MBTI®
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 behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.
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:
- The identification of basic preferences of each of the four dichotomies specified or implicit in Jung’s theory.
- The identification and description of the 16 distinctive personality types that result from the interactions among the preferences.
MBTI is the most reliable and validated tool of its kind. It has the utmost credibility and can be used to significantly improve self-awareness and interdependent teaming ability.
The Four Dimensions for which MBTI assesses are:
Energy Orientation: Introvert/Extrovert
Understanding/Taking in Information: Sensor/Intuitive
Forming Judgments: Thinking/Feeling
Action Orientation/Closure: Judging Perceiving
Critical Factors to maximize MBTI:
- MBTI must be taught well or it turns into a “horoscope” gimmick
- Participants through the assessment must understand their archetype, primary/secondary/tertiary tendencies, tendencies under stress, and communication styles
- MBTI types must not be used as a label too categorize people but as a tool to understand the self and others better for increased effectiveness
- Taught in a way so people can be very honest with themselves and not try to fit into an unnatural types
- Best when applies to an intact work group with a specific mission
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