MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Theory, Test, Personality Types & More

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MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)

Ever heard someone calling themselves an ESTP or an INTJ and wondered what those cryptic-sounding letters mean? These people refer to their personality type based on the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).

The MBIT is a self-report inventory to identify a person’s personality type, strengths, and preferences. Nowadays, the MBTI inventory is one of the most widely used psychological instruments worldwide.

What is MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a psychological tool designed to measure personality preferences and categorize individuals into one of 16 distinct personality types. It is based on the theories of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in the mid-20th century.

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Four Dichotomies of MBTI

The MBTI assesses personality based on four dichotomies, each representing a preference:

1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

This dimension reflects where individuals prefer to direct their energy—outwardly toward people and activities (Extraversion) or inwardly toward thoughts and ideas (Introversion).

2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

This dimension relates to how individuals prefer to take in information. Those with a Sensing preference rely on concrete and factual information, while those with an Intuition preference prefer to interpret and add meaning to information.

3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

This dimension reflects how individuals prefer to make decisions. Those with a Thinking preference tend to base decisions on logic and objective analysis, while those with a Feeling preference consider the impact on people and special circumstances.

4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

This dimension relates to how individuals prefer to deal with the external world. Those with a Judging preference like structure and order and prefer to have things decided, while those with a Perceiving preference are more adaptable and flexible, preferring to go with the flow.

By combining these preferences, individuals are assigned a four-letter type, such as ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) or ENFP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). 

The MBTI is widely used in various settings, including personal development, career counseling, and team building. If you are life coach or yoga guru, you must know about the concept of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

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History of Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Fascinated by Jung’s theory of psychological types, Myers and Briggs recognized that the theory could have real-world applications. During World War II, they started researching and developing an indicator that could be employed to understand individual differences.

Myers created the first pen-and-pencil inventory version during the 1940s, and they began testing the assessment on friends and family. They continued to develop the instrument entirely over the next 2 decades.

Working of the MBTI Test 

When you take the MBTI, you are presented with questions or statements. The questions cover various aspects of your behavior, preferences, and thought processes.  It’s designed to measure:

  • how you relate to the surrounding world
  • where you draw your energy from
  • what are your innate behaviors

For each question, you select the response that most closely aligns with your feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. This classification offers insights into your natural tendencies and behavioral patterns. The Myers-Briggs personality test assigns 1 of 16 categories based on the answers. Each of these is identified by a 4-letter system indicating your dominant traits depending on these scales:

  • extroversion versus introversion
  • sensing versus intuiting
  • thinking versus feeling
  • judging versus perceiving

Since categories are based on the report about your interests, preferences, and tendencies, the MBTI test determines what other personality types have similar interests or preferences and if they are compatible with you.

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Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Theory

As discussed above, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a personality inventory based on Carl Jung’s psychological theories. It focuses on 4 key areas:

  • Extraversion vs. Introversion,
  • Sensing vs. Intuition 
  • Thinking vs. Feeling 
  • Judging vs. Perceiving

The MBTI helps individuals understand themselves and others better. It can be used in various settings, including education, business, and therapy. The MBTI can also help people understand how they communicate, learn, and work with others.

The MBTI is not a test with no right or wrong answers. Rather, it’s a tool used to help people gain a better understanding of themselves and others.

There are 16 types of personality in the MBTI. All include a letter for each side of the 4 scales an individual aligns with most. Always letters follow the same order, and scales are abbreviated using the below letters:

  • Introversion-extraversion is represented by I or E
  • Sensing-intuition is represented by S or N
  • Thinking-feeling is expressed by T or F
  • Judging-perceiving is represented by J or P

Every scale operates as a spectrum. Although a personality may not fall ideally into one type, the four-letter type code represents the side of each of the 4 scales a person most closely fits.

No personality type is superior to the others. Each indicates a person’s likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses.

16 Personality Profile Types in MBTI

The MBTI categorizes individuals into one of 16 types of personality Myers-Briggs based on their preferences across the 4 dichotomies.

Here are the 16 personality type tests Briggs Myers, along with brief descriptions of each:

  1. ISTJ – The Inspector: Introverted, sensing, thinking, judging, practical, detail-oriented, organized, and dependable.
  2. ISFJ – The Protector: Introverted, sensing, feeling, judging, compassionate, caring, responsible, and loyal.
  3. INFJ – The Counselor: Introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging, insightful, empathetic, creative, and idealistic.
  4. INTJ – The Mastermind: Introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging, strategic, analytical, independent, and visionary.
  5. ISTP – The Craftsman: Introverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving, pragmatic, adaptable, logical, and hands-on.
  6. ISFP – The Composer: Introverted, sensing, feeling, perceiving, artistic, sensitive, spontaneous, and empathetic.
  7. INFP – The Healer: Introverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving, idealistic, creative, compassionate, and introspective.
  8. INTP – The Architect: Introverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving, analytical, innovative, intellectual, and independent.
  9. ESTP – The Dynamo: Extraverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving, energetic, action-oriented, resourceful, and adventurous.
  10. ESFP – The Performer: Extraverted, sensing, feeling, perceiving, outgoing, spontaneous, fun-loving, and people-oriented.
  11. ENFP – The Champion: Extraverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving, enthusiastic, creative, empathetic, and imaginative.
  12. ENTP – The Visionary: Extraverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving, inventive, curious, analytical, and adaptable.
  13. ESTJ – The Supervisor: Extraverted, sensing, thinking, judging, efficient, organized, responsible, and practical.
  14. ESFJ – The Provider: Extraverted, sensing, feeling, judging, sociable, nurturing, dependable, and supportive.
  15. ENFJ – The Teacher: Extraverted, intuitive, feeling, judging, charismatic, compassionate, inspiring, and people-focused.
  16. ENTJ – The Commander: Extraverted, intuitive, thinking, judging, decisive, strategic, assertive, and goal-oriented.

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Benefits of MBIT

  • Companies can learn how to support employees better, assess management skills, and facilitate teamwork.
  • Coaches can utilize the information to understand their preferred coaching approach.
  • Teachers can assess student learning styles.
  • Young adults and teens can understand their learning, communication, and social interaction styles in a better way.
  • Teens can decide what occupational field they might be best suited for.
  • Individuals can gain insight into their behavior.
  • Partners can understand themselves and their spouses, creating more cohesive teamwork and greater productivity.

MBTI-Mental Health Connection

As we talk about personality types through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) lens, it’s important to observe how individuals navigate the complexity of their minds. Beyond the personality archetypes, it’s essential to understand the connection between mental well-being and our breath.

Individuals with certain personality types are more prone to specific stressors or challenges. In these moments, the simple act of conscious breathing techniques and pranayama can provide to be very helpful. 

For instance, introverted types (I) may find solace in moments of quiet introspection, using deep, deliberate breaths to anchor themselves in the present.

On the other hand, extroverted individuals (E) can experience the positive effects of mindful breathing in social situations, allowing them to manage the sensory input and maintain a sense of balance. Integrating such breath-awareness practices into our lives can be valuable for promoting mental health, regardless of our personality type.

Understanding the connection between personality, mental health, and breath offers a holistic perspective on self-care. Consider joining authentic mental health courses and programs like:

Use of MBIT Personality Test

1. Leadership Development

Successful leadership is critical to today’s organizations. The MBIT instrument offers valuable insights for the organization’s leaders, and it deepens leaders’ understanding of their Myers-Briggs personality type. The types of those they are leading to help them manage better, give meaningful feedback, and improve individual and team performance.

2. Team Development

When people understand their preferences and recognize the strengths others bring to a team, the whole team functions more efficiently. MBIT helps the clients or employees understand how their personalities relate to their contributions and effectiveness as a team.

3. Career development

Many aspects of selecting and managing a career relate to an individual’s personality type. IMBIT contains interactive exercises exploring personality types and career matching. It also includes types of goal-setting and decision-making.

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Conclusion

The MBTI assessment has provided an intuitive, relatable, easy-to-apply self-discovery & diversity awareness platform that enables our employees at all levels to understand better their own & others’ preferred styles of work, communication, & collaboration. 

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