Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
- Understand the different personality theories and how they classify and categorise individuals
- Learn about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and its four dichotomies
- Explore the characteristics of each personality preference and their impact on behaviour and communication
- Differentiate between sensing and intuition in information processing and decision-making
- Contrast the thinking and feeling approaches to decision-making
- Understand the differences in organisational and lifestyle preferences between judging and perceiving types
Tutorial Duration: 20 minutes approximately.
Lesson Notes
Introduction
- Understanding people types improves interpersonal relationships and teamwork
- Provides insight into diverse ways individuals perceive and interact with the world
- Helps in fostering better communication and reducing conflicts
- Creates more harmonious and effective working environments
- Enhances personal development by recognising different personality traits
Overview of Personality Theories
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
- The Big Five Personality Traits
- Enneagram
- Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behaviour (FIRO-B)
For image see Reference 1.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- A widely used personality assessment tool, categorising individuals into 16 personality types
- People have a tendency towards one or the other of each of these personality attributes, which makes up your four-letter type:
- E (Extraversion)
- S (Sensing)
- T (Thinking)
- J (Judging)
- I (Introversion)
- N (Intuition)
- F (Feeling)
- P (Perceiving)
- Each type is represented by a four-letter code (e.g., ENTP, ISFJ)
- Used in career counselling, team building, and personal development to enhance self-awareness and interpersonal relationships
For image see Reference 2.
Extraversion vs Introversion
| PREFERENCE / ATTRIBUTE | MORE EXTRAVERTED Direct energy outwards to people, objects, activities |
MORE INTROVERTED Direct energy inwards to ideas, memories, experiences |
| Social battery | Higher capacity | Low capacity |
| Work environment | Team-working results in best work | Solo working results in best work |
| Thinking | Out loud / discussion | Internal / solo |
| Friends / socialisation | Large circle, frequent interactions, enjoys meeting new people | Small circle, less interactions, meeting new people drains them |
| External simulation E.g. noise, lights, business, smells |
Higher tolerance | Lower tolerance |
Sensing vs Intuition
| PREFERENCE / ATTRIBUTE | MORE SENSING Perceiving using five senses |
MORE INTUITIVE Perceiving using patterns and relationships |
| Ideas / facts | Concrete: exact, literal | Abstract: figurative, possibilities |
| Imagination | Realistic: seek stability | Imaginative: seek novelty |
| Acts | Practical: hands-on | Conceptual: idea orientated |
| Theories | Experiential: observing, trust experience | Theoretical: seek patterns, trust theories |
| Values | Traditional: conventional, tried and true | Original: unconventional, different |
Thinking vs Feeling
| PREFERENCE / ATTRIBUTE | MORE THINKING Conclusions based on logic, focus on objectivity |
MORE FEELING Decisions based on personal / social values, focus on harmony |
| Values | Logical: analytical, seek clarity | Empathetic: supportive, seek harmony |
| Principles | Reasonable: seek truth, use principles | Compassionate: tactful, value loyalty |
| Challenge |
Questioning: precise, challenging |
Accommodating: agreeable, want consensus |
| Tolerance | Critical: sceptical, need proof | Accepting: trusting, give praise |
| Acts | Tough: firm, focus on implementation | Tender: gentle, focus on agreement |
Judging vs Perceiving
| PREFERENCE / ATTRIBUTE | MORE THINKING Prefers decisiveness and closure |
MORE FEELING Prefers flexibility and spontaneity |
| Structure | Systematic: orderly, structured | Casual: relaxed, easy going |
| Planning | Planful: thinks ahead, makes firm plans | Open-ended: go with the flow, flexible plans |
| Acts |
Early starting: steady progress |
Pressure-prompted: deadlines bursts / spurts |
| Routine | Scheduled: lists, procedures, routine | Spontaneous: variety, enjoys unexpected |
| Methods | Methodical: plans, step-by-step | Emergent: plunges in, adaptable |
Conclusion
Key takeaways:
- MBTI provides a framework for self-awareness and understanding others
- Four Key Dichotomies:
- Extraversion vs. Introversion
- Sensing vs. Intuition
- Thinking vs. Feeling
- Judging vs. Perceiving
Next lesson:
- Detailed characteristics of the 16 MBTI personality types
- Their application in professional settings
- How to leverage personality diversity for team success