MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR
Based on Swiss Psychiatrist Carl
Jung’s theory of personality
Developed in 1943 by Katharine Briggs
and her daughter Isabel Myers
It’s the most widely used personality
inventory in the world
MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR
What it measures:
Your personal preferences
What it does not measure:
Pathology (diagnosis)
Anything concrete
MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR
Thought process behind MBTI:
self knowledge + career knowledge =
the best insight to finding a career
which is a good fit for you
PREFERENCES EXERCISE
First, write your name with your
dominate (preferred) hand.
Now, write your name with other hand.
How would you describe the experience of
writing with your preferred hand? With
your non-preferred hand?
PREFERENCES EXERCISE
What does this exercise show us?
If you had to, you can use either hand to write
(even if it doesn’t look pretty). Although you
use both hands regularly, typically, one hand
feels more natural and is preferred for writing
while the other requires more effort.
This is a good example of how preferences can
be measured by the MBTI. Simply because you
prefer one way of doing something over the
other doesn’t mean you’re incapable of it.
TAKING THE ASSESSMENT
There are no right or wrong answers! Answer honestly and
don’t assume one answer is better than another. Go with
your first instinct. Select what describes you most often.
If you are unsure about any of the words/questions, raise
your hand and I will come assist you.
Ingenious – clever, original, and inventive
Gregarious – fond of company; sociable
Sharp-tongued – uses harsh or critical language
Make sure you mark your answers with an “x” and push
down hard. If you wish to change an answer, blacken in the
incorrect box and mark the correct one with an “x”.
Put your pen down once you’ve completed all 93 questions
and flip your booklet over so I know you have finished.
Don’t tear into the booklet or start scoring yet. Please stay
quiet until all your classmates have finished.
SCORING THE ASSESSMENT
Read horizontally across each row and count the
number of X’s (don’t include any boxes which
have been blackened).
Enter the total for each row in the shaded area at
the end of the row. If you have no X’s in the row,
write 0 in the shaded area.
SCORING THE ASSESSMENT
Once all shaded areas are filled in, add down
each of the 8 columns and write the total for each
column in the area labeled “Total Raw Points.”
Then, copy your total for each letter into the
corresponding box.
SCORING THE ASSESSMENT
Under the Summary section, write your
preference in each of the four boxes. Next to each,
write the clarity category you circled.
I =Moderate, S =Clear, F =Very Clear, P =Very Clear
SCORING THE ASSESSMENT
Once you've completely filled out your score
sheet, copy all of the information from it over to
the detached MBTI score sheet.
Make sure to include your name in the top left corner
The MBTI booklet is yours to keep and refer to in
the future. Please be sure to turn in the detached
MBTI score sheet, with your name on it, since it
will be our only way of verifying you completed
this assignment.
Hang on to this packet and remember to use it to
help you answer the MBTI-related questions on
your essay.
THE FOUR DIMENSIONS
The four dimensions of the MBTI represent four
dichotomies that affect your personality:
Source of Energy
How We Take In Information
Basis for Decisions
Approach to Life
These dimensions are on a spectrum – meaning
there are various levels of each dimension and
most often a person is not fully represented by
just one side of the spectrum.
THE FOUR DIMENSIONS
Source of Energy
Introversion-------------------------Extraversion
How We Take In Information
Sensing-------------------------Intuitive
Basis for Decisions
Thinking-------------------------Feeling
Approach to Life
Judging-------------------------Perceiving
EXTRAVERT
Feels pulled outward by external claims
and conditions
Energized by other people and external
experiences
Talkative, easy to get to know
Expresses emotions
Seeks interactions when stressed
Acts, then reflects
INTROVERT
Feels pushed inward by external claims
and intrusions
Energized by internal thoughts, ideas,
and experiences
Often reserved and quiet
Tends to bottle emotions
Seeks privacy when stressed
Reflects, then acts
EXTRAVERTS & INTROVERTS
IN WORK SITUATIONS
Extraverts Introverts
• Like variety and action
• Tend to be faster
• Are often good at greeting
people
• Often impatient with long,
slow jobs
• Interested in results
• Don’t mind interruption
• Act quickly
• Like having people around
• Communicate freely
• Like quiet for concentration
• Careful with details, dislike
sweeping statements
• Trouble remembering names
and faces
• Like to work on one project for
a long time without
interruption
• Interested in idea behind job
• Dislike interruptions
• Think before they act
• Work contentedly alone
• Some problems
communicating
SENSING
Prefers handling practical matters
Likes things that are definite and measurable
Uses the five senses to process information
Lives in the present
Pays attention to detail
Proceeds in systematic ways
Likes work that is “hands on”
Likes procedures and routines
INTUITIVE
Prefers imagining possibilities
Likes opportunities for being inventive
Uses hunches, concepts, and theories to process information
Future oriented (what might be)
Looks at the “big picture” and relationships
May jump steps in a sequence
Prefers variety
SENSING & INTUITIVE TYPES
IN WORK SITUATIONS
Sensing Intuitive
• Dislike new problems
• Like an established way of
doing things
• Enjoy using skill already
learned
• Work steadily with a realistic
idea of how long a job will take
• Reach a conclusion step by
step
• Patient with routine details
• Impatient when results get
complicated
• Not often inspired
• Seldom make errors of fact
• Good at precise work
• Like solving new problems
• Dislike doing same thing
repeatedly
• Enjoy learning new skill more
than using it
• Work in burst of energy, with
slack periods in between
• Reach a conclusion quickly
• Impatient with routine details
• Patient with complicated
situations
• Follow inspirations
• Frequently make errors of fact
• Dislike taking time for
precision
THINKING
Decides with head
Goes by logic
Concern for truth and justice
Views situations as distant observer
Tends to see flaws
FEELING
Decides with heart
Goes by personal convictions
Concern for relationships and harmony
Tend to praise and appreciate
THINKING & FEELING TYPES
IN WORK SITUATIONS
Thinking Feeling
• Don’t show much emotion,
often uncomfortable dealing
with others’ feelings
• May hurt people’s feelings
without knowing
• Like analysis and logic. Are
okay without harmony.
• Decide things impersonally,
paying little attention to
people’s wishes
• Need to be treated fairly
• Able to reprimand/fire people
• More analytical—respond
more easily to people’s
thoughts
• Firm-minded
• Very aware of other people
and their feelings
• Enjoy pleasing people
• Like harmony. Stressed out
by office feuds.
• Let decisions be influenced by
their own or others’ wishes
and likes
• Need occasional praise
• Dislike telling people
unpleasant things
• Are more people-oriented—
respond more easily to
people’s values
• Sympathetic
JUDGMENT
Likes to have life under control
Enjoys being decisive
Prefers organized lifestyle
Planned and orderly
Likes structure
Uncomfortable with open-ended situations
Likes clear limits and categories
Very comfortable with closure
Plans in advance, does well with deadlines
PERCEPTION
Prefers to experience life as it happens
Enjoys being curious and discovering surprises
Prefers flexible lifestyle
Adaptable and spontaneous
Likes going with the flow
Like freedom to explore
Uncomfortable with closure (limiting)
Meet deadlines at last minute
JUDGING & PERCEPTIVE TYPES
IN WORK SITUATIONS
Judging Perceptive
• Like to plan their work and
follow the plan
• Like to get things settled and
finished
• May decide things too quickly
• May dislike to interrupt
project they are on for a more
urgent one
• May not notice new things
that need to be done
• Want only essential things
needed to begin their work
• Tend to be satisfied once they
reach a judgment
• Adapt well to changing
situations
• Don’t mind leaving things
open for alterations
• May have trouble making
decisions
• May start too many projects
and have difficulty finishing
them
• Postpone unpleasant jobs
• Want to know all about new
job
• Tend to be curious and
welcome new light on a
subject
MBTI AND CAREER
People tend to be attracted to, and have
the most satisfaction in, careers that
provide them with opportunities to
express and use their MBTI type
preferences.
Other considerations:
Various personality types exist and
contribute in every career field
MBTI is a snapshot in time
Work values
Job market
REFLECTIVE ESSAY (DUE: APRIL 9)
Paragraph 1: When you began Junior Seminar,
what careers were you considering?
Paragraph 2: What is your Myers Briggs
Personality Type (MBTI)?
Explain what your type indicates about you.
Explain what your type indicates about careers
that might fit you.
These paragraph prompts will be in the scoop next
week as well
Paragraphs 3-5 will be announced at a later date
PAPERWORK & EXIT
Turn in: Copy of MBTI score sheet (make sure
your name is on it)
Keep: MBTI booklet and Common
Majors/Careers worksheets
Resources for you in the future and it will help you
answer the MBTI-related questions on your essay
Dismissal:
Waiting on a ride? Meet at Buc Mart (Culp 2nd floor).
Driving? Drive safe.
Otherwise, walk to your bus outside the Culp Center.