The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Jan 19, 2016
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Overview
1. Self-Report Instrument
2. Nonjudgmental Instrument
3. Preference Indicator
4. Well Researched Instrument
5. Based on Jung’s Theory
6. Built for the “normal” population
Psychological Type
• Is NOT about skills, intelligence, abilities, or technical expertise
• Does not tell you what you can and can’t do• Affirms that people are a lot more than their
psychological type– Environment– Culture– Education and training– Interests and motivations
MBTI
• Indicates inborn preferences, in the same way as right-handedness or left-handedness.
• Is not predictive of behavior, as the person has a choice how to use preference.
• Does not have a “lie scale” so a person can slant his or her answers to present a different profile.
Four Dimensions of Personality Type
• How we interact with the world and where we direct our energy
• The kind of information we naturally notice
• How we make decisions
• Whether we prefer to live in a more structured way or a more spontaneous way
Extraversion IntroversionWhere do you get energy
E IOuter world of actions,
objects, and people
Inner world of ideas and concepts
Sensing iNtuitionHow do you prefer to take in
information?S NImmediate reality and
direct experience
Inferred meanings
and relationships
Thinking FeelingHow do you make decisions?
T FReliability of logical order – cause and
effect
Priorities based on personal
importance and values
Judgment PerceptionHow do you deal with the outer
world?J PJudging attitude – Control of
events and systematic planning
Spontaneity – Curious, awaiting
events and adapting to
them
• What is the perfect vacation like?
ISTJ“Doing what
should be done”
ISFJ“High sense of
duty”
INFJ“Catalyst for
Positive Change”
INTJ“There is always
a better way”
ISTP“Ready to try
anything once”
ISFP“Sees much but
shares little”
INFP“Performing
noble service to aid society”
INTP“Ingenious
Problem Solvers”
ESTP“The ultimate
realists”
ESFP“You only go around once ”
ENFP“Anything’s
Possible”
ENTP“One exciting challenge after
another”
ESTJ“Taking Care of
Business ”
ESFJ“What Can I Do
For You?”
ENFJ“Smooth talking
persuader”
ENTJ“Everything’s Fine – I’m in
Charge”
ISTJ“Doing what
should be done”- 17%
ISFJ“High sense of
duty”5%
INFJ“Catalyst for
Positive Change”
INTJ“There is
always a better way” -11%
ISTP“Ready to try
anything once”
ISFP“Sees much but
shares little”
INFP“Performing
noble service to aid society”
INTP“Ingenious
Problem Solvers”
ESTP“The ultimate
realists”11%
ESFP“You only go around once ”
17%
ENFP“Anything’s
Possible”
ENTP“One exciting challenge after another” -5%
ESTJ“Taking Care of Business ”
11%
ESFJ“What Can I
Do For You?”5%
ENFJ“Smooth talking
persuader” 5%
ENTJ“Everything’s Fine – I’m in Charge” 10%
Remember
• Personality type does not explain everything
• When it comes to people -- there are few simple answers
• Part of your MBA journey and Life journey is to keep learning and discovering more about YOURSELF and OTHERS
• Enjoy the process