215 CARROLL HALL     PHONE: (540) 464-7769   FAX: (540) 464-7798    HOURS: 8:00 - 4:30 MONDAY-FRIDAY 

PERSONALITY TYPES / LEARNING STYLES

Carl Jung, the 20th Century Swiss psychologist, identified patterns in the way individuals prefer to perceive and to make judgments.  The differences in mental processes contribute to personality differences, and help explain differences in interests, strengths, and behavior. Jung's theory of psychological types is the basis of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, an inventory developed by Isabel Briggs Myers (1897-1979) and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs to increase self-knowledge and understanding of personality differences in others.  The MBTI is widely used in diverse areas, including education, business, and the military.

The MBTI measures preferences in opposite poles of four dimensions of function, identifying the combination as a four-letter personality type.  This combination of preferences provides a multi-faceted description of sixteen possible types.  While we all have the ability to use each type, we have preferences.  It is helpful to recognize situations in which it is to our advantage of develop our less-preferred function. The MBTI is not intended as a measure of abilities and skills, but is a useful tool for enhancing interpersonal communication/relationships, career selection, and academic/job performance.

The four dimensions are:

All cadets complete the MBTI three times during their cadetship.  Learning Center staff discuss the significance of this information during conferences with students.