Migrating personality theories Part 2: towards a theory of the balanced personality?

Abstract

PurposeSome personality schemas are seen to compete with others, but are they really complementary? The purpose of this paper is to show that two trait approaches, Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Mindscape theory, which are normally considered to be competitive, shall be migrated into a more complex modeling space using knowledge cybernetics, when they are shown to have a complementary potential.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the meta‐framework of knowledge cybernetics (KC) part of the relevantial universe identified by Maruyama, to migrate different theoretical approaches and relate them. A consequence is the possible development of a more sophisticated trait theory that is capable of providing more complex information about personality.FindingsThe findings indicate that current type theories are not necessarily stand‐alone, but may be seen as complementary within a broader conceptual framework.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to the investigation of MBTI. However, it offers a generic approach that can be applied to other solitary theories like MBTI.Practical implicationsThe paper leads to the possibility of improved explanatory power for a type theory than is currently possible.Originality/valueVery little comparative work has been done relating representations of MBTI and Mindscape theory. This also appears to be the first serious extensive direct comparison between any form of MBTI and Mindscapes. KC uses Habermas's three world theory and shows that it is possible to consider MBTI and Mindscape theory as conceptually distinct and complementary, and together contributing to a new way of exploring the field of personality theory.