Perceptions of operating systems

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) categorizes human beings into one of 16 possible personality categories. Curiously, the MBTI suggests individual preferences among human beings, which can be loosely correlated to their Myers Briggs Type.

This article presents possible arguments for why a particular Myers Briggs type may gravitate towards a particular operating system. On a PC, one has a choice of Windows or Linux. While other operating systems may be available, these two are the most common.

Introduction
Given the chance, certain personality types would be more likely to try Linux, or favor it, if free from external factors such as environmental conditions or a need to use certain incompatible programs, such as Microsoft Office.

The table below lists preferences for each MBTI type.

Types
Comparing the behavioral trends for each of the 16 Myers Briggs type, we can estimate the ones which given the chance will use Linux over Windows. This does not take into account technical skill required to learn Linux, but considers how their MBTI scores may shape their perception of Linux and Windows. Rational types will prefer to use the OS they deem to be technically superior, or intellectually stimulating, whereas a feeling type may consider implications for themselves, society or their own morals when deciding which OS to use.

INTP
The INTP will desire to use an operating system with less abstraction and which allows them to analyze how it works and makes them think. INTPs may experiment with Linux because it is different and become immersed in using it to stimulate their thinking interests. INTPs particularly would be focused on improving Linux and finding rational solutions. The INTP enjoys trying to solve complex problems and Linux presents this challenge. Since the OS is easily customized, it appeals to the INTP's individualistic thinking and attitude on things. The INTP may become bored with Linux if the level of maintenance is too high and offers no intellectual stimulation.

INTJ
The INTJ type will sit down and extensively plan what he intends to use Linux for before using it. He will do research to make sure Linux is a viable operating system to use, and once he has determined that Linux has the features he needs, he will then consider using it. Ultimately, INTJs are driven by a goal, or a purpose and so will use Linux in fulfillment of some vision. They are not interested in mere intellectual stimulation like the INTP. They will have sound arguments as to why their choice of Linux is superior, backing it with rational reasoning, whereas the INTP may use Linux out of curiosity, but will extensively justify it logically if forced to do so.

INFJ
The community spirit and being free and open source could be seen by the INFJ as helping the community. This means that the INFJ is more likely to gravitate towards Linux, which supports their moral cause of helping the poor and providing a free operating system. On the other hand, the INFJ may envision a perfect operating system and learn Linux so that he can integrate his changes into the system. He may use Linux to help empower persons in impoverished countries. The INFJ may perceive Windows as corporate-based and greedy, which is harmful to society at large. Therefore, the INFJ may reject the use of Windows on moral reasons. The INFJ may gravitate towards Windows if it is necessary to avoid conflict and/or to make their friends, family or co-workers happy.

INFP
The INFP will not be sure what operating system to use and may continuously jump from Linux to Windows, assessing which one feels right to them. The INFP may gravitate towards Linux when it makes them feel unique or special in some way. They may see using Linux as a form of individual expression i.e. not being like everyone. Like the INFJ, their morals may drive them to using Linux e.g. open source, not driven by commercial greed and the need to express individuality through Linux i.e. the ability to customize it in their own special way. The INFP may extensively daydream as to which one to use and he actually rarely use any system.

ISTP
The ISTP may gravitate towards Linux because it has a number of useful utilities for data recovery and machine maintenance, using Linux tools, such as dd to perform data recovery. The ISTP will enjoy their unorthodox problem solving approach, using the tools to achieve efficient results. The fact that Linux may have faults does not bother them in the slightest as they become self-absorbed in the moment of fixing a problem.

ISTJ
The ISTJ is less likely to use Linux, noting how Linux is time consuming to setup and use. The uncomfortable way in which Linux is used is likely to stress out the ISTJ, constantly complaining about how different from Windows it is. When he cannot get his Office programs that he has used for years working, he will start to further stress out as valuable time doing more efficient things is wasted. The ISTJ is likely to complain how that Linux is useless for real work and any such use is likely to negative.

ESTJ
Likewise, the ESTJ will also not like Linux very much, noting how Windows is the most widely used operating system, which has been used for years. Furthermore, the ESTJ will cite business use and market share of Windows as proof of its widespread success. The ESTJ is likely to swiftly reject Linux as a unsuitable operating system for any real business application. Moreover, those that use Linux are likely to dismissed as wasting time.

ESTP
The ESTP will probably not be too concerned with the operating system used, jumping online and updating their social media account. They may use Linux to try daring things with their computers. However, use of computers for too long is likely going to bore them. If Linux is frustrating for them, they will not use it. They want quick access to their programs, so they can do the work the fastest as possible.

ESFP
The ESFP is likely to use Windows because of its access to Photoshop software, which they can used to promote their body image and their fun while not in the lime light. Like the ESTP, their use of computers is to do work as quickly as possible, or for updating their social media account.

ENTP
The ENTP will love using Linux for the intellectual stimulation, but will continuously argue with others about how bad Linux is, including all of its flaws and limitations. Yet, in despite of this, the ENTP will continue to use it, knowing he truly does not believe what he is arguing. An ENTP may also gravitate towards Windows, arguing about how bad Windows is, while using it. The ENTP has strong intuition, so use of any unfamiliar operating system allows them to further develop their intellect and form arguments to support or counter what they believe.

ENFP
The ENFP will use Windows to avoid conflict and encourage others to freely express themselves by using it. Routine maintenance with using an unfamiliar operating system may stress the ENFP out.

ENFJ
The ENFJ will use what everyone else is using to avoid conflict and maintain harmony. They may suggest the importance of both operating systems in the environment to create harmony and balance. They may explore Linux owing to their intuition.

ESFJ
Likewise, the ESFJ will probably also want to maintain social harmony and avoid conflict, but they will likely feel more comfortable with traditional operating systems, electing to use Windows instead. The need to avoid confrontation and irrational debates over which OS to use, may further convince the ESFJ that he and everyone else should use Windows.

ENTJ
ENTJs will use whatever operating system is necessary to accomplish the goal, arguing in a direct way why their choice is the ideal way. The ENTJ could, therefore, use either operating system. Unlike INTPs, they are not stimulated by an intellectual challenge, opting to instead use their logic efficiently to accomplish a goal. The open source argument holds no weight for them as they consider only the OS which is technically the most efficient.

ISFP
The ISFP will use Linux determined to feel individual and different. They may spontaneously change back to Windows as they become bored and annoyed with the same old system. The technical specifications or technical superiority of either system is likely to hold little weight. They must do their own individual evaluation to come up with the OS they feel will work best for them.

ISFJ
Deeply analytical and willing to change, the ISFJ is likely to want to try Linux and other operating systems, determined to try something different. They enjoy helping others, so they may be more willingly to push themselves as necessary and persevere when using a new system.

Ubuntu Forums
An online post posted on the Ubuntu Forums has actually investigated, whether or not, there is a correlation between the preference to use Linux and personality. However, a self-professing psychologist commented that any results would be inaccurate to derive any common truth.

"'With a background in psychology, I'm going to say the following; You're not going to see too much of a correlation with something like Myers-brigg[sic]. Any correlations you do find will probably be more the result of coincidence than anything else. Some traits that could be possible among Linux users; technical aptitude, flexible patterns of learning, an interest in computers. Other than that, you're really not going to see much correlation at all unless you do extensive (read: expensive) personality testing of everyone on the forums and then some :)'"

Despite this, it would be interesting to determine, whether or not, there is such a correlation. It is clear that there are different, individual preferences among preferred operating systems. While, some like Linux, others do not. Linux has a much lower market share than its Windows counterpart. The extroverted sensing types, such as the ESTJs are more likely to prefer Windows, whereas the Introverted Intuitive minority are more inclined towards a Linux operating system. ESTJs compose at least 11 percent of the population. It is possible that in a world full of introverted initiatives, Linux rather than Windows might be the dominant operating system.

Results
Based on the forum entries, the results of the representation for each Myers Briggs Type is shown in the table below. Each forum entry was counted and added to the appropriate column. Unknown results were omitted from this sample.

The results indicate that the majority of users in the sample were INTPs and INTJs respectively. The amount of INTPs could, in reality, be higher due to mistyping. The sample indicates while ISTJs and ESXXs types were involved in the Linux community, they were significantly less than the INTX types. However, the sample may not be reliable enough to derive valid and reliable data. This means it is impossible to draw a definite conclusion. The sample is prone to errors because of mistyping caused by inaccurate MBTI testing. INTPs and INTJs are more likely to be more common among the sample because these types are more common in technical fields. This suggests that the sample could suffer from selection bias. To get a (more) accurate result, it is necessary to obtain their MBTI using a valid instrument administered by a trained MBTI practitioner on a variety of people in diverse contexts.

However, from the data that is available, it seems that introverts, especially INTs are the most common among the Linux community. Intuitives were also heavily represented in the sample. This suggests their preference to explore. Forum entries suggest that Linux was favored because of its customization, autonomy and the complex technical mindset required. This favors the NT temperament. The INFJ also featured somewhat in the sample, but is probable that some of the supposed INFJs were actually INTJs or INTPs, who had mistyped.

On Open Source.com, the top 25 reasons for using Linux were listed.

Among these answers were:


 * customization of the graphical user interface (favors NT)
 * efficiency and things just work (favors SJ)
 * cost of using Linux (favors SJ),
 * a wide selection of apps and tools (favors ISTP),
 * Feeling of looking like a real technician and programmer (favors SF)
 * No limit to what can be imagined (favors INFP),
 * More secure and stable (favors TJ),
 * Sense of user being in total control (favors P)
 * Presents learning challenges (favors INTP)
 * Useful for data handing and analysis (favors NT)
 * Everything (favors N)

This suggests that the advantages of Linux can be correlated with type. For instance, an SJ is more likely to talk about the economic benefits, whereas a rational (NT) is more likely to discuss the ability to learn and analyze the system. SPs are more likely to discuss its versatility in the tools available. Likewise, criticisms of Linux can also be correlated to type, for example, major criticisms seem to be its limiting capacity in a setting for office production tasks, an SJ trait.