Whether it was in psychology class or in a casual conversation among friends, you have probably heard of Myers-Briggs or MBTI. Think of it as the original “take this quiz and find out what type of pizza you are!” Instead of pizza, it’s your personality type. Today, I’m breaking down the four components of Myers-Briggs personality types and the resulting 16 personalities.
What does MBTI even stand for?
MBTI stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, created the concept of MBTI after being fascinated by the book Psychological Types, which was authored by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. While MBTI was established on well-known psychologists’ theories, it is important to note that it is known today as a form of pseudoscience, and it is not accepted as a valid scientific concept by many current psychologists. However, this does not make learning about MBTI any less fun, and I will continue to nudge new friends to tell me their MBTI types.
What is the Purpose of MBTI?
When you take the test, the most popular being the one on 16 Personalities, you will receive a personality type made up of a combination of four different letters. For example, mine is ISFJ. The four dichotomies include: Introversion vs. Extraversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving.
The purpose of this test can vary from person to person. Some people may like it for confirmation bias; it is reassuring to have the computer tell you that yes, you are an introvert and a feeler. Or, maybe you have no idea what your personality type is, and you want something that can help guide the way. Either way, the Myers-Briggs test is a great way to do so.
Breaking down the Dichotomies:
E vs. I
The first letter in your personality type will be either an E or an I. The E stands for extraversion, and it means that you are more action-oriented; it also means that when you are around other people, you feel incredibly energized and you enjoy being surrounded by others. On the other hand, I stands for introversion, and it means that you are more thought-oriented; rather than being energized when surrounded by other people, you tend to be fueled by time spent alone. However, introverts can enjoy the presence of other people; it may just be that they prefer to have deep, meaningful conversations.
T vs. F
This dichotomy focuses on how people tend to make decisions. If you are a T, which stands for thinking, you tend to be objective and rational, and you base decisions on facts and logic. If you are a F, or Feeler, personality type, you tend to be more subjective. You tend to base your decisions on your heart instead of your head, and you believe in the importance of harmony.
Honestly, I really like the scenario my friend used to explain T vs. F. Let’s say you were in a car crash, and you immediately called your boyfriend, letting him know of the situation. If your boyfriend is a T type, he may ask you is you called the police, and other “problem-solving” questions. If your boyfriend is an F type, the first thing he may ask you is “are you okay?”
S vs. N
S vs. N determines how you perceive information. If you are an S, or Sensing, personality type, you place emphasis on your five senses. You value practicality, and things you actually experience are more important than what other people say to you. On the other hand, N, or Intuition, personality types value the meaning of the information they gather. For example, they value abstract ideas and theories, and they focus more on the future than on the past. Also, they value the meaning of experiences they have had, rather than what they have sensed during those experiences.
J vs. P
Last but not least is J, Judging, vs. P, Perceiving. This dichotomy focuses on your personal lifestyle, and whether you prefer structure or flexibility. When I first learned that I was a J, I agreed, because yes, I am quite judgemental. However, that is not at all what J stands for. Judging means that you value a structured lifestyle, and you tend to plan your life out; you like making lists and setting goals. On the other hand, if you are a P, or perceiving, personality type, you value flexibility. You like adapting to whatever happens in life, and you work in bursts of energy, rather than planned, consistent efforts.
You can take the 16Personalities quiz and find our your Myers-Briggs type here!
Sources:
https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/judging-or-perceiving.htm
https://www.simplypsychology.org/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator.html