We often consider identical twins to be one in the same; they share the same DNA, the same physical attributes, and are often found wearing matching outfits during childhood, depending on how over the top their parents are. But no matter what they share, identical twins are still two different people. Two different thoughts, two different opinions, two different lives, and even two different personalities. This boils down to the twins, even if they are raised in the same household, still having different experiences and interpreting different events and interactions with two different mindsets. Would it therefore stand to reason that even identical twins could test to have two different MBTI personality types? As it turns, out, they absolutely can.
But, of course, I had to test it out for myself, so I contacted a pair of twins, 17-year old women in their senior year of high school from Lower Merion, PA. Both girls took the Meyers-Briggs personality test and then sent me their results. The first twin had a result of “INFP” or, “The Mediator” and the second tested with “INTP”, “The Logician” (throughout the course of this article they will be referred to as “The Mediator” and “The Logician” for the sake of privacy because they are both under the age of 18). Interestingly, their personality types differentiated by a single letter, F versus T, or feeling vs. thinking. This would make sense, seeing as both young women were raised in the same household and participate in similar activities such as varsity soccer and their school’s National Honor Society. They both also enjoy singing and learning to play different instruments, both have taught themselves to play ukulele.
They are certainly both accomplished students of many talents and while they have many of the same friends, the twins have different socializing styles. The Mediator, although still introverted, is more cautious when it comes to social outings. She is always ready to lend a helping hand, whether it be through tutoring or listening to a friend in a time of need, but when it comes to romantic relationships, she is a bit more hesitant. She’s picky about who she spends more intimate time with. The Logician, also an introvert, is not as hesitant. She does not shy away from new experiences or traveling even long distances to meet a romantic partner, as she is currently in a long-distance relationship. She is also a fan of socializing both in and out of school, whether it be in between classes or on the weekends whereas her sister prefers to have the weekends to herself.
But despite their differences, the twins consider each other to be best friends, which is to be expected when you have a playmate from birth, but it also helps that the two share many common interests. Among my research, I found that this was a popular sentiment among identical and fraternal twins alike; they enjoy each other’s company because at the end of the day, they’re family.
So what does this mean in the bigger scheme of MBTI personality tests? I suppose it’s less about who you are and your similarities and more about how you channel your differences with those closest to you.
Sources:
https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
http://io9.gizmodo.com/how-do-identical-twins-develop-different-personalities-497857032
Personality Piety 