strengths, and weaknesses, but it was really interesting to see what he actually felt my
personality weaknesses, or conflicts, were. All of the types mentioned disorder, lack of selfdiscipline or compliance in one way or another. This was one that my husband concurred with
strongly, and, I must admit, I did as well. When talking about the helping, agreeableness, feeling
elements of my personality, my husband also agreed with the assessment results.
Having this conversation also made us aware of the assessment results. In the
conversation, I was more receptive to the support and affirmation, as many people are, than to
the discussion of weaknesses. Both the Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram results suggested my
desire to affirmation and support. However, my husband knows me well enough to frame the
conversation as supportive about my weaknesses as well. Im aware of my weaknesses and the
things I struggle with when I am not at my healthiest emotionally, which also helps conversations
like this stay healthy and honest, rather than hurtful.

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Resources
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (2013). Personality
Disorders. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
Enneagram Assessment Tool. The Enneagram Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved February 01,
2016, from https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
NEO Personality Inventory-3 | SIGMA. (n.d.). Retrieved February 01, 2016, from
http://www.sigmaassessmentsystems.com/assessments/neo-personality-inventory-3/
The Myers & Briggs Foundation - My MBTI Personality Type. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 01, 2016, from http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type

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