An online post posted on the Ubuntu Forums investigated if there is a correlation between the preference to use Linux and personality.[1]
The extraverted 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.[2] It is possible that in a world full of introverted initiatives, Linux rather than Windows might be the dominant operating system.
Self-reported type on Ubuntu forms
Users on the Ubuntu forms self-reported their psychological type. We presented this data in a table (as shown below):
Myers Briggs Type
Count
Notes
INTJ
5
ESFP
1
ENFP
1
INTP
5
INFJ
2
One INFJ might be mistyped
INFP
1
Forum post suggests slight preferences. Could be an INTP
ISTJ
1
No data to indicate preferences
ESTJ
1
ENTP
0
ISFP
0
ENTJ
0
ESFJ
0
ENFJ
0
ESTP
0
ISFJ
0
ISTP
0
N
17
The sample (n = 17) is a reasonable size in human-computer interaction (HCI) studies. The small group suggests while intuitive types are over-represented in the sample, Ubuntu is not exclusively used by initutives. In fact several sensing types: ESFP, ISTJ and ESTJ were among the Ubuntu users. Further, at least one INFJ may have been mistyped. The representation of intuitive types could be due to intuitive bias in the MBTI community. The majority of users were INTJs and INTPs. Analytical psychology suggests that the adoption of Ubuntu by INTPs and INTJs may be to defend against the emotional pressures of society. It may also explain criticism of the Linux community as being hostile and toxic.[3] The toxicity would stem from the inferior Fe of the overrepresented INTP and INTJ types.
Our reasoning
The table below brainstorms some ideas for psychological types, what OS they would likely prefer and why based on the field of analytical psychology.
Myers Briggs Type
Operating System
Reason
INTP
Linux
Analyze how it works
INTJ
No Preference
It is technically superior to other OSes
INFJ
Linux
Appeals to INFJ's community values
INFP
Linux
Uniqueness through customization
ISTP
Linux
Contains powerful maintenance tools that requires logic
ISTJ
Windows
Familiar and comfortable to perform routine work in a productive fashion
ESTJ
Windows
Works well in corporate environments to achieve work
ESTP
No Preference
Spends most time on Facebook or social media sites
ESFP
Windows
Prefers Access to Commercial Grade Photo editing suites
ENTP
No Preference
Explores unfamiliar systems, but debates against the one he is using
ENFP
Windows
Familiar to use to make deep, meaningful social connections
ENFJ
Windows
Since Windows is the majority OS, they will prefer to use it
to maintain social harmony
ESFJ
Windows
Maintain social harmony and use Windows to inspire others
ENTJ
No Preference
Use OS to accomplish a goal, so there is no preference
ISFJ
No Preference
Willing to work hard and try
ISFP
No Preference
Feel quirky, cool and different from others, unexpectedly changing OS
Reasons governing selection of an operating system
Ubuntu and Linux
On Open Source.com, the top 25 reasons for using Linux were listed.[4]
customization of the graphical user interface
efficiency and things just work
cost of using Linux
a wide selection of apps and tools
Feeling of looking like a real technician and programmer
No limit to what can be imagined
More secure and stable
Sense of user being in total control
Presents learning challenges
Useful for data handing and analysis
Windows
One of the selection choices governing Windows seemed to not be that of technical superiority but that alternatives such as Ubuntu lacked features such as office production tasks.[5] Other reasons for selecting Windows stemmed from its technical support and widespread use across the business sector.[citation needed]
