A comparative view of the Myers-Briggs type indicator

Fam Med. 1993 Mar;25(3):186-90.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Many family practice residency programs use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in the process of resident advising. The purpose of this study was to validate the MBTI with an alternative personality evaluation instrument.

Methods: We evaluated 44 residents with both the MBTI and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and computed correlation coefficients.

Results: The highest correlations between the two tests were for the Extraversion/Introversion dimension of personality (r = -.71). The 16PF factors of Tough Poise, Independence, and Superego/Control were also significantly correlated with items on the MBTI. The Anxiety dimension of the 16PF yielded no significant correlations with the MBTI.

Conclusions: The Extraversion/Introversion variables of the MBTI and 16PF are highly correlated. Other variables on the 16PF and MBTI are also correlated.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Extraversion, Psychological
  • Family Practice
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency
  • Introversion, Psychological
  • Male
  • Mississippi
  • Personality Inventory*
  • Physicians / psychology*