Socionics Vs. MBTI®

The following table represents a side-by-side comparison of how Socionics is essentially not the same as the MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator) despite any obvious similarities.

Let's begin…

Socionics Theorem

The MBTI®
Brief History:
Socionics theorem, available since the 1970s, currently represents one of the least known albeit newest interpretations of Carl Jung’s original Psychological Types.		 The MBTI®, available since the 1940s, currently represents one of the most widely used and accepted interpretations of Carl Jung’s original Psychological Types, first written in the 1920s.
Created primarily by Aushra Augusta, a Lithuanian Psychologist and 'ILE' (ENTp) type according to the Socionic model of the psyche. Created primarily by Isabel Briggs, an American psycho-theorist and 'INFP' type according to the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator®.
A relatively new theorem with re-worked theories from Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Antoni Kepinski. Based mostly on Jung's theories with the inclusion of the four temperaments social trends model.
The Sixteen Types:
Sixteen base "types" identified as secondary reference points for understanding relations.		 Sixteen absolute "types" identified as primary reference points for understanding individuals.
Generally places an emphasis on an individual "type" as relative to other "types" to varying degrees. Generally places an emphasis on an individual "type" as absolute with specific 'pros and cons'.
Minimal potential for The Forer Effect when describing individuals as "types". Maximal potential for The Forer Effect when describing individuals as "types".
The Sixteen Relations:
Relationships between four out of sixteen "types" appear unequal and asymmetrical.		 Relationships between all sixteen "types" appear equal and symmetrical.
It is generally 'easier' to understand relationships because inter-type interactions are the 'reference point'. It is generally 'harder' to understand relationships because the individual "types" themselves are the 'reference point'.
Integrates an information metabolism theory to describe effects of social interaction. No such theory of social interaction integrated.
Integrates an idea of clubs or 'occupational mindsets' that links four "types" with common interests. No such idea of clubs integrated.
Exposes a 'compatible dynamics' group known as the quadra. No such quadra group exposed.
Exposes a stimuli set of groups linking four "types" with similar instincts. No such stimuli group exposed.
Exposes a reasonings group of four "types" who deal with the world similarly. No such reasonings group exposed.
Exposes a group of temperaments linking four "types" with similar character dispositions. Integrates an ancient four temperaments sub-model of similar roles that have been revised many times.
Personal Development:
Socionics theorem can potentially facilitate growth through the social collaboration of specific "types".		 The MBTI® can help facilitate growth through individual soul-searching assessment.
A functional analysis exposes your small and big strengths. The MBTI® exposes your personality's pros and cons.
Freedom of Speech:
An open-source and decentralized area of study driven by a growing world community.		 A closed-source and centralized discipline developed in-line with a few MBTI® Trusts.
An enthusiast would reasonably require a passion to understand and discuss their conclusions. An official practitioner would ideally be required to discuss what we can learn from your "type".
FREE as in 'freedom of speech' although not necessarily free as in 'free beer'. COMMERCIALISED as in costing money, prone to piracy and misuse by non-practitioners.
Flexible and on-going debates generally revising recent ideas from the 70's. Rigid and stagnant debates generally revising old ideas from the 40's.

Why should I study Socionics?

  • To gain an awareness of different ways of thinking and resulting lifestyles through knowledge of social attitudes and the various groups exposed.
  • It's like getting a certification in social-psycho-analysis for the average person.
  • To help resolve your relationship issues yourself lowering the need for external assistance.
  • To guide your 'good-for-me' relations and improve the 'bad-for-me' ones.
  • It’s FREE, as in 'Freedom of Speech', to learn, discuss and apply thus quite cost-effective for an organization or business to get a Socionics' expert to analyse and evaluate team efficacy.

Why should I study the MBTI®?

  • To gain an awareness of general differences in personality theory such as introvert and extrovert, sensing and intuition, thinking and feeling etc.
  • To increase your appreciation of another personality type's pros and cons relative to your own type.
  • To keep things simpler in appreciating differences without going too deep into a Jungian functional point-of-view.
  • To indulge yourself with personality descriptions, career suggestions and other potentially dogmatic advice.
  • It's free, as in plagiarism of information remastered from official practitioners past, present and future. But seriously, a certified and personalised assessment costs thus not really a benefit.
page tags: personality-type social-psychology typology
page_revision: 10, last_edited: 1203008512|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z (%O ago)
editrate (0)tagsdiscuss history files print site tools+ options
Unless stated otherwise Content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License