The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report personality test that gives insight and understanding into how and why people approach the world in such different ways. It can be a very useful tool to increase and deepen our knowledge and understanding of behaviour. MBTI can be used as an instrument for measuring a person's personality preferences, using four basic scales with opposite poles. Personality types are presented as four letters to represent one's personality tendencies. These are:
1. Extroversion-Introversion
[E] Extroverts find energy in things and people, and are outgoing, expressive people. They prefer interaction with others, as they enjoy being sociable, and are action oriented.
[I] Introverts tend to be quieter and more private. They find energy in the inner world of ideas, concepts, and information. They can be sociable but need time to be quiet, think and reflect.
2. Sensing-Intuition
[S] Sensing people are detail oriented, searching for facts and trusting them. Information is taken in primarily by way of the senses, and will tend to be interested in tangible reality, looking practically at the present, seeing and using what is, rather than focusing on what might be.
[N] Intuitive people seek out patterns and relationships from information they have gathered, searching for development and changes. They may trust hunches and intuition. The tendency for intuition gives a strong emphasis on insight and the future possibilities, focusing on what the ideal might be, rather than what is.
3. Thinking-Feeling
[T] Thinking people can be objective, value fairness and make decisions based principles and logic. Thinkers will analyse, and take onboard criticism.
[F] Feeling preferences will value harmony, and sympathise with human values. They can be good persuaders, communicating and they making decisions on judgements. Will facilitate differences among group members, focusing on the immediate.
4. Judging-Perceiving
[J] Judging people are decisive, planful and self regimented. They apply themselves to complete the task, but may sometimes take action too quickly. Deadlines are planned, organised and worked too. Judging preferences like a structured way of living, being in control and making firm decisions.
[P] Perceptive people are more open and curious than the above, as they are more flexible and spontaneous. They get energy from beginning new projects, but can often struggle to complete a task. Such people enjoy exploring and discovering as they go along.
MBTI can aid learning about personality types, thus helping to better understand yourself and others. The aimed results are that relationships will be deeper and more enhanced, whether in a working situation or at home.
