Myers Briggs Personality Types Explained

Myers Briggs Personality Types Explained

Personality is a complex and multifaceted construct that has intrigued scholars and laypersons alike for centuries. The Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used personality assessment tool that helps individuals identify their personality traits and preferences. This article will provide an overview of Myers Briggs Personality Types, explore the accuracy of the assessment, and discuss the four personality types and their associated traits.

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What are Myers Briggs Personality Types?

Myers Briggs Personality Types are a set of personality preferences developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Briggs. The MBTI is based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types and identifies an individual’s preferences in four categories: extraversion/introversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. The MBTI assessment measures an individual’s preferences in these four categories and assigns a four-letter code, representing their personality type.

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How accurate is Myers Briggs?

The accuracy of the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator is a matter of debate. Some experts argue that the MBTI is not a scientifically validated measure of personality, while others suggest that it has some value in understanding an individual’s personality preferences. The MBTI is not intended to be used for selection or evaluation purposes and is best used as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

What are the four categories of Myers Briggs Personality Types?

The Myers Briggs Personality Types are based on four fundamental categories or dimensions that represent an individual’s personality preferences. These categories include extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, and judging vs. perceiving.

The first dimension of the Myers Briggs Personality Types is extraversion vs. introversion. This category refers to an individual’s energy orientation and measures how they interact with the world around them. Extraverts are outgoing, talkative, and energized by being around people. They enjoy socializing and thrive in group settings. Introverts, on the other hand, are reserved, reflective, and energized by being alone. They prefer quiet and solitude to socializing and may feel drained after spending time in large groups.

The second dimension is sensing vs. intuition. This category measures an individual’s perception orientation and refers to how they gather and process information. Sensors rely on their senses and focus on practical and concrete details. They are detail-oriented and enjoy working with tangible facts and information. Intuitives, on the other hand, rely on their intuition and focus on possibilities and abstract concepts. They are imaginative and enjoy exploring new ideas and concepts.

The third dimension is thinking vs. feeling. This category measures an individual’s decision-making orientation and refers to how they make decisions. Thinkers make decisions based on logic, analysis, and objective criteria. They are rational, objective, and prefer to make decisions based on facts and evidence. Feelers, on the other hand, make decisions based on their values, emotions, and personal beliefs. They are empathetic, compassionate, and prioritize harmony and the well-being of others.

The fourth and final dimension is judging vs. perceiving. This category measures an individual’s lifestyle orientation and refers to how they approach and structure their lives. Judgers prefer structure and order and tend to be decisive, organized, and prefer predictability. They enjoy planning and sticking to routines and schedules. Perceivers, on the other hand, prefer flexibility and spontaneity and tend to be adaptable, curious, and open-minded. They enjoy exploring new ideas and experiences and are comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.

These four dimensions combine to form the 16 different Myers Briggs Personality Types. The MBTI assessment measures an individual’s preferences in these four categories and assigns a four-letter code, representing their personality type. Understanding these four categories and their associated traits can provide valuable insights into an individual’s personality, including their strengths, weaknesses, communication style, and preferred work and social environments.  

Together the narrowing down of the “mixture” of personality traits leads to distinct groupings of what we now know as the Myers Briggs Personality Types:

  • Intuitive-Thinking. INTJ. INTP. ENTJ. ENTP.
  • Intuitive-Feeling. INFJ. INFP. ENFJ. ENFP.
  • Sensing-Judging. ISTJ. ISFJ. ESTJ. ESFJ.
  • Sensing-Perceiving. ISTP. ISFP. ESTP. ESFP.

Common Findings of The Myers Briggs Personality Types

What is the rarest personality in Myers Briggs?

The rarest personality type in Myers Briggs is the INFJ (Introverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Judging) personality type. INFJs make up approximately 1-3% of the population and are known for their creativity, insightfulness, and empathetic nature. They tend to be intuitive and idealistic, valuing authenticity, creativity, and personal growth.

What is the most common personality type?

The most common Myers Briggs Personality Type is the ISFJ (Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging) personality type. ISFJs make up approximately 13.8% of the population and are known for their dependable, nurturing, and supportive nature. They tend to value harmony, loyalty, and tradition and are often the backbone of their communities.

Which personality type has to be always right?

The Myers Briggs Personality Type that is commonly associated with needing to be always right is the ESTJ (Extraverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging) personality type. ESTJs make up approximately 8.7% of the population and are known for their practicality, assertiveness, and structured approach to life. They tend to be decisive, confident, and authoritative in their approach to decision-making, which can sometimes come across as stubbornness or a need to be always right.

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Which personality type is the most logical?

The Myers Briggs Personality Type that is commonly associated with being the most logical is the INTJ (Introverted-Intuitive-Thinking-Judging) personality type. INTJs make up approximately 2.1% of the population and are known for their strategic, analytical, and independent nature. They tend to be logical, objective, and analytical in their approach to decision-making, valuing competence, knowledge, and innovation.

Final Thoughts on Myers Briggs Personality Types

The Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator is a popular and widely used personality assessment tool that can provide individuals with valuable insights into their personality preferences and traits. While the accuracy of the MBTI is a matter of debate, it can be a useful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Understanding your Myers Briggs Personality Type can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, improve your communication and interpersonal relationships, and enhance your personal and professional development. It is important to remember, however, that personality is a complex and multifaceted construct, and no single assessment tool can fully capture the complexity and richness of the human personality.