Which Personality Are You? The Social Psychology Behind MBTI Tests
This article explores the popularity of MBTI personality tests and their social psychology, including the need for self-confirmation, self-beautification, and social interaction.
Which Personality Are You? The Social Psychology Behind the Popularity of MBTI Tests
In recent times, abbreviations like ISFP, INTP, and INTJ have been making rounds on the internet. These are personality types from the widely popular MBTI personality test. This article delves into the social psychology behind personality tests and explores what the popularity of MBTI reveals about identity and self-awareness in the digital age.
Origins of MBTI
In 1921, Carl Jung published 'Psychological Types,' where he proposed four dimensions to classify human personalities into 16 types. In 1942, Katharine Briggs and her daughter developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) based on Jung's work. The MBTI test is divided into four dimensions, each with two options, resulting in 16 personality types. Although MBTI has been widely translated and used by many large enterprises, it has also faced criticism for its unreliability and the Barnum effect.
The Social Psychology of Personality Tests
Despite its flaws, MBTI has become extremely popular. It gained attention when Olympic champion Eileen Gu revealed her INTJ type. This led to a wave of people taking the test and analyzing its results. MBTI spreads through the Barnum effect and provides social currency. Sharing MBTI results on social media is a way to show and build a good image.
There are deeper reasons for its popularity. Firstly, it meets the need for self-confirmation. People have always been interested in understanding themselves, and personality tests like MBTI offer a convenient way to do so. Secondly, it satisfies the need for self-beautification. The results of MBTI often come with romantic descriptions, making people more likely to believe them. Thirdly, it meets the social need. Young people today want to socialize but lack social skills, and MBTI becomes a useful tool for them.
Insights from the Popularity of MBTI
The popularity of MBTI as a social currency brings several insights. Firstly, young people like to label themselves to find a sense of belonging. According to Allport's self-development theory, individuals seek identity through social interactions and media. 'Labeling' is a way to gain identity and group belonging. Secondly, in the internet age, identity recognition has become more diverse and fluid. People can choose to 'perform' in the virtual space, and social identities are more dynamic. Thirdly, while MBTI can help with communication, it also leads to the risk of personality stratification and the loss of individual uniqueness.
Conclusion
In the context of media-driven social interactions, the popularity of MBTI reflects young people's need to understand themselves. However, we should remember that MBTI is not a scientific personality test and should not limit our understanding of ourselves. We are all unique individuals, and our personalities cannot be defined by 16 types.