Personality Types and L2 Reading: correlation between University Students MBTI Profiles and Reading Proficiency

Khaoula Medjedel

doi:10.47577/tssj.v25i1.5059

Abstract

Personality types have a considerable impact on our understanding of the outer world, perception and energy. Personality influence on language learning and proficiency, however, is controversial. This study demonstrates the relationship between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) profiles and L2 reading proficiency of L1 Arab undergraduates. First, learners' reading proficiency levels were associated with their Introversion/Extraversion preferences. Then, function pairs of both introverts and extraverts that contributes to the highest score of L2 reading proficiency were determined. As most reading tests are based on choice, it is very logical to consider the MBTI function pairs as they represent the mental functions used for decision-making and information gathering. Fifty (50) Arab male students from the College of Business Administration (Saudi Arabia) were randomly selected. Two instruments were used to collect data; MBTI as a personality instrument, and TOEIC Bridge as a reading test. Findings showed a lack of statistically significant relationship between Introversion/Extraversion and L2 reading proficiency. Yet, Intuitive personalities (NT/NF) preferences achieved higher scores in the TOEIC Bridge compared to their counterparts of the Sensing personalities (ST/SF). Personality types have undoubted influence on our lifestyle and attitudes. Yet, considering personality as a weighty factor in language learning and proficiency is still debatable.

Highlights

Personality is a set of qualities that reflects what people say, how they do and what they do as a way of putting “a unique stamp on their action’’ (Carver & Scheier, 2012, p.2)
The findings revealed a significant relationship between personality and academic performance
These results do not support much of the previous research such as the study by Chamorro-Premuzic and Furnham (2003) whose findings revealed a significant relationship between personality and academic performance

Summary

Introduction

Personality is a set of qualities that reflects what people say, how they do and what they do as a way of putting “a unique stamp on their action’’ (Carver & Scheier, 2012, p.2). Jung’s Psychological Types theory proposes six types in which individuals differ and categorised them into three groups: attitudes (Extraversion/Introversion), perceptual functions (iNtuition/Sensing), and judgmental functions (Thinking/Feeling). An iNtuitive person is likely to perceive stimuli comprehensively, concentrating on meaning rather than details, while a Sensing individual observes information realistically and accurately. The judgment or understanding of perceived stimuli is embodied in two ways; Thinking individuals are likely to be impersonal, logical and analytical, whereas Feeling people are grounded more on values than logic (Sternberg & Grigorenko, 1997). Even when Introversion was examined, most studies gave little attention to the other different types offered in MBTI; to function pairs (iNtuitive-Thinking, iNtuitive-Feeling, Sensing-Feeling or Sensing-Thinking). Four combinations arise and these are ST (Sensing plus Thinking), SF (Sensing plus Feeling), NF (iNtuition plus Feeling) and NT (iNtuition plus Thinking)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion