Myers-Briggs type indicator

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The Myers-Briggs type indicator ( MBTI for short , from English Myers-Briggs type indicator - after Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Myers) is a commercial but not scientifically based instrument with the help of which the “psychological types” developed by Carl Gustav Jung are recorded should. It was published in 1944.

This type theory does not correspond to today's psychological personality models that have been empirically proven. In addition, the MBTI does not meet scientific quality criteria. Accordingly, MBTI and Jung have very little influence on modern personality psychology .

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ
Personality types with the four main classes according to Keirsey :
I (Introversion) - E (Extraversion), N (Intuition) - S (Sensing), F (Feeling) - T (Thinking), J (Judging) - P (Perceiving)

introduction

The MBTI is based on the typology of Carl Gustav Jung . Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers took this up and carried out a series of measurements. They used the results to found the Center for Applications of Psychological Type , which offers personality assessment commercially.

The Jungian or Myers-Brigg typology gained greater awareness through the publications of David Keirsey . It is often used in human resources because there should be characteristic correlations between the MBTI type and professional suitability.

The original MBTI questionnaire is only available for a fee from licensed trainers, usually in connection with a subsequent consultation. There are numerous similarly structured, freely available tests and questionnaires that are based on the same principle as the MBTI, but do not meet its quality criteria. A well-known example is the Keirsey Temperament Sorter .

The reliability (reliability) of the MBTI is poor, and it happens very often that someone cannot identify with the type that the test showed. Even if you have then decided on a type to which your own personality corresponds most closely, you can easily find matches with some of the other 16 types and thus switch over several types depending on your daily form and situation. If the test is repeated after several weeks or months, the type often fluctuates.

classification

Carl Gustav Jung noticed in his dealings with patients that some people dealt with the world simply different from his own. He noted these observations and their characteristic features, named them and made use of the knowledge of the personality assessment for his work. Basic for the model is the assessment of the types in four functions (thinking / feeling, sensory / intuition), each of which was assigned the attributes introverted or extroverted. The MBTI detached the attributes from the functions and created dimensions (E / I, N / S, F / T - the orientation J / P was added by Briggs and Myers-Briggs), each of which denotes the dominant preference. The sequence of letters is divided into two perception functions and two assessment functions (with Jung it was two plus one). It is important that the MBTI uses a bimodal distribution with a very strict separation between the respective dichotomes . This means that there are no characteristics, only clear preferences (e.g. right-handed or left-handed). All functions and orientations are present in all people. The MBTI provides information about which function is preferred and which is used with lower priority.

indicator Preference description
Motivation, drive
( energizing preference ) 		Extraversion
(extraversion, E) 		Describes the motivation to experience the senses.

An outside-oriented person is more sociable and has broader interests, an inside-oriented person is more concentrated and more intense. One also speaks of the tendency towards breadth (E) to depth (I) of the sensory experience.

Introversion
( introversion , I)
Attention
( Attention Preference ) 		Intuition
( intuition , N) 		Describes the processing of sensory impressions.

The intuitive mind relies more on its sixth sense , that is, on the interpretation and the overall context. He pays more attention to the whole than to its parts and is more future and possibility-oriented. It is also related to creativity in the form of better divergent thinking skills .

The sensory mind gives the highest weight to the “raw data” or immediate impressions. He is detail-oriented and precise in processing specific information and in understanding the here and now.

It is assumed that sensory experts make up around two thirds to three quarters of the population.

Sensor technology
( Sensing , S)
Decision
( Deciding Preference ) 		Think
( Thinking , T) 		Describes the way in which decisions are made.

The Thinker ( thinking ) considers that the information available to it rather from a rational point of view, trying to use objective value systems (eg. As laws) to arrive at decisions. It is result-oriented in the sense of the optimal solution to the matter.

The feeling ( feeling ) pays more attention to his personal value systems (morality). He judges according to these systems and tries to bring all parties to a solution to the matter.

Here, it is assumed that the distribution is even with slightly more sensors. At the same time, this is where the greatest imbalance between the sexes exists. It is estimated that around two thirds of thinkers are men and around two thirds of feelers are women.

Feeling
( Feeling , F)
Lifestyle
( Living Preference ) 		Perception
( Perception , P) 		Describes the tendency to structure the impressions of the environment quickly or to absorb further impressions for a longer time.

The perceiver ( perceiving ) has long been open to new impressions and is ready to reconsider its decisions and plans in favor of new information. This also means that you act more spontaneously and can adapt to irregular circumstances more flexibly. In contrast, there is determination.

The judge decides before he has all the information and holds fast to decisions and paths taken even under adverse circumstances. He prefers to act systematically and according to plan. If necessary, plans are adjusted, but they are reluctantly discarded completely. The judge also has a stronger tendency to dominate and control. He shows less spontaneity in action, but more discipline and consistency.

In this dimension, an approximately equal distribution can be assumed.

Assessment, decision
( Judgment , J)

Everyone is able to act appropriately according to the events at hand, but most people prefer certain preferred approaches. That’s what we call types here.

Tests were developed through group studies that allow an assessment of the MBTI type without having to speak to one person. If such a test results in I (3) S (5) T (6) J (5), then ISTJ is written as an abbreviation. Each four-abbreviation also has a proper name, which, however, can differ depending on the author and language version. The ISTJ is called z. B. also "inspector" and describes particularly reliable contemporaries - such a categorization is controversial, however, as it promotes clichéd images.

Functions

The functions with the attributes introverted and extraverted form the core of the MBTI model. They should explain how a guy's personality is built up. However, there are legitimate doubts about their validity (see review) and some authors, e.g. B. David Keirsey, have turned away from them completely. In the rest of the literature on the MBTI, they often do not appear at all and are replaced by the four dimensions (see above). Even if the functions are based on those of Jung, they are perceived somewhat differently.

Description of the functions:

Sensors
introverted sensory (Si)
compares current events on a subjective basis with information from the past and tries to find differences and similarities. Because of this, such people are often adherents of more traditional values ​​and conventions, sometimes with a tendency towards sentimentality and nostalgia.
extraverted sensors (Se)
perceives information with all “five senses” and processes it into an experience with a focus on the here and now. Information is perceived in the outside world by objects and physical activities. They are realistic and often looking for fun and entertainment. They can often be influenced by external processes or tend to seek sensation.
intuition
introverted intuition (Ni)
is interested in future events, searches for significance and tries to fathom the unknown. They want to express their visions through art or prophecy. Your ideas can be very unusual, which is why they are often misunderstood.
extraverted intuition (Ne)
is interested in possibilities and tries to combine ideas and information with each other. You want to change and improve something, have lots of ideas and are very committed. They are bored with situations in which nothing can be changed or realized. When looking for their possibilities and skills, they may They can lose a lot of time because they don't like to commit themselves and prefer to start a new project than complete the old one.
Feel
introverted feeling (Fi)
judges things at his own discretion, has a feeling for the emotional relationship between objects and a pronounced moral awareness. They do not always express feelings, even if they experience them intensely inwardly. This could make them seem inaccessible and inconspicuous to others. They have a strong sense of what is right and wrong for them.
extraverted feeling (Fe)
deals with social processes and tries to organize the outside world based on social relationships. Attempts are made to meet social values ​​and to be harmonious with other people. External influences are more important to them than internal ones. Fe expresses itself negatively through intense mood feelings and fluctuations as well as through manipulative behavior.
Think
introverted thinking (Ti)
tests and analyzes data and ideas - own as well as foreign ones - with the attempt to find imprecision or accuracy. They are very creative and can think complex and abstract. In a negative sense, they appear conceited or not very empathetic and tend to be phlegmatic.
extraverted thinking (Te)
tries to manage and organize the outside world with logic and objective data. You are practical and combine ideas logically and hierarchically. On the outside, they look pretty tough and place great value on order and efficiency.
Function table
Functions ISFJ ISTJ ESFJ ESTJ
dominant (first) introverted sensing introverted sensing extraverted feeling extraverted thinking
auxiliar (second) extraverted feeling extraverted thinking introverted sensing introverted sensing
tertiary (third) introverted thinking introverted feeling extraverted intuition extraverted intuition
inferior (fourth) extraverted intuition extraverted intuition introverted thinking introverted feeling
Functions ISFP ISTP ESFP ESTP
dominant introverted feeling introverted thinking extraverted sensors extraverted sensors
auxiliar extraverted sensors extraverted sensors introverted feeling introverted thinking
tertiary introverted intuition introverted intuition extraverted thinking extraverted feeling
inferior extraverted thinking extraverted feeling introverted intuition introverted intuition
Functions INFJ INFP ENFJ ENFP
dominant introverted intuition introverted feeling extraverted feeling extraverted intuition
auxiliar extraverted feeling extraverted intuition introverted intuition introverted feeling
tertiary introverted thinking introverted sensing extraverted sensors extraverted thinking
inferior extraverted sensors extraverted thinking introverted thinking introverted sensing
Functions INTJ INTP ENTJ ENTP
dominant introverted intuition introverted thinking extraverted thinking extraverted intuition
auxiliar extraverted thinking extraverted intuition introverted intuition introverted thinking
tertiary introverted feeling introverted sensing extraverted sensors extraverted feeling
inferior extraverted sensors extraverted feeling introverted feeling introverted sensing

The functions for the individual types are interpreted as follows: Intro and extraverted functions always alternate. In the first and second as well as in the third and fourth function, rational and irrational functions complement each other. Perceiving or judging is based on the first extravert function (the first function for the extravert and the second function for the introvert), since the MBTI inventors assumed that one can only communicate with the environment through one's extravert function. What is striking about the introverts is that those of the irrational type (perceiver) have a dominating rational function and vice versa. The unconscious, i.e. the last four functions, correspond to the conscious ones in the same order, but with the intro and extraversion reversed.

questionnaire

The psychological inventory for estimating the MBTI is usually carried out in two stages by first filling out a questionnaire. Then the result is explained to the test person in detail and he is asked to make all those changes that he considers necessary because he knows himself differently in the corresponding criteria. After correction by the test person, the so-called “best fit” (best fit between test person and inventory) is established. The questionnaire itself contains a long series of dichotomous questions (each with two possible answers), which may not be answered. Graduations such as B. "more likely yes", "more likely no" and "don't know" are not possible.

Of the possible questions, those with the most discriminatory value possible are used for the questionnaire, the answer of which often deviates from an expected mean value. There may be so different questionnaires, but these are only useful if they have been calibrated using a group test. In addition to the official MBTI test sheets from CPP, the " Keirsey Temperament Sorter " is widely known, which has been calibrated and is available free of charge. There are several websites that have the Keirsey test online in many languages.

The discussion of the test result should always take place, since the compilation and evaluation of the sub-questions is ultimately arbitrary. Jung's observation of different types remains, however, in which characteristics of the approaches to tasks can be grouped and assigned, i.e. ultimately typical. This is done without a one-on-one interview by reading the descriptions of the 16 types and the test person choosing the most suitable. The result of the test sheet gives an indication of which type is most likely. Only rarely do you choose another type as the most suitable than the one determined in the test.

The simplicity of this test method is both advantageous and worthy of criticism. Due to its simplicity, it can also be easily communicated to laypeople, but on the other hand leaves a lot of room for interpretation and abuse. A middle answer ("neither nor") or a gradation of the answer ("partially applies") is not possible. You always have to choose a side or leave out the question.

CPP

In 1983, 750,000 tests were carried out, and in 1993 there were 3 million people who took the test. The company CPP does not announce any specific sales figures as of 2016, the company's sales with the sale of the questionnaire for MBTI were estimated at USD 20 million in 2015. The license to use a questionnaire costs 30 USD. CPP has trained around 5000 certified test leaders (“practitioners”) in four-day courses in each of the user companies. The test has been translated into many languages ​​and is used in 170 countries. Customers who have introduced the test in their own company include Procter & Gamble and the management consultancy McKinsey , while Intel and Hewlett-Packard have meanwhile switched to " Hogan Assessment Systems ".

criticism

As for all self-assessment methods, the Barnum effect also applies to the MBTI . The test person recognizes himself in descriptions, although these are rather general and in reality apply to most people.

Whether people can really be clearly assigned to 16 different types is highly controversial, because the concept of 16 types could not be scientifically proven. Numerous studies speak against the existence of types, or against dichotomous, either / or subdivided personality traits. Instead, character traits should rather move on a continuous scale on which the endpoints (e.g. introversion and extraversion) only represent extremes and the majority of people are roughly in the middle between these two points, see Big Five (psychology) .

The functional theory of the MBTI was examined within three extensive studies. Their clear result is that the statements of the functions and, above all, their specified sequence of main and secondary functions hardly correspond to reality and actual behavior. They couldn't stand up to scientific scrutiny in any way. Gross logic errors in the structure of the functional system were shown, and it was questioned whether this corresponds to Jung's theory at all.

On the part of socionics, there is also the point of criticism that the MBTI misinterprets the functions derived from Jung's work. In socionics, the introverted types have the main function that corresponds to their type code (judging or perceiving). In the MBTI they have the opposite main function of the type code (judging or perceiving). However, the significance of the functions is generally very controversial, see study in the previous paragraph.

The original MBTI test is always chargeable and there is little free information from official sources. In German-speaking countries, there is a particular lack of information because the official MBTI licensors CPP and the associated CAPT organization (Center for Applications of Psychological Type) do not offer any German-language websites or other freely accessible publications in German. Information in German about the MBTI is therefore only available for a fee from licensed third-party providers or from non-licensed unofficial sources. In both cases, the presentation of the MBTI is mostly subjective and very positive. The information and free tests that can be found on the Internet for the MBTI are imitations or reinterpretations, mostly mixed with subjective impressions or the Keirsey model.

In particular, when it comes to predicting professional suitability and success, the MBTI test is a failure.

Another point of criticism is the stagnation of the model. Even if the MBTI was continuously developed further in the beginning, there have been only a few significant changes since the late 1960s and early 1970s.

literature

Jung's foundation

Primary literature

  • Isabel Briggs Myers: Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type . Davies-Black Publishing, 1995, ISBN 0-89106-074-X
  • Isabel Briggs Myers: Introduction to Type: A Guide to Understanding Your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . Center for Applications of, 1998
  • Isabel Briggs Myers, Mary H. McCaulley: Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . Consulting Psychologists, 1985, ISBN 0-89106-027-8

Secondary literature

  • Naomi L. Quenk: Essentials of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Assessment (Essentials of Psychological Assessment) . Wiley, 1999, ISBN 0-471-33239-9
  • Renee Baron: What Type Am I ?: The Myers-Brigg Type Indication Made Easy . Penguin, 1998, ISBN 0-14-026941-X
  • Linda V. Berens, Dario Nardi: The 16 Personality Types, Descriptions for Self-Discovery . Telos Pubns, 1999, ISBN 0-9664624-7-5
  • Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen: Type Talk: The 16 Personality Types That Determine How We Live, Love, and Work . Dell, 1989, ISBN 0-440-50704-9

German-language literature

  • Lars Lorber: Knowledge of human nature - the great type test: How to decipher the strengths and weaknesses . Beck, 2013, ISBN 978-3-406-65537-1
  • Stefanie Stahl , Melanie Alt: That's how I am! Know yourself and others . Ellert & Richter, 2005, ISBN 3-8319-0200-3
  • Richard Bents, Reiner Blank: Typically Human - Introduction to Type Theory . Beltz Test, Göttingen, 1995, ISBN 3-8017-0770-9

Web links

Officially

Continuing

Individual evidence

  1. ^ American Medical Student Association - Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Katherine Cook - Correspondence Briggs, Mary H - Correspondence McCaulley, Isabel Briggs - Correspondence Myers: A Guide to the Isabel Briggs Myers Papers. Retrieved July 28, 2020 .
  2. ↑ J. Hunsley, CM Lee, JM Wood: Controversial and questionable assessment techniques . In: SO Lilienfeld, SJ Lynn, JM Lohr (Eds.): Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology . Chapter. Guilford Press, New York 2003, pp. 39-76.
  3. ↑ John F. Rauthmann: Personality Psychology . Jumper. ISBN 978-3-662-53003-0 .
  4. ^ A b David J. Pittenger: Cautionary comments regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . In: Consulting Psychology Journal , 2005
  5. ↑ Seon-Young Lee, Jiyeon Min: The Profiles of Creative Potential and Personality Characteristics of Adult Professionals . In: Creativity Research Journal . tape 28 , no. 3 , July 2, 2016, ISSN  1040-0419 , p. 298–309 , doi : 10.1080 / 10400419.2016.1195634 ( tandfonline.com [accessed July 25, 2018]).
  6. ↑ Murad Ahmed: Is Myers-Briggs up to the job? , in: Financial Times , February 13, 2016, pp. 18f. (accessed May 2, 2017)
  7. ^ RR McCrae, PT Costa Jr .: Reinterpreting the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator from the perspective of the five-factor model of personality . 1989
  8. ↑ James H. Reynierse: The Case Against Type Dynamics . In: Journal of Psychological Type , 1, 2009
  9. ^ David J. Pittenger: Measuring the MBTI ... And Coming Up Short . (PDF; 98 kB) In: Journal of Career Planning and Employment , 54 (1), 1993, pp. 8–52