Jungian Psychological Type Theory Research Articles

Contrasting Approaches to Managing the Debate on Same-Sex Blessing and Same-Sex Marriage in New Zealand and Australia: Applying Insights from Jungian Psychological Type Theory

Abstract In October 2022 the Church of England commissioned an examination of the impact of the debate on same-sex blessing and same-sex marriage within other Anglican Churches. The examination involved a literature search, an original survey among key informers and a general internet search. This paper draws on the general internet search to contrast the impacts in New Zealand and Australia. Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, this analysis employs the contrasting decision-making functions of feeling (concerned with subjective interpersonal values) and thinking (concerned with objective logical analysis). The data suggest that the feeling approach dominant in New Zealand, which prioritized offering space and time for those of differing opinions to meet together, reported more positive outcomes than the thinking approach dominant in Australia, which gave greater priority to adversarial debate.

Psychographic Segmentation of Individuals Interested in Celtic Christianity: Developing a Celtic Christianity Type Scale

ABSTRACT This study uses Jungian psychological type theory as developed by various type measures as a lens through which to explore those aspects of Celtic Christianity that attract individuals to this type of spirituality. Data were provided by 509 individuals who completed an on-line questionnaire that included Celtic Christianity items conceptually linked with the four psychological type functions, sensing, intuition, thinking and feeling. Analysis of the results led to the creation of Celtic Christianity Type Scales which identified those aspects of Celtic Christianity that might reflect the appeal of sensing, intuition, thinking and feeling to this form of spirituality. Each scale achieved an acceptable level of internal consistency reliability.

Hiring labourers for the vineyard and making sense of God’s grace at work: An empirical investigation in hermeneutical theory and ordinary theology

The Matthean parable of the labourers in the vineyard is open to multiple interpretations. For some, the parable may speak of God’s unlimited grace and generosity; for others the parable may speak of God’s unfairness. The present study is set within the context of an emerging interest in the concept of grace as a topic for empirical enquiry. The study draws on the theoretical framework provided by the notion of ordinary theology and employs the sensing, intuition, feeling and thinking (SIFT) approach to biblical hermeneutics, which is rooted in Jungian psychological type theory. Data were drawn from two one-day workshops with Church of England Readers (lay ministers). On each occasion the participants were divided into three separate groups according to their preferences for thinking or feeling (the two judging functions proposed by psychological type theory) and within these groups they were invited to explore the messages about grace in Matthew 20:1–15 (Jesus’ parable of the labourers in the vineyard). The rich data gathered from these workshops generated insights into contemporary theologies of grace and also confirmed the hypothesis that a biblical interpretation of grace is shaped by the reader’s psychological type preference for thinking or feeling. While feeling types tended to empathise, thinking types pondered motives and unfairness.Contribution: Situated within the reader perspective approach to biblical hermeneutics, the SIFT method is concerned with identifying the influence of the psychological type of the reader in shaping the interpretation of sacred text. Employing this method, the present study contributes to three fields of scholarship: to the field of homiletics and hermeneutics, to the field of ordinary theology and to the emerging field concerned with the concept of grace as a topic for empirical enquiry.

A practical case report of teamwork education aimed at developing people who can take advantage of deep-level diversity in collaborative designed teams

Diversity is emphasized in terms of responding to change and creating innovation. However, if we only expect the positive aspects of diversity and do not deal with the negative aspects, we would be unable to utilize diversity fully. Therefore, we focused on cognitive style as a fundamental element that creates deep-level diversity. Since 2012, the author and other faculty members have developed an educational program that uses Jungian psychological type theory to understand the differences in cognitive styles of oneself and others and to use it in collaboration. In 2018, it was introduced as a compulsory "Teamwork Exercise" subject for first-year students in the Faculty of Creative Engineering of Kagawa University. The characteristics of the subject are as follows: "Development of metacognition to self-understanding, understanding of others, and tolerance," "Low-end using way of Jungian type theory," and "Thorough observance of ethics in the use of type theory." Similar teamwork education has not been seen in previous studies. This report reported the overview (e.g., development background, characteristics, curriculum, implementation results) as of 2021, which has been improved since its introduction, and the verification results of educational effects (e.g., promotion of self-understanding, promotion of understanding of others, improvement of tolerance).

Looking at the Birds, Considering the Lilies, and Perceiving God’s Grace in the Countryside: An Empirical Investigation in Hermeneutical Theory

ABSTRACT This study is situated within the newly emerging interest in the concept of grace as a legitimate topic for empirical enquiry, and draws on the theoretical framework provided by the SIFT approach to biblical hermeneutics, an approach rooted in reader-perspective hermeneutical theory and in Jungian psychological type theory. Data were draw from two one-day workshops with Anglican Readers (lay ministers). On each occasion the participants were invited to divide into three separate groups according to their preferences for sensing or intuition (the two perceiving functions) and within these groups to explore the messages of grace in Matthew 6: 25–30 (Jesus’ invitation to look at the birds and to consider the lilies). The rich data gathered from these workshops generated insights into contemporary theologies of grace and also confirmed the hypothesis that biblical interpretation is shaped by the reader’s psychological type preference for sensing or for intuition.

The science of congregation studies and psychographic segmentation: O come all ye thinking types?

Previous research employing Jungian psychological type theory has both demonstrated that Church of England inherited congregations have problems engaging thinking types and suggested that fresh expressions of church have failed to address that problem. Three previous studies, however, have reported higher proportions of thinking types attending cathedral carol services. The present study was designed to check that finding on a larger sample. The Francis Psychological Type Scales were completed by 941 participants at the afternoon Carol Services held in Liverpool Cathedral on Christmas Eve 2019, and the data compared with the profile of 3304 participants within 140 inherited congregations. The present study also found a higher proportion of thinking types among the participants at these carol services. These findings suggest that cathedral carol services may be functioning as fresh expressions of church in a significant way. Further research is needed to explore whether other cathedral services may function in similar ways. Contribution: Situated within the science of congregation studies, rooted in psychological type theory and drawing on data from 941 participants at the afternoon Carol Services held in Liverpool Cathedral on Christmas Eve 2019, this study confirms that cathedral carol services at Christmas are more successful than either inherited church or fresh expressions of church in reaching thinking types.

Preaching on the revised common lectionary for the feast of Christ the King: Joy for intuitive thinking types, nightmare for sensing feeling types?

This qualitative study was positioned within an emerging scientific field concerned with the interaction between biblical text and the psychological profile of the preacher. The theoretical framework was provided by the sensing, intuition, feeling and thinking (SIFT) approach to biblical hermeneutics, an approach rooted in reader-perspective hermeneutical theory and in Jungian psychological type theory that explores the distinctive readings of sensing perception and intuitive perception, and the distinctive readings of thinking evaluation and feeling evaluation. The empirical methodology was provided by developing a research tradition concerned with applying the SIFT approach to biblical text. In the present study, a group of 17 Anglican clergy were invited to work in psychological type-alike groups to explore two of the biblical passages identified by Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary for the Feast of Christ the King. Dividing into three workshops, according to their preferences for sensing and intuition, the clergy explored Psalm 93. Dividing into three workshops, according to their preferences for thinking and feeling, the clergy explored John 18:33–37. The rich data gathered from these workshops supported the hypothesis that biblical interpretation and preaching may be shaped by the reader’s psychological type preference and suggested that the passages of scripture proposed for the Feast of Christ the King may be a joy for intuitive thinking types, but a nightmare for sensing feeling types.Contribution: Situated within the reader perspective approach to biblical hermeneutics, the SIFT method is concerned with identifying the influence of the psychological type of the reader in shaping the interpretation of text. Employing this method, the present study contributes to the fields of homiletics and hermeneutics by demonstrating how some readers (sensing types) may struggle more than others (intuitive types) to interpret the scripture readings proposed by the lectionary for the Feast of Christ the King.

Psychographic segmentation of cathedral visitors in England and Wales: introducing the Visitor Expectations Type Scales 2.0 (VETS 2.0)

ABSTRACT This study employs Jungian psychological type theory, as subsequently developed by various type measures, to interpret and to classify the expectations of cathedral visitors, as assessed by the Visitor Expectations Type Scales 2.0 (VETS 2.0). Data provided by 1,278 visitors to five cathedrals in England and Wales demonstrated the coherence and internal consistency of the eight measures of the VETS 2.0 (designed to access introvert expectations, extravert expectations, sensing expectations, intuitive expectations, feeling expectations, thinking expectations, perceiving expectations, and judging expectations) and drew attention to the particular emphasis placed by cathedral visitors on introvert expectations, feeling expectations, and perceiving expectations. The VETS 2.0 are commended as providing a more valid assessment of the psychographic segmentation of cathedral visitors than could be provided simply by the administration of a recognised measure of psychological type. Such assessment has implications for the marketing and management of cathedrals within the tourism industry.

Exploring the connection between psychological type and religious preferences among Orthodox Jewish females: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT A significant body of empirical research has demonstrated associations connecting Jungian psychological type theory with a variety of religious preferences and practices among both Christian individuals and clergy. No research to date has examined whether these relationships extend to the Orthodox Jewish population. This study explores the relationship between the perceiving process of psychological type theory (sensing and intuition) and religious preferences among a sample of 16 Orthodox Jewish females. Preliminary relationships were found between the perceiving process and religious orientation in a Jewish context. The findings provide initial support that psychological type theory can be useful in illuminating differing religious proclivities among Orthodox Jewish individuals and offer a framework for further empirical research to be conducted in this understudied area.

Psychological type and the training relationship: an empirical study among curates and training incumbents

This study draws on Jungian psychological type theory to illuminate the relationship between curates and training incumbents. During a three-day residential programme organised by an Anglican Diocese in England, 11 curate–incumbent pairs (and one additional incumbent) completed the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator and participated in four workshops organised, respectively, according to their scores recorded on the orientations (extraversion and introversion), on the perceiving process (sensing and intuition), on the judging process (thinking or feeling), and on the attitudes (judging and perceiving). The data generated from these four workshops illustrated the importance of individual differences in psychological type for shaping emphases in approaches to pastoral practice. The implications of these findings are discussed for the relationship between curates and their training incumbents.

Reading and proclaiming the Advent call of John the Baptist: An empirical enquiry employing the SIFT method

Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching suggests that the reading and proclaiming of scripture reflects the psychological type preferences of the reader and preacher. This thesis is examined among a sample of clergy (training incumbents and curates) serving in the one Diocese of the Church of England (N = 22). After completing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the clergy worked in groups (designed to cluster individuals who shared similar psychological type characteristics) to reflect on and to discuss the Advent call of John the Baptist. The Marcan account was chosen for the exercise exploring the perceiving functions (sensing and intuition) in light of its rich narrative. The Lucan account was chosen for the exercise exploring the judging functions (thinking and feeling) in light of the challenges offered by the passage. In accordance with the theory, the data confirmed characteristic differences between the approaches of sensing types and intuitive types, and between the approaches of thinking types and feeling types.

The Psychological Type Profile of Readers in the Church of England: Clones of the Clergy or Distinctive Voices?

AbstractThe present study employs Jungian psychological type theory to examine the profile of 236 Readers serving in the Church of England (108 males and 128 females) alongside previously published data providing the psychological type profile of clergy serving within the Church of England (626 men and 237 women). The analysis was interpreted to test two competing accounts of Reader ministry: that Reader ministry expresses similar qualities to those reflected in ordained ministry, and that Reader ministry represents a pioneer ministry on the boundaries of the church. Overall the findings demonstrate significant psychological similarities between those exercising Reader ministry and those exercising ordained ministry, suggesting that, in the current generation, Readers tend to present themselves as clones of the clergy rather than as distinctive voices equipped for pioneer ministry or for fresh expressions of church.

Reading and proclaiming the Birth Narratives from Luke and Matthew: A study in empirical theology amongst curates and their training incumbents employing the SIFT method

Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching suggests that the reading and proclaiming of scripture reflects the psychological type preferences of the reader and preacher. This thesis is examined amongst two samples of curates and training incumbents (N = 23, 27), serving in one Diocese of the Church of England, who completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Firstly, the narrative of the shepherds from Luke was discussed by groups organised according to scores on the perceiving process. In accordance with the theory, sensing types focused on details in the passage, but could reach no consensus on the larger picture, and intuitive types quickly identified an imaginative, integrative theme, but showed little interest in the details. Secondly, the narrative of the massacre of the infants from Matthew was discussed by groups organised according to scores on the judging process. In accordance with theory, the thinking types identified and analysed the big themes raised by the passage (political power, theodicy, obedience), whilst the feeling types placed much more emphasis on the impact that the passage may have on members of the congregation mourning the death of their child or grandchild.

Separating Sheep from Goats

AbstractDrawing on the theology of individual differences, Jungian psychological type theory and the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching, this article outlines a method for constructing preaching workshops and documents the responses of 25 participants (11 Anglican clergywomen and 14 Anglican clergymen). The data support the view that naive groups selected to separate out and to cluster together dominant sensing types, dominant intuitive types, dominant feeling types and dominant thinking types approach the passage in characteristically distinctive ways. The implication of these findings are discussed for developing the capacity of preachers to extend their preaching voice in light of insights offered by the SIFT approach.

What happened to the fig tree? An empirical study in psychological type and biblical hermeneutics

The SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching has its roots in Jungian psychological type theory and maintains that the reading and interpretation of text is shaped by individual preferences within the perceiving process (sensing and intuition) and within the evaluating process (thinking and feeling). The present study tests the empirical foundation for this method by examining the way in which three groups of participants familiar with handling scripture (N = 31, 14, and 47) interpret the Marcan narrative concerning the cleansing of the temple and the cursing of the fig tree. The data provide further support for the psychological principles underpinning the SIFT method.

Psychological-type theory and the exercise of Christian ministry: a pilot study

Previous research has demonstrated that all 16 psychological types are preparing for or engaged in the exercise of Christian ministry. Drawing on Jungian psychological-type theory, this paper suggests that each of the 16 types may approach ministry in ways that reflect both the unique strengths and the unique weaknesses of that type. The thesis is tested by developing a detailed analysis of the ministry profile associated with one of the 16 types, the INTJ minister. On the basis of this analysis of one specific type, the paper recommends the value and wisdom of examining the other 15 types in a similar manner.

Interpreting and responding to the Johannine feeding narrative: An empirical study in the SIFT hermeneutical method amongst Anglican ministry training candidates

Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching maintains that different psychological type preferences are associated with distinctive readings of scripture. In the present study this theory was tested amongst two groups of ministry training candidates (a total of 26 participants) who were located within working groups according to their psychological type preferences, and invited to reflect on the Johannine feeding narrative (Jn 6:4−22), and to document their discussion. Analysis of these data provided empirical support for the theory underpinning the SIFT method.

Reading and Proclaiming the Resurrection: An Empirical Study in Psychological Type Theory among Trainee and Experienced Preachers Employing Mark 16 and Matthew 28

The SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching has its roots in a theological perspective grounded in the doctrine of creation, in a hermeneutical method grounded in reader perspective, and in a psychological model of individual differences concerning perceiving and evaluating rooted in Jungian psychological type theory. The present study set out to test the empirical bases of the SIFT method among one group of trainee preachers (26 ministry training candidates) and one group of experienced preachers (21 Anglican clergy and readers) who explored the resurrection narratives presented in Mark 16:1-8 and Matthew 28:1-15 within working groups constructed according to psychological type preferences. These data support the psychological principles underpinning the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching.

Applying Psychological Type Theory to Cathedral Visitors: A Case Study of Two Cathedrals in England and Wales

ABSTRACT This study uses Jungian psychological type theory to profile visitors to Chester Cathedral in England and St Davids Cathedral in Wales. Psychological type theory offers a fourfold psychographic segmentation of visitors, distinguishing between introversion and extraversion, sensing and intuition, thinking and feeling, and judging and perceiving. New data provided by 157 visitors to Chester Cathedral, considered alongside previously published data provided by 381 visitors to St Davids Cathedral, demonstrated that these two cathedrals attract more introverts than extraverts, more sensers than intuitives, and more judgers than perceivers, but equal proportions of thinkers and feelers. Comparison with the population norms demonstrated that extraverts and perceivers are significantly underrepresented among visitors to these 2 cathedrals. The implications of these findings are discussed both for maximizing the visitor experiences of those already attracted to these cathedrals and for discovering ways of attracting more extraverts and more perceivers to explore these cathedrals.

The Usefulness of Visitor Expectations Type Scales (VETS) for Tourist Segmentation: The Case of Cathedral Visitors

This study applies Jungian psychological type theory to assess and to interpret the expectations of cathedral visitors. The Visitor Expectations Type Scales (VETS) were developed among 35 individuals trained and qualified as type practitioners and then tested among a sample of 157 visitors who also completed the Francis Psychological Type Scales. The data demonstrated: the coherence and internal consistency reliability of the VETS; the particular emphases placed by cathedral visitors on introverted expectations, feeling expectations, and perceiving expectations; and the complex relationship between visitor expectations (conceptualized in psychological type categories) and their personal psychological type profile. The VETS are commended as providing a more valid assessment of the psychographic segmentation of cathedral visitors than could be provided simply by the administration of a recognized measure of psychological type. Such assessment has implications for the marketing and management of cathedrals within the tourism industry.