1. Personality and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®

2. Agenda What is personality type? Theoretical background
Development and framework of the MBTI
Interpretation of type
Communication and decision-making
Ethics of typology
Determining your MBTI type

3. What is Personality Type?
Categorization of people
Descriptive not prescriptive
Generally stable over time
Tool for understanding self and others

4. Theoretical Background
Carl Jung
Contemporary of Sigmund Freud
Basic 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

5. Theoretical Background
Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Briggs
Extension of Jungian theory
Observation and research
Added a dimension regarding lifestyle choices
Development of an instrument

6. Development 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

7. Framework of the MBTI Mental processes Mental orientations Perceptions
Judgments
Mental orientations
Energy orientation
Outer world orientation

8. Mental Processes Perceptions How you perceive your surroundings
Sensing (S)
Rely on actual data
Gather information through the five senses
Pay attention to details
Intuition (N)
Rely on inspiration
Gather information through “sixth sense”
Look at the big picture

9. Mental Processes Judgments The basis for decision making Thinking (T)
Base decisions on logic and principles
Objectivity
Feeling (F)
Base decisions on human values and harmonious relationships
Subjectivity

10. Mental Orientations Energy orientation Where you get your energy
Introversion (I)
Energy directed inward
Prefer concepts and ideas
Think before speaking
Extraversion (E)
Energy directed outward
Prefer to interact with people and things
Speak before thinking

11. Mental Orientations Outer world orientation
The lifestyle used to deal with your environment, i.e., most often used mental preference
Judging (J)
Decisiveness, closure
Value task or project completion
Perceiving (P)
Curiosity, flexibility
Value starting a task or project

12. Interpretation of MBTI
I/E, S/N, T/F, J/P
16 possible types
Relation to:
Cognitive ability or general intelligence
Other personality characteristics
Communication style

13. Communication Using Type
Basic compatibility
Focus on style recognition and understanding
Appropriate response the key
Avoid stereotypes
Appreciate the uniqueness of each person

14. 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

15. Ethics of Typology Should employers use it for…?
Selection
Team building
Conflict management
Performance appraisal
Career path decisions
Should companies target personalities?
Using the MBTI® instrument

16. What’s Your Type?
Short, self-score version of the MBTI attached to your slides
Full version free for UTA students
Complete the inventory online
Register for an interpretation session
Counseling Services (817)
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17. What 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?