Myers briggs how many types

Their theories were based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, although they extended his ideas to create a more complete framework of personality typing. Myers and Briggs proposed that there were four key dimensions that could be used to categorize people:. Myers and Briggs described this as a "preference" and proposed that any individual should be able to identify a preferred style on each of the four dimensions. The sum of a person's four preferred styles becomes their personality type.

Myers and Briggs theorized that our preferences on each of the four dimensions would combine to create predictable patterns in thought and behavior, so that people with the same four preferences would share many commonalities in the way they approach their lives, from the hobbies they choose to the work that might suit them. Each of the four letters in a personality type code stands for a preference in your style of thinking or behaving. Introverts are energized by spending quiet time alone or with a small group.

They tend to be more reserved and thoughtful. Extraverts are energized by spending time with people and in busy, active surroundings. They tend to be more expressive and outspoken. Sensors focus on their five senses and are interested in information they can directly see, hear, feel, and so on.

They tend to be hands-on learners and are often described as "practical. Intuitives focus on a more abstract level of thinking; they are more interested in theories, patterns, and explanations. They are often more concerned with the future than the present and are often described as "creative. Thinkers tend to make decisions with their heads; they are interested in finding the most logical, reasonable choice.

Feelers tend to make decisions with their hearts; they are interested in how a decision will affect people, and whether it fits in with their values.

Judgers appreciate structure and order; they like things planned, and dislike last-minute changes. Perceivers appreciate flexibility and spontaneity; they like to leave things open so they can change their minds.

The questionnaire was developed by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs based on their work with Carl Jung's theory of personality types. Today, the MBTI inventory is one of the most widely used psychological instruments in the world. Both Myers and Briggs were fascinated by Jung's theory of psychological types and recognized that the theory could have real-world applications. During World War II, they began researching and developing an indicator that could be utilized to help understand individual differences.

By helping people understand themselves, Myers and Briggs believed that they could help people select occupations that were best suited to their personality types and lead healthier, happier lives. Myers created the first pen-and-pencil version of the inventory during the s, and the two women began testing the assessment on friends and family.

They continued to fully develop the instrument over the next two decades. Based on the answers to the questions on the inventory, people are identified as having one of 16 personality types. The goal of the MBTI is to allow respondents to further explore and understand their own personalities including their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, possible career preferences, and compatibility with other people. No one personality type is "best" or "better" than another.

It isn't a tool designed to look for dysfunction or abnormality. Instead, its goal is simply to help you learn more about yourself. The questionnaire itself is made up of four different scales. The extraversion - introversion dichotomy was first explored by Jung in his theory of personality types as a way to describe how people respond and interact with the world around them. While these terms are familiar to most people, the way in which they are used in the MBTI differs somewhat from their popular usage.

Extraverts also often spelled extroverts are "outward-turning" and tend to be action-oriented, enjoy more frequent social interaction, and feel energized after spending time with other people. Introverts are "inward-turning" and tend to be thought-oriented, enjoy deep and meaningful social interactions, and feel recharged after spending time alone.

We all exhibit extraversion and introversion to some degree, but most of us tend to have an overall preference for one or the other. This scale involves looking at how people gather information from the world around them.

Just like with extraversion and introversion, all people spend some time sensing and intuiting depending on the situation. According to the MBTI, people tend to be dominant in one area or the other.

People who prefer sensing tend to pay a great deal of attention to reality, particularly to what they can learn from their own senses. They tend to focus on facts and details and enjoy getting hands-on experience. Those who prefer intuition pay more attention to things like patterns and impressions. They enjoy thinking about possibilities, imagining the future, and abstract theories. This scale focuses on how people make decisions based on the information that they gathered from their sensing or intuition functions.

People who prefer thinking place a greater emphasis on facts and objective data. They tend to be consistent, logical, and impersonal when weighing a decision. Excitement seeking. Active organizer. Fact minded. Results oriented. Take charge. Common sense. Vision and meaning oriented. Quietly intense. Seeks harmony, growth. Loves language, symbols. Deep-felt valuing. Quietly caring. Pursues meaning, harmony.

Empathic helpers. Enjoys ideas, language, writing. Vision oriented. Quietly innovative. Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact.

Decisive, quickly move to implement decisions. Organize projects and people to get things done, focus on getting results in the most efficient way possible. Take care of routine details. Have a clear set of logical standards, systematically follow them and want others to also. Forceful in implementing their plans. Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative.

Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters.

Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute. Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism.

Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership. Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems.

Enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others. Forceful in presenting their ideas. Used with permission. ISTJ Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability.