Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI^®), Introduction to Type

The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI^®) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives.  The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the way individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.

Perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of things, people, happenings, or ideas.  Judgment involves all the ways of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived.  If people differ systematically in what they perceive and in how they reach conclusions, then it is only reasonable for them to differ correspondingly in their interests, reactions, values, motivations, and skills.

The MBTI^® assessment offers many benefits including:

• A framework and a process yielding greater self-awareness and leading to better self-management.
• A vocabulary that allows people and groups to speak more effectively about needs, expectations, preferences, and conflict.
• A statistically validated tool that supports effective communication, leadership, team and relationship development.

The MBTI^® is part of a student’s co-curricular programming for professional development training (one of the six pillars of our leadership development program).  These learning outcomes are realized by utilizing two of our four leadership learning opportunities – leadership training and leadership development.  Leadership training is based on the acquisition of leadership knowledge, skills, and values.  Leadership development is based on the practice and reflection of leadership knowledge, skills, and values.

Learning Outcomes:

• Better understanding of self (in terms of preferences)
• Greater understanding of communication styles
• Greater understanding of how information is internally gathered
• Greater understanding of how information is comprehended
• An understanding of collaboration styles among different types

Eligibility:  The MBTI^® Introduction to Type seminar is offered to all freshmen at CMA.

Schedule for Academic Year 2009-2010

TBA

Materials Provided:

• Myers, P. and Myers, K. (1998).  Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® Form M © Template -Scored Answer Sheet.  Mountain View, CA; CPP, Inc.

• Myers-Briggs, I. (1998).  Introduction to Type (6th Edition).  Mountain View, CA; CPP, Inc.

• Kroeger, O., Rutledge, H., and Thuesen, J. (2002).  Type Talk at Work.  New York, NY; Dell Publishing.

Facilitator(s):

          TBA