Personality & Learning Styles

It is no question that everyone learns differently. Did you know that your personality can reflect the way you learn? Knowing your personality and natural tendencies in mannerisms and the absorbing of information can impact your success in college.

Learning styles are referred to as the characteristic ways in which a person gathers, identify, and process information. If the way the material is presented corresponds to your natural learning style then learning the material becomes easier and more enjoyable. Knowing your personality type gives you a window into understanding your learning style.

When I talk about personality type I am referring to the Myers-Briggs personality type indicators. More and more universities and employers are using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) not only so the individual can understand their personality type, but also so that students and employers can be more productive.

There are many benefits to a student understanding their own personality type. Students can understand and better deal with personality types differ from their own. A year ago, when people in my office took the test, better teamwork was established and people become more productive. Before the test, there was inner-office turmoil; teammates fighting amongst themselves because they didn't understand each other and different work styles.

Students can will have the ability to read other people, other students and instructors, better and recognize other personality types as such. For instance, an extravert may not understand an introvert's nature and think the latter is being difficult or doesn't like them. After taking the Myers-Briggs personality test and reading up on the different type of personalities, they can recognize an introvert as such and realize that they just operate differently without taking it personally. After understanding, the necessary steps to working together can be established.

Myers-Briggs developed a list of four ranges of personality traits. Among these traits there are 16 different combinations. The trail groups are I-E (Introvert-Extravert), S-N (Sensitive-Intuitive), T-F (Thinking-Feeling), and P-J (Perceiving-Judging).

Introvert - Extravert

This group refers to where you put your attention and receive your energy. Extraverts get energy from the outer world (people and things). Introverts tends to focus more in their inner world (ideas and images).

Extraverts are more outgoing and are happier at events and around other people. While extraverts deal with situations by talking them out with people. Introverts are more reserved, they get energy from their own thoughts and ideals.

In the classroom, extraverts works better with discussions and group projects. They prefer doing physical activities and doesn't work well with independent study and assignments. Introverts are the opposite. They don't take a leader role when dealing with open discussions and group projects. They prefer to work independently and likes to figure things out before taking action; where extraverts usually jumps right in without much thought.

Sensing - Intuition

The second group refers to the way you like to take in information and how things become aware to you. Sensing is paying more attention to information through your five senses. Intuition is paying more attention to information through patterns and possibilities.

Sensing people only believes what they can see, touch, hear, taste, and smell. They deal with proven facts and reality. They tend to notice facts and only remember the parts that are significant to them. Intuition people tends to believe what they can interpret of the information provided. They don't necessarily remember the facts, but their own interpretation of them.

In the classroom, Sensing types works better with a hands-on way of learning. Computer-assisted learning and audio-visual materials are most enjoyable for them. The more the material is relevant to the current lesson or real-life situations the better. Intuitive is less concern what the 'facts' are and wants to know the theory behind them. They are great when connecting dots and breaking down patterns. They work best with assignments that forces them to think.

Thinking - Feeling

The third group refers to how you make decisions. Thinking is putting more weight on principles and impersonal facts. Feeling is when concerns and other people tend to sway your decisions.

Thinkers use logical thought and basic truth to make decisions. They deal more with technical and scientific facts. Feelers care more about the feelings and thoughts of the people involved. They are more concerned with the best interest of the parties involved.

In the classroom, Thinking types tends to use logic to understand material. To master the material, they focus on problem-solving by critiquing things. They are at home with things they can figure out. Feeling types looks for at the personal aspect of the material. They are natural peace-makers and strive to bring a certain harmony in the classroom. They work well when they are helping others to learn or in a group setting.

Judging - Perceiving

The last pair refers to your lifestyle and how you view the external world. Judging is more of a structured and organized lifestyle while Perceiving is flexible and adaptable lifestyle.

Judging people are more task-oriented and organized. They like their life to be orderly and well-planned. They like things to be settled and decisions made. Perceiving people deals with people and situations as they arise. They don't work well with planning and organizing. They are more casual then Judging types.

In the classroom, Judging types thrives in a more structured coursework. They like planning and order. They don't work well with surprises or last-minute assignments. Being very organized, they expect their instructors to be also, following their syllabus in order. Perceiving types tends to start many things at once. They tend to procrastinate, but feels energized by last minute pressures. They don't really mind surprises.

Knowing your personality goes a great way to your success at school, and later, in the workplace. You will find studying easier, your time being managed better, selecting of majors easier, communication better, and learning less stressful.