Common Misconceptions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®)

It is not uncommon to find a LinkedIn post or news article that criticizes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® for being ‘unreliable’, ‘not predictive’, and ‘not useful’.  These posts are abundant and often written out of context, lack factual evidence, and are commonly based on the writer’s poor personal experience of the instrument.  For the untrained reader and newer MBTI® students, critical articles about the MBTI® can cause them confusion at the very least, and at the very worst derail their confidence in the instrument.  Below, we provide some clarity on three common misconceptions of the MBTI®.

Misconception #1: The Myers-Briggs is a “test”.

Reality: The word “test” indicates “right” or “wrong” based on skill or study, and taking the MBTI® requires little of the first (the ability to read at a 7th-grade level) and none of the second.  The MBTI® is a self-report preference “assessment” based on an individual’s overall, general preference between one of two dichotomous types (e.g. Extraversion vs. Introversion), across four distinct dimensions (i.e. E-I, S-N, T-F, J-P) - nothing more, nothing less.  Perhaps arguing against the MBTI® as a “test” is one of semantics, but we prefer to differentiate the meaning of “test” and “assessment”.

Misconception #2: The Myers-Briggs labels people and puts them in a box.

Reality: The Myers-Briggs personality assessment identifies personal preferences based on self-selection.  Novice practitioners of the MBTI® often incorrectly apply labels and put others in boxes; the instrument itself is impartial to such applications.  The Myers-Briggs is a well-developed and intricate psychological theory that seeks to understand human behavior.  For ease of application and to make sense of the instrument, newer students of the MBTI® commonly reference Type Theory to help them understand all observed behavior.  This is dangerous and leads to labels and boxes.  Newer students also run the risk of placing themselves in a box and may begin to adopt behaviors unique to their Type.  For example, an INTP and new student of the MBTI® reads in their profile that INTPs “are natural problem solvers”.  Having been validated, he/she begins to problem-solve everything and everyone, even when problems do not exist.

Misconception #3: The Myers-Briggs tells us “who we are”.

Reality: The Myers-Briggs reveals to us “what we prefer” based on our own self-selections.  While MBTI® preferences can be categorized into 16 possible Types that share certain tendencies in thought and behavior, we are all individuals that are far more complex than four dimensions.  “Who we are” is arguably a philosophical discussion that should consider our life goals, likes and dislikes, cognitive intelligence, emotional intelligence, attitude, mood, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, upbringing, etc.  The MBTI® has never and does not currently claim to measure these qualities that make us unique individuals.  At its core, the MBTI® is a self-awareness tool that aims to improve intra and interpersonal communication and understanding in one’s life.  In our humble opinion, it accomplishes this just as well, if not better, than other personality instruments.

EQualifyed, LLC