KNOWLEDGE OF PERSONALITY TYPES CAN ENHANCE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

This paper presents information concerning the possible effects of personality preferences on teaching and learning styles. Special permission was granted in writing by the Center for Applications of Psychological Type (CAPT), Gainesville, FL for extensive summaries of type information from People, Types and Tiger Stripes by G. D. Lawrence. No original research was conducted by the authors of this paper. Research by Dr. Carl G. Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, confirmed that individuals have mental or psychological preferences for performing certain tasks, just as they have physical preferences such as a preferred hand or an eye that is dominant. Many of the mental processes are not conscious but nonetheless dictate many of our choices in life, i.e. preferred communication patterns, study habits, teaching styles, what we consider the ideal vacation, stressors, etc. Jung utilized this knowledge in dealing with patients and people he came in contact with. Jung wrote and lectured extensively on his theory of personality preferences, but only limited research was available to insure practical application of the theoretical principles. Two of Jung’s female students (although th