Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Introduction

The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behaviour is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.

"Perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of things, people, happenings, or ideas. Judgment involves all the ways of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they perceive and in how they reach conclusions, then it is only reasonable for them to differ correspondingly in their interests, reactions, values, motivations, and skills."

In developing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator [instrument], the aim of Isabel Briggs Myers, and her mother, Katharine Briggs, was to make the insights of type theory accessible to individuals and groups.

They addressed the two related goals in the developments and application of the MBTI instrument:

1. The identification of basic preferences of each of the four dichotomies specified or implicit in Jung’s theory.
2. The identification and description of the 16 distinctive personality types that result from the interactions among the preferences.

The four dichotomies

Favourite world: Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world? This is called Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I).

Information: Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning? This is called Sensing (S) or Intuition (N).

Decisions: When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances? This is called Thinking (T) or Feeling (F).

Structure: In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options? This is called Judging (J) or Perceiving (P).

Your Personality Type: When you decide on your preference in each category, you have your own personality type, which can be expressed as a code with four letters.

The 16 personality types

The 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument are often listed in what is called a MBTI “type table.”mb

All types are equal: The goal of knowing about personality type is to understand and appreciate differences between people. As all types are equal, there is no best type.

The MBTI instrument sorts for preferences and does not measure trait, ability, or character. The MBTI tool is different from many other psychological instruments and also different from other personality tests.

The best reason to choose the MBTI instrument to discover your personality type is that hundreds of studies over the past 40 years have proven the instrument to be both valid and reliable. In other words, it measures what it says it does (validity) and produces the same results when given more than once (reliability). When you want an accurate profile of your personality type, ask if the instrument you plan to use has been validated.

The theory of psychological type was introduced in the 1920s by Carl G. Jung. The MBTI tool was developed in the 1940s by Isabel Briggs Myers and the original research was done in the 1940s and '50s. This research is ongoing, providing users with updated and new information about psychological type and its applications. Today, more than two million people worldwide take the Indicator each year.

Where to take the MBTI personality assessment instrument

Consultants, counselors, coaches, therapists and many other people with interests or training in psychology, human development, and social interaction may be qualified to administer the MBTI instrument, verify your MBTI type, and discuss your personality results one on one or in a group.

What to expect when you take the MBTI instrument:

1. You fill out a multiple choice questionnaire either in paper form or online. There are no right or wrong answers. The MBTI instrument is not a test. You select the answers that best fit for you.
2. You receive results through an interactive feedback discussion with a qualified practitioner in person or by phone.
3. You receive a printed copy or e-mail file of your MBTI Profile Report. This report is confidential and is not shared with others.
4. An interactive feedback discussion with a qualified MBTI practitioner provides you with the most useful information about using your MBTI results.

People who are qualified to administer the MBTI instrument are committed to using it in an ethical way, which includes protecting your confidentiality, showing you how to verify your type, giving feedback interactively, and presenting all types as valuable.

MBTI distributers and providers in South Africa

Jopie Van Rooyen & Partners SA (Pty) Ltd
E-mail: az.oc.acirfarvj|ofni#az.oc.acirfarvj|ofni
Web site: www.jvrafrica.co.za

Johannesburg (Head Office)
15 Hunter Street
Ferndale,
Randburg 2194
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Cape Town (Regional Office)
Block 3, Oude Westhof Village Square
Van Riebeeckshof Road,
Oude Westhof,
Bellville, 7530
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

See also…

MBTI Type Table: The 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) instrument are often listed in what is called a “type table.”

DISC Behaviour profile: DISC is a four quadrant behavioural model based on the work of William Marston (1893 - 1947) to examine the behaviour of individuals in their environment or within a specific situation.

DISC domain descriptions for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Concientiousness.

External Links

The Myers-Briggs Foundation