Program Selection among Pre-Service Teachers: MBTI Profiles within a College of Education

Abstract

This study examined the relationship College of Education programs selected by pre-service teachers and their personality traits. Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 368, pre-service teachers in 5 different programs were assessed. Twenty-eight percent of Elementary program students favored the Sensing, Feeling, Judging typology with a mental function SF. While ECE pre-service students were inclined to- ward Sensing, Feeling and Judging (SFJ) typology they also favored Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging (ENFJ). Alternatively, Special Education pre-service students preferred Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging (INTJ). Graduate students in the Education Leadership program had a strong preference for Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking and Judging (ESTJ), while students in the Masters of Arts in Teaching program had no significant type. These findings suggest that at least four groups of teacher education students self-select to a particular program depending upon their type. Implications for the results for teacher-training are discussed

use of DISC behavioral profiling and training: An innovative pedagogical strategy to enhance learning and future career opportunities in sport management and sport coaching higher education classrooms

“…Furthermore, after reviewing published personality and behavioral assessment research, Jones and Hartley (2013) also noted the MBTI has received the most substantial attention, due in part to its inclusion in popular business textbooks. Recent research has been conducted on MBTI's use in multiple academic contexts and with diverse student populations, including student leaders in military education programs (Roush & Atwater, 1992), engineering students (O'Brien et al, 1998;Felder et al, 2002), hospitality and tourism management students (Horton et al, 2005), and teacher education programs (Rushton et al, 2012). While a few scholars listed above have explored the benefits of using DISC in learning environments, there remains a paucity of research on its efficacy.…”

The Application of MBTI to Analyze EFL Teachers’ Teaching Styles

“…Another study by Rushton et al examined the connection among heterogeneous College of Education programs selected by pre-service teachers and their personality attributes. The study provided the assessment results of 368 pre-service teachers in 5 different programs using MBTI [4]. Based on the results, different groups of different programs favored different mental functions.…”