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Personality and vocational profile research not only helps to identify personalities of those in various occupations but also provides information useful in career counseling and teaching. Yet, vocational profile research has received little attention within therapeutic recreation (TR). No research has been published about the personality types of TR students using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This study examined the personality type of TR students and tested Provost's (1990) proposition that recreation therapists are predominately ESFP (Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling, Perception) types. Results indicated the dominant personality types for TR students were ESFJ (Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judgment) and ENFP (Extroversion, iNtuition, Feeling, Perception). Implications for further research are provided, along with possible applications of the MBTI within TR education.
KEY WORDS: Therapeutic Recreation, Personality, Students, Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Introduction
Personality refers to the enduring patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior that are expressed in different circumstances .... The most prominent and well-understood components of personality are those that define individuals as consistently different in some ways from other individuals. (Mannell & Kleiber, 1997, p. 151 & p. 155)
Personality has been established as an important determinant in vocational interests and choices. Reviews of the literature (Myers & Myers, 1993; Peterson, 1995; Seligman, 1994) have consistently supported the contention that individuals in the same occupations, or closely related occupations, tend to possess similar personalities. For instance, Seligman stated, "The many studies conducted on the occupational distribution of personality types ... make it clear that nearly all occupations have several characteristic personality types that are over represented, whereas others are under represented" (p. 152). Research by Costa, McCrae, and Holland (1984) found that vocational interests and associated personality traits are highly stable across adulthood and play a large role when choosing a career. These researchers concluded that "vocational interests are strongly related to personality" (p. 393).
Personality and vocational profile research not only helps to identify personalities of those in various occupations, but also provides useful information for career counselors. Career counselors employ personality inventories to help individuals make wise career choices. As Seligman (1994) stated, researchers "have demonstrated that people whose occupational environments are congruent with their personality styles tend to be more satisfied with their careers" (p. 153). There is a growing body of...