Do we still Trust Myers-Briggs

A decade or so ago, I left Durham Business School for the very last time, having bagged a third degree. No more formal studying for me after that, I told myself. However, the odd thing about learning is that to a point, it can become addictive and contagious. Forever and a day, there remains that inner yearning for the association with like-minded peers, for the inspiration provided by informed seniors and for the new headroom that appears as a result of both. Headroom that ends up being filled as you explore and stretch your recharged curiosity banks in a cooler hour of the day.

Now admittedly, this way of spending your precious, valuable and non-returnable time is not everyone’s cup of tea. This occurred to me as I was slaving over my final papers, whilst at the same time, my friends were rutting and raving at a full moon party on the warm sandy beaches of some far-flung Thai Island. Thinking about that now leads me back to my studies and engagement with personality types — particularly Myers-Briggs, who are still, possibly, the biggest and most influential strike force in pro-personality prediction.

In a nutshell, Myers-Briggs refers to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a personality assessment tool developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. The assessment tool is based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types that categorizes individuals into one of 16 personality types based on their preferences in four distinct areas: extraversion vs introversion, sensing vs intuition, thinking vs feeling and judging vs perceiving.

Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types posits that individuals have innate preferences that shape their way of perceiving the world and making decisions. He identified four primary functions — thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition — and proposed that people tend to favour one function over the others, forming their dominant psychological type. Jung also introduced the concepts of introversion and extraversion, suggesting that these orientations further influence how individuals engage with the world and interact with others. By understanding these psychological types, Jung aimed to provide insights into human behaviour, cognition, and interpersonal dynamics.

Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers are indeed the primary figures credited with developing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Katharine was interested in personality typing and began developing the framework in the early 20th century. Isabel Myers expanded upon her mother’s work, conducting extensive research and refining the indicator into its current form.

In line with this field of study, the MBTI Assessment Tool was launched in 1962, and categorizes individuals into one of 16 personality types based on four dichotomies:

> Extraversion (E) vs Introversion (I),

> Sensing (S) vs iNtuition (N),

> Thinking (T) vs Feeling (F), and

> Judging (J) vs Perceiving (P).

Through the honest use and analysis of a carefully designed questionnaire, the respondent’s personality can be articulated and labelled using one of 16 four-letter codes — such as “ESTJ” or “INFP”. The ESTJ is, for example, someone who has signalled preferences and leanings towards extraversion, Sensing, Thinking and Judging. An INFP would be someone with an opposite approach.

So, what can we make of the 16 personality categories, adopted in the MBTI Assessment tool? Well, the table below illustrates the types of personality that exist in society and workplace settings. In this sense, it’s easy to understand why the MBTI has since become one of the most widely used personality assessments worldwide, utilized in various fields such as psychology, education, career counselling, and organizational development.

This practical insight into personality types provides a useful pathway when entering or building different careers, occupations, teams, tasks and purposes. The tables below illustrate some examples of this

The accuracy of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaire largely depends on the honesty and self-awareness of the individual taking it. While it’s technically possible to intentionally give false answers in an attempt to manipulate the results, doing so undermines the purpose of the assessment, which is to provide insight into one’s natural preferences and tendencies. Furthermore, trained MBTI practitioners typically emphasize the importance of authenticity and encourage participants to answer the questions honestly to obtain the most accurate results. Dishonest responses may lead to a misrepresentation of one’s personality type, potentially hindering the usefulness of the assessment in personal and professional development.

Understanding your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type is beneficial for personal and professional growth. It provides valuable insights into your preferences, strengths, and areas for development, guiding career decisions, improving interpersonal relationships, and enhancing teamwork. By knowing your MBTI type, you gain self-awareness, which enables you to navigate various situations more effectively, manage stress, and foster personal well-being.

Excluding outlier cases, personality tends to be relatively stable over time, with core traits remaining consistent throughout adulthood. However, it’s also recognized that life experiences, personal growth, and environmental factors can influence aspects of personality, leading to subtle changes or shifts in behaviour and preferences. While major changes in personality type are uncommon, individuals may find that their expression of certain traits evolves as they mature and encounter new situations.

Whether to retake the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test in future years depends on individual circumstances and goals. Retaking the test can offer insights into how one’s personality may have evolved and provide an opportunity for self-reflection. However, it’s important to approach the assessment with a degree of scepticism, recognizing that any changes in results may be influenced by various factors on the day, and may not necessarily reflect fundamental shifts in personality. Additionally, retaking the test can be valuable for individuals who feel that they have undergone significant personal growth or life changes and wish to reassess their preferences and tendencies. Ultimately, the decision to retake the MBTI test should be based on personal motivation and the desire to gain deeper self-understanding.

Critics of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) raise concerns regarding its reliability and validity, arguing that its psychometric properties lack sufficient scientific support. They contend that the MBTI’s binary classification oversimplifies the complexity of human personality, limiting its predictive power and applicability in diverse cultural contexts. Additionally, the forced-choice format of the questionnaire may lead to response bias, while the deterministic view of personality as fixed and unchanging contradicts contemporary theories of personality development. Despite its widespread use, these criticisms underscore the importance of approaching the MBTI with caution and recognizing its limitations in accurately capturing the intricacies of individual differences.

However, research also indicates that many individuals generally regard personality questionnaires, including the MBTI, positively. They often perceive these assessments as accurate reflections of their personality traits and find value in the insights gained from completing them. Additionally, personality questionnaires are seen as prompting self-reflection and increasing self-awareness, which can contribute to personal growth and development.

Fun facts about MBTI

We can use MBTI in a fun way too, did you know the following people were associated with the following personality types?

If we were to consider some of our favourite and famous animals that inhabit our beautiful planet, how could we associate them with the MBTI?

Drawing parallels between animal behaviour and MBTI types is largely a fun and insightful way to explore different aspects of personality and behaviour. It can help us appreciate the diversity of behaviours and traits that are found in the animal kingdom, while also providing a new perspective on human personality. However, it’s essential to approach such comparisons with a sense of curiosity and creativity rather than as a scientifically rigorous assessment.

For me, well I’m a believer as a famous monkey once sang, so I typically take the test every 5 years, as I believe that people do have the capacity to change with time. At present, after 3 tests, I’m still confirmed as a borderline ENTP.

If you want to take a Myers-Briggs Test and learn more about your own personality type, these resources are available to you:

16Personalities: 16Personalities offers a free online MBTI test that provides detailed results about your personality type. You can take the test on their website and receive your results via email.

Truity: Truity offers a free personality test based on the MBTI framework. After completing the test on their website, you’ll receive your results, including your MBTI type, via email.

Humanmetrics: Humanmetrics provides a free Jung Typology Test (similar to the MBTI) on their website. You can take the test and receive your results by email.

PersonalityPerfect: PersonalityPerfect offers a free MBTI test that you can take online. Once you’ve completed the test, you’ll receive your results via email.