Many factors go into making a person an individual. Background, personal history, personality, and of course, one’s beliefs. However, it is easy to be cynical about such things because it seems that many people are content to follow a crowd. Those outside the crowd may find themselves shaking their heads and pontificating that people will never change, blaming religions, institutions, corporations, and governments.
But, when we asked site visitors whether they agreed with the statement, “It is important for you to re-evaluate your own beliefs every once in a while,” the data showed an overwhelming response that most people, it seems, challenge their own beliefs quite often.
Not a single personality type responded with less than 60% agreement, but some differences of opinion nevertheless revealed themselves. We explore these differences below:
Roles
Diplomats and Analysts (87% and 82% agreeing)
It’s not hard to see why Diplomats and Analysts topped this survey. Despite their differences with Thinking and Feeling, both of these personality type groups are very open-minded. They imagine different perspectives and entertain different beliefs without worrying about losing their own. In a previous survey[1], Diplomats embraced spirituality more than they did religiosity – these personalities focus on the idea of believing more than on any specific belief. It is natural for them to test their own conceptions occasionally, to make sure that they’re on the right path.
Analysts have a similar test ahead of them, but it is fueled by their heads, not their hearts. These personality types prize efficiency and inspiration; if a belief is holding them back from achieving their true potential, it may just have to go. Analysts will take any new idea and scrutinize it to death. If it passes this test and they can draw strength from it, it stands – until a sufficiently compelling new idea forces them to examine their beliefs once again.
Sentinels and Explorers (72% and 70%)
Sentinels and Explorers are less likely to re-evaluate their beliefs. These personality types deal with what’s in front of them. The motto of Sentinels could very easily be “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Their Judging trait plays a part in this: Sentinels value structure and order in their lives, and share a powerful sense of responsibility for their communities. These attitudes often tie into strong religious or political values. Sentinel personalities aren’t ones to go back on their word – or their beliefs. They may re-evaluate from time to time, but that doesn’t mean they flip sides.
Explorers live life a little closer to their hearts and hands than the other Roles. Life is about experiences, and if their beliefs don’t stop these personalities from doing what they love, then they’re just that much less likely to feel the need to re-evaluate them. Interestingly, this doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t change their beliefs – Explorers are just more likely to do it than they are to sit around talking about how they might.
Strategies
Social Engagement and Constant Improvement (84% and 81% agreeing)
It isn’t surprising to see both Social Engagers and Constant Improvers top this survey. These personality types want to be the best they can be. The chance to re-evaluate their beliefs gives them the opportunity to purge themselves of mindsets that may have been holding them back. Social Engagers agreed only slightly more than Constant Improvers, perhaps because of their higher exposure to other people. Being among so many differing viewpoints gives these personalities many perspectives, allowing them direct insights into how different views actually work. Constant Improvers, meanwhile, may prefer to perfect from within.
People Mastery and Confident Individualism (77% and 73%)
People Masters are less likely to re-evaluate their beliefs based on others’ opinions the way Social Engagers may, and Confident Individualists may not feel so compelled to subject themselves to the sort of critical self-analysis that Constant Improvers do. Why would they when they are so sure of themselves? People Masters are only slightly more likely than Confident Individualists to re-examine their positions, again, perhaps because of their social exposure, but these personalities are more likely to shift others’ beliefs first. Confident Individualists, on the other hand, may be quite comfortable following their own paths.
Conclusions
Every personality type, from open and insightful Turbulent Campaigners (ENFP-T), who agreed with the statement the most (90%), to trustworthy and resolute Assertive Logisticians (ISTJ-A), who agreed the least (60%), agreed in the majority that it’s important to re-evaluate your own beliefs every once in a while. Time changes things, and whether one deals with those changes spiritually, for the sake of the soul, or as a simple means of survival, adapting to the changing nature of how we make a living, few have the luxury or desire to ignore those changes altogether.
Yet beliefs are powerful, personal imperatives. It’s worth exploring further whether any change actually comes from these re-evaluations, or whether a period of reflection serves to bolster and renew our faith and beliefs. Until we can explore this properly with a new article, we’d like to hear from you, in the comments below. Do you question yourself and your beliefs often, or on certain days? Do these questions reinforce or alter your beliefs?