Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI is one of the most researched assessments. Over the last forty years this research has established that what may seen to be random variations in behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, due to basic differences in the way individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.
The MBTI measures four preference: Extroversion or Introversion, Sensing Perception or Intuitive Perception, Thinking Judgment or Feeling Judgment, and Judgment Attitude or Perception Attitude. These preferences interact in sixteen patterns with observable behavioral differences. These differences in preference influence the way we may think, work, interact and deal with our feelings. These preferences are inborn and remain quite stable throughout our lifetime, however the stage of life may influence the way they are experienced.
The Myers-Briggs is used in situations requiring cooperation and teamwork to help team members understand each other, solve group problems, learn the strengths of team members and to identify and compensate for missing gifts.
The MBTI is used to help individuals in career decision-making by comparing the preferences of people who consider themselves successful and happy in their career choices with the preferences of the counselee. The individual is able to consider the opportunities a given career offers for use of the preferred modes of perception and judgment, and the demands that same career makes for use of the least-liked and least-developed modes of perception and judgment.
Individuals can learn to apply the MBTI to learn approaches that are most likely to earn agreement and cooperation from each of the 16 types, to increase understanding by talking the language of the persons they deal with, and to create a climate where differences are seen as interesting and valuable, rather than problematic.
The MBTI is written in language understandable by someone with an eighth grade reading level. It takes about 35 - 45 minutes to complete.
