ML: Hi, I’m Melody, and I’m an ENFP.
AS: And I’m Amberly, an INTP.
ML: Wait, but what does that even mean?
AS: What we just said are two of the 16 MBTIs. In the early mid-20th century, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, were inspired by Carl G Jung’s book, “Psychological Types,” which proposed four main functions of consciousness. However, Myers felt the book needed to be simplified for the public. During the Second World War, Myers thought that if people understood each other better, there would be less conflict. The next 20 years were spent developing questions, and the first MBTI instrument was published in 1962. Currently, the Myers-Briggs Company keeps this instrument updated and researched.
ML: This led to the current MBTI system, which sorts people into 16 different personality types based on four pairs of traits. For example, I’m extraverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving.
AS: My MBTI says I’m introverted, intuitive, thinking and perceiving. But how trustworthy is this system?
ML: In my personal opinion, it’s relatively accurate. The results of the test mostly align with my personal experiences. For example, the 16 Personalities website tells me that ENFPs are often enthusiastic, curious, but also sometimes overly optimistic individuals, which makes sense to me because these are qualities that I feel like I have. It helps me get a grasp of who I am and also how my personality translates into my day-to-day interactions and actions. Furthermore, it’s not just me; it’s used in classes to help teachers and students gain a better understanding of a student’s learning style and personality. It’s also used in workplace settings to help in developmental activities, leadership skills and to promote self-awareness of individuals’ behaviors. Currently, 80% of the Fortune 500 have used the MBTI.
AS: While I do relate to some of the descriptions assigned by my MBTI, I’d argue the reason the test seems so accurate is because of the Barnum effect. This is a psychological phenomenon where individuals believe vague descriptions of their personality are extremely accurate and specific. For example, the descriptions of INTPs include phrases such as “unique perspective and vigorous intellect” and “your mind is a playground of ideas.” These phrases are positive and generally applicable enough that many people can relate to them. The phrasing, such as “unique perspective,” is also vague enough that people can project their own interpretation. Another aspect of the Barnum effect is that these statements are very flattering and imply depth, which plays into human desire for self-validation. As a result, people believe their MBTI result is extremely accurate and specific, when it’s the opposite.
ML: I wouldn’t completely agree. I think people who take the MBTI test mostly know that it’s not super scientific and precise, but they’re taking it to get some kind of sense of their personality. When I take it, I know that the results aren’t going to be 100% accurate and align with my actual personality, but it’s close enough that it can give me some insight into what kind of person people see me as, and also some parts of my personality. It’s not fair to regard the test as completely meaningless.
AS: I’d agree, but it’s hard to get a grasp of your own personality if your results are constantly changing. According to an article in Consulting Psychology, 39% to 76% of people get a different personality when they retake the MBTI after five weeks. This has a scientific backing behind it. For each of the four personality types, people are assigned a value from 0 to 100. Following a normal distribution, most people cluster between the middle values, but the test doesn’t account for this spectrum; instead, it only treats these types as binary. For me, my identity is 57% thinking, meaning I prioritize logic and objectivity over empathy and emotions. But my personality could easily shift from INTP to INFP. This explains why so many people’s personality type changes over time.
ML: Just because someone’s personality type changes doesn’t mean the test is inaccurate. For example, over time, my personality has changed slightly, where I’m now a more intuitive individual rather than someone who makes decisions based on observations, which really just shows how personality is fluid, not set in stone.
AS: Wow, I never thought about it that way. I guess the MBTI can be a fun test to take, but it shouldn’t be used to define yourself or make any serious decisions, such as whether or not to employ anyone.
ML: Yeah. Take the new personality type otroverts, as an example of how there are always new personalities evolving and being “discovered.” Ultimately, personality tests are really just another good way to learn more about yourself, and potentially learn about ways that your personality is represented in life, but they shouldn’t be the limiting factor for your personality, and you shouldn’t let these tests determine your entire identity.
ML: This is Melody,
AS: and Amberly.
ML: Thanks for listening,
AS: and see you next time.
