Free MBTI® Project
I received the following letter from, Steven W. Waldo, the Vice President of CPP, Inc. (Consulting Psychologists Press):
Comments are posted on your blog regarding the MBTI instrument at www.typeandculture.com. In an April 29, 2007 comment, you discuss a viewpoint related to a “Free Myers Briggs Type Indicator from MBTI qualified practitioners.” You are undoubtedly aware that CPP is a commercial publisher and, as such, simply does not give away any version of the MBTI instrument or of CPP’s other useful publications. Doing so would not be in CPP’s, nor its authors or shareholders, commercial interest; it would not fund the continuing research, translation and other product development efforts that have made - and continue to make - the MBTI instrument the most useful of its type; nor would it serve the interest of MBTI practitioners in assuring that the instrument retains its hard earned reputation as an insightful tool which, in the hands of qualified practitioners, may lead to numerous benefits from greater self knowledge to improved teamwork etc.
At the same location, one reads your comment regarding the cost of the MBTI® Complete being “criminally high.” We doubt, however, that you provide the instrument, with appropriate feedback, for less than the price of MBTI® Complete.
Steven W. Waldo
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
CPP, Inc.
Dear Mr. Waldo,
I welcome CPP’s interest in my blog and I believe they can learn a lot from it. However, I think you missed the point of my proposal. I want to extend the reach of the MBTI through a non-profit that would offer tests and feedback for free. We all know that CPP jealously guards its license/copyright of the MBTI. Myself and other MBTI practitioners (some practicing for 20 years or more) feel the MBTI is held prisoner by CPP and its capitalistic, profit-driven motives. “It would not fund the continuing research, translation and other product development efforts” unless their was money to be made. For example, CPP declines to market other derivatives of the MBTI such as the MMTIC because they don’t see any profit in selling MBTI tests that are for children. Perhaps CPP would be interested in giving a corporate grant or donating tests to the Free MBTI Project?
The MBTI Complete is a website generated test. There is no way a computer-generated test and feedback is worth $60. I offered the MBTI test and feedback cheaper than the MBTI Complete and I threw in a free copy of my book Where in the World Do I Belong. CPP charges $300 a year just to be able to sell the tests online - another criminally high fee. I started offering tests on my website about a month ago, but because of an moral conflict with being a profit funnel for CPP, I will stop offering MBTI tests on my website.
There is no disputing the incredible value of the MBTI instrument. The MBTI was a test developed by an INFP, and myself, as an INFP, have always felt there was something wrong with the paying for the test and the way CPP controls the distribution. CPP locks the type community into a tunnel vision of serving corporate interests instead of individuals. The qualification and certification requirements for ‘ethical use’, are really a system to protect the monopoly and profits of CPP, and hinders the spread of the word of type. If Isabel Myers (the creator of the MBTI) were alive today, even she would not be qualified to purchase or use the MBTI.
Best Regards,
Brent Massey
http://www.typeandculture.com
