Understanding Yourself and Others

Derek Bergeron, Ph.D.Derek Bergeron, Ph.D.Psychologist III Psychologist III CVM Satellite OfficeCVM Satellite OfficeStudent Counseling ServiceStudent Counseling ServiceRoom 060 – CVM TunnelRoom 060 – CVM TunnelTexas A&M University Texas A&M University 979-845-0806979-845-0806D-Bergeron@scs.tamu.eduD-Bergeron@scs.tamu.edu

4 scales with two dimensions: Extraversion-Introversion Sensing-Intuition Thinking-Feeling Judging- Perceiving

16 total “types” The MBTI is dichotomous (i.e. which one of

these two dimensions is the best fit) The MBTI looks at preferences; a

preference means that there is a tendency to favor one dimension over the other; the MBTI assumes that there WILL be a preference

No combination of preferences or type is “better or worse” than the other

Each type represents a valuable and reasonable way to be – each with it’s own potential strengths as well as likely blind spots

Increased self awareness can help balance our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to be more comfortable in a variety of settings

Energized by being with others

Center of attention Experience the world Think out loud Easier to “read” Breadth Talker Enthusiastic, fast

paced 75% of population

Energized by being alone

Avoid attention Understand world Think quietly Private Depth Listeners Enthusiasm is kept

to self, contemplative

25% of population

Extraverts Slow down; LISTEN Ask people if they are

busy before talking If someone is silent,

ask what they think Remember some

people need time alone

Monitor yourself for redudancy

Demonstrate active listening

Don’t assume pauses are an invitation

Introverts Make an effort to verbalize Don’t forget to socialize Remember that extroverts

often need to talk Ask questions- use your

listening skills to engage Be clear when you need

space- if possible specify how much time you need

Try and offer thoughts more quickly (prefiltering)

Remember: people can’t read your mind…

Trusts what is certain, concrete

Practical application Realist, common

sense Specific, literal,

detailed Oriented in the

present Down to earth 75% of Americans

Trusts inspiration and inference

New ideas, conceptual

Imagination, creativity

General, figurative, big picture

Oriented toward the future

Head in the clouds 25% of Americans

Sensors Remember that facts

aren’t everything Make an effort to

consider factors other than what is concrete

Consider that a problem/practical limitation doesn’t automatically make an idea invalid; perhaps there is a workaround

Intuitives Consider sticking

to the issue at hand

Be open to examining and critiquing ideas

Provide concrete examples

Work to develop a plan for your ideas

50% of Population 65% of Men Distrust feelings,

fear of being biased

Logical, detached Objective values Justice, clarity Firm-minded Laws, rules

50% of Population 65% of women Feelings are a source

of information Empathic, involved Subjective values Harmony, mercy Compassionate Individual situation,

open to exceptions to the rule

Feeling Be direct, don’t avoid

confrontation Provide balanced

feedback Avoid becoming

overly emotional during a discussion

Remember that criticism can be constructive, and isn’t always destructive

Thinking Allow emotion to

be expressed Personal factors

can be logical to consider

Look for points of agreement

Avoid focusing on only the cons of a situation

Happy when decision is made

Work first, play later Predictable, planned

environment Prefers rules Planning=less stress Structured Satisfied by

completing projects 50% of population

Happy when options are open

Play first, work later Flexible, changing

environment Dislikes rules Planning=more

stress Spontaneous Satisfied by starting

projects 50% of population

Judgers Take more time Be patient Don’t jump to

conclusions Remember: your way

isn’t always best Allow some room for

flexibility Negotiate on plans; if

people are not following your plans, it may in part be because they did not have enough input

Perceivers Decide sooner than

might be preferable Avoid sharing too

many options Negotiate on timelines

and deadlines Avoid making changes

at the last minute on group efforts

Realize that delaying a decision and avoiding plans can be a stressor for others

A visual overview of the 16 typesNote: the descriptions and examples given

are simply illustrative, it is fair to conclude that George Washington never had an opportunity to take the MBTI; the individuals listed with each category are simply individuals that have been identified by others as a likely fit for this personality type

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJDuty Fulfillers Nurturers Protectors ScientistsOrganizers, driven Loyalty, service Gentle, inspiring Independent, curiousGeorge Washington Mother Theresa Gandhi Sir Isaac Newton

ISTP ISFP INFP INTPMechanics Artists Idealists ThinkersJust do it Action, live and let Making life kinder Idea millsClint Eastwood Mozart Mr. Rogers Einstein

ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTPDoers Performers Inspirers Visionaries

Risk taking Free spirits; surprise People are the product Progress is the productGeorge W. Bush Bill Clinton Barack Obama Thomas Edison

ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJAdministrators Caregivers Persuaders Executives

Responsible, productive Gracious, trusted Eloquence Vision, enthusiasmHillary Clinton Sally Struthers Martin Luther King, Jr. Bill Gates

A satirical take on the 16 types:

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ

Thought Police TyrantConspiracy Theorist

Criminal Mastermind

ISTP ISFP INFP INTPVigilante Crackpot Hippie Egghead

ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP

ConmanNational Enquirer Headline Drama Queen Mad Scientist

ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJBureaucrat Control Freak Cult Leader Evil Overlord

o You likely have a preferred styleo Being aware of the strengths & limitations of that

style may help you avoid mistakeso You may need to take into account the needs of

others so that they can work better with youo Although you may not change who you

fundamentally are, you can learn to be more flexible, understanding, and develop a wider range of skills; it is certainly possible to go outside of one’s comfort zone on occasion

o Said differently: your preferences might not change drastically, but your comfort level on non-preferred dimensions certainly can be developed

Introvert - 55 Sensation - 84

Thinking - 64 Perceiving - 37

Extravert - 58

Intuition - 29 Feeling - 49 Judging - 76

ISTJ - 24 ISFJ – 10 INFJ - 2 INTJ - 4 ISTP - 3 ISFP - 3 INFP - 4 INTP - 5

ESTJ - 13 ESFJ - 16 ENFJ - 5 ENTJ - 2 ESTP - 11 ESFP - 4 ENFP - 5 ENTP - 2

Introvert - 57 Sensation - 87

Thinking - 64 Perceiving - 42

Extravert - 77

Intuition - 47 Feeling - 70 Judging - 92

Introvert - 67 Sensation - 95

Thinking - 80 Perceiving - 49

Extravert - 63

Intuition - 35 Feeling - 50 Judging - 82

Introvert - 67 Sensation - 88

Thinking - 68 Perceiving - 49

Extravert - 67

Intuition - 46 Feeling - 66 Judging - 85

Introvert– 246 Sensation- 354 Thinking- 276 Perceiving- 177

Extravert– 265 Intuition- 157 Feeling- 235 Judging- 334

ISTJ - 21 ISFJ - 13 INFJ - 4 INTJ - 5 ISTP - 3 ISFP - 4 INFP - 5 INTP - 2

ESTJ - 18 ESFJ - 15 ENFJ - 11 ENTJ - 5 ESTP - 6 ESFP - 7 ENFP - 11 ENTP - 4

ISTJ - 23 ISFJ - 17 INFJ - 5 INTJ - 2 ISTP - 9 ISFP - 2 INFP - 4 INTP - 5

ESTJ - 21 ESFJ - 5 ENFJ - 3 ENTJ - 5 ESTP - 11 ESFP - 7 ENFP - 7 ENTP - 4

ISTJ - 19 ISFJ - 17 INFJ - 5 INTJ - 2 ISTP - 10 ISFP - 4 INFP - 7 INTP - 3

ESTJ - 11 ESFJ - 17 ENFJ - 5 ENTJ - 9 ESTP - 9 ESFP - 1 ENFP - 10 ENTP - 5

ISTJ - 87 ISFJ - 57 INFJ - 16 INTJ - 13 ISTP - 25 ISFP - 13 INFP - 20 INTP - 15

ESTJ - 63 ESFJ - 53 ENFJ - 24 ENTJ - 21 ESTP - 37 ESFP - 19 ENFP - 33 ENTP - 15