MBTI
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report questionnaire designed to make Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types understandable and useful in everyday life. MBTI results identify valuable differences between normal healthy people – differences that can be the source of much misunderstanding and miscommunication. Taking the MBTI inventory and receiving feedback will help an individual to identify their skills and strengths and understand their unique gifts. The information enhances understanding of themselves, their motivations, their natural strengths, as well as potential areas for growth. Understanding MBTI type is self-affirming and encourages co-operation with others.
Development of the MBTI
The authors of the MBTI, Katherine Cook Briggs (1875 – 1968) and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers (1897 – 1980), were keen observers of human personality differences. They studied and elaborated the ideas of Swiss psychiatrist Carl G Jung (1875 – 1961), and initially applied them to understanding people around them. Prompted by the waste of human potential in World War 2, Myers began developing the Indicator to give access to everyone the benefits she found in knowing psychological type and appreciating differences.
A Dynamic Theory of Personality
Jung’s theory and the 16 MBTI types do not define static boxes: instead, they describe dynamic energy systems with interacting processes. Myers and Briggs’ solution for the problem of putting Jung’s dynamic theory fully into operation in a psychometric instrument was to design four separate preference scales: Extraversion – Introversion, Sensing - Intuition, Thinking – Feeling and Judging – Perceiving. Each preference identified by the MBTI is a multifaceted aspect of personality and enhances understanding of oneself and others; and, at the introductory level, it is customary to focus on defining each preference. It is important to remember, however, that it is the combination of the preferences that provides the fullest and richest picture of psychological types.
The MBTI today
After more than 50 years of research and development, the current MBTI is the most widely used instrument for understanding normal personality differences. Because it explains basic patterns in human functioning, the MBTI is used for a wide variety of purposes including:
- Self-understanding and development
- Career development and exploration
- Organisational development
- Team building
- Management and leadership training
- Change management
- Problem solving
- Relationship counselling
- Training in diversity awareness
More than 3.5 million Indicators are administered annually worldwide. The MBTI is also used internationally and has been translated into more than 30 languages. The MBTI is only available through accredited practitioners who have been trained and licensed by OPP limited, Oxford, England
Please telephone or E-mail me to make further enquiries or to book an individual session or team programme of assessment and feedback.
