Susan Parry M.Ed

An Overview of MBTI

UBC –OJuly 14th, 2010

Susan Parry, BA MEd

Susan Parry M.Ed

What is a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a self-report questionnaire designed to make Jung’s theory of psychological types understandable and useful in everyday life.

It was designed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers who studied and elaborated the ideas of Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung and applied them to understanding people around them.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Where is the MBTI used?After more than 50 years of research

and development, the current MBTI is the most widely used instrument for understanding normal personality differences. More than two million Indicators are administered annually in the USA and it is translated into more than 30 languages and used internationally.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Why is it used?Self-understanding and developmentCareer development and explorationOrganization developmentTeam BuildingManagement and leadership trainingProblem SolvingRelationship counseling

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Further uses… Education and curriculum developmentAcademic counselingDiversity and Multicultural trainingImproving the school learning environment

Susan Parry M.Ed

What is Psychological Type?

Psychological type is a theory of personality developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung to explain the normal differences between healthy people. Based on his observations, Jung concluded that differences in behaviour result from people’s inborn tendencies to use their minds in different ways. As people act on these tendencies, they develop patterns of behaviour.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Jung’s 8 basic types…

Jung’s psychological type theory defines eight different patterns of normal behaviour, or types, and gives an explanation of how types develop.

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Components of Jung’s Picture of Personality

Perceiving taking in information,

Judging organizing that

information and coming to conclusions,

Jung observed that when people’s minds are active they are involved in one of two mental activities:

Susan Parry M.Ed

Jung’s Basic Mental Processes

Perceiving

Sensing

Take in informationObservant

FactualPractical Realities

Intuition

See the big pictureFocus on

relationshipsImaginative

Follow hunchesTrust Inspiration

Judging

Thinking

AnalyticalSolve problems

with logicToughminded

FairObjective

Feeling

EmpatheticGuided by

Personal valuesStrive for harmony

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Perceiving (P) dealing with the world

Sensing (S)

Take in informationObservant

FactualConcretePractical Realities

Build CarefullyTrust

Experience

Intuition (N)

Oriented to future possibilities

Focus on patterns and meanings in

dataFocus on

relationshipsImaginative

Follow hunchesMove quickly

Trust Inspiration

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Judging- (J) decision making

Thinking (T)AnalyticalUse cause and

effect reasoningSolve problems

with logicStrive for an

objective standard of truth

ReasonableCan be “tough

minded”Fair – everyone treated equally

Feeling (F)

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Orientation of Energy

Extraversion (E) •Directed Outward

Introversion(I)

•Directed Inward

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Extraverted(E) Attuned to the external

environment Prefer to communicate by

talking Work out ideas by talking Learn best by doing or

discussing Sociable and expressive Readily take initiative in

work and relationships

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Introverted(I) Drawn to their inner world Prefer to communicate in

writing Work out ideas by reflecting

on them Learn best by reflection,

mental “practice” Focus in in depth on their

interests Private and contained Takes initiative when the

situation is important to them

Susan Parry M.Ed

Susan Parry M.Ed

Jung focused on the eight…

Jung focused on accurately describing the eight dominant functions, but he also saw that people use the other functions in a kind of hierarchy of preference.

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Susan Parry M.Ed

Briggs and Myers went from 8 types to 16…

Briggs and Myers developed Jung’s idea into 16 types indicated by the MBTI.

Susan Parry M.Ed

MBTI TYPESISTJIntrovert, sensing, thinking judging

ISFJIntrovertSensing, feelingjudging

INFJIntrovert, intuitive, feeling, judging

INTJIntrovert, intuitive, thinking, judging

ISTP ISFP INFP INTP

ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP

ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

Susan Parry M.Ed

Now the test….please write your

signature on a piece of paper…

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Now write your signature with your other hand…

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Do you have a natural preference?

How would you describe the experience of writing your name with your preferred hand?

With your non-preferred hand?

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Preferred hand…. Feels naturalDidn’t think about itEffortless easyLooks neat, legible, adult

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Non –preferred handFeels unnaturalHad to concentrate while doing itAwkward and clumsyLooks child- like

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Hand preference illustrates the theory of

preferences in the MBTI…You can use either hand when you have to, and

you use both hands regularly; but for writing, one is natural and competent, while the other requires effort and feels awkward.

When we use our preferred methods, we are generally at our best and feel most competent, natural and energetic.

Susan Parry M.Ed

The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in

people…Where they prefer to focus their attention and get

energy extraversion(E) or Introversion (I)The way they prefer to take in information

Sensing(S) or Intution(N)The way they prefer to make decisions Thinking (T)

or Feeling (F)How they orient themselves to the external world –

with a judging process(J) or a perceiving (P) process

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A quick overview of the types…

Susan Parry M.Ed

Extroverts (E)Like to focus on the

outer world of people and activity. They direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from interacting with people and taking action.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Introverts (I)Like to focus on their own

inner world of ideas and experiences. They direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from reflecting on their thoughts, memories and feelings.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Sensing (S)how you take in information

Like to take in information that is real and tangible – what is actually happening. They are observant about the specifics of what is going on around them and are especially attuned to practical realities.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Intuition (N) how you take in information

They like to take information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the relationships and connections between the facts. They want to grasp patterns and are especially attuned to seeing new possibilities.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Thinking (T) When making decisions…

They like to look at the logical consequences of a choice or action. They want to mentally remove themselves from the situation to examine the pros and cons objectively. They are energized by critiquing and analyzing to identify what’s wrong with something so they can solve the problem. Their goal is to find a standard or principle that will apply in all similar situations.

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Feeling (F) when making decisions

They like to consider what is important to them and to others involved. They mentally place themselves into the situation to identify with everyone so they can make decisions based on their values about honouring people. They are energized by appreciating and supporting others and look for qualities to praise. Their goal is to create harmony and treat each person as a unique individual.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Judging (J)dealing with the outer world

They like to live in a planned, orderly way, seeking to regulate and manage their lives. They want to make decisions, come to closure, and move on. Their lives tend to be structured and organized, and they like to have things settled. Sticking to a plan and schedule is very important to them, and they are energized by getting things done.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Perceivingdealing with the outer world

They like to live in a flexible, spontaneous way, seeking to experience and understand life, rather than control it.

Detailed plans and final decisions feel confining to them; they prefer to stay open to new information and last-minute options.

They are energized by their resourcefulness in adapting to the demands of the moment.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Don’t be fooled….The MBTI terms are somewhat different

from everyday use.Extravert does not mean talkative or

loud.Introvert does not mean shy or inhibitedFeeling does not mean emotionalJudging does not mean judgementalPerceiving does not mean perceptive.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Time to find out who you really are….

We will be in the computer lab taking a simplified version of the Myers-Briggs Test online at….

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Remember each personality type is valued…none is “the best” type.

Susan Parry M.Ed

All About Me…http://www.wikio.com/video/toby-keith---wanna-ta

lk-2664216

Hand outs of the Myers-Briggs personality typesFind someone with a different personality type

than you are and discuss how a team leader at a school would bring out the best in everyone.

How do personality differences affect staff meetings? School decision making? Pro-D? Teaching students?

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Are people attracted to those who are similar?

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Susan Parry M.Ed

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Susan Parry M.Ed

Rather than all about me…

The MBTI is useful to appreciate and make constructive use of differences.Applying type can move us from irritation with the differences to acceptance. With work, we can move beyond acceptance to finding ways to use people’s differences constructively.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Susan Parry M.Ed

Complementing each other…

Opposite types can complement each other, filling in each other’s blind spots and balancing decision making.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Everyone has a speciality…

The clearest vision usually comes from an Intuitive type.

The most practical realism usually comes from a Sensing Type.

The most incisive analysis usually comes from a Thinking type.

The most skillful understanding and handling of people usually comes from a Feeling type.

Susan Parry M.Ed

MBTI Preferences in the Workplace

Eliminate negative labels: “anal-complusive” or the “computer nerd” or the “artsy fartsy”. Respect and utilize the benefits of each other’s natural preferences by making teams that maximize strengths.

Knowing your MBTI should help a team decide:

Who should keep inventory and design schedules?

Who should be involved in the Christmas Concert production. Who should organize the details of the concert? Tickets, brochures, details.

Who has the natural tendency to see the big picture?

Who is a leader at positive relationships with parents?

Who can play devil’s advocate?

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How do you run staff meetings?

Agendas 24 hour in advance?

Time for people to process.

Time for people to discuss ideas.

Accepting questions.

Respecting the desire for people to process through discussion and to process independently.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Recognizing biases…Es may think Is are uninterested or withholding information when Is are processing internally

Is may think Es are uncertain or inconsistent when they are processing a decision out loud.

Ss may think Ns are avoiding or changing the topic when they are brainstorming connections

Ns may think Ss are unimaginative when they are raising realistic and practical questions

Susan Parry M.Ed

Biases continued…Ts may think Fs are over personalizing when they focus on applying their values.

Fs may think Ts are harsh and cold when they take a detached, problem-solving approach.

Js may think Ps are procrastinating and unreliable when they are trying to keep options open.

Ps may think Js are rigid and controlling when they are structuring and scheduling.

Susan Parry M.Ed

Type and learning StylesSome children prefer to get careful, complete instructions before they begin a new game or task.

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Type and learning style…

Some like to observe others playing a game or a toy before they try it themselves.

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Type and learning style…

Some like to plunge in right away and learn as they go along.

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Some prefer to learn while interacting with others…

Type and learning style…

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Type and learning style…

Some prefer to focus by themselves.

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Type and learning style…

Some like to know all the rules and follow them….

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Types and learning styles…

Some like to create their own rules and change them frequently…

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Understanding and respect.

Every piece has a place in the puzzle.

Our challenge, is to recognize differences and to find the best fit, rather than forcing any pieces into the wrong space.

Susan Parry M.Ed

CreditsIntroduction to TYPEIsabel Briggs Myers

Sixth Edition

Susan Parry M.Ed