Building Blocks of Personality Type: A Guide to Using the Eight-Process Model of Personality Type

254 Pages·2006·43.24 MB·English

by  Leona Haas, Mark Hunziker

'fOLOGy/SELF- HELP
'ake the next stepiii understanding
iung's mental processes!
Iuildlng Blocks of Personality Type provides
a simple and direct route into the hea!t of
i ersonality type. Authors Leona Haas and Mark
1mziker bring to life a simple and practical
understanding of the underlying theay of the
lel"sonality type code-first brooght to life by Isabel
Vl yers with the creation of the Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator® instrument-the eight Jungian mental
TV
'Jrocesses. Whether yoo are explOringpersonality type
for the firsttime orare interested in taking personality
type tothenext level,BuildingBlocks ofPersonality
Type is theessential element yoo need toget there. eona Haas
..
Highli.ghts... Hunziker
• Complete introduction topersonality type
• Dedicated chapter for each mental process ~ ;2:~I ·,#l;~·fr~· "'"?'·; .
• Glossaryof terms for greaterclarity
Beyond the basicswithapplications to. ..
• Managing Conflict
*MakingDecisions
• Improving Communication
*Managing change andtransition
Parenting and erJucation
• Career Development
'",. Forewords by
~
U
SliSINNt'.\I.\ T1'1\ 1 E."
PaU.NOd.iIv TBisEoi oxBn 4Uo4S5fI 7NT. eEHloSusSntP iPnuRgbEtliocSnaS tH ioonnsc h. Cnlifornia 92605·4457 th arl n··~t, . .D<. M_ ye.r.s , C~.o ., author~ o._ f~ .I ntro. duacntdion to
•
m aC::
....
I::J
Z
'i)
r-
eD
o CD
=S» r----
1·- - C)
n
~
en
.. ~.
.,
This book isdedicated by Leona and Mark to
Carl G. Jung, for his relentless courage in
exploring the daunting mysteries of the psyche.
Isabel Briggs Myers, for hertireless and loving
dedication to helping humankind.
'"
Katharine D. Myers, for her grace, caring,
and quiet devotion to Isabel and the purpose of the MBW'.
Daryl Sharp, for his profound
understanding and clarity.
Copyright ©2006Leona Haasand Mark Hunziker John Beebe, for his powerful insights and
\
All rights reserved. No portionof this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval remarkablepatience in sharing them.
system, or transmitted in anyfonn or by any means; including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, Mary Thompson, for herwise counsel.
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of thepublisher, except in the caseof brief
quotations embodied in critical reviews andcertain other noncommercial uses permittedby copyright
law. For permission requests, write to thepublisher,addressed "Attention: Permission Coordinator," at
byLeona to
the address below.
Stanislaus and Agnes Nowicki, for all their
UniteBusitessPress, A Divisionof TelosPublications . sacrifices and the gift of life.
P.O. Box 4457, HuntingtonBeach, California 92605-4457
TollFree 1-866-416-89731Phone [phone] / Fax[phone] Richard Haas, for hisunconditional
http://www.telospublications.com love and belief in me.
Understanding YOlUSeljandOthers, Interstrength. MajorsnI, Knowdell,NotJustAPaycheck; 16types.com, Dawn Haas Bowders, for her ideas, technical
and The CommunicotionZoneareeither registered trademarks or trademarks of UniteMedia Group, Inc., expertise, and continuous help.
Fountain Valey, California. Myers-Briggs 1}peIndicator, MB11, andMyers-Briggs are trademarks orregistered Dana Balaz, my ENFP daughter, for helping me
trademarks of theMyers-BriggsType IndicatorTrustintheUnitedStales aod othercountries.
understand and value opposing personalities.
Printed in the United States ofAmerica Cheyenne and Alexandra Balaz, for their hugs
and kisses when I reallyneed them.
Libraryof Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Anthony Harley Nowicki, for teaching meto see type
Haas, Leona. >i through the eyesof a child.
Building blocksof personality type : a guide to using the eight-process modelofpersonality type:
lung's mental processes 1Leona Haas, Mark Hunziker» Ist ed. Margaret and Gary Hartzler, for their truededication,
p.cm. caring, and sharing of knowledge.
Includes bibliographical references andindex. "1
All my workshop and Qualifying Program participants, for their
ISBN 0-9719326-2-X
I. Myers-BriggsType Indicator. 2. Typology(psychology) 3. lung, C. G. (Carl Gustav),1875-1961. 1. honest sharing of themselvesto make thisbook happen.
Hunziker, Mark. 11.Title.
BF698.8.M94H33 200!> Ii:
155.2'(,4--dc22 and by Markto
2005037324
Robert J. Hunziker, for his love and
often underappreciated wisdom.
Copyediting and proofrcadingby PeopleSpeak.
Cover and InteriorDesign: Visibility Designs.
Indexer: Rachel Rice
l.~
,
Foreword by Kotharine D. Myers xi
ForewordbyJohn Beebe xv
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
PART ONE
AN INTRODUCTION TOTHE
EIGHT-PROCESS MODEL OF TYPE
Chapter 1: Terms and 'Concepts 1
MBTI ~ Personolity·lnventory 1
The Eight.Process Model 4
ProcessWatching 6
Miscelloneous Terms 7
Literory License· 8
• Chapter 2 : TWyhpaet TIsh Peororcye sisn. PBrerfiefr ence~ 1111
Our Two MostPreferred Processes 12
ASequence of Preferences 13
Thelmporlanceof Understanding Our Preferences 14
Chapter 3: From Four Dichotomies to
Eight Mental Processes to Sixteen Types 17
WhyEightProcesses? 17
HowType Code Interpretation Works 25
PARTTVVO
THE EIGHT JUNGIAN MENTAL PROCESSES
Chapter 4 : Extrave rted Sensing (Se) 33
Key Features 34
What's Going On? 34
From the Outside, looking In 35
Contributions 37
From the Inside 37
Vignettes 40
Gifts 41
Chapter 5 : Introverted Sensing (Si) .43
Key Features 44
What's Going On~ 44
From the Outside, looking In 46
Contributions 48
From the Inside 48
Vigneltes 50
Gifts 52
vii
---
'JG BLOCKS or /' I/ ' .';ONAIII Y TYI" ;.,~71
Table of Contents
~ , 't:.
Ch apter 6 : Extraverted Intuiting (Ne) t 53
Key Features 54 PART THREE
What's Going On? 54 BEYOND PROCESS WATCHING
Fromthe Outside, Looking In 55
Contributions 57
Fromthe Inside 57 Chapter 12 : The Eight-Process Model of Type 115
Vignettes 60 Chapter 13: Important Facets and Factors in Eight-Process Type 119
Gifts 61 The Cast of Cha roders 119
Balance 120
Chapter 7 : Introverted Intu iting (Ni) 63 Consciousness and Unconsciousness 120
KeyFeatures 64 The Sequence of the Eight Process Preferences 121
What's Going On ? 64 Appropriateness 122
Fromthe Outside , Looking In 66 Energy Flow 123
Contributions 68 Summary of the Facets and Fadors 124
From the Inside 68
Vignettes 71 Chapter 14 : Beyond the Basics 127
Gifts 71 Conflict Management 127
Decision Making 133
Chapter 8 : Extraverted Thinking (Te) 73 Communicat ion 141
KeyFeatures 74 Managing Change and Transition 155
What's Going On? 74 Parent ing and Education 160
Fromthe Outside, Looking In 76 Career Development 165
Contribut ions 78
From the Inside 78 Afterword 171
• Vignettes 80
Gifts 81
APPENDICES
Chapter 9 : Introverted Thinking (Ti) 83
KeyFeatures 84
What's Going On? 84 A: Jung's Model of the Psyche 173
From the Outside, Looking In 86 B: John Beebe's Archetypal Understanding of Psychological Types 177
Contributions 88 C: Two Important Contributions from Harold Grant 181
VFriogmne thtees Inside 8980 0 : Brief Descriptions Based on the Two Preferred Processes 185
Gifts 91 E: The Circle of Eight-Process Type 19 1
F: Comparison of Jung ian Mental Processes 193
Cha pte r 10: Extra verted Fe e ling (Fe) 93 G:Process/Archetype Chart for the Sixtee n Types 197
Key Features 94 H:Decisio n-Making Checklist 19 9
What's Going On ? 94 I: Time-Focus of the Perce iving Processes 20 1
From the Outside, Looking In 95
Contribut ions 97 Notes 203
From the Inside 98 Glossary 207
Vignettes 100 Bibliography 219
Gifts 100 Index 223
About the Authors 22 9 '\
Cha pte r 1 1: Introve rted Feeling (Fi) 103
KeyFeatures 104
What 's Going On? 104
From the Outside, Looking In 105 i
Contributions 107 I: .f!
VFirgomne ttthees Inside 11008 ';~~ 'i1
Gifts 111 i ti
II ':'I
h I
i t~
ii !<';J.
ix
1:.-:;
f 'u
.j: i;: . ,
~; l : I ~~'
.,
J
~-
Building Blocks ofPersonality Type belongs on the shelf of everyone interested
inunderstanding and making use ofJungian psychological type and the My-
ers-BriggsType Indicator" (MBTI®) assessment in their own livesand/or in
helpingothers. It is to be read and used often as a valuablereference.
The authors have succeeded in conveying the full complexity ofthe
eight-process model of type and its application in a manner that is clear
and accessible to the professional and interested layperson alike. It is
•
wonderfully user friendly. As I read it, I felt that the authors were sitting
with me and I was the "you" they were addressing.
Leona's years ofwork with the government when she was working
across the range of government hierarchy in terms ofeducation, level
ofjobs, and experience, have served her well in presenting information
in a manner that speaks across the spectrum. My firstexperience in
observing her workshop was with a group of employees totally unso-
phisticated in anything psychological-they understood and responded
with enthusiasm.
The collaboration between the two authors began at a worksh op
on the eight mental functions led by Leona Haas. Mark Hunziker was a
participant. Mark wanted to learn more. Leona wanted to record a c011l-
plete description of her model but her forte was live presentation, not
writin g. An hour's conversation later, the joint project was launched.
Mark would provide his writing and structuring skills and gain the op-
portunity to study the eight-process model up close. Leona would be
able to make her work available to a wider audience. "Two introverted
intuiting types do not need much information or time to know when
something 'fits' !"
;i-
";;r
.},J
xi
NG BLOCKS '" /' / II ',,,NAII /Y ( YPi' Foreword
l'
Building Blocks of Personality Type demonstrates the success of this Her seamless integration of the eightprocesses into thecomplexwhole
"fit." The writing is clear and coherent. Complex ideas are explained of theJungian system of personality is avaluable bonus gift to the reader.
with precision, simplicity, and accuracy. The organization of the book Historically, the knowledge of our "four letters" hasgivenmanyindi-
takesan overwhelmingamount of knowledgeand presents it in a logical viduals and groupsimportantinsights in self-understanding/self-acceptance
structure that makes the content accessible to the reader. and in the understanding and appreciation ofotherswho aredifferentfrom
-, The development of the eight-process model of type is a giant themselves. However, those of us who havejourneyed further have found
step in understanding and using Jungian psychological type and the a richness of understandingand a perspective that enhances our lives im-
MBTI®assessment. measurably. This bookprovides the door to that richness.Welcome!
Leona Haas has been instrumental in developing and instructing
others in the eight-process model of type. This model enables in- KatharineD. Myers
depth understanding of the eight mental processes that form the core The Myers-Briggs" Trust
ofJungian type theory, and it also provides a new and enriched model
of feedback.
Katharine C. Briggs's major contribution was her profound under-
standingofJ ungiantheoryand her recognitionof psychological typeasan
":;~
's.
invaltable model of development in healthy personalities. Her daughter
Isabel Briggs Myers's major contribution was her pioneering work in
creating the sixteen type model with its four-lettercode asa way of giv-
.;,
ing individuals access to their Jungian preference type. For many years,
interpretation focused on the four dichotomies, E-I, S-N, T-F, andJ-P,
although Myers had usedher understanding of the eight processes in her
naming of each type (for example, ESTJ as an extraverted thinking type
with introverted sensing). The only description of these eight processes
was a four-pagesummarycompiledby Myers in Gifts Dijfering.
Most practitioners are introduced toJungian ideas when they begin
to use the MBTI®; however, overthe years their understandinghasgradu- ":j
' j
ally moved from basictype through type dynamics, typedevelopment, and
on tojung's model of the psycheand his life-long development model of '!
Individuation. As practitioners graduallydeepened their knowledge, at-
,:
tention was turned to the need for understanding more fully these four : '
!
fu nctions in both attitudes, that is, the eight mental processes. I,
Leona was among the leaders in recognizing this need. She has
devoted herself with introverted intuitive intensity to learning more
through constant questioning of individuals ofdifferent types, consulta- 1
tion With experts, and reading. Her treasuryof knowledge, contained in '. A
I,i. " .':"J
this book, IS the outcome.
'i"'
!C,"..•.
I,: "j
i' l l' j
i: ~ -j
xiii
i
! ;~
t
;f~
~
,}r}
}/
T
beheen wusoerdd t mo seungtagle, smt aebannoinrmg a"loitfy .o Rr poebretartinGirnagv etsoa tnhdeJ omseinpdh," C haamsp tboeol lohfatevne "'~ ~,~'1,' '"
.~~
warnedus that myth is a word we use to refer to "other people's religion." :1:1
I;' ~
Likewise, mental is the wordwe useto refer to other people's ways of using
J
their minds. Leona Haas and MarkHunzikerhave dignified these sidelong
;1
lookswe give oneanotherby identifying what we areobserving as"mental
i
processes" found in.everybody, the only differencesbeingwhich processes
• we each give emphasis toand in which order. ,I.';'~ ~"
In this endeavor, theyfollow the workof the Swiss psychiatrist C. G. ;
.1~;~. 1
Jung,who,in thefirstpartof the twentiethcentury, influenced bypsycholo- j+j
gists in French-speaking Switzerland and France, began to engage himself L;
"~
l"'~!:': with thetypical differences in humanconsciousness.One of these mentors :!1~j
was Alfred Binet, for whom consciousnesswas"intelligence."Binet sought
.~,
to measure intelligence, andour most commonly used "intelligence test" is '1
'Ii,
still called the "Stanford-Binet." By 1902,whenJungwas studying in Paris, 1i
Binet had noticed, eveninhis owndaughters,dramatic differences in learn- I
ingstyles,towhichhe gavethenames"extemospection"and "introspection." ;1
Withina decade,Jung hadintroduced his own notion of a "tum" of mind 1
into the terms for the basic mentalattitudesby calling them "Extraversion"
(outward turning) and "Introversion" (inward turning). A further decade 1
j
enabled Jung to differentiate various functions of consciousness, four in I
all, through which thesebasic attitudesof mindcould be expressed in dra-
,
matically differentways.Hisdescriptions ofthinking,feeling, sensation,and
intuitionasexpressed in both the extraverted and introverted attitudesform
the heart of hisbookPsychologilal Types (1921). This classic became an inspi-
ration to Isabel Briggs Myersin the 1940s, asithadbeena generation earlier
toher mother, Katharine Briggs. It led them to develop together a practical
instrument for capturing the differences in the ways individuals use their
xv
1
; BLOCKS (1 / / ' / ~\(lNA II I Y rYP!
,.
minds in all the settings of their lives-the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" ,
which hasbecome the most widely used instrument for identifying normal
personalitydifferences in America today.
Psychologiral Types was thebasic inspiration forthe eight-function model
that, asaJungian analyst inspired by such clinical teachers asMarie-Louise
von Franz,Jo Wheelwright, and Wayne Detloff, I brought to practitioners
of type as~ess me n t in the 1980s. Leona Haas wasamong the very first type
consultants (alongside Kathy Myers and Margaret and Gary Hartzler) to
grasp what ~ was gettingat: that the normalmind cannot be adequately de-
Over the past half-century, many millions of people around the world
scribed with a four-functionmodelofitsprocesses, even if the two attitudes
have been aided in their personaland professionaldevelopment through a
ofExtraversion and Introversion are somehow included to explain some of
modelof personality that was developed by CarlJung, Katharine Briggs,
thedifferences between the ways differentfunctions are expressed bydiffer-
and Isabel Briggs Myers. T he Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" (
UILDING B lClCk ~ o r P[ RSO NAW Y TYPE Preface
Leona's advanced workshops, attendees find themselves go'ing through a ' shed are but reflections of the immature and frightening shadow side of
bit ofa paradigmshift. Usually she hearsfrom these people, after they have our own personalities. We also believe that the path to an exciting new
had time to digest the new information, that they can never go to back to maturity level in human evolution-a path of enhanced cooperation,
the way they worked with type before. Ifyou find that the eight-process collaboration, and coexistence-lies through the psychic development
model challenges some of your assumptions and practices, we urge you that Jung called "individuation." !J~
. , to bear with us. We are convinced that the theoretical model and practical: Albert Einstein pointed out that we cannot expect to resolve com-
descriptions that follow are at the heart of the most effective practices in plex problems from within the same mindset that created them. Margaret iI ~~ ';«'~ ~l
!i~:_
use today, and that they are particularlyhelpful in teaching the basics of Wheatley, throughout her lectures and writings, has made a convincing
if
type t,hrough feedbackand verification, as well as for delving more deeply , argument that relationships, information flow, and self-definition are the : ;;~
into the important insights ofJung's theory ofpersonality. ultimate determinants of how human beings interact. The state of con- I' "t ';~,\
, Our main focus in this work is on describing Jung's mental pro- sciousness from which we approach these criticalhuman activitiesmayvery
cessesas completely and vividlyas possible, as you will actually experience well be the key factor in determining the success or failure of all human
them. This is not only the first step in the eight-process approach to systems: families, teams, communities, corporations, and even nations.
type but also a rewarding experience in itself. By looking at personality Regardless of one's personal motivation for exploring the mental
through process watching; you are likelyto learnthings that will change processes, the inevitable result of doing so is an elevation ofour level of
Yiur perspective from this point forward, regardless of whether you are awareness. The potential consequences of such a shift in consciousness
an experienced professional or you have never even heard ofpersonality are dramatic-for individuals, for family, for social and work groups
type. Through simple descriptions of the four different ways that we and, by extension, for the entire human community. By enhancing our
take in information and the four different ways we make decisions, you understanding of the eight mental processes, we gain an appreciation for
will learn to value your own gifts more highly. You will also begin to the diversity and value of our own gifts as well as the diversity and gifts
better understand and appreciate the perspectives of those around you. of others. Thi s, in tum, will have an immediate and far-reaching effect
Conflict management, decision' making, communication, management upon each of the key elements of successful human systems: building
ofchange and transition, exploration of your teaching and learning styles healthier relationships, developing more effective communication, and
and those of your children , career choices, and daily lifewill all be easier gaining a greater understanding of ourselves and others.
and more positive and will actually become opportunities for enriching We, the auth ors, are familiar wi th and continue to use many other
your life! models, tools, and approaches to personal and organizational develop-
We confess to also having a hidden agenda. We are out to save the ment. But for us, nothing else compareswith understanding the Jungian
world. It is tremendously rewarding for us to watch individuals, teams, mental processes for simplicity, ease of access, and the depth and breadth
and organizations grow as a result of exposure to this expanded approach of its power to change lives. When we begin to learn to recognize these 1,
to personality type. That is the immediate, day-to-day grat ification of processes, every relationship, every conversation, every in trospective
our work. But we are energized on another level too: by the conviction moment can become a lesson in appreciation for the amazing gifts tha t
that a better appreciation of psychological type and how it influences re- we all possess.
lanonships and interactions could be a vital key to unlocking the human We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether your aim is to i
potential that is needed in order to learn how to live together on this develop your own potential, improve your relationships, help others,
I
planet . This belief was a driving force behind Isabel Myers's amazing bring your organization to the next level, or save the world , we know of I '"
\',
contributions as well. We believe, as she did, that animosity and blood- no better place to start than right here. l "l
Vi'
I d
t, :~
xviii xix
, -",,"-- L.~