Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
South Africa is a country in transition where the development of people is a primary focus. The
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) is a valuable instrument to use for such a purpose. The
applicability, use and popularity of the MBTI® in Southern Africa has outstripped research using
the instrument on the African continent.
This study serves to provide base line research on type distribution patterns found amongst
different language, age and gender groups within the South African culture. The research also
has as an important focus the assessment of similarities and differences found in South African
and USA type distribution data.
A total of 6 452 South African MBTI® profiles is used in this study. This represents males and
females from a broad segment of society and industry. The database consists mainly of adults,
both working and non-working. The profiles represent individuals ranging from 17 to 70 years of
age.
The study discusses the following international analyses :
RSA type distribution compared to a representative USA sample;
RSA White type distribution compared to a representative USA White sample; and
RSA Black type distribution compared to a representative USA African-American sample.
The study discusses the following national analyses :
type distribution of the Afrikaans speaking compared to English speaking group;
type distribution of the Afrikaans speaking compared to Indigenous languages group; and
type distribution of the English speaking compared to Indigenous languages group.
The study discusses the following national comparison of language and gender groups :
type distribution of Afrikaans speaking females compared to Afrikaans speaking males;
type distribution of English speaking females compared to English speaking males; and
type distribution of Indigenous language speaking females compared to males of the Indigenous
languages group. The study discusses the following national comparison of age groups :
type distribution of females aged 20-29 compared to females aged 50-59 years; and
type distribution of males aged 20-29 compared to males aged 50-59 years.
Results indicate similarities and differences in both the international and national comparisons.
Similarities and differences are discussed in detail in terms of MBTI® attitudes, functions, functional
pairs, whole types, temperament and dynamics of type.
The South African type distribution results are related to the theories of national cultures
formulated by Hofstede (1991), Lessem (1993) and Trompenaars (1993). The concept of
UBUNTU, as a significant cultural force (Mbigi, 1997) is interpreted within the perspective of the
unique type distribution results of the South African Indigenous Languages group.