Field Journal

Since 2002, Amtrak requires engineers to undergo personality evaluations to keep their jobs. The company seeks to isolate "​focused introverts" who are less likely to get distracted on the job. Employees from the merging company Metrolink argue the testing issue. 

 

          Without question, there is reason for a transportation company to seek the correct employees for the job. Amtrak requires workers who are focused and suited for repetitive jobs. Persons with these traits would be best identified using the MBTI Inventory personality test. Developed by Myers and Briggs, the MBTI Inventory test identifies an individual's personality type to help them find satisfaction, often in the professional world. This assessment can identify an individual as an introvert rather than an extravert, a person who thinks rather than feels, judges or perceives, or senses a situation rather than employing intuition. These traits meet the requests of the company more so than in other personality tests- the Rorschach Test, TAT, or MMPI-2. Those tests mainly identify subconscious personality traits, identify symptoms of a psychological disorder, or assess self-esteem and emotions. Moreover, the validity and reliability of the Rorschach Test, TAT, and MMPI-2 vary and are debatable. 

 

          The reliability of the MBTI Inventory Test is comparatively significant. Used many times for many years, researchers name the MBTI Inventory test both valid and reliable. Results from this test can be trusted and applied to the company so only qualified individuals will be hired, and no acceptable employees will be fired accidentally. The MBTI Inventory Test only tests personality traits along four dimensions and does not explain personality changes. The company would have to retest employees periodically for changes in personality that may affect their jobs. Although the employees can argue that their personalities can change- for better or for worse in the company- the argument of personality testing employees lies with the employer. The MBTI Inventory test is an effective and reliable method to pick employees who meet the criteria for a job.