Human Values and Personality Type: Preview

In an age of psychology and self-awareness, especially in the Western world,’ there are many theories, many experiences, many techniques that help us towards better intra-communication (understanding of what is going on within us) and better inter-communication (understanding of what is going on between us).

In the late 19th century and early 20th century (the era of the development of psychology), writers such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung in Europe alerted the world to facets of the human psyche and human behaviour that were known but not appreciated, or whose implications were not realised. Psychology uses the data of experience when formulating theories and hypotheses.

Personality Type – the MBTI

Personality Type – with its basis in Jung’s descriptions of behaviour, and its acknowledgement that there are no right or wrong ways of functioning but simply differences, the Myers—Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has become very popular in business, education and personal development environments. Even dating apps use the MBTI to pair their applicants. Many individuals have found that the results and explanations offered have affirmed as well as challenged them. These groups – as well as those seeking self-awareness – have used the results to appreciate differences in point of view and to foster communication rather than continue earlier frustrations.

Keeping in mind that the MBTI is but an indicator only for self-understanding and understanding others … and that it does not explain every aspect of human behaviour, There are multiple domains to the human person: the physical, the intellectual, the personal, the emotional, the social, and the spiritual domains. The human person cannot be reduced to simple stereotypes: all people are many things with many motivations for behaviour at the same time. Below, we give the main foci of Jung’s theory of personality type:

1. The sources of our energy, from within or from the world outside us: the 00question of extroversion and introversion.
2. The ways we perceive reality, either in concrete detail via our senses, or by appreciating hunches and possibilities intuitively.
3. The ways we act, either thinking clearly and logically, or in a more subjective way, basing our decisions on personal values before logic — feeling.
4. Our propensity for decisiveness, and judging, or for keeping our options and data-gathering open, perceiving.

The symbols used are:
E for extroversion, I for introversion
S for sensing, N for intuition
T for thinking, F for feeling
J for judging, P for perceiving.

Five universal values and sub-values

The first value is Truth, which encompasses values such as accuracy, curiosity, discrimination, honesty, human understanding, integrity, self-reflection, and sincerity. The second is Right action which refers to values such as courage, dependability, determination, efficiency, endurance, healthy living, independence, initiative, and perseverance. The third is Peace, which includes calmness, concentration, contentment, equanimity, optimism, self-acceptance, self-discipline, self-esteem, and balance of nature and technology. The fourth value is Love, which incorporates compassion, consideration, forgiveness, humaneness, interdependence, selflessness, and tolerance. The fifth value is Non-violence. This is the ultimate aim and refers to values such as benevolence, co-operation, concern for ecological balance, respect for diversity, respect for life, respect for property, and unity.

These values are all inter-related and inter-dependent. Love is in fact considered to be the basis of character and encompasses all of the other values: love in thought is truth, love in feeling is peace, love in understanding is non-violence, and love in action is right action.

Embodying these values leads to:

• appreciation of the five basic human values of Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love and Non-violence as essential to the development of character,
• understanding of the cultures, customs and religions of other people along with their own, in order to appreciate the brotherhood of man,
• decision-making skills which help to facilitate development of moral learning,
• development of a sense of responsibility for the consequences of our actions and to act with regard for the rights, life and dignity of all persons,
• development of self-discipline and self-confidence necessary to promote the fulfilment of potential – by enhancing moral, physical, social and academic achievements,
• development of value skills needed for personal, family, community, national and world harmony,
• development of a caring attitude towards all forms of life and a valuing of the need for preservation, conservation and general care of the environment.

Discernment: What are the questions to ask?

Earlier we have talked about the sources of energy, the way we perceive reality, the ways we act, and the propensity for decisiveness or keeping our options open. In all these options for personality types, there is human activity – human behaviour – which is based on needs, attitudes and values. How do the different personality types act upon – or give expression to – the universal values referenced above?

These are matters we propose to explore and develop. When we look to values, we ask several questions:

• Value: What does it do for me?
• Value: What is it? (Doing words)
• Limit of the value
• What it does for others
• Things people do; Things I do;
• What does it look like?
• Opposite: What it is not.

In this manner, we seek to examine the development of values in personality types, the challenges a value presents, the opportunities of the value, and the shadow side of a value, keeping in mind that we all have strengths and weaknesses. We can meet challenges, we can build on our strengths, we make shine through our weaknesses.