The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a well-known personality assessment tool based on the theories of psychologist Carl Jung. Research on its accuracy has had mixed results.
MBTI classifies people into 16 distinct personality types based on preferences in four key areas:
- extroversion or introversion
- sensing or intuition
- thinking or feeling
- judging or perceiving
These categories aim to capture differences in how people interact with others, interpret information, and make decisions.
Despite its widespread use, the MBTI faces criticism for its lack of empirical support and potential for misclassification.
This article examines the Myers-Briggs 16 personality types and the evidence supporting and challenging its validity.
The Myers-Briggs personality test, known as the MBTI, measures specific traits that make up a person’s personality.
Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, created the MBTI. They were not psychologists but writers interested in Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types.
Briggs and Myers designed the MBTI to help with team-building in the workplace rather than for use in a clinical setting.
The test evaluates personality in
- Energy: This focuses on the amount of energy a person has for socializing. People may be extroverted (E), meaning they prefer to be around others and direct their attention to the external. Alternatively, they may be introverted (I), meaning they gain energy from solitude and direct their attention toward their inner world.
- Perception: This describes how people prefer to get their information. A person may be sensing (S), meaning they prefer to use their senses to gather information, or intuitive (N), meaning they rely on instincts, patterns, or thinking about the “big picture.”
- Decisions: This measures whether a person relies more on thinking (T) or feeling (F) to make decisions. Thinking types prefer logic, while feeling refers to those who seek harmony and use their emotions.
- Orientation: This describes how people prefer to live on a scale from judging (J) to perceiving (P). Judging types prefer order and stability while perceiving types prefer flexibility.
Individuals complete a questionnaire that includes a series of questions designed to identify their preferences in each area. For example, a person who is mostly extroverted, intuitive, emotionally driven, and flexible would get the result:
- extrovert (E)
- intuitive (N)
- feeling (F)
- perceiving (P)
In the Myers-Briggs model, these four initials combine to form a person’s personality type.
The MBTI defines 16 personality types, each formed by a specific combination of preferences in the four areas. A summary of the 16 types and their key traits follows:
| Type | Strengths |
|---|---|
| INTJ | strategic, analytical, and independent |
| INTP | logical, intellectually curious, and deep thinking |
| ENTJ | confident, strategic, and decisive |
| ENTP | innovative, knowledgeable, and outspoken |
| INFJ | conscientious, insightful, and organized |
| INFP | empathetic, introspective, and imaginative |
| ENFJ | charismatic, passionate, and empathetic |
| ENFP | warm, outgoing, encouraging, and curious |
| ISTJ | responsible, organized, and realistic |
| ISFJ | quiet, considerate, and hardworking |
| ESTJ | organized, assertive, and practical |
| ESFJ | warm, cooperative, loyal, and conscientious |
| ISTP | observant, adaptable, and problem solving |
| ISFP | caring, passionate, and loyal |
| ESTP | bold, pragmatic, energetic, and direct |
| ESFP | enthusiastic, spontaneous, and sociable |
Briggs and Myers created the MBTI based on their understanding of Jung’s theories and their own observations. This means the test is not based on scientific research but on their own ideas and interpretations. As a result, critics argue that the MBTI lacks empirical support.
Research on the reliability of the MBTI has also had mixed results. A 2017 literature review found that the MBTI had satisfactory reliability for the extravert-introvert, sensing-intuition, and judging-perceiving subscales, while the thinking-feeling subscale was far less reliable.
There is inconsistent evidence to support the MBTI as a way of identifying a suitable career. For example, a
The researchers explored 20 possible relationships between MBTI personality traits and leadership behaviors and discovered that only seven of these relationships were statistically significant.
That said, there is some evidence that doctors are more likely to be introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging than the rest of the population. A
Psychologists and researchers have debated the MBTI’s accuracy. While some individuals find it insightful, others find they do not fit into the binary categories.
This may be because traits such as extroversion and introversion exist on a spectrum. People who fall in the middle may not find the MBTI useful.
Another criticism of the MBTI is that it relies on self-reported data, similar to other personality tests. Individuals answer questions about themselves, which can introduce bias. People may not perceive themselves accurately, or they may answer in ways they feel are more desirable, leading to inaccurate results.
The MBTI is less favored in the scientific community than other personality tests. Researchers
The Big Five measures five broad dimensions of personality:
- extroversion
- openness
- conscientiousness
- agreeableness
- neuroticism
Each dimension represents a spectrum, allowing for a more nuanced assessment of an individual’s personality. Researchers have validated this model through extensive research and cross-cultural studies, demonstrating its reliability and predictive validity across various contexts.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the MBTI.
What is the rarest Myers-Briggs type?
According to some anecdotal reports, the rarest type is INFJ. However, there have been no studies assessing this in a large, diverse population, so this may not be accurate.
What is the most common Myers-Briggs type?
It is difficult to determine the most common MBTI type as there is currently no global research.
Can your Myers-Briggs result change?
Yes, an individual’s MBTI type could change over time due to personal growth and life experiences. Dramatic personality changes in adults appear to be uncommon, though.
A 2022 meta-analysis of longitudinal studies using the Big Five model found that no major changes took place in these traits after age 25 years. However, emotional stability improved consistently over time.
Significant shifts in personality or behavior can sometimes indicate a medical condition. People who have concerns about this can speak with a doctor or psychologist.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular tool for understanding personality types. It groups people into one of 16 categories based on four key measurements.
While it offers valuable insights for some, not everyone identifies with its results, and there is a lack of solid research to support it. People may prefer to try more well-researched models, such as the Big Five, for a more nuanced understanding of their personality.
That said, the MBTI can provide a starting point for exploring the complexities of human behavior.