The  MBTI  Functions  &  Stress  Management:    Advanced  Interpretation  Strategies  

 Greta  A.  Davis,  Ph.D.,  LPC-­‐S,  NCC,  MCC  

 2015  Texas  Counseling  Association  Professional  Growth  Conference  

Corpus  Christi,  Texas  

“In  The  Grip”  Experiences  

* Out-­‐of-­‐character  experiences  * Healthy  or  Unhealthy?  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Preference  Dichotomies  

Extraversion                  ENERGY  Introversion    

Sensing                                                                          INFORMATION  INtuition  

 

Thinking            DECISIONS  Feeling  

 

Judging              LIFESTYLE  Perceiving  

(Myers,  McCaulley,  Quenk,  &  Hammer,  2003)    

Preference  Dichotomies  

* Natural,  inborn  preferences  informed  by  environmental  experiences  * All  combine  to  create  16  different  personality  types  * All  use  psychological  energy  in  different,  predictable  ways  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Functions  &  Perception  

Sensing  

* 5  senses    * Facts  * Part-­‐to-­‐whole  * Practical  

INtuition  

* Patterns  *  Ideas  &  possibilities  * Whole-­‐to-­‐part  *  Imaginative  

(Myers,  McCaulley,  Quenk,  &  Hammer,  2003)    

Functions  &  Judgment    (Decision-­‐making)  

Thinking  

* Logic  * Analytics  * Objectivity  * Competence  

Feeling  

* Subjective  * Empathy  * Harmony  * Relationship  Impact  

(Myers,  McCaulley,  Quenk,  &  Hammer,  2003)    

Four  Functions  

                         

Sensing                                                                          Perception  INtuition  

 

Thinking            Judgment  Feeling  

 

                 

* Ordering  of  functions  

(Myers,  McCaulley,  Quenk,  &  Hammer,  2003)    

Type  dynamics  suggests  an  energy  hierarchy  for  each  of  the  four  functions:  * Dominant  * Auxiliary  * Tertiary  *  Inferior  

Order  of  Preferences  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

Ordering  of  the  Four  Functions  

* Dominant  Function  * Most  preferred  function  *  Greatest  amount  of  time  and  energy  used  *  Conscious  and  under  direct  control  *  Influences  choice  of  work  and  relating  to  others  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

* Auxiliary  Function  *  Still  conscious  but  less  so  in  

relationship  to  dominant  *  Compliments  and  balances  the  

dominant  function  by  being  the  opposite  mental  process  from  the  dominant  function  *  Provides  the  personality  with  a  

reliable  way  of  taking  in  information  and  making  decisions  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Ordering  of  the  Four  Functions  

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

* Tertiary  Function  * Always  the  opposite  to  the  auxiliary  function  * Relatively  unconscious  and  not  under  direct  control  * Difficult,  uncomfortable  and  unsatisfying  to  use  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Ordering  of  the  Four  Functions  

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

*  Inferior  Function  *  Always  opposite  of  the  dominant  function    *  Smallest  amount  of  conscious  psychological  energy  used  *  Amount  of  unconscious  energy  is  matched  with  that  of  the  dominant  function  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Ordering  of  the  Four  Functions  

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Attitudes  or  Orientations    

Extraversion                  ENERGY  Introversion    

* The  direction  or  flow  of  energy  * Balance  in  the  personality  requires  energy  to  pushed  in  different  directions  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Attitudes  or  Orientations    

Extraversion                  ENERGY  Introversion    * Dominant  Function  –  energy  is  pushed  outward  or  inward  depending  on  E/I  preference  * Auxiliary  Function  –  energy  is  pushed  in  direction  of  the  non-­‐preferred  E/I  dichotomy  * Tertiary  Function  –  energy  used  in  either  direction  *  Inferior  Function  –  energy  is  pushed  toward  the  opposite  of  the  dominant  

* Clarifies  the  balance  of  psychological  energy  within  the  functions  * Clarifies  communication  style  (the  part  that  is  extraverted)  *  Identifies  important  personality  aspects  that  others  usually  don’t  see  

Type  Dynamics  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Using  the  MBTI  ®  Tool  in  Organizations  (3rd  ed.)  ©  2001  by  CPP,  Inc.  Permission  is  hereby  granted  to  reproduce  this  overhead  master  for  workshop  use.  Duplication  for  any  other  use,  including  resale,  is  a  violation  of  copyright  law.  MBTI  is  a  trademark  or  registered  trademark  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator  Trust  in  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  

ISTJ 1.  Sensing 2.  Thinking 3.  Feeling 4.  Intuition

ISFJ 1.  Sensing 2.  Feeling 3.  Thinking 4.  Intuition

INFJ 1.  Intuition 2.  Feeling 3.  Thinking 4.  Sensing

INTJ 1.  Intuition 2.  Thinking 3.  Feeling 4.  Sensing

ISTP 1.  Thinking 2.  Sensing 3.  Intuition 4.  Feeling

ISFP 1.  Feeling 2.  Sensing 3.  Intuition 4.  Thinking

INFP 1.  Feeling 2.  Intuition 3.  Sensing 4.  Thinking

INTP 1.  Thinking 2.  Intuition 3.  Sensing 4.  Feeling

ESTP 1.  Sensing 2.  Thinking 3.  Feeling 4.  Intuition

ESFP 1.  Sensing 2.  Feeling 3.  Thinking 4.  Intuition

ENFP 1.  Intuition 2.  Feeling 3.  Thinking 4.  Sensing

ENTP 1.  Intuition 2.  Thinking 3.  Feeling 4.  Sensing

ESTJ 1.  Thinking 2.  Sensing 3.  Intuition 4.  Feeling

ESFJ 1.  Feeling 2.  Sensing 3.  Intuition 4.  Thinking

ENFJ 1.  Feeling 2.  Intuition 3.  Sensing 4.  Thinking

ENTJ 1.  Thinking 2.  Intuition 3.  Sensing 4.  Feeling

Order  of  Preferences  

Using  the  MBTI  ®  Tool  in  Organizations  (3rd  ed.)  ©  2001  by  CPP,  Inc.  Permission  is  hereby  granted  to  reproduce  this  overhead  master  for  workshop  use.  Duplication  for  any  other  use,  including  resale,  is  a  violation  of  copyright  law.  MBTI  is  a  trademark  or  registered  trademark  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator  Trust  in  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  

Type  Dynamics  

RM 5-2

Evidence suggests that the dominant function emerges during childhood. The auxiliary function develops during adolescence. The last two functions often begin to surface after one is well established both professionally and in relationships.

1. Dominant______________________ _______________a

2. Auxiliary ______________________ b _______________c

3. Tertiary ______________________ _______________ 4. Inferior ______________________ _______________

Preference (S, N, T, or F) Attitude (E or I)

UNCONSCIOUS

CONSCIOUS Dominant function

Auxiliary function

Tertiary function

Inferior function

*  a The attitude of your dominant function is extraverted if you are an Extravert, introverted if you are an Introvert. *  b If your dominant function is a perceiving function

(Sensing or Intuition), then your auxiliary function is a judging function (Thinking or Feeling), and vice versa. *  c The attitudes of your second and fourth functions are

opposite the attitude of the dominant. Researchers disagree as to the attitude of the third function.

Type  Dynamics  

Using  the  MBTI  ®  Tool  in  Organizations  (3rd  ed.)  ©  2001  by  CPP,  Inc.  Permission  is  hereby  granted  to  reproduce  this  overhead  master  for  workshop  use.  Duplication  for  any  other  use,  including  resale,  is  a  violation  of  copyright  law.  MBTI  is  a  trademark  or  registered  trademark  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator  Trust  in  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  

*  Creates  balance  &  equilibrium  in  the  personality  *  Warns  us  that  we  are  doing  to  much  of  something  *  Provides  valuable  learning  opportunities  

Inferior  Function  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Triggers  for  the  inferior  function  include:  

*  Fatigue  *  Illness  *  Physical  or  psychological  stress  *  Alcohol  or  drugs  *  Life  transitions  

Inferior  Function  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

When  the  inferior  function  emerges  it  is:  

*  Exaggerated  or  extreme  *  Inexperienced  or  immature  *  Undifferentiated  and  categorical  

Inferior  Function  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

*  Compensation  *  Adjusts  for  one-­‐sidedness  of  personality  *  Self  Regulation  *  Serves  as  warning  *  Creates  impetus  for  self-­‐development    

Purpose  of  the  Inferior  Function  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

*  Anger  *  Tunnel  Vision  *  Loss  of  sense  of  humor  

Inferior  Function  Expressions  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Do  *  Validate  concerns  *  Demonstrate  understanding  *  Postpone  discussion    

General  Recommended  Reponses  

 (Quenk,  2000)  

Don’t    *  Try  to  reason  *  Contradict  them  *  Defend  yourself  * Minimize  or  dismiss  concerns  *  Use  humor    

Using  the  MBTI  ®  Tool  in  Organizations  (3rd  ed.)  ©  2001  by  CPP,  Inc.  Permission  is  hereby  granted  to  reproduce  this  overhead  master  for  workshop  use.  Duplication  for  any  other  use,  including  resale,  is  a  violation  of  copyright  law.  MBTI  is  a  trademark  or  registered  trademark  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator  Trust  in  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  

Applying  Understanding  

In  small  groups,  discuss  the  scenario  assigned  to  you:  *  An  ISFP  woman’s  parents  expect  her  to  finish  her  MBA  and  then  

take  over  the  family  accounting  practice.  *  An  ENFP  student  is  pressured  into  declaring  a  major  by  the  end  of  

his  freshman  year  in  college.  *  An  ISFJ  employee  has  just  been  laid  off  after  20  years  in  the  same  

department  with  the  same  company.  *  An  ENTJ  employee  on  an  upward  high-­‐potential  track  has  just  

been  passed  over  for  a  promotion.    

RM 5-3

Applying  Understanding  

RM 5-3

Discuss  the  following  questions,  record  key  points  to  present  to  the  larger  group:  *  While  these  situations  might  cause  stress  for  anyone,  why  might  it  be  worse  for  the  individual  described?  *  What  actions  might  others  observe  that  would  indicate  the  person  is  being  stressed?  *  How  would  you  use  type  dynamics  and  the  inferior  function  to  help  the  person  understand  his  or  her  stress?  To  find  sources  of  rest  and  richness?  

Using  the  MBTI  ®  Tool  in  Organizations  (3rd  ed.)  ©  2001  by  CPP,  Inc.  Permission  is  hereby  granted  to  reproduce  this  overhead  master  for  workshop  use.  Duplication  for  any  other  use,  including  resale,  is  a  violation  of  copyright  law.  MBTI  is  a  trademark  or  registered  trademark  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator  Trust  in  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  

References  

 Myers,  I.  B.,  McCaulley,  M.  H.,  Quenk,  N.  L.,  Hammer,  A.  L.  (2003).  MBTI  

manual:  A  guide  to  the  development  and  use  of  the  Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator.  Palo  Alto,  CA:  CPP.  

 Quenk,  N.  (2000).  In  the  grip:  Understanding  type,  stress  and  the  inferior  

function.  Mountainview,  CA:  CPP,  Inc.      

 Greta  A.  Davis,  Ph.D.,  LPC–S,  NCC,  MCC      

Dr.  Greta  Davis  is  a  career  counselor,  counselor  educator,  and  consultant  with  15  years  combined  experience  in  career  counseling  and  leadership  development  providing  services  to  individual  clients,  academic  institutions,  and  the  federal  government.  Dr.  Davis  currently  works  as  Clinical  Assistant  Professor  at  Southern  Methodist  University  and  maintains  a  small  private  practice  providing  career  counseling  and  assessment  services  and  helping  clients  with  career  related  issues  such  as  complex  career  decision-­‐making,  planned  and  unplanned  career  transitions,  work/life  balance,  leadership  development,  stress  management,  job  search,  resume  writing  and  interviewing  skills,  retirement,  and  more.  She  is  an  expert  administrator  of  assessments  such  as  the  Strong  Interest  Inventory®,    

Greta  A.  Davis,  Ph.D.    �  gretad@smu.edu    �    972-­‐841-­‐7447  

Myers-­‐Briggs  Type  Indicator®,  SkillScan,  and  Values  Driven  Work.  Dr.  Davis  is  a  frequent  speaker  at  professional  counseling  conferences  and  workshops  at  local,  state,  and  national  meetings  and  delivers  presentations  on  all  facets  of  career  development.  Dr.  Davis  is  the  2009  recipient  of  the  TCDA  Outstanding  Career  Practitioner  Award.