Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Test is a renowned personality assessment tool used to explore the psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

Understanding one’s MBTI personality type offers invaluable insights into personal growth, career paths, and interpersonal relationships.

Origins and Development

The MBTI test owes its inception to the innovative work of Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. Their lifelong dedication, captured through the Briggs Foundation, was to make Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types accessible to individuals for personal and professional development.

Jung’s personality theory suggested that individuals are either oriented towards the inner world or the outside world, a core concept that Briggs and Myers expanded upon.

Understanding the Four Dichotomies

Central to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator are four dichotomies that serve as the foundation for its personality assessment:

Extraversion vs. Introversion: This dichotomy explores where individuals prefer to focus their energy—either the external world or their internal world.
Sensing vs. Intuition: It examines how people prefer to gather information, focusing on the present realities or the interpretation and addition of meanings.
Thinking vs. Feeling: This looks at decision-making preferences, whether through logical analysis or guided by personal values.
Judging vs. Perceiving: It reveals how people prefer to approach the outside world, either through a structured decision-making process or a flexible, adaptable approach.

The 16 Personality Types

The Briggs personality types offer a framework for understanding the diverse ways people experience the world around them.

The combination of preferences in these four dichotomies leads to 16 distinct MBTI personality types. Each type provides a unique lens through which individuals view the world, influencing everything from career choices to personal relationships.

The following are brief descriptions of each MBTI personality type:

ISTJ – The Inspector

ISTJs are known for their reliability, practicality, and integrity. They value tradition and loyalty, and they work diligently to meet their responsibilities. ISTJs prefer structure in their lives and are detail-oriented, organized, and efficient in their tasks.

ISFJ – The Protector

ISFJs are caring and supportive individuals who are deeply committed to the welfare of others. They are very conscientious, hardworking, and dependable. ISFJs have a strong sense of duty and take their responsibilities seriously, often putting the needs of others above their own.

INFJ – The Counselor

INFJs are insightful and compassionate. They are often idealistic, with high moral standards and a strong focus on the future. INFJs seek deep, meaningful connections with others and have a unique ability to understand complex emotional states and motivations.

INTJ – The Mastermind

INTJs are strategic, analytical thinkers who are driven by a desire to improve systems and processes. They are highly independent, confident in their abilities, and often have a clear vision of how things could be better. INTJs are determined and innovative, with a keen insight into possibilities and strategies.

ISTP – The Craftsman

ISTPs are flexible and efficient problem-solvers. They are highly skilled at understanding how mechanical things work and excel in practical tasks. ISTPs are independent and adaptable, often remaining calm in crisis situations thanks to their logical and detached problem-solving approach.

ISFP – The Composer

ISFPs are creative, sensitive, and compassionate. They live in the present moment and enjoy their surroundings with enthusiasm. ISFPs are quiet and unassuming, but they have a strong set of internal values that guide their decisions and actions.

INFP – The Healer

INFPs are idealistic and compassionate, guided by their values and beliefs. They seek to understand themselves and their place in the world. INFPs are loyal to their values and to the people who are important to them, and they strive to act in accordance with what they believe is right.

INTP – The Architect

INTPs are innovative and analytical thinkers who are driven by a desire to understand and improve the world around them. They are curious and intellectual, often delving deep into thought to solve problems or understand complex concepts. INTPs value knowledge and competence.

ESTP – The Dynamo

ESTPs are energetic, lively, and versatile. They are observant and realistic, with a keen ability to respond quickly to changes in their environment. ESTPs enjoy action and are always on the lookout for new adventures and experiences.

ESFP – The Performer

ESFPs are outgoing, friendly, and accepting. They live for the moment and enjoy bringing joy to others. ESFPs are adaptable, spontaneous, and enthusiastic about life, often encouraging others to join them in their adventures.

ENFP – The Champion

ENFPs are enthusiastic, creative, and sociable free spirits who can always find a reason to smile. They are imaginative and open-minded, seeing life as a special opportunity to experience something new and interesting.

ENTP – The Visionary

ENTPs are quick, ingenious, and alert. They are stimulated by challenge and are often bold in their exploration of new ideas. ENTPs are enthusiastic innovators, seeing potential and possibilities in the world around them.

ESTJ – The Supervisor

ESTJs are practical, realistic, and decisive. They enjoy organizing projects and people to get things done in a highly systematic and efficient way. ESTJs are straightforward and honest, valuing tradition, security, and stability.

ESFJ – The Provider

ESFJs are warm, caring, and tactful, always eager to help others in practical ways. They are highly social and oriented towards community, valuing harmony and cooperation. ESFJs work hard to ensure that everyone’s needs are met in a timely and competent manner.

ENFJ – The Teacher

ENFJs are charismatic and inspiring leaders, adept at understanding others’ motivations and potentials. They are empathetic and supportive, using their insights to help others grow and develop. ENFJs are driven by their values to make a positive impact on the world.

ENTJ – The Commander

ENTJs are assertive, confident, and outspoken, with a clear vision of what needs to be done. They are excellent organizers, often taking charge to ensure that projects are completed efficiently. ENTJs are strategic leaders, focused on achieving their goals with determination and foresight.

How the MBTI Test Works

The MBTI assessment process involves answering a series of questions designed to determine a person’s dominant preferences among the four dichotomies. Administered by the Myers Briggs Company among others, the MBTI personality test is a tool for educational and psychological measurement, widely respected across various sectors for its depth and utility in understanding personality differences.

Criticisms and Misconceptions

Despite its popularity, the MBTI test faces criticism from some quarters of the psychological community, questioning its scientific validity and reliability as a measure of personality. Critics argue that the binary nature of its dichotomies oversimplifies the complexity of human personality. Nevertheless, Isabel Briggs Myers and the foundational work in educational and psychological measurement defend the test as a starting point for understanding a person’s personality type, not an absolute measure of personality.

MBTI Test in Practical Applications

In practical terms, the MBTI assessment is a powerful tool for exploring personal development, enhancing team dynamics, and improving communication within organizations. By acknowledging and valuing personality differences, individuals and groups can leverage their strengths and work more effectively together.

Final Thoughts

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator MBTI test offers a fascinating window into the complexities of human personality. While it is not without its critics, the enduring popularity of the Myers Briggs test underscores its value as a tool for introspection, education, and connection. Understanding one’s MBTI personality type is a journey towards self-awareness and understanding of the diverse personalities that enrich our world.

Origins and Development

Understanding the Four Dichotomies