ABMP Student Success Curriculum Topic 11: Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory

2. Goals of This Lecture Help students understand themselves and their classmates better. Understand the role that personality plays in classroom dynamics. Experience less frustration and more tolerance for others.

3. Benefits of Understanding Personality Increased sensitivity to others Increased self-awareness Increased awareness of personality dynamics A better classroom environment Better communication skills with future clients

4. History of Myers-Briggs Based on work of Carl Jung Katharine Cook-Briggs & Isabel Briggs-Myers Translation of Jung's work for the public Most widely used personality test in the world Used in colleges and in the workplace

5. The Four Preferences 1.Where do you direct energy and from where do you generate energy (Introversion or Extroversion)? 2.How do you prefer to perceive or take in information (Sensing or Intuition)? 3.How do you prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)? 4.How do you prefer to organize and manage your life (Judging or Perceiving)?

6. Where do you direct energy and from where do you generate energy? Introversion –Works well alone –Needs alone time to regenerate –Draws energy from the inner world of thoughts and ideas Extroversion –Social and outgoing –Thrives on running from one place to the next –Draws energy from people and activities

7. How do you prefer to perceive or take in information? Sensing –Favors clear, organized information that can be perceived with senses Intuition –Favors abstract, imaginative possibilities for the future –Deals with information on the basis of hidden potential

8. How do you prefer to make decisions? Thinking –Prefers objective, logical data and places an emphasis on tasks to be accomplished Feeling –Prefers to pay attention to the way a decision will impact all of the people involved –Favors harmony for all

9. How do you prefer to organize and manage life? Judging –Feels comfortable with rules and regulations –Highly organized Perceiving –Feels comfortable going with the flow and seeing how things turn out –Work productivity often determined by mood

10. Myers-Briggs Testing Pay a Fee – – – Free (not as complete) – –

11. Classroom Dynamics Extroversion –Discussion groups –Group activities –Clear learning goals –Distracted by external events –Likes projects that produce visible results Introversion –Likes to work independently on a project –Reading primary study technique –Learning for it’s own sake –Like things to be polished before they are seen by others

12. Classroom Dynamics Sensing –Likes facts –Wants details –Good at memorizing facts –Good at understanding details –Values skills you can use right now –Wants to know the expected end result Intuition –Makes associations –Inspired by possibility –Big picture perspective and not as interested in details –Uses instinct and quickly adapts your own way of working –Doesn’t like instructors who describe every detail; wants the big picture and ideas

13. Classroom Dynamics Thinking –Wants well-referenced information that is unbiased by emotion –Naturally analyzes and critiques others –Emotional aspects of massage training make student uncomfortable –Prone to “A-itis” –Accepts feedback only on clearly defined objectives Feeling –Seeks harmony in the classroom –Worries about classroom conflicts, even when they don’t involve student –Does well on subjects that have deep personal meaning –Values teachers who make a personal connection

14. Classroom Dynamics Judging –Likes clear goals for the class –Likes to see goals ticked off –Likes end of class wrap-up –Well organized study goals –Rarely misses homework assignment deadlines –Rarely misses quiz or test dates Perceiving –Likes the class to progress freely without too much structure –Gets bored with instructors who stick to one plan –Loves playful and creative activities –Has difficulty sticking to a study plan –Often forgets assignment deadlines

15. Success Tips: Extrovert Organize study parties with classmates. Organize group discussions. Organize a school field trip to a working massage clinic and observe its operation.

16. Success Tips: Introvert Create a study sanctuary where you love to study. Start a massage journal to capture your ideas. Build a reference library with massage books other than those required in classes.

17. Success Tips: Sensing Create timelines and put facts in order. Ask instructors to share personal massage experiences. Sit close to classroom skeleton and the whiteboard.

18. Success Tips: Intuitive Write down directions for assignments. Mind-map your thoughts. Be aware of the potential dangers of missing important details during lectures. Be careful and completely read test questions before answering.

19. Success Tips: Thinking Teach yourself to do a “sensitivity check” before giving feedback to classmates. Allow class time for processing feelings about massage. Don’t attach to A grades; focus on learning the material.

20. Success Tips: Feeling Teach yourself to give honest feedback (you won’t hurt your classmates’ feelings). Recognize that class time is for education and not for personal issues. Let go of the need to protect other people; focus on yourself.

21. Success Tips: Judging Ask the instructor to list the day’s tasks on the whiteboard. Ask the instructor to recap the day’s learning at the end of the lesson. Question instructors carefully to find out the parameters of exams or practical activities. Breathe deeply and let the class unfold without a plan, if needed.

22. Success Tips: Perceiving Use mind maps to create study plans and color the plans in exciting colors. Write down quiz dates and keep an assignment calendar. Develop fun ways to keep track of dates. Find a homework buddy who will remind you of upcoming due dates and make study sessions more fun.

23. Process Myers-Briggs Understand that diversity, complexity, and dynamic interaction are likely in massage school. Give and take is essential. Where have you been less than tolerant of others personalities? Where have you shown tolerance?

ABMP Student Success Curriculum Find additional resources at ABMP.com.