The MBTI or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a system developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and mother Katharine Cook Briggs. Based on the work of renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung the MBTI analyzes and identifies an individual’s personality type based on preferences in four categories. The four categories or dichotomies as referred to by Jung are as follows.
Extroversion vs Introversion – This refers to the individuals preference to focus on either the outer world or inner world. This is known as (E) extroversion or (I) introversion. An extrovert will be energized by the external stimulus of others while an introvert will be energized by their inner thoughts and time to themselves.
Sensing vs Intuition- This deals with how one takes in information. One can take in information solely from the outside world. Dealing mainly with what is known. This is known as (S) sensing. One can also interpret information, adding meaning and significance in a more abstract fashion. Dealing mainly with attention to patterns and possibilities. This is known as (N) intuition.
Thinking vs Feeling – This deals with the basis for decisions within the individual. (T) or thinking looks toward logic and analysis in the the decision making process where (F) or feeling looks toward personal values and the effects of their decisions.
Perceiving vs Judging- This deals with how the individual organizes the world. Perceiving (P) focuses on flexibility. Perceivers prefer to go with the flow and keep options open. On the other hand Judgers (J) prefer structure, organization, and control. A perceiver will tend to deal with the world as it comes while a judger will tend to have routines to deal with most things.
Once tested you will discover your preference in each category. This will assign you one letter from each of the dichotomies (ex. ENFP, INTJ, etc). This will lead you to your personality type. There are sixteen in total. Below are links to a couple testing sites that can get you on your way to discovering your personality type.
Kimberly Alice Bowen 