Can you tell us a little bit about how you use the MBTI® assessment in conjunction with cultural considerations and diversity? I have used the MBTI® instrument in a variety of ways; for example, in the areas of teaching and learning styles in educational settings with its changing student demographics. In these settings I often use as a foundation one of the first books on Type: “People Types and Tiger Stripes,” written by one of my mentors–Gordon Lawrence. I have also used the MBTI instrument in Veterinary Medical Education in schools across the country. That profession has moved from being male-dominated to female-dominated, raising some complex issues in the classroom with teaching and learning styles. The MBTI tool has also been useful in teaching communication skills, team building, and leadership skills specific to women. As well, I have conducted a number of Leadership Development sessions in the community with African Americans and other diverse groups. Why does the MBTI assessment work so well with this field and context? The instrument is universal; it celebrates and appreciates individual differences when used correctly. The MBTI tool works well in a diverse range of applications, largely because it is a positive look at human behavior where all types are equally valuable. In addition, it has applications in every aspect of the individual’s life. What has been the most profound moment for you in your practice with the MBTI assessment? What has been the biggest challenge? In my practice, the most profound moment with the MBTI assessment was at the East meets West Conference in Hawaii which attracted members of the TYPE community from all over the world. Another great experience was participating in an invitational session at the Korean Studies Institute, located on the campus of the University of Hawaii; we were reviewing all of the current translations, in addition to the standardized process of translation. We also discussed additional translations which are being worked on for future use. In addition, I was honored to be selected by CPP, Inc. to serve on the MBTI Advisory Board in the development of the Form M of the MBTI instrument, along with Allan Hammer, Peter and Katherine Myers, Dick Olsen, Roger Pearman and others. My biggest challenge is being an African American member of the TYPE community in the US. There are very few of us, which is surprising given the nature of the instrument which celebrates and appreciates individual differences. Any advice for practitioners working in the multicultural/diversity setting? Learn as much as you can about the culture and the people that you use the assessment with. It is extremely important to build trust and be sensitive to cultural differences. Assure your clients that personality type is universal and make them aware that the instrument has been translated into a number of languages with sensitivity to the culture in which it is to be used. Read the literature in the areas of cultural differences and personality type. Remember that your clients’ interpretations, and how they derive meaning from the MBTI results are extremely important. Make a point of learning from the international TYPE community. Daniel C. Robinson, Ph.D. (ENFP) has served as a faculty member and administrator at Iowa State University for 42 years. He is an Emeritus University Professor/ Professor of Higher Education Administration in the School of Education in the College of Human Sciences. He served as Department Chair for Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Director of Graduate Education. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Type International in which he was a past president. He received two of the associations’ highest recognitions, The President’s Award and The Gordon Lawrence Award. He was a Qualifying Program Faculty member for APTi, The Center for the Applications of Psychological Type (CAPT) and Psychometrics Canada. He served on the Myers Briggs Research Advisory Board for Consulting Psychology Press Inc. (the publishers of the MBTI assessment), and assisted in the development of Form M of the MBTI assessment. He is an MBTI Master Practitioner. In addition to serving on the APTi Board as Multi-Cultural Interest Area Consultant he was Conference Chair and program chair for APTi Biennial Conferences.
