Personality and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®
Personality and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®
AgendaAgenda
What is personality type?Theoretical backgroundDevelopment and framework of the
MBTI Interpretation of typeCommunication and decision-
making Ethics of typologyDetermining your MBTI type
What is personality type?Theoretical backgroundDevelopment and framework of the
MBTI Interpretation of typeCommunication and decision-
making Ethics of typologyDetermining your MBTI type
What is Personality Type?What is Personality Type?
Categorization of peopleDescriptive not prescriptiveGenerally stable over timeTool for understanding self and
others
Categorization of peopleDescriptive not prescriptiveGenerally stable over timeTool for understanding self and
others
Theoretical BackgroundTheoretical Background
Carl JungContemporary of Sigmund FreudBasic theory of personality type:
people are fundamentally different and yet fundamentally alike
An individual’s behavior reflects a pattern that indicates his or her preference for energy source, data collection, and decision making
Carl JungContemporary of Sigmund FreudBasic theory of personality type:
people are fundamentally different and yet fundamentally alike
An individual’s behavior reflects a pattern that indicates his or her preference for energy source, data collection, and decision making
Theoretical BackgroundTheoretical Background
Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine BriggsExtension of Jungian theoryObservation and researchAdded a dimension regarding lifestyle
choicesDevelopment of an instrument
Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine BriggsExtension of Jungian theoryObservation and researchAdded a dimension regarding lifestyle
choicesDevelopment of an instrument
Development of the MBTIDevelopment of the MBTI
Self-reported and nonjudgmental psychological instrument categorizing people
Based on mental “preferences” We develop strength, skills, and
abilities with one hand and underdevelop the other, but we still use both hands
We have dominant personality traits and auxiliary traits which surface under certain conditions
Normative data set
Self-reported and nonjudgmental psychological instrument categorizing people
Based on mental “preferences” We develop strength, skills, and
abilities with one hand and underdevelop the other, but we still use both hands
We have dominant personality traits and auxiliary traits which surface under certain conditions
Normative data set
Framework of the MBTIFramework of the MBTI
Mental processesPerceptionsJudgments
Mental orientationsEnergy orientationOuter world orientation
Mental processesPerceptionsJudgments
Mental orientationsEnergy orientationOuter world orientation
Mental ProcessesMental Processes
PerceptionsHow you perceive your surroundingsSensing (S)
Rely on actual dataGather information through the five sensesPay attention to details
Intuition (N)Rely on inspirationGather information through “sixth sense”Look at the big picture
PerceptionsHow you perceive your surroundingsSensing (S)
Rely on actual dataGather information through the five sensesPay attention to details
Intuition (N)Rely on inspirationGather information through “sixth sense”Look at the big picture
Mental ProcessesMental Processes
JudgmentsThe basis for decision makingThinking (T)
Base decisions on logic and principlesObjectivity
Feeling (F)Base decisions on human values and
harmonious relationshipsSubjectivity
JudgmentsThe basis for decision makingThinking (T)
Base decisions on logic and principlesObjectivity
Feeling (F)Base decisions on human values and
harmonious relationshipsSubjectivity
Mental OrientationsMental Orientations
Energy orientationWhere you get your energyIntroversion (I)
Energy directed inwardPrefer concepts and ideasThink before speaking
Extraversion (E)Energy directed outwardPrefer to interact with people and thingsSpeak before thinking
Energy orientationWhere you get your energyIntroversion (I)
Energy directed inwardPrefer concepts and ideasThink before speaking
Extraversion (E)Energy directed outwardPrefer to interact with people and thingsSpeak before thinking
Mental OrientationsMental Orientations
Outer world orientationThe lifestyle used to deal with your
environment, i.e., most often used mental preference
Judging (J)Decisiveness, closureValue task or project completion
Perceiving (P)Curiosity, flexibilityValue starting a task or project
Outer world orientationThe lifestyle used to deal with your
environment, i.e., most often used mental preference
Judging (J)Decisiveness, closureValue task or project completion
Perceiving (P)Curiosity, flexibilityValue starting a task or project
Interpretation of MBTIInterpretation of MBTI
I/E, S/N, T/F, J/P16 possible typesRelation to:
Cognitive ability or general intelligence
Other personality characteristicsCommunication style
I/E, S/N, T/F, J/P16 possible typesRelation to:
Cognitive ability or general intelligence
Other personality characteristicsCommunication style
Communication Using Type
Communication Using Type
Basic compatibilityFocus on style recognition and
understandingAppropriate response the keyAvoid stereotypesAppreciate the uniqueness of each
person
Basic compatibilityFocus on style recognition and
understandingAppropriate response the keyAvoid stereotypesAppreciate the uniqueness of each
person
Decision-Making Using Type
Decision-Making Using Type
Recognize how group members may complement or contrast each other
On the other hand, watch out for groupthink!
Focus on respectful debate and compromise
Appreciate the unique value of each person’s viewpoint and input
Recognize how group members may complement or contrast each other
On the other hand, watch out for groupthink!
Focus on respectful debate and compromise
Appreciate the unique value of each person’s viewpoint and input
Ethics of TypologyEthics of Typology
Should employers use it for…?SelectionTeam buildingConflict managementPerformance appraisalCareer path decisions
Should companies target personalities?
Using the MBTI® instrument
Should employers use it for…?SelectionTeam buildingConflict managementPerformance appraisalCareer path decisions
Should companies target personalities?
Using the MBTI® instrument
What’s Your Type?What’s Your Type?
Short, self-score version of the MBTI attached to your slides
Full version free for UTA students Complete the inventory onlineRegister for an interpretation sessionCounseling Services (817) 272-3671http://caacs.uta.edu/
DesktopDefault.aspx?PortalId=10&tabindex=11&tabid=103
Short, self-score version of the MBTI attached to your slides
Full version free for UTA students Complete the inventory onlineRegister for an interpretation sessionCounseling Services (817) 272-3671http://caacs.uta.edu/
DesktopDefault.aspx?PortalId=10&tabindex=11&tabid=103
What You Should KnowWhat You Should Know
Why do we measure personality type?
What does one’s MBTI type describe?
What are appropriate uses of personality type?
What are inappropriate uses?
Why do we measure personality type?
What does one’s MBTI type describe?
What are appropriate uses of personality type?
What are inappropriate uses?