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Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Mark Lobo
Department of Psychology CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Bangalore, India
MPS251: Psychodiagnostic Lab-I
Dr. Uma Krishnan
09 January 2025
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Introduction
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is one of the well-known personality assessment tools. It is
based on the theory of psychological types developed by Carl Jung. Katharine Cook Briggs
developed this test, and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers refined it. It is aimed at helping
individuals assess their personality preferences with respect to how they perceive the world and
decide things. MBTI helps people develop self-understanding and interpersonal understanding in
personal development and career counselling, team building, and organizational settings (Myers
& Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Description of the Attribute Being Measured
The MBTI is a personality trait measuring tool since it classifies people into one of 16
personality types based on four dichotomies:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): This dimension determines where a person gets his
energy through interaction with other people or by spending time alone (Myers & Briggs
Foundation, 2023).
Sensing (S) vs Intuition (N): This refers to how one perceives information, whether on
concrete details and facts or patterns and possibilities (Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): This dimension determines the preference in
decision-making between logic and objective criteria or personal values and empathy (Myers &
Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Judging (J) versus Perceiving (P) would indicate how the individual perceives the outside
environment, preferring order and planning rather than flexibility and spontaneity (Myers &
Briggs Foundation, 2023).
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Description of the Test
The MBTI is a self-report inventory that aims to identify a person's personality type. It
has 93 to 95 items, depending on the version. Each item gives a forced-choice question in which
respondents must choose one of two options that best describes their preferences. It can be given
in paper-and-pencil or online versions. Usually, it takes 15 to 30 minutes to answer (CAPT,
2023).
Feature Description
Number of Items 93 to 95
Time Taken 15–30 minutes
Format Self-report, forced-choice
Output One of 16 personality types (e.g., INFJ,
ESTP)
Description of Primary Factors and Second-Order Factors
The four dichotomies are E/I, S/N, T/F, and J/P. These will combine to determine the 16
personality types from the MBTI. These will give insight into communication, problem-solving,
and interpersonal dynamics with others. Among the second-order factors, MBTI scoring does not
explicitly form them, though they appear through interpretations as clusters of traits, namely:
Interpersonal orientation: Combining Extraversion/Introversion and Thinking/Feeling
(Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Cognitive style: According to Sensing/Intuition and Judging/Perceiving preferences
(Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Psychometric Properties
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The MBTI has been studied in great detail but has also been criticized for its reliability
and validity. Some of the psychometric properties are as follows:
Reliability: Test-retest reliability is moderate to high, and most people have consistency
in type assignments over time (CAPT, 2023).
Validity: The construct validity of the MBTI is supported by its alignment with Jungian
theory; however, critics argue that it lacks sufficient empirical evidence regarding predictive
validity (Boyle, 1995).
Normative Data: Large datasets collected from diverse populations have been used to
standardize the test and ensure its cultural relevance (Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Applications
The MBTI has utility in many contexts, such as:
Personal Development: This helps individuals discover their strengths, preferences, and
areas of growth (Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2023).
Career Counseling: Helps choose the right career and compatibility at the workplace
(CAPT, 2023).
Team-Building: It helps develop teamwork by understanding team personality types
(Boyle, 1995).
Education: Helps teaching methods that fit students' learning styles (Myers & Briggs
Foundation, 2023).
Organizational Development: Helps improve leadership, communication, and conflict
resolution in the workplace environment (CAPT, 2023).
Although the MBTI is broadly used, its application should focus more on individual
self-reflection instead of a set measure of capability or behaviour so that it stands out more to be
used to foster understanding than categorization, as the MBTI Foundation explained in 2023.
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Proforma of the client
Name: M. D
Age: 21
D.O.B: 08/04/2003
Gender: Female
Education: Post Graduate Student
Referred by: Self-referred
Presenting Concerns: Career uncertainty, desire for better self-awareness.
Test Administered: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Purpose of Testing:
To assess personality preferences, enhance self-awareness, and provide guidance for
personal and professional development.
Behavioural Observations:
The client appeared calm and cooperative during the assessment. She was attentive to
instructions and completed the test within the allocated time. Expressed interest in understanding
her personality profile.
Test Results:
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Dimension Raw Score Reported Type Preference
Category
Extraversion 11 E Slight
Introversion 10
Sensing 11 N Slight
Intuition 15
Thinking 9 F Moderate
Feeling 15
Judging 9 P Slight
Perceiving 13
Test Interpretation:
Extraversion vs. Introversion: The client is marginally extraverted. She seems to get
energized by relating with others, yet she enjoys times of solitude and recharging. Implications:
She will likely thrive in group environments but needs private time for reflection and
rejuvenation.
Sense or Intuition: A slight intuition preference would suggest that the client is more
interpretive of patterns and explorative of possibilities over concrete details. Implications: She is
probably future-oriented and creative, and this could benefit her in jobs requiring innovation, but
she would possibly require support with tasks that require detailed attention.
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Thinking vs. Feeling: She is a moderate feeling type and shows empathy with
value-driven decision-making. Implications: She is excellent at understanding people and
making compassionate decisions but would be weak at decisions that need strict objectivity.
Judging vs. Perceiving: A slight preference for perceiving may indicate that the client
likes flexibility and spontaneity but needs more structure to stay organized. Implications: She can
find it challenging to follow tight plans but tends to thrive well in adaptive, dynamic settings.
Impression: The client’s ENFP personality type portrays her as energetic, empathetic, and
innovative. She is highly motivated by new ideas and excels in interpersonal settings. However,
tendencies toward overcommitment and difficulty with follow-through could lead to stress,
especially when juggling multiple responsibilities.
Recommendations:
Personal Development: Encourage the client to practice mindfulness and time
management to balance her spontaneity with productivity.
Career Guidance Roles: Counseling, teaching, and project management, where creativity,
teamwork, and flexibility are encouraged.
Interpersonal Skills: Recommend that they develop ways of communicating effectively to
set limits and manage commitments.
Stress Management: Teach them how to prevent feeling overwhelmed using prioritization
and structured goal setting.
Follow-Through Strategies: Provide tools such as task lists or accountability partners to
encourage the completion of tasks and decrease distractions from other interests.
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References
Myers & Briggs Foundation. (2023). MBTI basics. Retrieved from
https://www.myersbriggs.org
Boyle, G. J. (1995). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Some psychometric
limitations. Australian Psychologist, 30(1), 71–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050069508259607
Center for Applications of Psychological Type (CAPT). (2023). MBTI applications and
uses. Retrieved from https://www.capt.org
Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological types. Princeton University Press.
