MBTI: Can It Truly Define Us?
An exploration of the MBTI personality test, its popularity, and the anxiety it can cause. Also discusses the interpretation of test results and its role as a career analysis tool rather than a definitive personality label.
MBTI: Can It Truly Define Us?
In recent times, the MBTI personality test has gained significant popularity. It is a psychological measurement tool that assesses personality across different dimensions.
Many people have taken the MBTI test and come across analyses and conclusions like 'You are an INFP. You are introverted, sensitive, and focus on your inner world. Your most suitable occupations are writer, psychologist, and artist.' or 'You are an ESFJ. You are practical, results-oriented, decisive, and serious. You are a manager and supervisor. Your most suitable occupations should be company chief analyst, securities broker, or supervisor.'
The Rise of MBTI and the Anxiety It Brings The popularity of MBTI has led to a certain kind of anxiety. Since the test has a psychological scientific basis, the results often align with people's self-perception. However, once they accept the results, they start to worry. For instance, they might think, 'My life doesn't completely match this analysis. Have I chosen the wrong major? Am I on the wrong path?' Questions like 'I am an INFP. Should I study psychology?' or 'My personality test says I should study economics, but I am an art student. Have I made a wrong choice?' are common.
Interpretation of MBTI Test Results The MBTI test (Myers–Briggs Type Indicator) is based on four dimensions, each with two tendencies. The combination of these eight tendencies forms 16 different personality results. Each result is represented by four letters, with each letter indicating a tendency in a particular dimension. The first dimension is Introverted (I) and Extraverted (E). If your first letter is I, you are an introvert who gains energy from being alone. If it's E, you are an extrovert who gains energy from interacting with others. The second dimension is Intuitive (N) and Sensing (S). An N indicates you judge external things based on intuition, while an S means you rely on past experience and facts. The third dimension is Thinking (T) and Feeling (F). A T means you value the logic and patterns of events, while an F indicates you focus on your own and others' emotional feelings. The fourth dimension is Judging (J) and Perceiving (P). A J means you want definite results and are less likely to change your mind. A P indicates you are open to different possibilities and more adaptable.
MBTI as a Tool for Career Analysis, Not Personality Definition Originally, MBTI was used by career planners as a measurement tool for career analysis. It helps people understand their hobbies and strengths better. For example, if someone loves music and writing but doesn't know how to find a suitable job, MBTI can help analyze their personality tendencies. However, MBTI only reflects our current personality state and is not a fixed characteristic like blood type. Our personality can change over time due to various experiences. During our 20s and 30s, when we are still finding our identity and future direction, our MBTI results may change. As we get older, our personality stabilizes, and the likelihood of MBTI result changes decreases.
MBTI is also a controversial measurement tool. Even among psychology professionals, there are differing opinions on its accuracy. In conclusion, the MBTI personality test is a tool to help us understand our current selves, but it should not be a label or a constraint. We are the ones who truly define who we are.