What are the MBTI ® Myers Briggs Type Indicator Meta programs?
The MBTI is the world's most widely used and popular personality tool. It is based on Carl Jung's psychological type theory. Jung's original use of the word “type” meant typical. Many modern theorists have mistakenly allowed the word type to describe a particular kind of person.
Kathryn Briggs and daughter Isabel Briggs Myers extended and expanded Jung's descriptions. They developed a structure of 16 types based on four Meta program polarities or dichotomies.
The MBTI explains differences in behavior resulting from different ways people use their minds. It is not always used as description. Many people believe that the tool shows who they “really” are. They use it to categorize people. It can lead to the mistaken idea that you are an unchangeable type.
Many MBTI theorists think that the preferences are either/or. They believe you can only do one or the other at any one time. A Meta program perspective considers their use as a sliding scale with the extreme polarities on either end.
Introvert/Extrovert
The terms Introvert Extrovert often describe timid or sociable behavior. The Myers Briggs view is about recharging energy. Do you get your energy by being with people or by spending time alone?
This is usually noticeable when stressed. It is the preferred orientation to the inner or outer world.
Sensing Intuiting
The Sensing Intuiting scale is about how we gather information. It asks how we know what we know. By sensing, we gather information about the world through seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting. We pay attention to the cues we get from the outside world.
Intuiting adds meaning and interpretations to that sensory experience.
Thinking/Feeling
The Thinking Feeling scale refers to the basis of our decision-making. A person operating from the thinking end of the scale will use logic and rational criteria to make a decision.
From the feeling end they will use personal values and considerations. The NLP distinction of triple perspectives is useful in understanding this perspective.
Judging Perceiving
The Judging Perceiving scale has little to do with judgment in the sense of criticism. This Meta program relates to how we adapt ourselves to the world or attempt to control it.
When we perceive the world, we observe it and adapt to it. When we are in judging mode we think in terms of how we can make the most of it, order it and control it.
There is a saying that reasonable people adapt themselves to the world and unreasonable people try to make the world adapt to them….all progress is made by unreasonable people.
Personality Test
Here is a quick online personality test for Myers Briggs
The 16 MBTI personality types are
ISTJ - quiet, practical, logical, organized
ISTP - quiet, practical, logical, flexible
ISFJ - quiet, conscientious, friendly, orderly
ISFP - quiet, sensitive, friendly, harmonious
INTJ - independent, original, quick, organized
INTP - quiet, abstract, logical, flexible
INFJ - quiet, seek connection between ideas, decisive, organized
INFP - idealistic, loyal, decisive, adaptable
ESTJ - practical implementation, realistic, logical, decisive
ESTP - action, pragmatic, focus on results, flexible
ESFJ - loyal, action, warmhearted, conscientious
ESFP - outgoing, realistic, friendly, accepting
ENTJ - frank, like to lead, logical, decisive
ENTP - outspoken, resourceful, analytical, like variety
ENFJ - Sociable, inspiring leadership, warm, responsible
ENFP - warmly enthusiastic and imaginative, flexible
These different combinations have unique behavioral outcomes. As NLP Meta programs, the approach for each typology is to look at the "inferior function".
The inferior function is often the least competent use of our thinking. Because it is less developed, it's often where we are most limited. When we add the mind skills of the least used polarity, we can gain balance and leverage.
