There are a lot of different personality models. In this essay, there are two different personalities from two different models mentioned: the INTP type from the Myers-Briggs model and the Fives in the Enneagram model. These personality types are basically the same between the two models. There are also three different learning styles discussed: kinaesthetic, intuitive, and visual learning. There are a lot more learning styles from different models and methodologies, but I chose these three because they apply well to me.
Personality Type: The INTP Personality Type
One Myers-Briggs personality type is INTP. People who are identified through the Myers-Briggs assessment questionnaire to be INTP (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) account for 3% to 5% of the U.S. population (Granneman, 2018). According to W.R. Allman’s description of the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI), introverts tend to prefer learning that focus on individual work and reflection, intuitive people take imagine and theorize, thinking people look for a sense of accomplishment from learning, and perceiving people look for flexible learning environments (Allman, n.d., p.3). As an INTP, I realize that there being the same personality type as Einstein also comes with a degree of social awkwardness that is hard to overcome.
Personality Type: The Perceivers (The Fives in the Enneagram Model)
Related to the Myers-Briggs INTP is the personality type known as the fifth point in the Enneagram model. Fives are the perceptive watchers. These people are thinkers. People in this group include Bill Gates, an INTP on the Myers-Briggs model. These are often the scientists and computer geeks who are more interested in introspection and problem solving than action (Understanding Personality Types, 2012, p.31-33). On the Enneagram model, I find that this personality type most closely lines up with my personality.
Learning Style: Kinaesthetic Learner
Kinaesthetic learners are active learners who learn by doing and experiencing. These learners fidget, doodle, and move while they learn (Training Skills, 2012, p.42). Kinaesthetic learners learn through their bodies and sense of touch and learn quickly and permanently while doing activities (Child 1st, 2019). As a kinaesthetic learner, I find that I have to be doing something else while I learn. On the phone, I am pacing around in circles, constantly moving. Learning from a podcast or audio training, I can learn well if I am driving at the same time. I must connect some other action with my learning.
Learning Style: Intuitive Learner
Intuitive learners learn instinctually depending on the situation through some kind of educational awareness. They learn at their own pace and trust their gut when learning and seeking their version of the truth (Training Skills, 2012, p.43). Intuitive learners link facts with interpretations and theories, looking for connections between learned material, trying not to miss details in their interpretations (University of Waterloo, n.d.).
Learning Style: Visual Learner
Visual learners, a naturally curious group, learn by looking through theories and facts through videos and pictures (Training Skills, 2012, p.42). Visual learners often look for photographs, plans and schematics, sketches, graphs, and infographics and take notes in a visual form (color coded or in charts or concept maps) (University of Waterloo, n.d.).
Conclusion
In the Myers-Briggs model I map to an INTP, while in the Enneagram Model I map to a Five. These interpretations of personality are roughly equivalent. In learning styles, I am mainly a kinaesthetic learner, although I match well with intuitive and visual learning styles as well. The biggest takeaway from this investigation is that everyone should learn their learning styles and personality types so that they can seek out instruction in the way that matches them the best. Teachers and trainers need to keep in mind that their students map to different learning styles, so they need to change up their methods to offer something to each learning style.
References
Allman, W.R. (n.d.). Theory and Applications of the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory.
Child 1st. (2019). 16 Characteristics of Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners. Retrieved from https://child1st.com/blogs/resources/113559047-16-characteristics-of-kinesthetic-and-tactile-learners
Granneman, J. (2018). 21 Signs That You’re an INTP, One of the Rarest Personality Types. Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/intp-personality-signs/
Garner, E. (2012). Training Skills. Book Boon. Retrieved from https://bookboon.com/en/training-skills-ebook
Garner, E. (2012). Understanding Personality Types. Book Boon. Retrieved from https://bookboon.com/en/understanding-personality-types-ebook
University of Waterloo. (n.d.). Understanding Your Learning Style. Centre for Teaching Excellence