interpreting the myers-briggs ronnie white extension professor mississippi state university

INTERPRETING THE INTERPRETING THE MYERS-BRIGGSMYERS-BRIGGS

Ronnie White

Extension Professor

Mississippi State University

THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI)INDICATOR (MBTI)

The MBTI was developed by Katherine C. Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers

It is based on C.G.Jung’s “Psychological Types”

Each type and individual has special gifts. There is no right or wrong type,no better or worse combinations of types in work or relationships

Each person is uniqueEveryone uses each of the preferences

to some degree


The purpose of knowing about type is to help you understand yourself and to enhance your relationship through appreciation of individual differences


On the average, approximately 75% of all who take the MBTI agree with the assessment.

Your results on the MBTI suggest your probable type based on how you answered the questions; Only you know your true preferences


THE FOUR PREFERENCE THE FOUR PREFERENCE SCALESSCALES

The MBTI reports preferences on 4 scales, each consisting of two opposite poles

One does use both sides of each preference, though not with equal liking

Preference scores show only the strength of the preference of one element over the other

Everyone has a natural preference for one of the two opposites on each of the scales

A useful analogy is with your hands

THE FOUR PREFERENCE THE FOUR PREFERENCE SCALESSCALES

THE FOUR PREFERENCES THE FOUR PREFERENCES AREARE

Extraversion or Introversion: Where you prefer to focus your attention

Sensing or Intuition: The way you prefer to take in information (N is used instead of the I)

Thinking or Feeling: The way you prefer to make decisions

Judgment or Perception: How you orient yourself to the external world

THE FOUR PREFERENCES THE FOUR PREFERENCES AREARE

Extraversion: Direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from external events and experiences

An extravert’s essential stimulation is from the outer world of people and things

CHARACTERISTICS OF ECHARACTERISTICS OF E

Introversion: Direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from their internal thoughts, feelings, and reflections

An introvert’s essential stimulation is from within the inner world

CHARACTERISTICS OF ICHARACTERISTICS OF I

CHARACTERISTICS OF ECHARACTERISTICS OF E

Prefer to communicate by talkingLearn best by doingSociable and expressiveTake initiative in work and relationships

CHARACTERISTICS OF ICHARACTERISTICS OF I

Prefer to communicate by writingLearn best by reflectionPrivate and contained

CHARACTERISTICS OF E CHARACTERISTICS OF E OR IOR I

Extraverts act, Then (MAYBE) ReflectIntroverts reflect, Then (MAYBE) act

KEY WORDS FOR E OR IKEY WORDS FOR E OR I

Extraverts: Active, Outward,sociable, and expressive

Introverts: Reflective, Inward, Reserved, and quiet

PREFERENCE SCORESPREFERENCE SCORES

E-I: slight 11-13, moderate 14-16,clear 17-19, very clear 20-21

S-N:slight 13-15, moderate 16-20,clear 21-24, very clear 25-26

T-F:slight 12-14,moderate 15-18,clear 19-22, very clear 23-24

J-P:slight 11-13,moderate14-16,clear 17-20, very clear 21-22

Low scores often times indicate that a person may have answered in a socially expected manner, or they are not sure which preference is the most comfortable.

Did not answer all of the items


Low scores do not indicate that you have good command of both preferences

A person should assess which preference they would adequately use the most

Do not measure skills, ability or even degree of use


CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHARACTERISTICS OF S

Sensing: Observant of what is going on around them and are especially good at recognizing the practical realities of a situation

Takes in information by way of the five senses – sight, sound, feel, taste, and smell

CHARACTERISTICS OF NCHARACTERISTICS OF N

Intuition: Grasp patterns and are especially good at seeing new possibilities and different ways of doing things

Information is processed by way of a “sixth sense” or “hunch”

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHARACTERISTICS OF S

Focus on what is real/actualValue practical applicationsNotice detailsPresent-orientedWant information step-by-stepTrust experience

CHARACTERISTICS OF NCHARACTERISTICS OF N

Focus on possibilitiesSee patterns and meaning in factsFuture-orientedJump around, leap in anywhereTrust inspiration

Sensing: Likes set procedures, established routines

Intuition: Likes change and variety

CHARACTERISTICS OF S CHARACTERISTICS OF S OR NOR N

KEY WORDS FOR S OR NKEY WORDS FOR S OR N

Sensing: Details, practical, facts, directions, repetition, enjoyment, and conserve

Intuition: Patterns, future, imaginative, innovations, hunches, variety, and change

CHARACTERISTICS OF TCHARACTERISTICS OF T

Thinking: Make decisions on the basis of logic and objective considerations

Thinking: A strength is application of their problem-solving abilities

CHARACTERISTICS OF TCHARACTERISTICS OF T

Decides with the headAnalyticalLogical problem-solvers“Tough-minded”ReasonableFair

Consider what is important to them and to other people

Identify with the people involved

CHARACTERISTICS OF FCHARACTERISTICS OF F

CHARACTERISTICS OF FCHARACTERISTICS OF F

Decides with the heartSympatheticGuided by personal values“Tender-hearted”CompassionateAccepting

KEY WORDS FOR T OR FKEY WORDS FOR T OR F

Thinking: Head, objective, justice, cool, impersonal, criticize, analyze, and precise

Feeling: Heart, subjective, harmony, caring, personal, appreciate, and values

CHARACTERISTICS OF JCHARACTERISTICS OF J

Judgment: A judging lifestyle is decisive, planned, and orderly

CHARACTERISTICS OF PCHARACTERISTICS OF P

Perception: A perceptive lifestyle is flexible, adaptable, and spontaneous

CHARACTERISTICS OF JCHARACTERISTICS OF J

ScheduledOrganizedSystematicPlanAvoid last-minute stresses

CHARACTERISTICS OF PCHARACTERISTICS OF P

SpontaneousCasualFlexibleAdaptFeel energized by last-minute pressures

KEY WORDS FOR J OR PKEY WORDS FOR J OR P

Judgment: Organized, structure, control, decisive, closure, plan, productive;

Perception: Flexible, flow, curious, spontaneous, openness, receptive.

WHEN COMBINED, YOUR 4 WHEN COMBINED, YOUR 4 PREFERENCES AREPREFERENCES ARE

Extraversion or IntroversionSensing or IntuitionThinking or FeelingJudgment or Perception

POINTS TO REMEMBERPOINTS TO REMEMBER

Everyone uses each preference to some degree

Type does not explain everything

Type should not keep you from considering any career, etc.

SIXTEEN TYPESSIXTEEN TYPES

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJISTPISFP INFP INTPESTP ESFP ENFP ENTPESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

Common Type BiasesCommon Type Biases

E’s may think I’s are withholding information I’s may think E’s are changing their minds S’s may think N’s are changing the subject N’s may think S’s are unimaginative T’s may think F’s are over-personalizing F’s may think T’s are harsh and cold

Mutual Usefulness of Mutual Usefulness of Opposite TypesOpposite Types

N types benefit from S types:Pertinent facts, reality,experience, read

the fine printS types benefit from N types:New possibilities, future trends, long-

term goals

Mutual Usefulness Cont’d.Mutual Usefulness Cont’d.

F types benefit from T types:Consequences, critical feedback, stand

firm, fair.T types benefit from F types:How others feel, praise, teach and

coach, harmony

Effects of T/F & J/PEffects of T/F & J/P

TJ: Logical decision makers, tough minded, analytical

TP: Adaptable thinkers, objective, skeptical, curious

FP: Gentle types, adaptable, seek harmony

FJ: Benevolent administrators, care about people and their needs, harmony

Effects of S/N & T/F types:Effects of S/N & T/F types:

ST: Facts, experience, technical skillsSF: Facts, concerns of people, practicalNF: Possibilities, understanding,

personalNT: Possibilities, theory, technical

Effects of E/I & J/P Types:Effects of E/I & J/P Types:

IJ: Decisive introverts, perseveringIP: Adaptable introverts, firm on issuesEP:Adaptable extroverts, active,

energeticEJ: Decisive extraverts, fast-moving

YOUR ACTION PLANYOUR ACTION PLAN

Now you know more about yourself and others

What are you going to do with this knowledge?

USING THE MBTIUSING THE MBTI

In situations requiring cooperation and teamwork:

1. To select teams, task forces, and work groups with sufficient diversity to solve group problems.

USING THE MBTI:USING THE MBTI:

2. To help group members recognize, appreciate, and make use of the strengths of each type in the group;

3. To conduct meetings so as to take advantage of the contribution of each type.


4. To help those who work together understand how previously irritating and obstructive differences can become a source of amusement, interest, and strength.

5. To learn the approaches that are most likely to earn agreement and cooperation from each type;

6. To create a climate where differences are seen as interesting and valuable, rather than problematic.



Career interests and choices: - Sensing + Thinking (ST): The “bottom

line”, results-oriented people; examples of career choice: applied science, business, administration, banking, law enforcement, and production.


-Sensing + Feeling (SF): Drawn to opportunities for practical service to people; Examples of career choices: Health care, community service, teaching, supervising, religious service, office work, and sales.

- Intuition + Feeling (NF): See and want to facilitate possibilities for people;Examples of career choices:Psychology, research, literature, art and music, health care, religious service, and teaching.


- Intuition + Thinking (NT): Drawn to opportunities for problem solving, analysis, and design; Examples of career choices: Physical science, research, management, computers, law, engineering, and technical work.


Supervising others/preferred leadership styles:

-TJ: Logical decision makers who tend to be tough-minded, analytical, and instrumental leaders. They make decisions based on principles and systems.


TP: Adaptable thinkers who tend to be objective, skeptical, and curious, especially about materials or possibilities.They create consistent and orderly frameworks for understanding and leading.


FP: Gentle types who tend to be adaptable, seek harmony and affiliation, and are concerned with the human aspects of problems. They lead by encouragement and coaching.



FJ: Benevolent administrators who tend to be observant about people and their needs, bring harmony into relationships. They are expressive leaders who inspire and teach others.

EFFECTS OF EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK PREFERENCES IN WORK

SITUATIONSSITUATIONSExtraversion: Like variety and action;

often impatient with long, slow jobs; often act quickly; like having people around; and learn new tasks by talking and doing.

Introversion: Like quiet for concentration; tend not to mind working on one project for a long time; develop ideas by reflection; like working alone with no interruptions; and learn new tasks by reading and reflecting.


SITUATIONS:SITUATIONS:

Sensing: Like using experience and standard ways to solve problems; like to present the details of their work first; and usually proceed step-by-step.



Intuition: Like solving new complex problems; may ignore or overlook facts; like to present an overview of their work first; and usually proceed in bursts of energy.



Thinking: Use logical analysis to reach conclusions; may hurt people’s feelings without knowing it; tend to be firm-minded and can give criticism when appropriate; and feel rewarded when the job is done well.



Feeling: Use values to reach conclusions; enjoy pleasing people, even in unimportant things; look at the underlying values in the situation; and feel rewarded when people’s needs are met.



Judging: Work best when they can plan their work and follow their plan; like to get things settled and finished; reach closure by deciding quickly; and focus on completion of a project.



Perceiving: Enjoy flexibility in their work; like to leave things open for last-minute changes; may postpone unpleasant tasks that need to be done; and focus on the process of a project.



NATIONAL STATISTICSNATIONAL STATISTICS

E = 70% 30% = IS = 70% 30% = NT = 60% M, 40% F, 40% M, 60% F = FJ = 55% 45% = P

MISSISSIPPI STATISTICS: MISSISSIPPI STATISTICS: N = 11,000 N = 11,000

E = 54% 46% = IS = 74% 26% = NT = 54% M, 46% F 54% F, 46% M = FJ = 64% 36% = P

THE ENDTHE ENDRonnie White

Leader –Organizational Development & Associate

Professor

Mississippi State University

interpreting the myers-briggs ronnie white extension professor mississippi state university

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