Myers-Briggs: Can You Trust It?
Myers-Briggs: The Bad And The Ugly
Born out of the profound intellectual lineage of Carl Jung, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) stands as one of the most popular personality tests worldwide. Crafted by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katherine Briggs, it was developed as an application of Jung's theory of psychological types.
Though hailed for its simplicity in categorising people into one of 16 personality types, the MBTI, over time, has found itself in the eye of a storm of scientific scrutiny.
Shaky Theory
Much of the criticism surrounding the MBTI springs from its theoretical underpinnings. The framework is based on the idea that humans can be sorted into distinct types. This perspective is an oversimplification of human personality.
Many in the scientific community advocate for a more complex and nuanced picture. Personalities are not easily compartmentalised. Instead, they should be viewed as a series of continuums. This dimension approach starkly contrasts with the MBTI type dichotomies. Here, for example, a person is either introverted or extroverted, but never on a scale between the two (1).
Predictive Validity
A critical issue that calls the validity of the MBTI into question is its lack of predictive power. A personality test is expected to be able to predict certain behaviour outcomes and attitudes.
For instance, the Big Five personality test has shown strong correlations with job performance and career success (2). Regrettably, the same cannot be said about the Myers-Briggs test, despite its widespread use in occupational settings.
Reliability
Another thorn in the side of the Briggs Type Indicator MBTI is its reliability. Simply put, do the test results remain consistent over time? Studies indicate a substantial percentage of people receive a different Myers-Briggs type when retested (3).
Such inconsistency throws a spanner into the works of a tool that purports to provide deep insights into an individual's core personality type.
Enduring Appeal
Despite these valid criticisms, the MBTI continues to fascinate many, its simplicity acting as a magnet that draws people in. Its endurance can be partially explained by a psychological phenomenon known as the Forer effect. This effect is people's tendency to see vague, general statements as uniquely applicable to themselves.
While the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is an intriguing mirror of Jung's theory, its scientific underpinnings are shaky. Its popularity may speak more about our desire for easy answers than about its accuracy as a psychological tool.
There are high-quality alternative personality assessment measures available. These include the NEO personality inventory and the MMPI. Administered by trained professionals, these instruments can provide valuable insights for those wanting to understand their psychological lives in work or personal contexts.
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References
Pittenger, D. J. (1993). The utility of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Review of Educational Research, 63(4), 467-488.
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The Big Five Personality Dimensions and Job Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Personnel Psychology, 44(1), 1-26.
Pittenger, D. J. (2005). Cautionary comments regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221.
