Personality Dimension Extraversion Conscientiousness Agreeableness Emotional Stability Openness
Characteristics of Low Levels Characteristics of High Levels Reserved, Introverted Gregarious, Exhibitionist Chaotic, Disorganised Dependable, Organised Irritable, Rigid Likeable, Flexible Anxious, Insecure Calm, Secure Insensitive, Practical Imaginative, Senstivie Summary of FFM (Adapted from Clark et al. 2003)
Comparison of Personality Models The MBTI has questioned if it can qualitatively measure distinct types, and that the Judgement/Perception dimensions are too weakly defined. As there is no qualitative measurement of the dimensions, using MBIT does not aid statistical analysis. In turn hinders efforts to draw associations between personality and other measures (Feldt et al. 2010). Balijepally et al. (2006) proposed that FFM is better suited to measuring personal psychology within groups as included assessment of Emotional Stability (Neuroticism), which is of interest when studying work groups. Emotional Stability is the tendency to express negative emotions, with higher scores denoting emotional stability. Emotional Stability is generally considered to be positively associated to group success. As the MBTI is unable to account for this trait, it may be limited in application to groups of individuals. Capretz in later paper (2010) does address the criticisms levelled at MBTI in stating that it is not possible for “a single personality test to predict success in a field as broad as software”. Again reiterating that what is being measured by personality models is not career success, but career preference.
What Type of Personalities Do We Find in Software Development? There are personality traits that are indicative to certain disciplines, as shown by case study conducted by Clark et al. (2003). One of their hypotheses was that Information Systems students were more extroverted than Computer Science students, for which they found support in their research. It is not unreasonable to conclude that certain types of people would be drawn to specific roles that fall under the increasing blanket term of Software Development. This view is supported by Capretz et al. (2010) who states: “According to psychology, not everybody can excel at all kinds of tasks. Thus better results are achieved if people with particular personality traits are assigned to different aspects of a project, especially the roles best suited to their ability.” Several studies have indicated a higher prevalence of introverts (Balijepally et al. 2006, Capretz et al. 2003, Hannay et al. 2010) amongst software developers. As per the MBTI assessments conducted ISTJ, ISTP, ESTP, ESTJ orientations were well represented in role of programming in the software development lifecycle. The dimensions of sensing (practical, fact-orientated) and thinking (principle-oriented, cool-headed) being the most commonly preferred. Phase Skills Personality Characteristics Analysis Communication, Interpersonal Extroversion (E), Feeling (F) Design Analysis, Innovation Intuition (N), Thinking (T) Programming Autonomy, Analysis, Attention to Detail Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Thinking (T) Testing Organisational Skills, Attention to Detail Sensing (S), Judging (J) Maintenance Adaptable, Attention to Detail Sensing (S), Perceiving (P) MBTI Dimensions and the Software Lifecycle (Adapted from Capretz et al. 2010)
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