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Nancy and Linda pioneered use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®
instrument in global organizations and multicultural settings more than 15 years ago, and we have led training programs focusing on type or using
type in a dozen different countries and with clients from every continent.
The following information about type and culture is discussed in more
depth, with summaries of relevant research in the following:
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“Type and Culture”
Kirby, Kendall, and Barger; CPP, Inc., 2007
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“Multicultural Applications”
by Linda K. Kirby and Nancy J. Barger
In MBTIŽ Applications,
Allen L. Hammer, ed., CPP, Inc., 1996, pp. 167 – 196
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“Uses of Type in Multicultural Settings”
by Linda K Kirby and Nancy J. Barger
In MBTIŽ Manual, 3rd ed.,
by I.B. Myers, M.H. McCaulley |
Carl G. Jung, who developed the theory of psychological type, believed
that underlying type preferences were innate. Isabel Myers and Katharine
Briggs, who created the Myers-Briggs type Indicator Instrument to make
his theory accessible, agreed with Jung’s view.
At the same time, Jung, Myers, and Briggs also recognized the role culture
plays in individual development.
| If a plant is to unfold
its specific nature to the full, it must first be able to grow in
the soil in which it is planted. |
| Carl
G. Jung
Psychological Types |
| The hypothesis is that
type is inborn, an innate predisposition like right- or left-handedness,
but the successful development of type can be greatly helped or hindered
by environment from the beginning. |
| Isabel
Briggs Myers
Gifts Differing |
From our own experience with the MBTIŽ instrument, we have come to believe
that psychological type does identify some basic human differences, common
to people in a wide variety of cultures. At the same time, cultural norms
and values influence the ways people develop and express their type preferences.
That is, the surface behaviors of people with similar type preferences
will look somewhat different, much as a rose that grows in the rich soil
and moist climate of Portland, Oregon, looks quite different from the
same plant trying to survive in the clay soil and arid climate of Denver,
Colorado. They are both still identifiable as a rose, but the outward
appearance varies tremendously.
The MBTIŽ instrument does a remarkably good job of indicating psychological
type preferences in a wide variety of cultures. And, fortunately, we now
have many validated translations and scoring systems that make the instrument
and theory even more usable outside the U.S.
This allows us to offer our training programs, with appropriate modifications,
to groups in countries outside the U.S. and to multicultural groups –
teams in global organizations consisting of people from different cultures
or culturally mixed teams in North America.
Type as a Bridge
Because psychological type and the MBTIŽ
instrument identify common human characteristics, this approach can also
provide a bridge for understanding in programs where diversity and cultural
differences are the focus. It allows a group to come together as human
beings, in a positive way, while exploring their differences.
We have successfully delivered all of our consulting and training programs
in countries and cultures outside the U.S.: Canada, UK, Belgium, Finland,
India, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, and others. All of the
consulting and training programs we offer can be presented in cultures
outside the U.S. or with multicultural groups.
Please contact us with questions about training or about the use of the
MBTIŽ instrument, availability of translations and materials, or professional
contacts in countries outside North America.
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