The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, abbreviated MBTI, is one of the most widely used personality tests in the world. It is also used for all kinds of purposes and in most cases it gives a good picture of how someone works. It was developed on theories of Carl Gustav Jung who did a lot of observational work for his research.
Origin of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Theories of Carl Gustav Jung
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, mother and daughter. MBTI originated from theories of Carl Gustav Jung. According to these psychological theories of Jung, some people are extroverted and some are introverted. Extroverts are more influenced by the outside world, by their environment, than by their own intentions. Introverts, on the other hand, base the world from within. Introverts are therefore more influenced by what they think from within themselves. Yet no one is purely extroverted or purely introverted, there is only a preference. Introvert and extrovert are ways in which people express themselves. Introvert and Extravert is also the first dichotomy in the MBTI model. Namely that of Extraversion/Introversion.
The brain works in two different ways according to Jung. In a rational, judging way or in an irrational, contemplative way. The MBTI dichotomy Thinking or Feeling arose from the rational, judgmental approach. This means that someone has a preference for making decisions based on logic, Thinking, or a preference for making decisions based on feelings, Feeling. The Thinking/Feeling dichotomy is the third dichotomy in the MBTI model.
The second dichotomy in the MBTI model arose from the irrational, contemplative way. This dichotomy is as follows: Sensing or iNtuition. Sensing means that someone has a preference for recording factual information and information from the world immediately around them. INtuition, on the other hand, means that someone has a preference for recording information in the form of connections and broad outlines, using experiences and previously acquired information.
Further development of the model
These three dichotomies form the beginning of the MBTI model. Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers subsequently developed the MBTI model by adding a fourth dichotomy. This dichotomy is Judging and Perceiving. Judging, in Dutch, means that someone wants to show the world around them how they think or feel, they also like to see things resolved. Perceiving, in Dutch, likes to see decisions left open. They like to show how they experience things or how they have experienced something.
The MBTI model emerged from these four dichotomies. If all capital letters of the selected options are placed one after the other, a profile will emerge that in most cases matches the type of person . In this way we can tell what a person is like. The outcomes of the sixteen types, 4 x 4, are listed under the heading outcomes.
Use of MBTI
MBTI is widely used in team building. With the help of MBTI, the different personalities within a team can be revealed. If the different personalities are known within a team, better agreements can be made within the team about the way of working together, for example. Because there are better agreements, productivity within a company can also be increased. In addition, an MBTI test can also help to improve personal relationships with people, for example. In addition to improving personal and working relationships, the personality test is also used to reveal leadership and interpersonal communication preferences of customers. MBTI is also used in schools to provide possible career advice.
Results of the personality test
By using four dichotomies, sixteen possible types emerge. By always taking the letter in brackets of the preference and ultimately putting four letters in a row, a type emerges that matches your preferences.
T he sixteen possible types are:
|
Type (outcome) |
Description: This person is… |
|
ISTJ |
Organized, compulsive, attached to privacy, reliable and practical. |
|
ISFJ |
Loyal, amiable and willing to make sacrifices. |
|
INFJ |
Thoughtful, introspective, creative and contemplative. |
|
INTJ |
Skeptical, critical, independent, determined and stubborn. |
|
ISTP |
Observant, calm, modest and pragmatic. |
|
ISFP |
Warm, sensitive, unpretentious and artistic. |
|
INFP |
Restrained, creative and idealistic. |
|
INTP |
Socially cautious, conceptual and enjoys solving problems. |
|
ESTP |
Social, unconventional, spontaneous and lives for the moment. |
|
ESFP |
Social, cheerful, spontaneous and generous. |
|
ENFP |
Focused on people, creative and very optimistic. |
|
ENTP |
Innovative, individualistic, versatile and enterprising. |
|
ESTJ |
Realistic, logical, analytical, decisive and likes to organize and arrange. |
|
ESFJ |
Courteous, has good social skills and likes to please others. |
|
ENFJ |
Charismatic, compassionate and very persuasive. |
|
ENTJ |
Open, visionary, critical, has little patience for incompetent behavior and you are a born leader. |