What is the Myers-Briggs key in Indicator (MBTI)?

The Myers-Briggs bang out Indicator is a personality assessment that groups people into one of 16 categories.

So, “test” really isn’t an accurate word.

Sarah Regan

“The MBTI isn’t just a test or assessment.

It’s a process,” he tells mbg.

“So we don’t say, ‘Here are the results, good luck.’

Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP

How the Myers-Briggs assessment works.

“As in, what is it youpreferto do in various situations?”

All of the questions in the assessment, Nardi adds, will relate to the four preference categories.

A graphic showing the 16 possible letter combinations, aka the 16 MBTI personality types.

Extroverts feel energized by spending time with others, while introverts prefer to recharge on their own.

“I think of sensing as information gathering through the here-and-now physical senses and generally more grounded in practicality.

Think of it as the competition between “head versus heart.”

An infographic showing the four trait spectrums measured by the MBTI.

The 16 MBTI personality types.

The development of the MBTI.

From there, the first commercial version of the MBTI came out in 1977, he says.

An infographic of the 16 MBTI types and their associated personality traits.

And since then, a lot of research has been done to modify and improve it.

Research on the MBTI.

According to Nardi, the MBTI is the most researched personality assessment in the world.

That said, the jury is still out on to whether the test is accurate.

Some research and personality expertsquestion the MBTI’s validity.

Butsome studieshave indeed found the MBTI to be a good measure of personality.

Importantly, even proponents of the MBTI admit that your bang out won’t determine everything about you.

Criticisms of the MBTI.

Nardi says you could think of it like whether you’re left or right-handed.

“It’s not about performanceit’s about preference.

How the MBTI compares to other personality tests.

There are plenty of personality tests out there that focus on different things.

How to make the most of your results:

Dig deeper.

Get to know yourself.

Self-reflection is a valuable tool, and that’s one thing the MBTI can offer, according to Hallett.

Identify your strengthsand weaknesses.

“Knowing your jot down is like having a shorthand description of common challenges or areas of success.

Improve your relationships.

Adjust accordingly.

Lastly, Nardi says your MBTI results never mean youalwayshave to behave in a certain way.

The takeaway.

As Nardi puts it, “We are not a key in; wehavea typeand we have choices.”