pathoscribe

Written by Yong-Lin Hu | Art By Maya Wen

In the midst of Buzzfeed’s “What Disney Princess are You?” personality tests, comes one test in particular that has stormed the world during the past few years: 16 Personalities’ MBTI (Myers Briggs Type-Indicator) Test. Created by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, developed this self-report personality indicator based on Carl Gustav Jung’s theories, which stated that between the two categories of introversion and extraversion (as well as judging and perceiving), each individual prefers and applies one cognitive function over the other. This is where the notorious four-letter type acronyms come from–the first letter of each person’s preferred cognitive trait. The test allows for each individual to explore their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, career preferences, compatibility with others, etc. to determine where they fall on four different scales: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P). In 16 Personalities’ MBTI, a 5th comparison, Assertive (-A) vs. Turbulent (-T) is included. This is not typical of a standard MBTI test, but it will also be explored in this article because of its prevalence. The combination of dominant cognitive traits leads to the general organization of the 16 personality type groups. 

Extraversion vs Introversion refers to the way people interact with their surroundings. Extraverts (or Extroverts) tend to be energized by social interaction and are more likely to enjoy group activities. They tend to be more action-oriented. On the other hand, introverts enjoy solitary activities and may get exhausted or overwhelmed by social interaction or external stimulation. They tend to be more thought-oriented and prefer more meaningful conversations.

The second category is Sensing vs. Intuition. Observant, or sensing individuals prioritize facts, learning from hands-on experiences, and are more pragmatic and practical in their thought processes while intuitive individuals are more imaginative and open-minded. Intuitive individuals prefer to focus on hidden meanings, future possibilities, and abstract concepts.

The Thinking vs. Feeling category can be simplified as such: Does the person think with their heart or head? Thinkers are more objective, rational, and impersonal with their decisions, emphasizing facts, efficiency, and data. However, feelers are more empathic and sensitive to emotions and morality, considering cooperation and social harmony when making decisions.

The final scale on the standard MBTI test measures Judging vs. Perceiving character traits, explaining how people interact with the world around them. Judging individuals are decisive and like a rigid, organized life structure. They value planning and predictability. Perceiving individuals are more adaptable and flexible, being more perceptive to change. They are nonconformists and are good at improvising and recognizing opportunities on the spot. 

In the comparison between Assertive and Turbulent, assertive individuals are self-assured and understand their capabilities and limits. They establish healthy boundaries, both in work and relationships, and overall carry a balanced lifestyle. Turbulent individuals are more self-conscious and experience a wider range of emotions. They are success-driven and are passionate in what they do.

This test can provide good insight into one’s personality and act as a starting point for self-exploration. However, studies have shown that this test is generally unreliable, with 50% of retakers being classified into a different personality group, even when the retest period was only weeks later. Even still, many people hold the Myers-Briggs personality test in high regard, despite its inability to adequately represent the varied complexities of human beings. This is explained by the fact that many are drawn to categorization, fitting into a certain clique, and being able to relate to certain insights and characteristics. It offers some sense of stability as one tries to explore their identity. It may also be fueled by the Barnum Effect, where reading the strengths of their personality type, the flattery, and generalization pushes them to agree with the analysis.

Sources:

“Free Personality Test.” 16Personalities, https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test. Accessed 18 June 2024. 

Cherry, Kendra. “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: The 16 Personality Types.” Verywell Mind, 20 June 2011, https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583. Accessed 18 June 2024. 

MacCarthy, Libby. “Why Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type Is Meaningless.” HealthCentral, 29 June 2020, https://www.healthcentral.com/mental-health/myers-briggs-personality-type. Accessed 18 June 2024.