Preliminary Discussion of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator MBTI

Author(s):

Saunders, David R.

Publication Year:

1958

Report Number:

RM-58-01

Source:

ETS Research Memorandum

Document Type:

Report

Page Count:

19

Subject/Key Words:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Personality Assessment, Personality Measures, Personality Theories

Abstract

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is notable for its conscious and extensive application of a personality theory, its emphasis on major aspects of personality, and the fact that primary consideration is given to normal rather than abnormal persons. The approach taken by the MBTI is fundamentally different from that which is familiar in contemporary psychology. MBTI measures the following functions and attitudes: (1) judgment versus perception; (2) thinking versus feeling; (3) sensation versus intuition; and (4) extraversion versus introversion. Form D, currently being constructed, contains 250 items in a 17-page booklet; items include 188 phrase questions and 62 word pairs. As for interpreting the MBTI, Judgment-Perception may be inferred from the other scores, leaving three fully independent scores. A graphic model may be presented using colored tape on a plastic beach ball. Relative frequencies of the eight different types may be plotted.

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