Profiling librarians with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: studies in self selection and type stability

摘要: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most used psychometirc instrument in study of librarians. Recent MBTI studies suggest a librarian profile different from that previous studies. This variation may be attributed to two causes: either profession attracted recruits with profiles those librarians times, or personality practicing evolved over time. was designed test these hypotheses. Data supported first, but only partially second hypothesis. oflibrarians has been subject interest researchers since turn this century. early wide range psychometric instruments assess broad spectrum traits generally assembled build complex profile. In general, their results were consistent normal and congruent stereotypical image (1). popular date (MBTI). Based on its perceived usefulness, commended libraries as management tool facilitate communication, team building interpersonal understanding (2-5). earliest classification using based data collected by Center for Application Psychological (CAPT) 1971 1984 (6). 1992, Mary Jane Scherdin administered part nation commissioned Association College Research Libraries. She concluded majority have psychological types surveyed CAPT database. finding she asserted, "shattered" old stereotype which "erroneous behavioral characteristics mined previously conducted studies" (7). present assumed purported changes group could sources. Either