What is Psychological Type

What is Psychological Type?

Psychological Type is a theory of personality developed by the Swiss psychologist, Carl G. Jung, that people are born with tendencies to use their minds in different ways. These innate tendencies relate to perceiving - how we take in information, to decision making - organizing that information, and to our way of orienting ourselves to the world. As people act consistently on these tendencies, they develop habits of mind and patterns of behavior. These tendencies or preferences are consistent and enduring. The psychological type model is neutral regarding emotional health, intellectual functioning, and psychological adaptation.

What is the MBTI, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katherine Cook Briggs. Their aim was to create a tool to indicate, validate, and put to practical use Jung’s theories; it is a self-report inventory that identifies differences between normal, healthy people. The MBTI® does not tell you who you are, but is a tool to indicate your innate preferences. Each person self-determines their own best-fit type. The MBTI® does not measure or indicate quantity. Rather, it shows how different types are qualitatively different from each other; they are different and opposite in kind. Each type is equally valuable and necessary.

MBTI® Step I – results indicate preferences for one of the 16 types http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/mbti-overview.htm
MBTI® Step II – results fulfill Isabel Myers’ plan to provide people with individualized type reports that reflect the distinctive ways they express their type preferences. Step II reports a person’s preferences for five facets or subscales for each of the four MBTI® dichotomies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBTI_Step_II
MBTI® Step III – analysis actualizes Myers’ goal of helping people use their natural types as effectively as possible. http://www.capt.org/assessment-mbti-step3/step3-about.htm

How does Type improve and enrich our lives?

Type provides self- awareness and insights into our own and others’ ways of being; it makes constructive use of the differences among us, and helps us understand how and why others are different. Understanding type helps us appreciate our own strengths, gifts and potential developmental needs. And, type promotes better understanding and communication in interpersonal, professional and organizational settings.

Applications of Type:

The MBTI® is the most widely used instrument for understanding normal personality differences. There are two million Indicators administered each year in the United States. The MBTI® has been translated into thirty different languages and is used in countries around the world. Because it explains basic patterns in human functioning, the MBTI® is used for a wide variety of purposes including the following:

Self-understanding and development
Career development and exploration
Organizational development
Team building
Management and Leadership training
Problem solving and Conflict Management
Relationship, Personal and Family counseling
Education and curriculum development
Academic counseling
Diversity and multicultural training
Spirituality

Ethical Use of Type:

There are a number of ethical considerations to be made and potential ethical situations to be addressed. Therefore, only Certified MBTI® practitioners may obtain professional materials, administer these materials, and assist individuals in this self-discovery process. http://www.mbtimasterpractitioner.org/ethical-guidelines.htm

MBTI® Copyright Policy:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, MBTI, Myers-Briggs, Step I, Step II, Introduction to Type, and the MBTI logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the MBTI Trust, Inc., in the United States and other countries. Copyright by CPP, Inc. All rights reserved.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does type fence you in?
No, understanding type gives you a sense of freedom in several ways: you gain confidence knowing your own direction of development and the areas in which you can become excellent with the most ease and pleasure; it may relieve the guilt some people feel at not being able to do everything in life equally well; it opens the possibility of finding constructive values instead of conflicts in the differences you encounter with someone whose preferences are opposite yours.

Does type change over time?
Because type is a mental framework, it cannot change. The outcome of an MBTI® can change because behaviors can change, and because one may respond to questions on the Indicator differently at different times for various reasons. This is why care is taken to find your true/best-fit type.

Are types the same as traits?
No, the type preference categories are not traits. Type and trait represent different ways of looking at our psychological natures. Type refers to a mental framework or way of processing experiences. Type is an either/or category. Traits are measured by the degree or extent of a behavior.

Do major companies/corporations use type?
Yes, CPP, Consulting Psychologist Press, reports that most Fortune 500 companies use type in some way. For example: General Motors Corp. has put thousands of workers through the MBTI®; they have also used the MBTI® as a key component of their executive training. The Vancouver Olympics organizing committee used the MBTI® and FIRO B to prepare their large and diverse staff for the 2010 Olympic Games.

Related Personality Models

Temperament – explains reasons why people behave as they do, sorting personality types by communication (abstract versus concrete language) and actions (utilitarian versus cooperative roles.) http://www.keirsey.com/
Interaction Styles – explains the ways people behave innately, sorting personality types by influence (informing versus directing communication) and relationships (initiating versus responding roles. http://www.interstrength.com/content/interaction_styles
DISC – explains behavior of people in specific situations, sorting personality types by assertiveness (extraversion versus introversion) and openness (social focus versus task focus.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment
True Colors – is a metaphor of Temperament. http://www.true-colors-test.com/
Enneagram – is a psycho-spiritual model of personality type, describing nine distinctive and habitual patterns of thinking and emotions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality http://enneagramportland.com/

What is Psychological Type