Personality preferences of lecturers and students at a pharmacy school

Abstract

Abstract Background Jung's theory of psychological types and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) continue to gain popularity in social and behavioural sciences. The MBTI was developed to measure people's personality preferences. Objectives To compare the personality preferences of pharmacy students and lecturers at a tertiary education institution and to determine if personality preferences are related to academic performance. Method A survey design was used. Setting The study population included undergraduate and master's students and lecturers of a pharmacy school at a university. Key findings The MBTI instrument was completed by 603 out of 686 undergraduates (87.9 per cent), all master's students and all 35 lecturers. The results showed that pharmacy students and lecturers preferred sensing and judgment. It appeared that students' preferences for extraversion and perception were related to lower academic performance and slower advancement through the pharmacy course. Conclusion Pharmaceutical care requires understanding of the preferences of self and others. Pharmacy students and lecturers need to know their own and others' MBTI preferences, and to develop skills in the opposite or “shadow” preferences.