The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in Psychological Testing

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used personality assessment tool to identify individual personality types. In short, it aims to highlight personal preferences, strengths, perceptions, social interactions, and decision-making. If you’ve ever heard people talking about being an INTJ or ENTP, you’re about to find out what they mean.

What Is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

In 1944, A mother and daughter team, Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. While neither Briggs nor Myers had psychological training, the assessment they developed is based on Carl Jung’s theory of “individual preference”, which Briggs read in Jung’s book, Psychological Types.^[1][2]

Jung’s theory is that wide differences in human behavior come from individual variations in thinking and feeling. Myers created the questionnaire for the test, explaining these variations as “different ways individuals prefer to engage their minds.” The MBTI was created to help women in World War II find work that matched their personalities.^[2]

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator explores four brain functions that comprise 16 different personality types, which we will explore in-depth. While some controversy surrounds its accuracy, the MBTI is often used for career assessments, team building, relationship therapy, and personal growth.

The Four Dichotomies of the MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator reveals the participant’s personal preferences in four pairs of opposites called “dichotomies.” A dichotomy describes a pair of ideas entirely different from each other. The four dichotomies are:^[1][3]

Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

This represents how people focus their attention. Extraverts are energized by action and the external world, and introverts are energized by reflection and the internal world.^[1]

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

This dichotomy explains how people absorb information. “Sensors” focus on details and use their five senses, while “intuitives” look at the bigger picture and spot patterns.

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

Regarding decision-making, thinkers focus on logic and objectivity, and feelers prioritize empathy and harmony.

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

This dichotomy explains how people approach life. Judgers like to make decisions and stick to a plan, while perceivers prefer to gather more information and stay flexible before taking action.

The 16 Personality Types

If you take a closer look at some of the preference pairs (or dichotomies) above, you will likely notice that you are naturally drawn to one preference out of the two. This preference identifies your automatic way of doing things when you are not putting on a mask.^[3]

Of course, if you are unsure, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is designed to shed light on this and help you discover your natural way of interacting with the world. Once your four dominant preferences have been revealed, you will have your personality type.^[3]

There are 16 personality types that are all different combinations of the four dichotomies^[3]:

ISTJ

Serious, quiet, and dependable, ISTJs value practicality, responsibility, and tradition. They approach tasks methodically and work steadily toward their goals, finding satisfaction in creating order in their lives. They prefer logical decisions, focusing on efficiency and consistency, and they take pride in their loyalty and commitment.

ISFJ

ISFJs are friendly, quiet, and diligent. They are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities and take great care in their work and relationships. Thoughtful and observant, they value harmony and strive to create a peaceful environment for others, showing loyalty and deep concern for people’s well-being.

INFJ

This personality type seeks deeper meaning and connections in relationships, ideas, and material possessions. They are insightful, often understanding others’ motivations and desires. Committed to their values, they have a vision for helping the common good and are decisive in realizing their goals while maintaining an organized approach.

INTJ

INTJs are independent, strategic thinkers with a strong drive to implement their ideas. They see patterns and connections quickly and develop long-term perspectives. They are committed to their goals and often skeptical of conventional methods, maintaining high standards for themselves and others in their pursuit of excellence.

ISTP

Quiet, accepting, and flexible, ISTPs prefer to observe before jumping into action. They excel at solving practical problems, analyzing how things work and finding efficient solutions. Interested in cause and effect, they thrive on understanding systems and applying logic to real-world situations, remaining adaptable and resourceful.

ISFP

ISFPs are quiet, sensitive, friendly, and kind. They live in the present moment and work within their own space and pace. They value their independence and are loyal to their values and loved ones. Disliking conflict, they avoid imposing their opinions on others, preferring to live harmoniously with those around them.

INFP

Idealistic and loyal, INFPs seek to live according to their values and help others reach their potential. They are flexible, adaptable, and accepting unless their core beliefs are threatened. Curious and imaginative, they strive to understand people and the world, often seeking meaningful change.

INTP

INTPs are analytical, logical thinkers, interested in understanding the world through abstract ideas and theories. They are quiet, adaptable, and deeply focused on solving problems within their areas of interest. Skeptical and often critical, they seek to develop thorough, logical explanations for everything they encounter.

ESTP

ESTPs are pragmatic, energetic, and action-oriented, preferring immediate results over theoretical discussions. They are spontaneous, enjoy being active, and value luxury and style. Focused on the present, they learn best through experience and thrive on solving practical problems in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

ESFP

Outgoing, tolerant, and friendly, ESFPs enjoy engaging with others. They bring common sense, flexibility, and fun to their work and adapt easily to new situations. They love people and material comforts and enjoy learning by doing, making every moment an opportunity for action and interaction with others.

ENFP

ENFPs are enthusiastic, imaginative, and full of ideas, seeing the world as full of opportunities. They quickly connect the dots and thrive on spontaneity, often improvising as they go. Warm and supportive, they seek affirmation from others and express gratitude freely while exploring new endeavors with enthusiasm.

ENTP

Inventive and quick-witted, ENTPs are always seeking new challenges and solutions. They enjoy generating ideas, analyzing possibilities, and solving complex problems. Outspoken and resourceful, they are often bored by routine and prefer exploring new interests, constantly shifting focus to keep themselves mentally stimulated.

ESTJ

ESTJs are practical, efficient, and goal-oriented, excelling at organizing people and tasks to achieve results. They value tradition and follow logical, systematic approaches to problem-solving. Decisive and forceful, they implement plans quickly, ensuring that projects are completed in an orderly and efficient manner.

ESFJ

Warmhearted, determined, and cooperative, ESFJs work to create harmony and meet others’ needs. They take pride in fulfilling their responsibilities and maintaining an organized environment. Loyal and conscientious, they thrive on positive feedback and are deeply committed to their roles in both personal and professional settings.

ENFJ

ENFJs are empathetic, sociable, and responsive, always attuned to the emotions and needs of others. They strive to help people reach their potential and inspire growth in individuals and groups. Warm and supportive, they provide strong leadership and are motivated by the success and well-being of those around them.

ENTJ

ENTJs are decisive, strategic leaders with a strong focus on efficiency and long-term planning. They excel at identifying and solving organizational problems and developing systems to improve performance. Confident and outspoken, they are driven by their goals and eager to share their knowledge and ideas with others.

How Does the MBTI Assessment Work?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator contains 93 “forced-choice” questions, designed to identify a person’s preferences within the four dichotomies. The questions present two options without allowing participants to not choose at all. The MBTI generally takes between 20 and 40 minutes to complete.^[4]

The selected answers reveal a person’s preferences from the four dichotomies, allowing the test results to categorize people into one of the 16 personality types mentioned above. For example, someone who is primarily Introverted (I), Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Perceiving (P) would fall under the ISFP personality type.

To give you an idea of what the test questions are like, here is a simplified version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire:

Part 1: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

How do you usually regain your energy after a tiring day?
A: Socializing with others or participating in group activities.
B: Spending time alone or with a trusted friend, enjoying solitude.

In group discussions, what describes your approach?
A: Jumping in to share your ideas and opinions freely.
B: Listening carefully and contributing only when you feel it’s necessary.

Part 2: Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

What do you tend to focus on most?
A: Tangible details, facts, and practical outcomes.
B: Overarching ideas, patterns, and potential possibilities.

When grasping new concepts, what’s your preference?
A: Clear, step-by-step instructions with concrete examples.
B: Exploring abstract concepts through imaginative discussions.

Part 3: Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

What drives your decision-making process?
A: Rational analysis, consistency, and logical outcomes.
B: Emotional considerations, personal values, and the impact on others.

How do you approach conflict resolution?
A: Striving for fairness and upholding principles.
B: Focusing on empathy and maintaining harmonious relationships.

Part 4: Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

What type of environment helps you feel at ease?
A: A structured, organized setup with clear plans.
B: A flexible, adaptable space that allows for spontaneity.

When tackling a task or project, what’s your typical style?
A: Finishing tasks well ahead of deadlines.
B: Working closer to the deadline, often adapting as you go.

Uses of the MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator reveals likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and compatibility with other personality types in both personal and professional relationships. As a result, it is helpful in personal development, career counseling, team building, and relationship counseling.^[5][6][7][8]

Personal Development

Jung believed that a person’s mental processes are mostly unconscious at birth. These processes mature at different stages: the main one forms by age 7, the secondary one in the 20s, the third in the 30s or 40s, and the last develops around middle age or later. As these processes are revealed with the MBTI, they can serve as a guiding light in personal development.^[5]

Career Counseling

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator narrows down suitable fields based on personality traits, such as whether someone prefers teamwork or independent work. By identifying personal skills and potential challenges, it empowers individuals to choose careers where they can excel and thrive in environments tailored to their needs.^[6]

Team Building

The MBTI can be a helpful tool in team-building by highlighting how people gather information, make decisions, and interact with others. It shows how different personality traits, like extraversion or thinking tendencies, impact team communication and dynamics. While no single team composition is ideal, balancing diverse traits can create stronger, more effective teams.^[2][7]

Relationship Counseling

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is helpful for couples and families to better understand personality differences, with increased awareness improving communication, reducing conflict, and cultivating respect. Couples and families can use it to identify areas where they differ, like decision-making or lifestyle preferences, and work toward compromises.^[8]

Pros and Cons of the MBTI

While the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is useful for enhancing self-awareness, it has a few limitations to keep in mind. One issue is that not everyone feels their personality type accurately describes them after getting the results from an MBTI assessment. This is thought to be because personality preferences (like extroversion or introversion) usually exist on a spectrum.

In other words, while one extroverted person at the top of the spectrum might be highly energized, talkative, and outgoing, another extrovert in the middle could be confident yet calm. The test may not provide as much insight or guidance for those who find their traits to be in the middle of the spectrum.

Another common criticism of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is that it relies on people answering questions about themselves, which can lead to biased results. Sometimes, people don’t see themselves clearly or choose answers they believe make them look better, leading to inaccurate results.

While the Myers and Briggs Foundation claims that the test is reliable and has been scientifically validated, studies have shown that results can differ at different life stages. This is likely because personalities change and grow with age and life experience; however, these findings suggest that it may not be an accurate tool for career guidance.^[9][10][4]

MBTI vs. Other Personality Assessments

The MBTI is just one way to understand personality, categorizing people based on traits and behaviors. It identifies likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and compatibility with other personality types. Here’s how it compares to other popular personality assessments:

The Enneagram

The Enneagram focuses on nine different personality types based on core motivations, helping individuals understand their behaviors and personal growth paths.

The Five Love Languages

This test identifies how people give and receive love, categorizing responses into five main styles: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

The Big Five Personality Assessment

This test measures five key traits to offer a broad view of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

The Workplace DISC Test

DISC focuses on four personality traits (dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness) to help individuals improve communication and teamwork in the workplace.

Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire

This test uses 16 personality factors to assess personality and predict how people will behave in different situations.

The MBTI differs from the above-mentioned tests because it sorts people into personality types based on preferences. Most other personality tests (such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) measure traits on a scale or compare one person’s results to another, sometimes judging one type as better. Instead, the MBTI is designed to help with self-awareness.

Key Takeaways

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is widely used to help with career guidance, personal development, teamwork, and relationship counseling. It is designed to assess how an individual prefers to focus attention, process information, make decisions, and approach life.

While the MBTI is valuable for gaining insight into one’s personality, it is not entirely accurate because personalities change over time. Other personality tests that assess traits on a spectrum may be more reliable than the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.