MBTI®

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) uses four bipolar dimensions based on Carl Jung's psychology of personality. These are:

Focus and energising: Extraversion Introversion
Absorbing information: Thinking Feeling
Decision making: Sensation iNtuition
Attention to and living in the world: Perception Judgment



Jung considered that Extraversion E and Introversion I as the most important of his dimensions of personality.
Focus and energising: Extraversion E means the outward performer relating to people which is set at a polar opposite from Introversion I which means the inner contemplative working on ideas.

The E I bipolarity carries particular definitions which are somewhat debatable from the standard usage. For example a question is whether extraversion here is mental (an inner drive) or in fact social. If social, then it is enjoying company. If introversion is social, then it is about being reserved in company. Perhaps it is hard to know where the mental and the social operate. Anyway, social scientists do use jargon that may depart from other meanings of the same word and this seems to happen here (as with Jung)



Absorbing information: Sensation is usually called Sensing S. It means direct and out there reality and opposes iNtuition N which is more sixth sense and an internal working on the patterns of what is received.

S N is clearly a mental bipolarity, because Jung saw iNtuition as hearing a voice within whereas sensation is about externalised bias with a kind of immediacy.



Decision making: Thinking T means a rational person of analysis set at a polar opposite from someone of Feeling F who considers by emotion impact on others.

This T F polarity presents a head or heart bias in the individual. Another (rather weak) analogy is tough and tender. The thinking person is remote, whereas a President Clinton could say, "I feel your pain" (although this may have been thought only).



Attention to and living in the world: Perception P means simple responding to experience spontaneously opposed to Judgment J which means evaluating against a set of standards in an orderly manner.

Again there is a problem of jargon here with the P J polarity. The Myers Briggs view is that a person of perception is not as organised as the person who comes to a judgment. Perceptive people are more flexible and look for options. Those who make judgments follow routines.



A big question must be why these are set up as zero sum polarities? Why does more of one mean less of the other, even at the results stage of an inquiry? What happens when it's fifty fifty? Why is it that Extraversion competes with Introversion but not with iNtuition? What about a whole host of other personality characteristics? Are words as concepts so clear cut? This is the biggest critique: it is psychology portraying itself as sufficient science whereas it is clearly a mental construct of its own.

There is no theoretical information on the sources of these personality traits, and in their lack of clarity they seem to be about output effects rather than internal workings. There are perhaps simpler, more focussed and yet more comprehensive theories of learning which can themselves be applied to tendencies in the world of work.

Assuming there is some usefulness to this shorthand system, there is a labelling system for personalities. In some cases a scoring can be made to in effect place a person along a line of a bipolarity, in other cases the letters are assigned or this is done for summary purposes anyway. Personality types are created because a person is assigned four letters from the choice of eight leading to 16 possibilities.

ESTP ISTJ
ESFP ISFJ
ENTP INTJ
ENFP INFJ
ESTJ ISTP
ENTJ INTP
ESFJ ISFP
ENFJ INFP

mbti

These are said to identify preferences rather than skills, abilities, or competencies. In some cases they are all equally important and in other cases second or third declared preferences dominate with the other being auxiliary and others unseen being tertiary and inferior (see below). This comes across as qualification and deliberate imprecision: why do they not indicate actual capacities when they are supposed to suggest personality traits? Personality does identify a person, and where they are strong and weak, which means capacity within limits.

An example of personal preferences work took place after Katharine Cook Briggs in 1915 found that her future son in law Clarence Myers and daugher Isobel to be different personalities. According to the system, he was ISTJ whereas she was INFP. Katherine was interested in personality types herself but it was her daughter trained in personnel management who created the MBTI® instrument in 1943 and published it in 1959. She died in 1980. (CPP, 2003c, 1)

ISTJ means Introversion Sensation Thinking Judgment and INFP means Introversion iNtuition Feeling Perception.

So this MBTI® instrument was born by someone trained in personnel with reference to psychology and that of Carl Jung's psychology types. Therefore it gets used by some business corporations especially for executive development, leadership & coaching; also for organisational development, team development and career management, retention, and working relationships. There are further uses in conflict resolution, culture and diversity. As well as business there is relevance in counselling and education. (CPP, 2003a). Scores are created and interpretations made by facilitators. It can also be used for considering marriage partners (obviously) looking for informational compatibility (IC) (Humanmetrics, 2003a) in what is called the Jung Marriage Test, entrepreneurial roles and risk taking (Humanmetrics, 2003b). Compatibility is sought on the following criteria of indices, hoping for a match of at least about two thirds between two people and it suggests where the main tensions might be.

Expression Extroversion - Introversion
Perception Sensing - iNtuition
Processing Thinking - Feeling
Implementation Judging - Perceiving

The focus here however is personality, business and organisation. For small businesses (Humanmetrics, 2003c) the search is for the correct choice of business corresponding to the personal business type.

Business Leader Begin, advance and expand a business.
Manager Retain a business and development.
Craftsperson Business from specialist professional skills working with clients showing patience and balance. May not be persistent and possibly overpowered by business complexity itself.
Licentiate Manager of an established business including franchise.
Freelancer Short-term business-to-business movement.
Home Business Entrepreneur Business to client and to Business from a home base.
Analyst Begins, develops and assesses new approaches and methods with existing others.

The matter of risk preferred by individuals is determined by an overall risk balance, a risk profile and a description. The profiles and briefest interpretation of type follows (Humanmetrics, 2003d):

Moralist Cautious and reflective, comprehending patterns of reality using intellect with sensitivity and self analysis. A perfectionist coupled with low self esteem, whilst capable of handling failures, means that responsible and rewarding work is often avoided and there is a big gap between high potential and low realisation.
Toiler Pragmatic and practical, work is for instrumental rewards. There is a lack of ambition. There are low expectations and probably low rewards. Hard work does result, which may lead to some advancement. Risk can be in non-threatening areas, such as sport or games. Like minded people support decisions and spread economic risk. Too great a change is not welcome as present day security is vital. Success increases expectations within its reliable boundaries.
Rational Goals are defined based on previous experience and set within projects. Consequences are set out before actions are taken. Obstacles can be overcome. Ambition is related to own ability and is a balance between caution and achievement.
Energetic Active and impatient, even transient. There is a dislike of long term careeer building. The project needs to be fast and finished and can produce excellent results. Logical ideas are based in progression from the present point. The future is a few steps away. Risks are taken. People are there to assist.
Ponderous Self confident and righteous. People should agree and advice is given to them. Stability is important. Self esteem is important and damaging it can lead to annoyance. Hard work is given but clarity and direction is required. Frivolity is not wanted. Anger is likely. What matters is the present reality. This personality type relates to small business people or lower management.
Adventurer Risk takers within and beyond the law. They are the gamblers. These people do not have a quiet life. Danger is faced with a thrill. Morality is not a problem. Power is seductive and they use it. They borrow to build businesses, get into franchises to develop them faster than anyone else, and will live the high life so long as they can get back into the building of business. These people may not be the best corporate managers but can be paid by results.
Inspired People of conviction and prophetic. They are egocentric if not necessaily egotistical. There is intense focus and concentration into the current project of outward change. They are risk takers and they draw on this passion that will gain results. People around are followers in the same project. Ideas are put into action and there needs to be a measurable outcome. People exist for a purpose so there is a real sense of achievement from changes made. Problems are seen as new opportunities. The changes can be to a small area or the world. Humanity in groups or as a whole matters over individuals. These people should be set on tasks rather than run businesses or manage corporations.

So there are these typologies derived from the MBTI® approach. MBTI® itself (owned by Consulting Psychologists Press, inc.) is also quite detailed.

Elizabeth Hirsh and Katherine W. Hirsh carried out a project with educators called 'Experiencing Extraversion and Introversion, Working on a Project' from their new training binder (Hirsh et al, 2003, quoted in CPP, 2003c, 2). They found that Extraverts wanted a large room for every team member, to begin straight away, and created "colourful and crowded" visual aids, and were eager to report their ideas. In contrast lntroverts looked at individual work prior to a plenary which could include written submissions, and this work continued up to and into the time of the plenary, and in the plenary people spoke in turn using "structured and concise" visual aids. Both groups were involved in debriefing for high awareness. (CPP, 2003c, 2)

The point of this is that people in organisations work differently, and to get best value from them needs a working style which draws on their personalities.

ESTP Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life.
Management preference Hierarchical and clear roles into teams with communication upwards needing immediate decisions
Working environment Team based problem solving following practical projects with some flexibility and humour for changes of direction
Education and Training Clear instructions and practical examples with group work with teachers driving through differing resources to produce quick results
Religion and ethics Traditional and theological with space for consistent requirements of the moment and social ethic

ESFP Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life.
Management preference Team work with a high degree of negotiating workload and humour and content with a strong human relations component and heavy emailing
Working environment Amongst involved people with flexible hours and open plan settings
Education and Training Group work and negotiated cross curricular projects with teachers getting together seeking clear results
Religion and ethics Less Traditional and focus on human values with a social ethic

ENTP Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life.
Management preference Highly interactive specialists given high degrees of autonomy to enthusiastically work out solutions (emailing later) checked for relevance adn fitting together and implemented
Working environment Individual spaces and facility for movement
Education and Training Academic individuals and plenaries in rotation with guaidance from teachers
Religion and ethics More Traditional if critically considered for its pattern and application with some space for the moment and with a social ethic

ENFP Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life.
Management preference Highly interactive enthused specialists given high degrees of autonomy to work out solutions but much consideration before implementation
Working environment Combination of individual space and group working, plenty of electronic consultation
Education and Training Facilitated learning and methods that promote the process over the outcome and so teachers facilitate
Religion and ethics Both Traditional and expansive individual thought with a focus on human values and with a social ethic

ESTJ Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life.
Management preference Structured hierarchical practical direct project based and clarity of decisions carried through based around efficiency
Working environment Clarity of jobs and efficient processes in fairly closed environments with electronic contact for necessity
Education and Training Practical and some academic, structured and based on outcomes with teachers pushing everyone along to get more done
Religion and ethics More Traditional and consistently applied with a social ethic that follows on from belief

ENTJ Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life.
Management preference Hierarchical, formal, clarity of goal oriented commands followed through
Working environment Traditional, clear positions and roles for high efficient output
Education and Training Highly academic formal education with a high social responsibility ethic and rigid training procedures which is well directed by teachers
Religion and ethics Traditional and individual thought within parameters pursuing loyalty and with a derived social ethic

ESFJ Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life.
Management preference Formal hierarchy and roles for tasks but sensitivity and communication to monitor each person's place and performance whilst the main focus is efficiency
Working environment Individual tasks and spaces with commands but a high degree of communication
Education and Training Formal education and methods but stress on the value of the educated and trained so the teacher checks all are working and happy
Religion and ethics Middle Traditional and some focus on human values with a social ethic

ENFJ Energised by the outside world of people, activities, and things; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life.
Management preference Strong emphasis on systemic management and organisational trust with both ways collaborative communication and human values built in with nevertheless a stress on output
Working environment Formal and somewhat individualist with in the round emailing for collaborative purposes but an emphasis on getting the job done
Education and Training Practical and academic effort much down to individuals and valuing them as a means to get results.
Religion and ethics Less Traditional and focus on warm human values looking for rapport and trust with a social ethic but offers no life surprises

ISTJ Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life
Management preference Self reliance and individual accountability of hard work carrying through detailed practical tasks to precision and completion
Working environment Quiet and busy with jobs being completed
Education and Training Studious tasks of deep thought about real world matters and structured explanations
Religion and ethics Strong self thought guided by tradition with experience and individual ethics but fits in socially

ISFJ Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life
Management preference Individualism without over emphasis on self reliance where people value is about producing more output the best way through encouraging hard work
Working environment Quiet but hard working with communications to compare solutions
Education and Training Concentrated effort at real world problems with a human touch
Religion and ethics Strong self thought less guided by tradition yet likes facts and pursues individual ethics but fits in socially

INTJ Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life
Management preference Highly specialised autonomous and decentralised approach where outcomes may not be clear collectively due to self reliance and where people seem to take individual rest periods when needed yet are thinking all the time sometimes long term
Working environment Individualist and specialised equipment with great distance with speculative emailing and creative questions that another specialist may help with (who may not respond)
Education and Training Own pace individual work that still gets done on time where a teacher is only a facilitator and the students produce some remarkable results
Religion and ethics Strong self thought but consistent with symbolic interpretation of tradition and individual ethics follows social patterns

INFJ Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world according to a planned and organised life
Management preference Roles and expected output are clear but there is a high emphasis on individual working and fulfilment with long term thought encouraged
Working environment Plenty of personal space but rest periods are important for collective interaction and strategic thought
Education and Training Own programmes of work facilitated but checking that the person is alright and seing that sometimes this is put down
Religion and ethics Strong self thought somewhat guided by tradition and its symbolism and individual ethics but socially fits in socially

ISTP Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life
Management preference Processed individual roles of some direction and some calm analytical spontaneity leading to measurable output
Working environment Individual space and yet room to move around, with flexible changes to what gets done
Education and Training Individual working through the book but full of informed questions that produces facilitated novel ways to get to the answers
Religion and ethics Strong informed self thought guided somewhat by questioned tradition with individual ethics that produces some social variation from the norm

INTP Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to logical, structured, thought; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life
Management preference A great deal of personal autonomy and decentralisation as people think through concisely how to do what they do often producing creative decisions
Working environment Open and plenty of individual space with opportunity for seeing others in informed decision making when different solutions present themselves
Education and Training Strong facilitated self working with encouragement for informed questioning novel methods
Religion and ethics Strong self thought guided somewhat by a questioning theologically competent understanding of tradition and individual ethics and can deviate from the norm at times

ISFP Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information via impressions of the actual; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life
Management preference Much in the way of human values towards individual workers in leading them towards their own involvement in decisions to enhance their working lives supported by some one to one and group consultation to support values
Working environment Individual space but emailing and supportative meetings with good breaks and discussion to spur on individual ideas
Education and Training Often one to one work yet to think as individuals in allowing processes and values to produce the work
Religion and ethics Highly individualist thought a little guided by tradition and producing an individualist ethic and different if harmonious life in the community

INFP Reserved and strong inner life; absorbing information through internal patterning; decision making according to personal values and emotional sensitivity; and a style of living in the world following a spontaneous and flexible life
Management preference Highly flexible individually paced and autonomous with very strong individualism and one to one meetings encouraged and an emphasis on workplace ethical values with personal space but a danger of avoiding criticism
Working environment Comfortable and friendly changing work spaces and emphasis on the value of individuals in their work
Education and Training Giving autonomy to students as if academically capable and skilled but also friendly and allowing much variation in the production of work but a danger of over accepting what is done
Religion and ethics Highly individualist thought hardly guided by tradition and producing an individualist ethic and a respectful but variable life in the community

(The above are my own descriptions)



Some personality types can be grouped in twos for illustrative titles. Here personality relates to communication.

Responders ESTP, ESFP Immediate, to the point, humorous, real life, practical, not theoretical.
Explorers ENTP, ENFP Enthusiasts, open minded, see connections and relationships.
Expeditors ESTJ, ENTJ Direct, concise, goal oriented, action based, results important, task oriented, logical, organised, efficient.
Contributors ESFJ, ENFJ Warm, friendly, empathic, appreciative, want rapport, seek trust, collaborate, co-operate, include, long friendships.
Assimilators ISTJ, ISFJ Detailed, thorough, accurate, exacting, precise, factual, hard working, real life based, useful, relevant, seek and use experience, seek and use expertise, structure explanations.
Visionaries INTJ, INFJ Overall viewpoints, long term thinkers, planners, modellers, conceptual, theoretical, precise, metaphorical, symbolic.
Analysers ISTP, INTP Calm, objective, direct, frank, concise, logical, reasoners, detailed, informative, questioning.
Enhancers ISFP, INFP Like one to one, supporting and need, quiet, harmonious, friendly, personal, appreciative, avoid criticism, avoid analysing.

(Derived from CPP, 2003b, 2)

Each bipolar dimension can be treated equally but arguably the second and third letters are dominant (S N and T F) in terms of inner personality. Dominance brings forward notions of hierarchy and sources of balance.

ESTP Dominant S (E)
Auxiliary T (I)
Tertiary F
Inferior N (I)
ISTJ Dominant S (I)
Auxiliary T (E)
Tertiary F
Inferior N (E)
ESFP Dominant S (E)
Auxiliary F (I)
Tertiary T
Inferior N (I)
ISFJ Dominant S (I)
Auxiliary F (E)
Tertiary T
Inferior N (E)
ENTP Dominant N (E)
Auxiliary T (I)
Tertiary F
Inferior S (I)
INTJ Dominant N (I)
Auxiliary T (E)
Tertiary F
Inferior S (E)
ENFP Dominant N (E)
Auxiliary F (I)
Tertiary T
Inferior S (I)
INFJ Dominant N (I)
Auxiliary F (E)
Tertiary F
Inferior S (E)
ESTJ Dominant T (E)
Auxiliary S (I)
Tertiary N
Inferior F (I)
ISTP Dominant T (I)
Auxiliary S (E)
Tertiary N
Inferior F (E)
ENTJ Dominant T (E)
Auxiliary N (I)
Tertiary S
Inferior F (I)
INTP Dominant T (I)
Auxiliary N (E)
Tertiary S
Inferior F (E)
ESFJ Dominant F (E)
Auxiliary S (I)
Tertiary N
Inferior T (I)
ISFP Dominant F (I)
Auxiliary S (E)
Tertiary N
Inferior T (E)
ENFJ Dominant F (E)
Auxiliary N (I)
Tertiary S
Inferior T (I)
INFP Dominant F (I)
Auxiliary N (E)
Tertiary S
Inferior T (E)
Note: the brackets indicate Extravert E and Introvert I reference and therefore a dynamic of balance; see below for my criticism of this, given that some personalities with their preferences combined are heavily loaded in definite directions over others which are more mixed.

(Briggs Myers, 1998, 11-26)

The above patterns can be worked out by this (my) explanation:
Extravert E and Perceive P together are the most outward focussing preferences and being directive together they make the second letter, Sensing S or Intution I, dominant. The third is then auxiliary, Thinking T or Feeling F. The tertiary is the other letter of the auxiliary bipolar pair not shown. The inferior is the bipolar other side of the dominant letter also not shown.
Introvert I and Judgment J together are the most interior focussing preferences and being directive together they also make the second letter, Sensing S or Intution I, dominant. The third letter shown is then auxiliary, Thinking T or Feeling F. The tertiary is the other letter not shown of the auxiliary bipolar pair. The inferior is the other pole of the dominant letter also not shown.
However, Extravert E and Judgment J together show a personality mix where one of the third letters Thinking T or Feeling F as shown is dominant. The auxiliary is then the second letter shown, Sensing S or Intuition I. The tertiary is the other auxiliary letter not shown and the inferior letter is the dominant letter not shown.
Equally, Introvert I and Perceiving P together show a personality mix where one of the third letters Thinking T or Feeling F as shown is dominant. The auxiliary is then the second letter shown, Sensing S or Intution I. The tertiary is the other auxiliary letter not shown and the inferior letter is the dominant letter not shown.
The above comes under the notion of type dynamics. A dominant function is identified from the second and third letters. So there is an operating hierarchy of dominant and auxiliary functioning in the individual as personality builds. There is also a chance that as one goes through life one creates a better balance by looking again at tertiary and inferior functioning.

All this is debatable because of the criticism of these letters as accurate, well described and sufficient and so whether these describe sources of dominance or balance. There is no reason for the auxiliary function to be introverted if the dominant function is extraverted in some personality types (unlike Myers Briggs, 1998, 32, diagram 2), nor is it clear why Thinking T or Feeling F offers any kind of balance to Sensing S or iNtuition N or vice versa (the implication of Diagram 1). This can only work for certain with tertiary and inferior preferences within their own bipolarities. All this says (perhaps) is that some of us have personalities which move in different directions and maybe have areas of an inner life not visible to the outside.

(Briggs Myers, 1998, 32)

As a final thought, these personality types should be seen as no more than guides and thumbprints, giving possibly useful insights. Too much emphasis on them as absolute, and taking findings literally, strains credibility. They are more than a parlour game, and can give insight, but they are not, arguably, anywhere near qualifying as science.

MBTI® is the registered trademark of Consulting Psychologists Press, inc.

References

Briggs Myers, I., Kirby, L. K. (revisor), Myers, K. D. (revisor) (1998), Introduction to Type: A Guide to understanding Your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, Sixth Edition, Carlton South, Victoria: Australian Psychologists Press, under Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, inc..

Briggs Myers, I., Briggs, K. C. (2003a), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®), [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.cpp.com/products/mbti/index.asp, Consulting Psychologists Press, inc. [Accessed November 3, 2003, 01:10].

CPP inc. (2003b), MBTI® TYPEWriter, 61, Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, inc., [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.cpp.com/pr/TYPEwriter.pdf [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:12].

CPP inc. (2003c), MBTI® TYPEWriter, 62, Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, inc., [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.cpp.com/pr/Fall03TYPEwriter.pdf [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:14].

Refers to:

Hirsh E., Hirsh K. H., Hirsh S. K. (2003), MBTI® Teambuilding Program: Leaders Resource Guide, 2nd Ed., Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, inc..

Plus:

Humanmetrics (2003a), InfoMate Jung Marriage Test, [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.humanmetrics.com/infomate/JungTypeMating.htm [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:16].

Humanmetrics (2003b), Try your Traits before Trying Fate, [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.humanmetrics.com/#Jtype [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:18].

Humanmetrics (2003c), Small Business Entrepreneur Profiler: Test Description, [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.humanmetrics.com/sbp/busposguide.htm [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:20].

Humanmetrics (2003d) Risk Attitudes Profiler, [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: http://www.humanmetrics.com/rot/RiskGuide.htm [Accessed November 8, 2003, 01:22].

Worsfold, A. J. (2003) MBTI®: Adrian [and Elena (originally)], [Online], Available World Wide Web, URL: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28120070/pluralist/autobio/mbtifam.html [Created at enk.freeuk.com November 15, 2003, 13:05; modified December 2012].