Personality Development

Part 1: Myers-Briggs Assessment

Introduction

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a test designed to identify a person's personality and is based on the works or theory of Carl Jung on personality types. It provides a source of understanding ourselves which helps in the selection of the occupations that best suits the personality we possess. The test is made up of four pairs of dichotomies or scales which bring out 16 different types of personalities with each having different likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. The main aim of the MBTI is to let people explore and understand themselves.

Discussion

MBTI Assessment Result

Based on a series of questions, the tests revealed that I was type ESFJ (Extravert, Sensing, feeling, Judging). The personality characteristics that it highlights of this type are very similar to what I feel about myself. It suggests that I am an extravert which means that I possess characteristics that are common in extraverts. Extraverts are people who are more action oriented and have the tendency to act, then reflect and then act further. At times when they have nothing to act, their motivation level tends to decline. These people prefer more frequent interaction and get their energies by spending time with people. All these characteristics make them stand in contrast with the personality characteristics possessed by the introverts.

The second psychological function that it suggests is the way of perceiving or understanding which is more inclined towards the sensing side of the brain. This indicates that I have in contrast to intuitive characteristics that prefer living in the future, a preference of living in the present (www.personalitypathways.com). Such people use more common sense and create practical solutions. Also sensing characteristics include a recall of memory that is rich in details of facts and past events. These people also have a liking for clear and concrete information and therefore, are uncomfortable when ambiguities exist in the information provided to them.

The letter 'F' signifying feeling as a factor in my personality represents that I have an inclination towards using these over thinking characteristics. These characteristics include employment of personal feelings and a concern about the impact of a decision on other people in a situation where decision has to be taken. Since they are concerned with what people think, they seek consensus and opinions of other. Such people also have a tendency of being sensitive to the feelings of people's needs and reactions. This makes them unsettled in times of conflict and therefore they might react at such times.

The last characteristic that the assessment showed my inclination towards is the possession of a judging style while on the other hand some people might possess perceiving characteristics. This part deals with how people tend to deal with the outside world. People who have judging characteristics plan first then move into action. They prefer structuring and firm decisions and therefore generally use targets, dates and routines to manage matters of life.

Reflections on the result

A few of the characteristics mentioned above hold true for me ...