Psychological Type Theory: Could Spreading the Word Improve Mental Health?

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 01:21 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 28 September 2011 01:21

Health Information about Psychological Type Theory: Could Spreading the Word Improve Mental Health?

My article at Connexions of Rice University, “Applying Psychological Type Theory to Writing,” http://cnx.org/content/m34391/latest/ concluded with a section called “hidden agenda”–improving mental health at community colleges. In the wake of the Tucson tragedy, it’s imperative for a national brainstorming to lower the likelihood of something like it happening again.

First of all, Pima Community College did all that they could to ensure student safety by removing the disruptive student turned gunman and later expelling him. It should be noted that Jared Lee Loughran was considered to be a nice kid by classmates as recently as high school and had played saxophone in a band. However, Loughran’s community college classmates mainly conversed with him mainly out of bravery—fearing he’d eventually do the kind of crime of which he has been charged. Then Loughran quit communicating with his newer friends about ten months before the massacre, choosing to rant on Facebook instead. Psychosis can become severe and dangerous in a hurry, and there are warning signs.

My proposal is to spread knowledge of Psychological Type Theory; it’s a wonderful self-help tool that could lessen the burden of the 1527:1 ratio of students to counselors in community colleges, according to the College Counseling.org website article called, “National Survey of Counseling Center Directors.” Furthermore, such psychological knowledge could reduce student reluctance to go to a counselor for personal and vocational help. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was the original instrument. True Colors can be used with children and is common in staff development sessions.

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Psychological Type Theory is layman friendly; the four preferences and four temperaments combine to give us one of sixteen four-point profiles. The four preferences are Extrovert (E) vs. Introvert (I), Intuitive (N) vs. Sensing (S), Feeling (F) vs. Thinking (T), and Perceiving (P) vs. Judging (J). The four temperaments are Guardian (SJ), Artisan (SP), Rationalist (NT), and Idealist (NF).

The original article on Psychological Type Theory’s application to writing began with justification of the procedure as a legitimate classroom activity. In “Emphasis on Teaching: Five Techniques Make Material More Understandable,” by Marshall Brain asserts such points as, “Why is the material important? How will it be used? Justification is important because it gives students a reason to listen to you.” This time, improving the nation’s mental health is the justification for an article, as opposed to being a supporting detail for improving writing ability.

One needs to grasp the basics; moreover, they first need to take one of the instruments belonging to the Psychological Type Theory family of websites. The Jung Typology Test at Humanmetrics.com is free and gives preference strength—very important, especially if one falls near the middle of the preference continuum or has a particularly strong preference. Those who fall near the middle should study both preferences. Go to http://www.cpp.com/Pdfs/smp261146.pdf for an excellent description of the . “In other words, we’d look at each component of the four-point profile one-at-a-time, starting with Extraversion (E) versus Introversion (I)—Where do you Focus your Attention—people and events or ideas and impressions? Now study the —another set of four pairs but analyzed as units http://www.keirsey.com/synergyleaders/overview_all.aspx For example, an NF (Intuitive/Feeling) is called an Idealist and Abstract Cooperator. The temperaments show patterns behind communication and action, or what we say and what we do.”

Now you’re ready to look at the four-point code; there are sixteen profiles. Take your pick of Psychological Type Theory website: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Keirsey Temperament Sorter, True Colors, and more. Do a yahoo search and get busy! Many sites love to analyze famous people—real life and fictional; you may a find a few minor disagreements.

            My former denomination gave the MBTI to members of a summer religious retreat and found that we had a stunningly strong Intuitive preference, which seems likely for that church. My last teaching assignment included a workshop on True Colors conducted by the dean of the division. The dean felt that the faculty and administrators in her department needed to get along better. You can even find Psychological Type Theory blogs and dating advice; for example, an Idealist (NF) like myself should aspire to find a Rationalist (NT) lady.

            So I hope the readers of this article check out some websites on Psychological Type Theory, so they can help themselves and people close to them—particularly the ones they worry about. Moreover, I pray that school administrators checkout those sites as well.

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