The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

By: Bella Dalba

Boasting an average of two and a half million American participants per year, one of the most popular personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychometric assessment designed to measure psychological preferences in decisions and perception of the world. Originally based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, the actual test’s methodology was extrapolated and developed by Isabel Briggs-Myers and her mother, Katharine, in 1962. 

Jung's typological model regards psychological type as similar to left or right handedness: individuals are either born with, or develop, certain preferred ways of perceiving and deciding. The MBTI sorts some of these psychological differences into four opposite pairs, or dichotomies, resulting in sixteen possible types. However, Briggs and Myers theorized that individuals naturally prefer one overall combination of type differences, in the same way that writing with the left hand is hard work for a right-hander. People tend to find using their opposite psychological preferences more difficult, even if they can become more proficient (and therefore behaviorally flexible) with practice and development.

The sixteen types are typically referred to by an abbreviation of four letters. The first letter (E or I) stands for the terms extraversion or introversion: extraversion implying "outward-turning" and introversion "inward-turning,” the specific definitions of which vary somewhat from the popular usage of the words. Both of the cognitive functions can operate in the external world of behavior, action, people, and things ("extraverted attitude") or the internal world of ideas and reflection ("introverted attitude").

People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. If they are inactive, their motivation tends to decline. To rebuild their energy, extraverts need breaks from time spent in reflection. Conversely, those who prefer introversion "expend" energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again. To rebuild their energy, introverts need quiet time alone, away from activity.

Secondly, Jung identified two pairs of psychological functions: the two perceiving functions, sensing and intuition; and the two judging functions, thinking and feeling. According to Jung's typology model, each person uses one of these four functions more dominantly and proficiently than the other three; however, all four functions are used at different times, depending on the circumstances.

Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible, and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. They tend to distrust hunches, which seem to come "out of nowhere.” They prefer to look for details and facts. For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is less dependent upon the senses, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern). They may be more interested in future possibilities. For them, the meaning is in the underlying theory and principles which are manifested in the data.

Thinking and feeling are the decision-making (judging) functions. The thinking and feeling functions are both used to make rational decisions, based on the data received from their information-gathering functions (sensing or intuition). Those who prefer thinking tend to decide things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what seems reasonable, logical, causal, consistent, and matching a given set of rules. Those who prefer feeling tend to come to decisions by associating or empathizing with the situation, looking at it 'from the inside' and weighing the situation to achieve, on balance, the greatest harmony, consensus and fit, considering the needs of the people involved. Thinkers usually have trouble interacting with people who are inconsistent or illogical, and tend to give very direct feedback to others. They are concerned with the truth and view it as a priority.

Myers and Briggs added another dimension to Jung's typological model by identifying that people also have a preference for using either the judging function (thinking or feeling) or their perceiving function (sensing or intuition) when relating to the outside world (extraversion). They held that types with a preference for judging show the world their preferred judging function (thinking or feeling). As such, TJ types tend to appear as logical and FJ types as empathetic. This developed into four separate categories: Analysts (NT), Diplomats (NF), Sentinels (ST), and Explorers (SF).

“Breaking down someone’s personality into something completely individual, while still being able to relate it to other people through categories, is kind of incredible,” says Sarah Dempsey, a Seckman High School senior.

However, some researchers have interpreted the reliability of the test as being low, particularly with regards to the test-retest reliability of the test. Studies have found that between 39% and 76% of those tested fall into different types upon retesting some weeks or years later, and large numbers of individuals have found that they get different classifications when retaking the test after just five weeks. There is also strong evidence that the different scales are correlated, and not independent as claimed.

One study reports that the MBTI dichotomies exhibit good split-half reliability; however, the dichotomy scores are distributed in a bell curve, and the overall type allocations are less reliable. Also, test-retest reliability is sensitive to the time between tests. Within each dichotomy scale, about 83% of categorizations remain the same when individuals are retested within nine months, and around 75% when individuals are retested after nine months. About 50% of people tested within nine months remain the same overall type, and 36% remain the same type after more than nine months.

“I’ve been an INTJ my entire life. I think it’s more difficult for introverts to change their thought patterns, but, because extraverts tend to draw their moods from others, their personalities seem to be more flexible,” said SHS senior, Claire Kinkead. 

In another study, when people were asked to compare their preferred type to that assigned by the MBTI assessment, only half of people picked the same profile. Critics also argue that the MBTI lacks falsifiability, which can cause bias in the interpretation of results.

A number of researchers argue that criticisms regarding the MBTI mostly come down to questions regarding the validity of its origins, not questions regarding the validity of the MBTI’s usefulness. Others argue that the MBTI can be a reliable measurement of personality; Robert Capraro, a psychoanalyst, believes that "like all measures, the MBTI yields scores that are dependent on sample characteristics and testing conditions.”

Either way, personality is subjective, and therefore difficult to measure objectively. The MBTI attempts to cross this barrier, and is arguably successful: the distribution of personality types reflects the diversity of the population. Though it remains a pop culture staple, the science behind it is increasingly validated.

Men vs. women

By: Janese Watson

Why do people compare men and women? We were created differently and that is what we are. Men and women are equal in many ways, but different in many more. Our weight, shape, size and anatomy have huge differences we can all see. 

Women have four times as many brain cells, called neurons, that connect the right and left side of their brain. Men rely on the left side of their brain making them solve problems one step at a time. “I’ve always wondered if girls were smarter than guys,” says Riley Jackson. Women can focus on more than one problem at one time and prefer to solve problems through multiple activities at a time. That is only the beginning of the differences we have. 

There are a lot of interesting differences between men and women most people don’t realize. Men and women are alike in many ways, but unlike in a lot more ways. Metabolism, for example: there are small metabolic differences between men and women. Women’s total energy expenditure, which is the number of calories that metabolism needs, including breathing, blood circulation, digestion and physical activity, is around five to ten percent lower than men’s. The reduced energy expenditure can be partly explained by body composition. 

The physical differences between men and women provide functional advantages and have survival value. Senior Tenecia Clemmons asks, “Why are men more likely to lose weight over girls?” Men tend to lose weight faster than women, but why? One big difference between the sexes lies in food preferences, according to Katherine Tallmadge, the author of Diet Simple. “Men love their meat, and women are attached to carbohydrates,” she says. Men are larger and have more muscle than women due to the hormone testosterone. They are genetically designed to have a higher percentage of muscle and less fat. This helps them keeping fit and allows them in to eat more calories. Men and women have plenty of differences, but we were made to be different right?

Can virtual reality become reality?

By: Josh Leach

What if you could go anywhere and do anything?  Virtual reality could make that possible.  The public has anxiously waited and intently watched this technology progress.  Developers have not quite perfected the technology yet, but people are excited that some devices have already been made available to consumers.  In fact, Samsung plans to release a virtual reality headset this year.
The 90’s was an important time for virtual reality.  The first headsets were created, and programmers designed virtual three-dimensional animations.  However, the poor quality of the graphics disappointed a lot of people.  The technology nearly faded from public eye until recently.  Processors are faster and more efficient now, and programmers are no longer struggling with the problems they had in the 90’s.
Oculus is a company on the forefront of virtual reality development.  According to Andrew Rosenblum, a writer for Popular Science, “In the first virtual reality (VR) boom in the 1990s, there were few bigger fans than Jeffrey Travis. The engineer and filmmaker had been waiting for the day he could don a virtual jetpack and explore a virtual world.”  Jeffrey Travis went on to found Oculus.  The company is most well known for creating the Oculus Rift.  Conor Ginger, a senior at Seckman High School, believes the device is “the single greatest invention of all time.”  Logan Smith, another senior, says, “Virtual reality makes anything possible both in the virtual and real worlds.”  The Oculus Rift has been configured for gaming, designing buildings and other complex structures, and even shopping.
Audi will be using the device for designing the interior of their cars.”  The auto company’s spokesperson says, “As part of the Audi VR experience, the Oculus Rift headset (likely the second developers' kit, which is pictured in Audi's press materials) will be paired with Bang and Olufsen headphones so that users can hear the in-car environment as well.”  According to Oculus.com, “We’ve teamed up with Samsung to create the Gear VR Innovator Edition, a cutting-edge development kit for mobile virtual reality, powered by Oculus.”  This new device should hit the market sometime this year.
Virtual reality is the ultimate medium.  People can literally submerge themselves into a world of limitless potential.  The dream of the entertainment industry has finally been realized.  More importantly, the technology’s practical applications are endless.  Once again, what if you could go anywhere and do anything?

How to make invisible ink

By: Sadie Raddatz

Invisible Ink

Cell phones and modern technology have taken over communication. Sending any of sort of message can be accomplished in a few seconds with a simple text. Most of us get multiple texts every day. Invisible ink, however, is just a special way to send private messages that can't be screen shot, bringing a vintage twist to communication. This would go great on a birthday card or Valentine's Day note.

Materials needed:
- Bowl
- Paper
- Light
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Makeshift writing tool

To make invisible ink, you will need to add equal mixes of baking soda and water into a bowl. Stir until mixed. If you want a lot of ink then you will need a few cups of each to make a large amount. Secondly, you will need to find a makeshift writing tool. It can be a paintbrush or even a Q-tip, just something that will allow you to write on the paper and permit it to be big enough to read clearly.

Write your message on the paper with the chosen writing tool. You will have to wait until the paper and ink are completely dried before trying to read. It should only take a few minutes to dry. Then take a lamp (you may need to take the cover off for better lighting) and place it under the paper. Make sure it isn't held to closely; you don't want to start a fire. Read the message to make sure it is clear and legible and send it off to that person.

Invisible ink is really cool. It's fun and easy to make. Younger children would have a blast mixing everything together and writing secret messages. Being able to travel back into time to when people actually wrote notes to each other, instead of typing a quick text, is something fun and refreshing. With invisible ink, you won't have to worry about anyone reading the message.

Can Twitter diagnose mental health issues?

By: Dorian Jenkins

Computer scientists are analyzing tweets from Twitter to gather information on the prevalence of common mental illnesses. Researchers at John Hopkins University in Baltimore say their new computer program can sift through volumes of publicly available postings on Twitter and detect certain language cues associated with particular disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.
One benefit of discovering mental health data via Twitter posts is that the analysis of the information can be delivered to medical professionals much quicker and cheaper than the current, traditional methods. The data on mental illness trends discovered during a Twitter search can provide information for specific geographical areas, which would be handy for public health officials and medical providers during times that follow natural and man-made disasters. When someone tweets from their phone, the emergency teams are able to track down that phone quickly due to the GPS installed in smart phones.
As the researchers put their new system to the test it revealed a prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military personnel at United States armed service installations that regularly deployed combat troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.  It also detected Tweets indicating higher than normal symptoms of depression in areas where unemployment was high. The importance of this information is to help diagnose the disorders of someone that may need help. A Seckman High School junior, Taylor Wucher, says, “I think that this new program is a good thing because it can eventually help people in the future that may need it and it is a great use of the technology we have in our world.”
The Johns Hopkins scientists evaluated over eight billion tweets in developing their computer program; this program will look for specific words or language patterns in the tweets. For example, if information regarding disorders such as insomnia or anxiety is desired, the program would search through tweets and look for words, such as, “I really don’t want to get out of bed today,” or, “I am feeling really sad today.”
“Using Twitter to get a fix on mental health cases could be very helpful to health practitioners and governmental officials who need to decide where counseling and other care is needed most,” says Mark Dredze, an assistant research professor at the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science.
The privacy of the people that were tweeting was also a major concern with the new program. However, the program does not show the names of the people that are tweeting; therefore it keeps the users private. A Seckman High School senior, Brittany Drumm, says, “I believe that as long as the program is used for the right reasons, then there should be no concern of privacy because your profile is not shown.”
Overall, the tweets that have been uploaded to social media are actually helping researchers and doctors around the world to discover new mental health issues.