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The MBTI is the world’s most popular psychological instrument. It has been continually developed and updated for over 50 years. Currently over 50 million people have taken it and every year more than 3 million people complete the instrument in one of the several languages it is available in.
The instrument is based on the Swiss Psychologist Carl Jung’s theory of psychological type which very basically put states those differences in behaviour result from our natural tendency to use our mind in different ways and as we develop patterns of behaviour we further reinforce them. Through his study of people he developed the first three of the four dichotomies that are used today on the MBTI. Myers and Briggs added on the fourth after considerable stuffy of Jung’s works and their own observations.
MBTI Theory
The MBTI is about preferences along a dichotomy, when we take the instrument the result we receive shows not whether we are one or the other but only our preference for using one more than the other. In reality we have to use all everyday to get along with those around us and survive in the world. This is similar to writing with the hand we use least, unless your ambidextrous, you can write with your other hand but is uncomfortable and generally the results are not exactly the same and this is the same with the four scales, we can use all but we generally have clear preferences.
The four MBTI dichotomies
The two columns show either end of the dichotomy and the underlined letter is that which is used as the short form to describe that preference i.e. I am en ENTJ meaning I have a preference for Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking and Judging.
The first of the four is around how we prefer to receive and use our energy
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Extraversion
Prefer to spend more time in the “outer” world of people, activities and interacting.
Tendencies
- Talkers
- Talk ideas through with others
- Have a wide range of interests
- Social and expressive
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Introversion
Prefer to spend more time in the inner world of ideas, memories and reflection.
Tendencies
- Writers
- Work our ideas by thinking
- Have depth to their interests
- Private and contained
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The second of the four is around how we prefer to perceive or receive information
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Sensing
Prefer to look at what is really going on and like to look at specifics and fine detail.
Tendencies
- Specific on ideas
- Focus on realities
- Observe and remember specifics
- Trust their experience
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Intuition
Prefer to look at what is going on via the big picture and link this to possibilities and connections
Tendencies
- Creative on ideas
- Focus on possibilities
- Observe and see patterns of interaction
- Trust their inspiration
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The third of the four is how we prefer to make and take our decisions
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Thinking
Tend to be personally removed from the problem and choose based on logic, standards and principle
Tendencies
- Reasonable
- Fair - want everyone to be treated the same
- Analyse problems
- Logical decision makers
- Try to arrive at objective truth
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Feeling
Tend to be personally involved in the problem and choose from the effect on personal relationships and values
Tendencies
- Compassionate
- Fair - want everyone to be treated as individuals
- Empathise problems
- Personal” decision makers
- Try to arrive at harmony and positive emotions
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The final dichotomoy focuses on how we prefer to deal with and manage our outer or real world.
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Judging
Tend to prefer a planned and orderly way of being
Tendencies
- Well organised
- Methodical and closed on plans
- Do not like last minute stress
- Make different ranges of plans
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Perceiving
Tend to prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of being
Tendencies
- Very flexible
- “scattered” and open ended on plans
- Excel in last minute stress
- Do not always make plans
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These four preferences and the two ends of the continuum give a total of 16 combinations.
Some key things to remember about Type:
· The MBTI only helps us choose which is our preferred type this is also done with the support of a tutored session with a qualified administrator of the MBTI.
· There is no right or wrong, better or worse Type. All 16 types are needed in an effective organisation.
· Even though two people may be of the same Type this does not mean they will act or react the same as each individual is more complex than the 4 letter combination.
· Under the ethical guidelines the results of the MBTI are for the person that takes the instrument and remain confidential unless that person chooses to share them.
· The MBTI is not a selection tool but rather a personal and organisational development tool.
Taking Type further
Type dynamics is a slightly more complex way of looking at the same results. Type dynamics suggest that of the two centre letters, called the functions, one will significantly stronger in our personality and will be used in our dominant attitude i.e. as an ENTJ I am a dominant in thinking and I use this in an extraverted way. This dynamic also changes because as we mature we develop different dichotomies at different ages.
MBTI Step 2 is a more advanced indicator and divides the 4 dichotomies into a further 5 facets. An example of this is that Extraversion can be split down into the following facets; initiating, expressive, gregarious, active and enthusiastic.
Interested in using MBTI in your organisation?
Andi Roberts runs a series of MBTI workshops that can be done face to face or via webinar technology in English or Spanish on the following focus areas:
- MBTI in Sales Performance Improvement
- MBTI in Leadership Development
- MBTI in building High Performing Teams
- MBTI and the Effective Manager
- MBTI and the Effective Communicator
Andi Roberts also uses MBTI in his one on one and team coaching processes.
For more information use the contact details on the right hand side of this page.
For an overview of MBTI and it's use in business please visit MBTI in business.
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