Defining a Character Type for Complimentary Medicine Based Therapists Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Arrington Visual Prefernce Test
Graduation Date
Summer 2002
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
Lizbeth Martin, PhD
First Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Doris Arrington, EdD, ATR-BC
Abstract
This research examined the character traits and visual preferences of complementary medicine therapists and software technology professionals. The researcher used two instruments of measurement, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), self-scorable version and the Arrington Visual Preference Test (AVPT) as a means to A) draw upon existing differences between the two populations and B) examine similarities among the complementary medicine therapists. In looking at the established differences between the two populations, the research suggests that personality trait differences between the two populations exist in the category of thinking, versus feeling in the MBTI. The results of the AVPT suggest there is a discrepancy in most-preferred image preferences between the two populations. The common most—preferred images chosen by the individual populations were representative of their chosen professions. The researcher's goal in conducting the study was to define a clearer understanding as to who complementary medicine therapists are as individuals. In doing so, the researcher provided pertinent and valid information to help better educate present and future complementary medicine therapists, practitioners, and patients.