About the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used psychological framework that categorizes personality into 16 personalities distinct types. Based on the theories of Carl Jung, the MBTI was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers to help individuals understand themselves and others better. The Myers Briggs personality test types are grounded in the idea that personality preferences influence how people perceive the world, make decisions, and interact with others.

The MBTI identifies personality through four pairs of opposing traits, called dichotomies. Each person falls on a spectrum for each dichotomy, forming the MBTI types, the unique combinations of preferences.

• 1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
  • ○ Extraversion: Focuses on the external world, thrives on social interaction, and gains energy from engaging with people or activities.
  • ○ Introversion: Focuses on the internal world, prefers reflection, and gains energy from solitude or small, meaningful interactions.
• 2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
  • ○ Sensing: Prefers tangible, concrete information and pays attention to details and the present moment.
  • ○ Intuition: Prefers abstract, conceptual information and focuses on patterns, possibilities, and the future.
• 3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
  • ○ Thinking: Makes decisions based on logic, objectivity, and impersonal criteria.
  • ○ Feeling: Makes decisions based on personal values, empathy, and the impact on others.
• 4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
  • ○ Judging: Prefers structure, organization, and planned approaches.
  • ○ Perceiving: Prefers flexibility, spontaneity, and adaptability.

The four dichotomies combine to create 16 personalities also known as the Myers Briggs 16 personalities, each represented by a four-letter code. Below is a brief description of each type:

• 1. ISTJ - The Inspector
  • • Key Traits: Responsible, detail-oriented, reliable.
  • • Strengths: Organized, practical, and systematic problem-solver.
  • • Challenges: May struggle with adaptability and expressing emotions.
  • • Focus: Upholding traditions and completing tasks efficiently.
• 2. ISFJ - The Protector
  • • Key Traits: Loyal, nurturing, meticulous.
  • • Strengths: Empathetic, dependable, and attentive to others' needs.
  • • Challenges: Can become overly self-sacrificing or resistant to change.
  • • Focus: Creating harmony and supporting loved ones.
• 3. INFJ - The Advocate
  • • Key Traits: Visionary, empathetic, introspective.
  • • Strengths: Insightful, idealistic, and deeply attuned to others’ emotions.
  • • Challenges: May become overwhelmed by their own perfectionism or others' needs.
  • • Focus: Making meaningful contributions to the world.
• 4. INTJ - The Mastermind
  • • Key Traits: Strategic, independent, goal-oriented.
  • • Strengths: Visionary thinkers with strong analytical abilities.
  • • Challenges: May appear aloof or overly critical.
  • • Focus: Turning innovative ideas into actionable plans.
• 5. ISTP - The Virtuoso
  • • Key Traits: Practical, resourceful, adventurous.
  • • Strengths: Skilled problem-solvers with a knack for hands-on activities.
  • • Challenges: May struggle with emotional connections or long-term commitments.
  • • Focus: Exploring how things work and solving immediate problems.
• 6. ISFP - The Adventurer
  • • Key Traits: Artistic, sensitive, spontaneous.
  • • Strengths: Warm, open-minded, and grounded in the present moment.
  • • Challenges: May avoid conflict and have difficulty planning for the future.
  • • Focus: Expressing creativity and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
• 7. INFP - The Mediator
  • • Key Traits: Idealistic, compassionate, introspective.
  • • Strengths: Deeply caring and imaginative, with strong personal values.
  • • Challenges: Can be overly idealistic or avoid confrontation.
  • • Focus: Helping others and pursuing personal authenticity.
• 8. INTP - The Thinker
  • • Key Traits: Analytical, curious, logical.
  • • Strengths: Skilled at abstract problem-solving and theoretical analysis.
  • • Challenges: May struggle with practicality and emotional expression.
  • • Focus: Understanding complex concepts and developing innovative ideas.
• 9. ESTP - The Entrepreneur
  • • Key Traits: Energetic, pragmatic, action-oriented.
  • • Strengths: Thrives in dynamic environments and excels at quick decision-making.
  • • Challenges: Can be impulsive and resistant to routine.
  • • Focus: Taking bold actions and enjoying new experiences.
• 10. ESFP - The Performer
  • • Key Traits: Charismatic, outgoing, spontaneous.
  • • Strengths: Warm, fun-loving, and skilled at connecting with others.
  • • Challenges: May struggle with planning and long-term focus.
  • • Focus: Living in the moment and creating joy for themselves and others.
• 11. ENFP - The Campaigner
  • • Key Traits: Enthusiastic, imaginative, curious.
  • • Strengths: Creative, optimistic, and excellent at inspiring others.
  • • Challenges: Can be scattered or struggle with follow-through.
  • • Focus: Exploring possibilities and championing causes they care about.
• 12. ENTP - The Debater
  • • Key Traits: Innovative, witty, energetic.
  • • Strengths: Skilled at argumentation and thinking outside the box.
  • • Challenges: May be overly argumentative or dismissive of details.
  • • Focus: Challenging ideas and finding creative solutions.
• 13. ESTJ - The Executive
  • • Key Traits: Organized, practical, assertive.
  • • Strengths: Natural leaders with a strong sense of duty and efficiency.
  • • Challenges: Can be rigid or overly focused on rules.
  • • Focus: Implementing plans and maintaining order.
• 14. ESFJ - The Consul
  • • Key Traits: Caring, sociable, dependable.
  • • Strengths: Excellent at building relationships and supporting others.
  • • Challenges: May seek external validation or struggle with criticism.
  • • Focus: Creating harmony and fostering teamwork.
• 15. ENFJ - The Protagonist
  • • Key Traits: Charismatic, altruistic, inspiring.
  • • Strengths: Empathetic leaders who motivate others to achieve their potential.
  • • Challenges: May neglect their own needs in favor of others.
  • • Focus: Building communities and creating positive change.
• 16. ENTJ - The Commander
  • • Key Traits: Strategic, confident, decisive.
  • • Strengths: Natural leaders who excel at organizing and achieving goals.
  • • Challenges: Can be domineering or overly focused on efficiency.
  • • Focus: Driving progress and achieving ambitious objectives.

• 1. Personal Development
  • ○ Understanding the MBTI meaning of one’s type can illuminate strengths, challenges, and preferences, helping individuals set goals and manage stress effectively.
• 2. Career Guidance
  • ○ MBTI insights can help people choose careers that align with their natural strengths and interests.
• 3. Personal Development
  • ○ By understanding team members’ 16 personalities types, organizations can improve communication, resolve conflicts, and leverage diverse strengths.
• 4. Relationships
  • ○ The MBTI fosters empathy by revealing differences in how individuals perceive and interact with the world.

• • Lack of Scientific Validity: Critics argue that the MBTI Personality Test lacks strong empirical support and oversimplifies complex personalities.
• • Binary Categories: The dichotomies may oversimplify traits that exist on a spectrum.
• • Static Typing: Some argue that labeling people by a single type ignores the fluid nature of personality.