MBTI Personality Test: Reliable or Just a Trend?

The MBTI personality test has gained popularity among young people, but is it truly reliable? This article explores the MBTI, its commercialization, and expert opinions on its limitations.

MBTI Personality Test: A Trendy but Questionable Guide?

In recent years, the MBTI personality test has become extremely popular. Young people in particular seem to be fascinated by it and some even regard it as a kind of 'guide' in life. But is it really reliable?

The MBTI, or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, is a personality type theory model developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Cook Briggs. Based on the eight psychological types proposed by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, it classifies people into 16 different personality types through four dimensions: attention direction (source of energy), cognitive style (how to gather information), judgment style (how to make decisions), and lifestyle (how to deal with the external world).

For example, INFP is known as the 'Mediator' personality type, characterized by being quiet, open-minded, and imaginative. ISFJ is the 'Defender' type, very considerate of others' feelings but extremely tough when protecting family or friends. ESTJ is the 'Commander' type, charming and confident, a natural leader.

The popularity of MBTI has led to its commercialization. Many consumers are willing to spend tens of dollars on taking the test and unlocking analysis reports. On e-commerce platforms like Taobao, shops selling MBTI tests have monthly sales of over 1,000. On social media and video platforms, there are numerous links and analysis videos about MBTI personality tests.

However, not everyone is convinced by the test results. Some people, like 30-year-old Mr. Zhang who works in engineering and construction, don't take the results as the final定论 about themselves. He believes that becoming the kind of person one wants to be is a decision one makes for oneself.

Experts also caution against over-reliance on MBTI. Psychiatrists and psychologists point out that personality tests like MBTI are not comprehensive in defining a person's character. Before the age of 18, personality tests are not recommended as personality development is not yet mature. Even after 18, MBTI results should be considered in combination with other information such as educational and work background, daily life performance, and other assessment tools and interviews.

In conclusion, while the MBTI personality test can be a form of entertainment, it should not be overly depended on or over-interpreted. We should view ourselves with a developmental perspective and not be limited by a single test result.