Each personality type carries with it certain strengths and weaknesses. These traits tend to balance themselves out, and oftentimes, they are one and the same—the incredible organizational skills of one type might appear like unbending rigidity to another type. A majority of discussions based on personality theory tend to revolve around the positive aspects. This Pollyanna-ish perspective can build confidence and a sense of community in individuals who have felt alienated their entire lives, and can inspire every type to foster their better self. Unfortunately, it also causes “type chaos”, a condition where people become obsessed with possessing the best attributes of other types, leading to mass mistyping.

There is a solution. Take the purest ideal of each type, and then twist it until it’s nothing more than a gnarled monstrosity of human pathos. THAT’s a “deviant role”. Deviant roles act as perfect deterrents to potential “type-hoppers”. They can also come in handy when it comes to typing other people; negative attributes are prone to be far more identifiable and leave a stronger lasting impression than their positive siblings.

As for our own deviant role, we often treat it with embarrassing familiarity laced with denial and dread. Which is unfortunate. We cannot control what we do not accept. Plus, isn’t playing the Black Swan a little more fun anyway?

MBTI Deviant Roles