Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) | Is it a Valid Personality Test?

This video answers the questions:
What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?
What is my 4 digit code (personality preference according to Myers Briggs)?
Is the Myers-Briggs a reliable and valid instrument?

The Myers-Briggs converts Jungian psychological types - the work of Carl Jung - into a four-letter code. There are 16 possible personality types or preferences. The MBTI doesn't really measure traits, character, or ability. The four dimensions of the MBTI are:
1. Introverted - Extroverted represented by I and E
2. Sensing - Intuitive represented by S and N
3. Thinking - Feeling represented by T and F
4. Judging - Perceiving represent by J and P

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1989). Reinterpreting the MyersBriggs Type Indicator from the perspective of the five-factor model of personality. Journal of Personality, 57, 17-40.

[jadeauburn]

I see the Myers-Briggs more as a fun way to describe oneself rather than as a tool. As you said the five factor model is much more useful.

[marybachmann]

I think you nailed it when you said the MBTI is not predictive. It is explanatory. OCEAN is predictive. Therefore, they have different purpose. Haven't you ever had a client that was angry or fearful simply because they did not understand the behavior of another? The MBTI goes much further with helping a client through a difficult relationship, where the OCEAN model is more for a personal inventory. That would explain why MBTI is favored by coaches and OCEAN is favored by therapists.

[psychcity]

Thank you for taking a balanced approach to the MBTI. It is so often misrepresented entirely - either degraded as pseudoscience/astrology nonsense or placed on a pedestal and viewed as a predictor of just about everything from career selection, to marital success, to job performance. Neither of these depictions is accurate, as you have outlined.

I think the reason that you find similarities between your INTP type and the ESFJ personality is that both of these types use the same cognitive functions. The INTP uses Introverted Thinking (Ti), Extraverted Intuition (Ne), Introverted Sensing (Si) and Extraverted Feeling (Fe), in that order, while the ESFJ uses these exact functions but in the opposite order. So although on paper, it would seem like the "opposite" types should be totally different, they actually are similar in a sense. Delving deeper into Jung's theories, some would argue the ESFJ is actually your "shadow self", and as you age, grow and mature, you develop your lower functions and become a more well-rounded person, thus becoming more in line with your opposite personality type.

Going by the cognitive functions, the total opposite of the INTP cognitively would actually be the ISFP type, who use Introverted Feeling (Fi), Extraverted Sensing (Se), Introverted Intuition (Ni) and Extraverted Thinking (Te), in that exact order. Perhaps you would find that you don't have as many similarities with that type...?

Anyone who tries to use the MBTI without understanding the Jungian theories underpinning it, in particular, the cognitive functions, is bound to misrepresent the tool. I'm not saying it's perfect, and I agree that the Five Factor Model is certainly more scientific and practically useful, but the MTBI can be incredibly insightful if used in conjunction with the wisdom of Carl Jung. I feel that it's proper purpose is in understanding how people think about, respond to and interact with the world and the people around them differently. Sadly, this tool has been somewhat corrupted by the internet and used for all the wrong reasons. Instead of it being used to understand ourselves and where our differences lie with others, it's being used for everything it was not designed for - as a way to make quick snap judgements of others, put oneself on a pedestal, and predict the future as if it is some sort of silly star-sign astrology system.

[SteffBrockley]

But INTPs and ESFJs share the same four cognitive functions (Si, Ne, Ti, Fe), so the theory suggests you should feel a diminutive version of an ESFJ in you. I’m still not completely, 100% sold on MBTI, but I wish I could find criticism of it that took on the functional stack of types rather than focusing on I vs E, S vs N, T vs F and P vs J. The real dichotomies are Ti vs Te vs Fi vs Fe and Si vs Se vs Ni vs Ne.

[JustAsk]

Once I found out I was INTJ a lot of things just made sense to me. I could see myself explained incredibly well when I read about the INTJ type, it was almost scary. It has actually helped me understand and accept myself (and others) so it really has been helpful/useful for me. Now it makes more sense to me why people are different.
I liked your video and the way you dealt with the topic. :)

[ariantejano]

He's a quintessential INTP. ADORABLE!

[dougg]

It's exactly what an INTP would say about the MBTI, typical !! ;)

[Maowmeows]

INTP? me too!! *hi five*
Honestly, i think Myers-Briggs is just for entertainment in a way. It does have a lot of interesting characteristics, maybe it can help somebody to know themselves better (is not accurate, so just some parts) but more than that? i don't find it so useful.
Also, personality can change with time. I don't think is something estatic.
Well, this was a great video! keep the good work :D

[dafyddaprhys]

I think that the MBTI is a good indicator to assist people to realize that we all have slightly different personalities or preferences and this helps develop better awareness with communication when speaking with perceived different types of people.


For example I nearly had previously identified you as having the preferences of the INTJ which is slightly off the mark as you are, and I see it now, the INTP. Therefore I being an INFJ and more rigid having the Judging function need to be aware of your more flexible and perceiving side of things and be mindful of my preference as being more rigid.


My results are extreme but I have already formed a conclusion that the MBTI is as it states - an indicator. I think introversion and extroversion is very valid as I get drained out in society and inpatient with small talk but I am polite and interested in people. I think it is a useful tool for general understanding so as to improve communication between personalities should a person realize and understand we are all different and do not think the same. I have also studied the Enneagram system and would like to hear your views. Regards D.

[Laudanum-gqbl]

INTPs UNITE!

Separately.

After a thorough review of the data.

[auntielaura]

My favorite experience with Myers-Briggs was in a group setting where about 200 people took the test, then were divided into subgroups based on their codes. My subgroup (ISFP) was one of the smallest, but when we had a chance to talk to each other it was like coming home. We discussed how we would react to a wide variety of circumstances, and the correlation was remarkable. I would have enjoyed talking with them all day! This experience was entertaining, and it was validating to realize there were other people like me, but there was really no utility beyond that.

[KMPLX]

This is what MBTI did for me: I am an INTP raised and surrounded by a lot of extreme “S” types. I was regularly told that my inclination towards introversion and interest in things like philosophy was somehow wrong or genuinely deserving of whatever mockery it earned me (I regret that I was weak of spirit and allowed this to alter how I presented myself to others). My discovery of the MBTI was an affirming and eye opening experience. I found I could understand those around me better than I ever had before, and I no longer viewed myself as such a defective oddball. Before I learned of the MBTI I had a real hard time relating to or understanding people. I am probably making it sound worse than it was. I didn’t come home to an abusive Dad or anything... just a mom who was concerned for a son that seemed a bit too out of step with those around him. She saw me getting bullied for being a nerd, etc. It came from a good place.

[WoodlandT]

I find the Meyers-Briggs fun, but I don’t put a great deal of value on it. That said, I do find it interesting that over 10+ years & 5 or so tests, I’ve gotten INFP every time. Because it’s a reproducible, I’m inclined to think it’s evaluating something intrinsic to my personality. As far as the value of the results & the interpretation we’re given, I’m more dubious. It’s too easy to find ourselves within all of the types to make the results very useful. But it’s entertaining & I think there are some insights we can glean from it about our preferences & our style.
Great video as always Doc!

[lavendersunpool]

I knew you were an INTP the moment I watched your video. It was too easy! Great personality profile, but no all-encompassing to who Dr. Grande is as a person. Very interesting subject, fun to learn about, but take it with a grain of salt as well. Thank you for the video.
Dee - (MBTI Typed INFJ)

[nikitajanei]

''outgoing and enthusiastic, I'm not either one of those''. haha - same. (INTJ)

[WayneBond]

Great video and the criticisms are completely valid. I work at a University as a Career Adviser and completely agree that this should never be used to say what jobs people should get. When working with students, I use this instrument to allow younger students to get a better understanding of themselves and how they interact with the world around them. Thus allowing them to better understand how they approach decisions which can allow them to learn time management, studying habits, working with those they disagree with and other traits needed for their development moving forward. If you have any questions on how we use this at Western Michigan University let me know!

[mab]

:) I liked the brief explanation: Carl Jung put into a 4 digit code. I love that! Compressed information, brought to the point.
That's why I prefer your channel now, no blabla, just facts. Well done.

[gmjsimmons]

That was a very balanced analysis of the MBTI. As an ENFP my NF appreciates your NT.

[aswithinsowithout]

I love your channel. Although I differ from you ideologically, I enjoy your natural teaching ability and creative content. ❤️

[Stalfos]

Fellow INTP here, got a kick out of that. While the test may lack in nuance and consistency, it does help us to understand how we think. I first encountered it in the book "Please understand me II", which elaborates on cognitive styles and how they apply to different aspects or roles in life. The true value for me was in reading the other profiles. It clarified so many of the misunderstandings I'd experienced with people who think differently than I do, which is apparently most people. It helped me to respond to interpersonal issues with more empathy/understanding and less frustration. After a couple months of studying the book, I could profile people with a useful degree of accuracy and tailor the way I communicated with them. Keep up the good work doc!