Myers-Briggs type indicator assessment and applications

MBTI

Myers-Briggs Assessment

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) seeks to capture an individual's personality typology in a psychometric instrument. The MBTI grew out of Jung's type theory as interpreted primarily by Isabel Briggs Myers. Such technology relies on a sophisticated and intricate analysis of the fundamental modes of various human experiences. The instrument consists of four separate dichotomies or indices (Briggs and Briggs-Myers (1983): Extroversion (E) -- Introversion (I), Sensing (S)-Intuition (I), Thinking (T)-Feeling (F), and Judgment (J)-Perception (P). Within the system, an attitude polarity of introversion vs. extroversion (EI) is present. Additionally, two psychic function polarities are present -- a polarity of rational or judgmental functions (thinking vs. feeling (TF)); and a polarity of irrational or perceptual functions (sensing vs. intuition (SN)). The last dichotomy measures the preference for Judgment or Perception (JP) in which J's having a more planned, orderly way of life and P's being more spontaneous. To assess fully a person's type, one must identify his or her dominant attitude and his or her auxiliary functions. Hence, this is a complicated process because a person has a fluid personality that is adaptable to his or her given internal and external environment.

Personal MBTI

Based on my personality test, I am deemed as an ISTJ, which represents the following (Humanmetrics, 2012):

Introvert (44%), Sensing (25%), Thinking (75%), Judging (78%)

You have moderate preference of Introversion over Extraversion (44%)

You have moderate preference of Sensing over Intuition (25%)

You have distinctive preference of Thinking over Feeling (75%)

You have strong preference of Judging over Perceiving (78%)

There are 16 different personality types, as indicated in Figure 1. However, the issue is the validity and reliability. Many psychologists agree the instrument measures what it is supposed to measure. However, how reliable is the data? I do believe that people are born with innate characteristics that will be difficult to change over time. Insomuch, some characteristics are fluid and can change over time given the internal and external stimuli in the environment. For example, I am considered an introvert; however, some situations require that I am an extrovert, such as making a presentation, leading a small group discussion, or spearheading a project for work team. In these instances, I clearly demonstrated extrovert characteristics, although, my preference is to be an introvert. Additionally, I have demonstrated intuition, feeling, and perceiving characteristics, too, which was based on circumstances.

Conclusion