Research scientists and personal development gurus have been using personality typing as a tool for evaluation in the areas of growth and development. The belief is that by learning the theories of personality type the individual can have a rewarding experience as a tool for discovery, as opposed to a method for putting people into boxes or making excuses for behavior. When people consider personality types most individuals think first of the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator Types which was originally designed by a mother-daughter team based on the well-known research of psychologist Carl Jung. (1)
Sometimes people distinguish the difference between personality types and personality traits. Personality traits are a small group of behavioral tendencies and types are believed to involve a qualitative difference between people. For instance, having an introverted personality or an extroverted personality are two fundamentally different types of personality.
Another well-known example of personality typing is the work done by researchers which identified “Type A” personalities that appeared to be more impatient and hostile and also at more risk for heart attacks. Interestingly, this particular theory has not held up using empirical research. (2)
References:
(1) Center for applications of Pyschological Type: The Story of Isabel Briggs Myers
http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/isabel-myers.htm
(2) Psychology Today: Working With a Type A Personality
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/digital-leaders/201201/working-type-personality
(3) British Journal of Sports Medicine: Anthropometric characteristics, Body Composition and Somatotype of Elite Junior Tennis Players
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17957016
(4) Myers Briggs Foundation
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