You may have heard the word ‘MBTI’ before without really knowing what its letters mean.
MBTI stands for ‘Myers-Briggs Type Indicator’, a self-report assessment to learn about yourself based on a theory of personality. Created by mother daughter duo Katherine Briggs and Isabelle Briggs Myers, the test is based off the theory of Carl Jung, another giant in the field of psychology. The test over the past forty years has since moved from Katherine’s living room/psych lab to become a staple in career testing and personal development.
Understanding your Myers Briggs Personality Type can help you with many aspects of life. Armed with the knowledge of your type you may find it easier to communicate with others as well as resolve conflict and manage stress.
If you are in the process of discovering new career options, figuring out your Myers Briggs Personality Type can be useful to help find the best career fit. In fact, there is a special report that identifies careers for each personality type. Click here to find out more:
Carl Jung’s type theory states:
See if you can identify your type. Then take an official Myers Briggs Test and see if you are right!
The Four Dichotomous Scales:
The Extroversion vs Introversion scale is the first letter of your type. ISFJs, for example, are introverted while their ESFJ cousins are extroverted. The E-I dichotomy gives insight into where you get your attention and energy.
Extroverts reach out and direct their attention to activities and the outside world. For instance, if an Extroverted type has a problem to solve, they want to talk with others.
Introverts, on the other hand, get their attention and energy from their inner world. They are oriented towards ideas, memories, and pictures inside their head. If an Introverted type has a problem to solve, they want time alone to ponder, think and reflect.
Sometimes there can be a misconception about Sensing and Intuition: That N types are smarter than S types. The truth is that, since MBTI measures preferences, the only thing S and N tell us is how a person takes in information from their world.
Sensing types take in information by what they can taste, touch, and feel. They are often practical, realistic people, focused on reality now.
Intuition types take in information through patterns and possibilities. They like ideas, concepts, strategy and often see the big picture. They like strategy games and strategic planning.
The Thinking and Feeling scale is about decision making. Thinking types make their decisions based on facts, numbers and logic. They will ask themselves what the most rational outcome for this project is.
Feeling types are concerned about the harmony of others and the group. They often want others to have a say in the decision and want everyone to feel good about the decision.
This scale is called the lifestyle scale. Judging types like structure, rules and following routines. Many judging types make lists of what they need to do each day.
Perceiving types are the opposite. They like change, variety and being spontaneous. They describe themselves as “go with the flow.” They do not like rules or structure in their day.
One place you may see the difference is at work. A Judging type’s desk maybe meticulously organized. While a Perceiving type’s desk has piles of papers and looks disorganized. Both people get their work done but have different ways of being in the world.
Looking for the right career can be intimidating. After all, who does not want to find the perfect fit?
The Myers Briggs Career Report will give your Myers Briggs Type and put you on a path to find your next career. The report includes:
Curious to know your type? Try one of our assessments to find out who you are: www.discoveryourpersonality.com
© Ilene Morrison All Rights Reserved