Frequently Asked Questions
What does NZAPT stand for?
New Zealand Association for Psychological Type. NZAPT is a membership organisation for those interested in learning more about, using and promoting the ethical use of personality type.
What does NZAPT do?
NZAPT provides information and training to its members, as well as opportunities for them to gather and share expertise. NZAPT provides members and others with Type related resources and expertise, and a New Zealand network of professional type practicioners.
What is the MBTI?
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a psychological self-report personality questionnaire designed to identify which of four sets of personality dichotomies most appeal to the respondant. The indicatior is a registered psychological instrument, available only to those appopriately qualified to use it. MBTI is also used loosely to refer to the approach to personality that originated in the work of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, and was developed by the mother and daughter team of Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers.
How was it developed?
The MBTI was developed over a long period, beginning in the 1940s, and most recently undergoing a major revision in the mid 1990s. Initially Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs developed questions with the help of 24 people whose personalities were well known to them. As the collection of questions grew into the indicator, more people were tested including large samples of medical and educational students and professionals, and others. The present version of the questionnaire has been developed using current psychometric best practice and extensive research and development.
How can I work out my type code?
The MBTI questionnaire and the guidance of a qualified type professional can assist you to find out your type. Click here to find a registered practitioner near you.
Great, so I know my type…what now? How can it be useful?
Type has many uses. At work it can help colleagues understand one another, unravel miscommunication relating to their perceptions of situations and their decision making about them. At home, type can help family members to recognise the worthwhile intentions behind what can otherwise seem to be annoying habits, and to negotiate compromises which allow everyone's contribution to be valued and respected.
Can I use this for my workplace? Family/children?
Yes. At work knowing your own type helps you cope with different pressures, and make your best contribution to the workplace. At home type helps move the focus to the unique gifts of each member of the family, and how to appreciate and develop them.
Where can I learn more?
Type professionals, reading, interest groups, conferences and workshops all offer opportunities to learn more about type and how to make use of it in different situations and relationships.
What research has been done on personality type?
Heaps. A monthy research journal called the Journal of Psychological Type constantly updates the professional type community with scholarly peer-reviewed academic research. The MBTI Manual summarises some of this. Ask your type professional. Other type publications (NZAPT's TYPEtype, The Type Reporter, The Bulletin, and others) report on type research and applicatons.
Are there any other “type” instruments other than the MBTI?
There are several 'instuments' which deliberately or accidentally get at the fundamental dichotomies of personality. None has the depth and breath of research development as the MBTI. For some people this barely matters, since their personality is so clear to them (and to others). But in some cases personality type is less apparent, and the quality of the questionnaire and of the expertise of the type professional are crucial for establishing type with accuracy and confidence.
What are the main uses of the MBTI?
In New Zealand MBTI is used in many organisations, groups, communities of interest, families and by individuals. It sustains their sense of wellbeing, makes sense for them of typical psychological differences and how best to use rather than be derailed by these, It is used in the training of people who have to work together or with other people, with those who manage and supervise others, in guidance, mentoring and counselling situations, in parenting and education.
How many different “types” are there?
There are 16 distinct personality types.
Just because I am an “I” does this mean that I won’t get along with “E’s?
As with any of the personality dichotomies, a difference between people can make either for tensions and conflicts between the dichotomies, or for mutual support and the valuable contribution of the other to one's own preference. Extraverts and Introverts can get along together very well and find the distinctive style of each expands and balances their own style. But they may need to recognise differences in the way they gain and use their energy so that, for example, the I gives enough feedback and response to the E, and the E allows enough space for the I to make their contirbution into the conversations.
How will it benefit me to know my “type”?
For some the major benefit of type is discovering that their own personality style is normal and healthy, whatever others might have said of it. For some the main benefit of knowing type is in understanding the basis for differences, disagreements and discomforts in relationships which are important to them, and in learning strategies for limiting the possible destructive impact of differences on relationships and shared work. For some, type provides a useful shared framework or language for working to get the best from every team member.
How will being an NZAPT member benefit me?
Membership in NZAPT will feed and challenge your interest in understanding personality. It will offer you a network of others, from beginners to experts, who use type to build the appreciative use of and respect for differences. It will give you regular kiwi and international opportunities to develop, and to share your experience and insights with others. Click here
Does NZAPT use any tools other than the MBTI?
NZAPT members use all sorts of tools in addition to MBTI. What binds NZAPT together, however, is the shared respect for the personality insights of C G Jung, and the body of type knowledge and expertise built up following Myers and Briggs and the particular indicator they developed. This has given focus to many of the world's best personality type practitioners today.
How do I become a registered practitioner of the MBTI?
The publisher of the MBTI, CPP, provide through their NZ agent a training programme and registration process. Contact NZCER for details.
My friend wants to do the MBTI online, is this possible?
Certainly. Any type professional can assist with this.
I live in Napier, is there an MBTI interest group that I can attend?
There are several MBTI interest groups around the country, as well as professionals who meet less formally. For a full and current list of the interest groups Click here
For a type professional near you Click here
Does NZAPT hold an annual conference? If so, where is this held?
NZAPT holds a biannual conference alternating with the conference held by our sister organisation in Australia. You would be welcome at either. For details about upcoming conferences and workshops, Click here
A friend of mine is an NZAPT member, she receives a copy of TYPEtype, how can I receive one?
To recieve TYPEtype, either become a member of NZAPT, or subscribe to it separately. Click here
Do I have to have completed the Qualifying Programme to become a member of NZAPT?
No. NZAPT has 3 kinds of membership, for Professional Practitioners, for Practitioners, and for Associates. There is no prerequisite qualification requried for Associate members.
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