Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator – MBTI: Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator – MBTI Career Enhancement Committee
Kathy Prem
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Introduction to Type Theory: Introduction to Type Theory Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung developed a theory early in the 20th century to describe basic individual preferences and explain similarities and differences between people
Main postulate of the theory is that people have inborn behavioral tendencies and preferences
Your natural response in daily situations
Used when we are generally not stressed and feel competent, and energetic
Could be defined as those behaviors you often don’t notice
Innate Preferences: Innate Preferences Exercise:
Write your name
Development of the MBTI Instrument: Development of the MBTI Instrument Jung’s theory important but inaccessible to the general population
Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs (mother-daughter team) expanded on Jung’s work by developing an instrument to help people identify their preferences
The MBTI tool is an indicator of personality type (i.e. innate preferences) that has proven to be remarkably reliable and valid
Represents the result of over 50 years of research
Is used globally in both education and corporate settings; over 2 million people each year
Value of the MBTI: Value of the MBTI Distinctions from other psychological or career based tools
Does not assess psychological health
Does not 'tell' the client what to do or be
Involves client feedback and 'agreement' to Type
Involves no scaling or value
Inherent strengths and weaknesses associated with each type profile
Structure of the MBTI: Structure of the MBTI The MBTI instrument uses four dichotomies to identify preferences, which are then combined into one Type
A dichotomy divides items into 2 groups where there is no continuum or value implied
Four MBTI Dichotomies: Four MBTI Dichotomies
Caution: MBTI Word Usage: Caution: MBTI Word Usage Words used to describe preferences in psychology do not mean the same thing as they do in everyday life
Extravert does not mean talkative or loud
Introvert does not mean shy or inhibited
Feeling does mean emotional
Judging does not mean judgmental
Perceiving does not mean perceptive
Etc.
E- I Dichotomy: Source of Energy: E- I Dichotomy: Source of Energy Most people who prefer Extraversion:
'I like to talk to people'
Prefer action over reflection
May act quickly w/out thinking
Are attuned to external environments
Prefer to communicate by talking
Learn best through doing or discussing
Are sociable and expressive
Enjoy working in groups Most people who prefer Introversion:
'I like to read a book'
Prefer reflection over action
May not take action at all
Are attuned to inner world
Prefer to communicate in writing
Learn best through thorough mental practice and reflection
Are private and contained
Enjoy working alone or in pairs Which is worse: no interruptions or frequent interruptions?
What is your E - I preference?: What is your E - I preference?
Exercise
When you are going to a large party, what do you do?
What do you consider a large party or group?
S - N Dichotomy: Take in Information: S - N Dichotomy: Take in Information Most people who prefer Sensing:
'I like to learn the facts'
Emphasize the pragmatic
Prefer facts andamp; details/ specific information
Are oriented to present realities
Value realism
Observe and remember specifics through 5 senses
Build carefully and thoroughly to conclusions
Trust experience Most people who prefer Intuition:
'I like to imagine possibilities'
Emphasize the theoretical
Prefer general concepts/ high-level plans
Are oriented to future possibilities
Value imagination
See trends and patterns in specific data
Use a 'sixth' sense
Move quickly to conclusions, follow hunches
Trust inspiration Which is worse – no sense of present reality or no sense of future possibilities?
What is your S-N preference?: What is your S-N preference? Exercise
How did you decide whom to support?
T-F Dichotomy: Decision Making: T-F Dichotomy: Decision Making Most people who prefer Thinking:
'I like to decide logically'
Are analytical
Use cause-and-effect reasoning
Solve problems with logic
Strive for objective standard of truth
Described as reasonable
Search for flaws in an argument
Fair – want everyone treated equally Most people who prefer Feeling:
'I like to consider people'
Empathetic
Guided by personal values
Assess impact of decisions on people
Strive for harmony and positive interactions
Described as compassionate
Search for point of agreement in an argument
Fair – want everyone treated as an individual Which is worse: working in an environment that lacks logic or that lacks harmony?
What is your T-F preference?: What is your T-F preference?
Exercise
Little League Coach for the championship game and you can only take 11 of 13 players to the game
What do you do? How do you choose?
J - P Dichotomy: Lifestyle: J - P Dichotomy: Lifestyle Most people who prefer Judging:
'I like to organize my schedule'
Are scheduled/organized
Strive to finish one project before starting another
Like to have things decided
May decide things too quickly
Try to avoid last-minute stresses; finish tasks well before deadline
Try to limit surprises
See routines as effective Most people who prefer Perceiving:
'I like to adapt to changes'
Are spontaneous/flexible
Start many projects but may have trouble finishing them
Like things loose and open to change
May decide things too slowly
Feel energized by last-minute pressures; finish tasks at the deadline
Enjoy surprises
See routines as limiting Which is worse: 'winging it' or adhering to a schedule?
What is your J-P preference?: What is your J-P preference? Exercise
Sending you on a vacation
$5,000
What do you do? How do you go about it?
Why should we care?: Why should we care? Individual Benefits: Gain insights into personality
Reduce your defensiveness
Increase your openness to feedback (clues) from what is going on around you
Enhance your ability to appreciate differences in yourself and in others
Why should we care?: Why should we care? Staff Benefits: Appreciate others
Make constructive use of individual approaches
Allow for creative problem-solving; Different types approach problems in different, yet valid ways
Understand and adapt to leadership’s management style
Respect people’s work preferences
Improve communication among supervisors, peers, employees, customers
Example
Approach to staff meetings that accommodate both introverts and extraverts?
Communication Breakdown: Communication Breakdown Ideal Leader is…
Extravert: action-oriented
Introvert: contemplative
Sensing: pragmatic
Intuitive: visionary
Thinking: logical
Feeling: compassionate
Judging: planful
Perceiving: adaptable
Understanding Type in “uncomfortable” situations: Understanding Type in 'uncomfortable' situations Potential Pitfalls
Characteristics when under stress or 'uncomfortable' (out of Type)
Examples
Overcrowded schedule may force you to exhibit more judging traits than you may prefer
Team projects may force you to work as an extravert; brainstorming, talking through problems vs. thinking them through on your own
Concrete information may be more valued more than 'gut-feeling' approach
Staff meeting may focus on everyone’s involvement first, when you would prefer to address the task first.
To Take to the Office with You: To Take to the Office with You With similar types on a team:
The team will understand each other easily and quickly
Will reach decisions quickly, but will be more likely to make errors due to not taking in all viewpoints
May fail to appreciate gifts of the 'outlying' types
With a variety of types on a team:
Longer to establish communication between the members of the team
Less likely to overlook possibilities and details
Longer to reach consensus
Occupational Trends by Type: Occupational Trends by Type Source: From Introduction to Type and Careers, A.L. Hammer, 1993,
Consulting Psychologists Press
What IS your Type?: What IS your Type? Composite Type
One letter from each dichotomy
Sum equals more than the parts
It represents the dynamic interactions among the preferences in your type
No hierarchy among the types; each identifies normal and valuable personalities
Today’s discussion – self-estimate or assessment of your type
MBTI results will report the preferences you choose on the Indicator
Final type assessment requires agreement between self assessment and MBTI responses
Slide24: The World’s Forum for Aerospace Leadership