THE LOCATION OF THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR IN PERSONALITY FACTORSPACE

Two factor analyses were performed to investigate the validity of the Italian version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Form F by lo cating the MBTI scales and factors in personality factor space in orde r to establish their meaning. In the first analysis the four continuou s scores of the MBTI were subjected to a factor analysis together with the scales of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) For m C and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) with a sample of 2 27 subjects. Five factors were obtained of which three resembled three of the five factors of the five-factor model of personality (Extraver sion, Tough-mindedness and Anxiety). They appear to be closely related to the EPQ E, P and N factors. In the second analysis, the MBTI facto r scores were subjected to a factor analysis together with the scales of the 16PF and the EPQ. The results were similar to those of the firs t analysis. The authors conclude that one only MBTI scale seems to hav e a clear meaning (EI). Of the three remaining scales, SN and JP seem to overlap at some extension, while TF seems to be not sufficiently pu re, because it loads on two different factors. It is suggested the MBT I has to be substantially modified. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd.