Where is MBTI used? (3 Uses)

Where is MBTI used? In this article, we will look at 3 main areas in which MBTI is applicable and useful. These areas include personal growth/interpersonal, self-development and organizational/institutional development. 

For decades, companies, universities, the military and other organizations have widely used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to evaluate personality.

Among the most common ways to quantify the psychological or personality types of Carl Jung is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).  It is a standardized self-report inventory which is used to determine the personality type of an individual, preferences and judgment.

There are four key dichotomies of preferences in MBTI. The 16 MBTI personality types are identified as a result of interaction between these four dichotomies of preferences. The theoretical foundation of MBTI is based on Carl Jung’s theory.

The MBTI is more of a preliminary step instead of a finishing line for self-discovery. At the very least, the test suggests that people mostly behave differently because they perceive and communicate differently with the environment. 

If the MBTI allows people to recognize that these different worldviews will arise from their disputes, then that alone could make this process valuable.

Where is MBTI used: Areas

The Myers-Briggs Style Indicator is a powerful instrument for personality evaluation and is currently the best-selling method of its kind. It is useful as a tool for learning styles and as a testing tool for assessing classrooms.

It allows us to understand the teaching/learning process, and according to their personality style, their preferences, and their values, it helps us advice students. It is, however, a highly technical tool, and we need to be professional in its use.

Carl G. Jung’s writings and an overwhelming number of writings on its legitimacy, durability, construction, and implementation support it. Those of us intrigued in such a method that lets us learn about individual differences in the classroom of engineering and technology is encouraged to explore it.

Areas of Life	Uses of MBTI in these areas
Personal growth/ Interpersonal	·       Counseling·       Spiritual·       Relationship
Self-development	·       Education·       Career planning
Organizational/ Institutional development	·       Workplace dynamics·       Job preference·       Job satisfaction

List of MBTI use

MBTI is a widely used personality indicator test. The areas where MBTI is frequently used are:

• It can be used in marketing

• It can be used professional development

• It can be used leadership skills training

• It can be used team mentoring and group dynamics

• It can be used executive coaching

• It can be used pedagogy

• It can be used life coaching

• It can be used personal development

• It can be used career counseling

• It can be used couple counseling

• It can be used for family counseling and family business etc.

What are MBTI Dimensions & Personality Types?

What is Personality?

The word personality is rooted in a Latin word ‘persona.’ The word persona refers to a theatrical mask work by performers in order to either look a definite way or disguise their characters. Carl Jung highlights the idea of “collective unconscious.”

This notion refers to the innate psychological dispositions of all human beings.  According to the American Psychological Association, “Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.

The study of personality focuses on two broad areas:

• One understanding is the individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability.
• The other understanding is how the various parts of a person come together as a whole.”

Four Key Dichotomies

There are four dichotomies including 2 opposing styles each, which makes a total of 8 different styles. The 8 styles are Extraversion (E), Introversion (I), Sensing (S), iNtuition (N), Judging (J), Perceiving (P), Thinking (T) and Feeling (F). Once it is determined what an individual style for the four dichotomies is, a four letter code is obtained. These four letters are the initials of each of the preferred styles.

• MBTI Dichotomy – Introversion vs. Extraversion (I/E)

Function: How individuals get their energy?

Description: By spending quiet time alone or with a small group, introverts are energized. They seem to be more thoughtful and reserved. By spending time with individuals and in busy, productive surroundings, extraverts are energized. They seem to be outspoken and more verbal.

• MBTI Dichotomy – Sensing vs. iNtuition (S/I)

Function: How individuals take in the information?

Description: Sensors rely on their five senses and are interested in data that they can see, hear, and so on directly. They prefer to be hands-on students and are frequently characterized as “practical.” A more abstract level of thought focuses on iNtuitive; they are creative and more interested in ideas, patterns, and explanations. 

• MBTI Dichotomy- Judging vs. Perceiving (J/P)

Function: How individuals make decisions?

Description: Judgers enjoy structure and order; they like organized stuff, and they hate last-minute revisions. Flexibility and spontaneity are valued by perceivers; they want to leave open things so they can change their minds.

• MBTI Dichotomy –Thinking vs. Feeling (T/F)

Function: How individuals organize their world?

Description: Thinkers, in their heads, prefer to make decisions; they are interested in making the most rational, fair option. Feelers prefer to make choices in their hearts; they are interested in how people will be influenced by a decision, and whether it suits their beliefs. 

List of MBTI Types

The above mentioned method of obtaining combination can yield 16 possible personality types:

MBTI Types	Abbreviations
ISTJ	Introverted – Sensing – Thinking – Judging
ESTJ	Extraverted – Sensing – Thinking – Judging
ISTP	Introverted – Sensing – Thinking – Perceiving
ESTP	Extraverted – Sensing – Thinking – Perceiving
ISFJ	Introverted – Sensing – Feeling – Judging
ESFJ	Extraverted – Sensing – Feeling – Judging
ISFP	Introverted – Sensing – Feeling – Perceiving
ESFP	Extraverted – Sensing – Feeling – Perceiving
INFJ	Introverted – iNtuition – Feeling – Judging
ENFJ	Extraverted – iNtuition – Feeling – Judging
INFP	Introverted – iNtuition – Feeling – Perceiving
ENFP	Extraverted – iNtuition – Feeling – Perceiving
INTJ	Introverted – iNtuition  – Thinking – Judging
ENTJ	Extraverted – iNtuition – Thinking – Judging
INTP	Introverted – iNtuition – Thinking – Perceiving
ENTP	Extraverted – iNtuition – Thinking – Perceiving

Effective use of MBTI

Only a specialist qualified in its use should conduct, evaluate and analyze the MBTI, other than in the case of a form which can be self-scored, but which should still be administered and interpreted by a professional.

Performance may be influenced by cultural and language differences in the test subject and can result in inconsistent test results. Until testing starts, the test administrator should be told if the test taker is not fluent in English and/or has a specific cultural context.

MBTI Uses: 3 Areas

Personal Growth/ Interpersonal

Counseling: 

As part of his therapy practice with clients, Jung originally formulated his theory of styles. In the practice of psychological therapy, the heart of type theory has its origins, and type is used there today.  Form may shed light on a variety of therapy issues frequently addressed: self-esteem, relationship problems, life growth and changes, decision-making, and others. For talking about problems in therapy, form may also include a non-judgmental language.

Spiritual: 

Most individuals feel that type offers a way to understand their spiritual journey and growth: their innate abilities and possible blind spots. People of varying sorts are attracted to different spiritual traditions and have different ways to communicate their interpretation of spirituality. For instance, those who prefer introversion may be more attracted to solo or thoughtful practices, whereas those who prefer extraversion may be more attracted to community or engaging ritual beliefs.

Relationship: 

Relationship style variations may be a source of development and/or conflict. There are no better or more powerful combinations of forms in relationships, however. Two people who share all four preferences are as likely as a couple who share only one or two preferences to get along comfortably. Implementing the right relationship form theory can improve communication, empower people with a better perception of how they deal with disputes, as well as provide strategies for a variety of circumstances, including setting priorities efficiently and interacting together in experiences.

Self-Development

Education: 

There are several things the type will teach us about the way people wish to learn. Those with a propensity for extraversion, for instance, often choose learning conditions that require them to speak to others and become physically involved with the world. Those with a propensity for introversion often prefer learning environments that encourage them to indulge in quiet contemplation, where once they are more mature, they can express their thoughts internally. An appreciation of form contributes to the realization that several different and equally useful ways of learning are possible. When you view learning and learning, type will also help you recognise some of your strengths and challenges.

Career Planning: 

Study has empirically demonstrated that the individuals are drawn to professions that enable them to make utilization their preferences for natural personality types. Although the type of career that interests them will affect all four letters of their categories, the two mid symbols (NF, SF, ST, NT) of your type are of key significance to your forthcoming career.

Organizational/ Institutional Development

Workplace Dynamics:  

The style is commonly used in the workplace and in organizational environments. Different styles are obviously attracted to different occupations, as we have already mentioned. Nonetheless, several different styles are represented within any single job or work environment. This variety of kinds is safe and exciting, but it can also contribute to workplace disagreements and frictions. Increased coordination, more productive teams, and more happy workers and clients will result in understanding and applying form to the workplace.

Job Preference: 

Anyone can do any job, but if people gets a job which is coherent with their MBTI personality type, the chances of high job performance and high job satisfaction increases.

Conclusion

Where is MBTI used? This article reviewed 3 main areas in which MBTI is applicable and useful. These areas were categorized in personal growth/interpersonal, self-development and organizational/institutional development. For decades, companies, universities, the military and other organizations have widely used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to evaluate personality.

FAQs: Where is MBTI used?

References

Kendra Cherry. (2020, September 17). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583

The Myers and Briggs Foundation. Ways Type Can Be Used. The Myers and Briggs Foundation. https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/my-mbti-results/ways-type-can-be-used.htm

Ilana E. Strauss. (2015, September 16). Soul Searching Through the Myers-Briggs Test. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/09/people-love-the-myers-briggs-personality-test/404737/