Int J Pharm Pract 2000;8
Programme in Industrial and Personnel Psychology, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Sebastiaan Rothmann, PhD, associate professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
Willem Diederick Basson, MPharm, lecturer
Department of Research, Development and Training, S. Buys Pharmacy Group, Western Levels, South Africa Johanna Christina Rothmann, PhD, MPharm, research, development and training consultant
Correspondence: Dr S. Rothmann bpksr@puknet.puk.ac.za
Original Papers
Personality preferences of lecturers and students at a pharmacy school
SEBASTIAAN ROTHMANN, WILLEM DIEDERICK BASSON and JOHANNA CHRISTINA ROTHMANN
Background - Jung's theory of psychological types and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) continue to gain popularity in social and behavioural sciences. The MBTI was developed to measure people's personality preferences.
Objectives - To compare the personality preferences of pharmacy students and lecturers at a tertiary education institution and to determine if personality preferences are related to academic performance.
Method - A survey design was used.
Setting - The study population included undergraduate and master's students and lecturers of a pharmacy school at a university.
Key findings - The MBTI instrument was completed by 603 out of 686 undergraduates (87.9 per cent), all master's students and all 35 lecturers. The results showed that pharmacy students and lecturers preferred sensing and judgment. It appeared that students' preferences for extraversion and perception were related to lower academic performance and slower advancement through the pharmacy course.
Conclusion - Pharmaceutical care requires understanding of the preferences of self and others. Pharmacy students and lecturers need to know their own and others' MBTI preferences, and to develop skills in the opposite or 'shadow' preferences.