Response distortion and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: implications for selection and organizational applications

The goals of the present study were to determine whether any or all scales of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are susceptible to response distortion, and whether certain personality types are more proficient at distorting these scales. A 4 (temperament type) X 3 (level of information) X 3 (intelligence group) factorial design was used to examine the experimental hypotheses. Subjects were asked to respond to the MBTI twice, once reporting their honest preferences, and once faking a role polar opposite to their own preferences. Results indicated all MBTI scales’ are susceptible to response distortion to varying degrees. Subjects were able to create accurate faking profiles on the MBTI with relatively little information on the role to be faked. Certain temperaments, particularly NFs, are better at distorting their responses to these scales than others. Intelligence may also play a role in subjects’ ability to fake their responses. Level of information given on the MBTI scales did not affect subjects’ ability to distort their responses to the individual scales. Because of its susceptibility to response distortion, it was suggested that the MBTI not be used as part of the organizational selection process. Implications for these results on other organizational applications of the MBTI and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Snell, Kathrine Leigh

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Harvey, Robert J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Foti, Roseanne J.
• Gustafson, Sigrid B.
• Hauenstein, Neil M. A.
• Markham, Steven E.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06062008-162907

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38214