A study of personality type and thinking skill

This study investigates the personality types as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator [MBTI] and the thinking skills of the students. This study seeks to ascertain if there is any significant difference in the domination of different critical and creative thinking skills among ES [Extravert-Sensing], EN [Extravert-Intuitive], IS [Introvert-Sensing] and IN [Introvert-Intuitive] students. Quantitative approach was utilized to collect the data. Forty-five samples with age ranging from seventeen to eighteen years old were purposefully selected from one of the schools in Sarawak state. MBTI and a test were given to these students to answer. The statistical analyses involved the calculations of mean scores and analysis of variance. The findings showed that there was significant difference among ES, EN, IS and IN students on the domination of certain critical and creative thinking skills. For translating skill, EN scored significantly higher than IS; IN scored significantly higher than IS. For determining parts-whole relationships, ES scored significantly higher than EN and IS; IN scored significantly higher than EN and IS. For identifying relationships skill, EN scored significantly higher than ES, IS and IN; IN scored significantly higher than ES. For interpreting skill, IN scored significantly higher than ES; IN scored significantly higher than IS. For drawing figures skill, IS scored significantly higher than ES; IN scored significantly higher than ES and EN. No significant difference was found among ES, IS, EN and IN students on the other thinking skills. This finding implies the importance of knowing the different personality types and domination of thinking skills of the students as it enables the Ministry of Education, educators and other researchers to design effective teaching environment for the students. This study concludes with some recommendations for future researches.