2.4: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment that was developed by Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers based on the framework of personality theory by Carl C. Jung. The MBTI is a personality assessment that measures the psychological preferences that influence how people perceive the world and make decisions. This assessment is widely used across the world and has been translated into two dozen plus languages. Many companies use the MBTI with their staff to help employees learn more about themselves and how they can strengthen their department team efforts and increase overall productivity for the company. Many colleges and universities use the MBTI to help with career exploration.

The MBTI will help you gain a better understanding of your preferences and work environments that best fit you. The MBTI does not measure abilities, skills, values or interests. It assesses your personality preferences. The MBTI instrument indicates preferences on four pairs of opposites called dichotomies.⁶

Watch the following video to get an introduction of four facets that comprise the 16 possible personality types.

Figure 2.5 – Watch “Discover Your Personality Type | Myers Briggs” (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=WQoOqQiVzwQ).

Personality Theory: The 4 Facets^7

Extroversion-Introversion (EI): how you get your energy and where you prefer to focus your attention Sensing-Intuition (SN): how you take in information about the world around you Thinking-Feeling (TF): how you like to make decisions Judging-Perceiving (JP): how you prefer to organize your life These four preferences make up your type, which results in 16 rich, complex, highly differentiated whole types. You will have an opportunity in class to self-identify your preferences and this will be your “Self-estimated” type. Your instructor will give you more information on taking the MBTI personality assessment. Once the assessment is completed, your instructor will generate a career report and distribute your results to you. The results of this assessment will be your “Reported” type. After learning more about the MBTI and reviewing your self-estimated type and your reported type, you will confirm your “Best-fit” type. This will be addressed in more detail in class.

Activity 2.3 – What’s Your Type?^8
Read descriptions for the four facets. Pick which is more like you. E (Extraversion) or I (Introversion)? S (Sensing) or N? (Intuition)? T (Thinking) or F? (Feeling)? J (Judging) or P? (Perceiving)?
Could be described as: Talkative, outgoing Like to be in a fast-paced environment Tend to work out ideas with other, think aloud Enjoy being the center of attention Then you prefer (E) Extraversion	Could be described as: Reserved, private Prefer a slower pace with time for contemplation Tend to think things through inside your head Would rather observe then be the center of attention Then you prefer (I) Introversion
Could be described as: Focus on the reality of how things are Pay attention to concrete facts and details Prefer ideas that have practical applications Like to describe things in a specific, literal way Then you prefer (S) Sensing	Could be described as: Imagine the possibilities of how things could be Notice the big picture, see how everything connects Enjoy ideas and concepts for their own sake Like to be describe in a way figurative, poetic Then you prefer (N) Intuition
Could be described as: Make decision in an impersonal way, using logical reasoning Value justice, fairness Enjoy finding the flaws in an arguments Could be described as reasonable, level-headed Then you prefer (T) Thinking	Could be described as: Base you decision on personal values and how our actions affect others Value harmony, forgiveness Like to please others and point out the best in people Could be described as warm empathetic Then you prefer (F) Feeling
Could be described as: Prefer to have matters settled Think rules and deadlines should be respected Prefer to have a detailed step-by-step instructions Make plans, want to know what you’re getting into Then you prefer (J) Judging	Could be described as: Prefer to leave your options open See rules and deadlines as flexible Like to improvise and make things up as you go Are spontaneous, enjoy surprise and new situations Then you prefer (P)Perceiving
What is your 4-letter personality type? __ __ __ __
The following are brief descriptions of the 16 personality types from Humanmetrics. Click on your personality type or a similar type to see which describes you best. ESTJ ISTJ ENTJ INTJ ESTP ISTP ENTP INTP ESFJ ISFJ ENFJ INFJ ESFP ISFP ENFP INFP

Each type is unique and presents its own strengths and challenges. No one type is better than the other. Any type can do anything if motivated!

Your instructor will generate your career report based on your responses to the online MBTI assessment. The career report will help you:

• Identify job families or broad occupational categories to help you get started in your career search.
• Choose a specific job or career.
• Select a college major or course of study.
• Identify strengths and potential weaknesses of your type for the career search process.
• Increase your job satisfaction.
• Make a career transition or shift.
• Plan your career development strategy and action steps.