Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: A Cultural and Ethical Evaluation

Abstract

This paper discusses the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) with a focus on cross-cultural issues and the ethical use of type results. It draws upon a variety of pertinent literature, from the popular press to scholarly works. Cross-cultural issues include: the universality of type, cross-cultural variations in type results, causes of those variations, and extrapolation of the results to cultural groups. Ethical topics include the potential for discrimination, the 'subject's' viewpoint--including faking, ethical uses of the results, and employment-related issues. The paper concludes that while the MBTI is a useful instrument it must be applied carefully and should never be used to segregate people 'in' or 'out'--especially in employment decisions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA276674

Entities

People

  • Charles D. Wurster

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Coast Guard
  • Culture Techniques
  • Databases
  • Employment
  • Language
  • Mental Processes
  • National Security
  • Personality
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychology
  • Security
  • Statistics
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • Theoretical Analysis.