Abstract
M.Ed.
Interns in Educational Psychology are in the conditional autonomy phase of
training and professional development. They have already completed a formal
training component of two years and are currently busy with an internship which
comprises the practical component of the Masters degree in Educational
Psychology. During training interns develop a theoretical framework against the
backdrop of a theoretical foundation and Educational Psychology experience.
The theoretical framework of an intern is unique and describes the methods,
techniques and strategies preferred by the specific intern for use in therapy. The
possible role of personality type (based on MBTI® results) in the development of
the theoretical framework of an intern, was researched in this study.
A purposeful random sample of four interns at the same training institution was
chosen. The study followed a basic qualitative research design and included an
explorative literature study. The literature study focussed on the context and
phase of professional development, development of theoretical frameworks and
self-knowledge regarding personality types. Data was collected by means of
document analysis of the MBTI® results and theoretical frameworks, as well as
individual, semi-structured interviews and field notes. Data was represented
according to categories and sub-themes which focussed on the intern's
reflections on the therapeutic process, his or her personal experiences,
personality type and theoretical framework. The data was analysed by means of
the Constant Comparative Method.
The results of the data analysis, as well as the literature study, showed that the
personality type of an intern, as determined by the MBTI® does play a significant
role in the development of his or her theoretical framework and that it may hold
implications for the training of interns in Educational Psychology. The literature
study, along with the results of this study, contribute to the training of interns and
thus to training institutions and the Educational Psychology profession, in that it develops awareness about the necessity of self-knowledge regarding personality
types in the development of the theoretical frameworks of interns and the
influence thereof on the practice of Educational Psychology.