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See Also:

Measurement;

Personality disorders;

Personality traits;

Personality type;

Psychometrics.

Psychology & Behavioral Health

Myers-Briggs personality type indicator

by Russell N. Carney

Type of psychology: Consulting; Counseling; Occupational; Organizational; Personality; Social

The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (the MBTI) is a popular, theory-based assessment designed to measure personality preferences. Based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types, the MBTI measures four dimensions of personality: Extraversion vs. Introversion (EI), Sensing vs. Intuition (SN), Thinking vs. Feeling (TF), and Judging vs. Perceiving (JP). From scores on these bipolar dimensions, 16 personality types can be identified, each as a four-letter code (e.g., INTP). The MBTI has been used in personality research, and has been widely used in industry and business to measure employees' personality preferences and tendencies, with the stated aim of improving relationships in the workplace.

Key Concepts

  • Bipolar scales

  • Construct validity

  • Personality

  • Personality vreferences

  • Preference Clarity Index (PCI)

  • Reliability

Introduction

In the early 1940s, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, developed a survey to identify personality preferences. The purpose of the instrument was to make Jung's (1923) theory of psychological types understandable, and to “put Jung's theory to practical use” (e.g., Myers & McCaulley, 1985, p. iii). By describing the unique characteristics of individuals, those individuals could gain insight into themselves and others.

Their survey was eventually published as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in 1962 by Educational Testing Service (ETS) for use in research. In 1975, it was published by Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc., (now named simply "CPP") for more general use in counseling and employment settings. Besides the MBTI itself, extensive information related to the instrument is availablefrom the CPP website (www.cpp.com), such as interpretative information, example computer reports, up-to-date pricing, and so forth. The CPP website describes the MBTI as "the best known and most trusted personality assessment tool available today."

As stated earlier, the authors' approach was based on their interest in utilizing psychologist Carl Jung's analytic theory of psychological types. In his book, Psychological Types (1923), Jung theorized that we come to know the world in four primary ways: sensing (knowing via the senses), intuition (intuiting knowledge), feeling (the emotional part), and thinking (abstract thinking). Another aspect of personality Jung described was the now-familiar notion of extraversion versus introversion. These concepts became operationalized as three of the bipolar scales of the MBTI: Extraversion vs. Introversion (EI), Sensing vs. Intuition (SN), Thinking vs. Feeling (TF). Briggs and Myers added a fourth dimension that they felt was implicit in Jung's theory: Judging vs. Perceiving (JP).

The Four Bipolar Scales

The MBTI consists of a large set of two-choice survey items that feed into four bipolar scales. Form M contains 93 items, and is the standard version of the instrument. The more recently developed Form Q contains those same 93, plus an additional 51 for a total of 144 items. The extra items on Form Q yield more detailed information about the individual (i.e., five "facets" for each of the four bipolar scales). The forms are available in both online and print formats. The four basic scales are now described in more detail.

First, the Extraversion vs. Introversion Scale has to do with one's source of energy. A person with an Extraversion (E) preference or attitude indicates a focus on the outside world. One's attention is toward other people and things in their environment. Such individuals are drawn to action, and communication with others. In contrast, an Introversion preference (I) indicates a focus on a more quiet, internal world of impressions and ideas. Jung's (and the MBTI's) descriptions of these two preferences are broader than every-day notions of the "extravert" and "introvert."

The Sensing vs. Intuition Scale (SN) has to do with the way information is taken in. These two were termed "irrational functions" by Jung, meaning they were not directed by rational thinking. An individual with a Sensing preference focuses on the "here and now," and basic information is taken in through the senses (e.g., visual, auditory, etc.). Individuals with an Intuition preference use insight (e.g., hunches, etc.) to perceive relationships and meanings. They tend to focus on the big picture and the future.

The Thinking vs. Feeling Scale (TF) has to do with ones style of decision-making. As the name suggests, it indicates whether decisions are made based on either thinking or feeling. Individuals with a Thinking preference use logic to make rather impersonal, objective decisions. Those with a Feeling preference make decisions based on values and on more subjective evaluations -- for example, weighing evidence and making decisions reflecting group values.

Finally, Myers' and Briggs' Judging vs. Perceiving Scale (JP) deals with attitudes and behaviors toward the outer world. Individuals with a Judging preference like order (e.g., structure and organization). They tend to be decision makers and planners. In contrast, those with a Perceiving preference are more flexible, open, curious, and spontaneous in facing life.

Based on one's item choices related to these four bipolar dimensions, 16 possible four-letter personality types can result (e.g., ESFP, INTP, etc.), each with a unique interpretation. The four-letter code is the primary outcome that defines one's personality type. A variety of different MBTI profile score reports are available from CPP. Beyond the profile reports, extensive interpretative information is available from a variety of sources, including the MBTI test Manual (Myers & McCaulley, 1993), Introduction to Type (Myers, 1998), the CPP website, and the "Myers & Briggs Foundation" website. Suffice it to say that effective use of the MBTI requires knowledge of Jungian theory, as well as details concerning its interpretation beyond the scope of this entry.

The MBTI provides a "preference clarity index" (pci) for each of the four identified preferences. With values and descriptive adjectives ranging from 0 - 5 (Slight), 5–10 (Moderate), 15–25 (Clear), to 25–30 (Very Clear), the pci indicates how clearly one has selected that pole over the other on that scale. This information is reported by way of a bar graph, with bar lengths reflecting the degree of clarity obtained for each of the four preferences.

Reliability and Validity

Theory underlying the MBTI suggests that one's personality types or preferences are relatively stable over time. In this regard, various reliability studies indicate that the MBTI classifications have acceptable levels of reliability. For example, studies have demonstrated that each of the four scales of Form M have internal consistency estimates of .90 or higher. As another example, the manual for Form M describes a study that examined test-retest reliability over a four-week period. In comparing examinees' four-letter codes from the first test to the second administration, 65% had the same four-letter code, and the rest were similar in terms of three of the four letters. Overall, Hess (2003) suggests that the MBTI "demonstrates a comforting degree of stability of classification" (p. 613).

Numerous lines of evidence for validity have been established by way of factor analysis, behavioral observations, and correlations with other criteria, such as personality measures. For example, factor analysis of the MBTI suggests that the four preference scales correspond to four of the Big Five personality traits (i.e., Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Agreeableness). Also, the MBTI tends to correlate with other personality tests, such as the California Psychological Inventory, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Rotter's Locus of Control Scale. These correlations provide convergent evidence for construct validity. Furthermore, according to Lanning (2003), even if one does not "believe" in the preference types as "real entities, there is value in using the types as descriptive labels" (p. 615). The MBTI has been extensively revised over the years, with recent versions utilizing modern test-development techniques, such as basing norms on a representative national sample, and using item response theory (IRT) to select test items.

A Practical, User-Friendly Measure of Personality

The MBTI is a theory-based measure of personality preferences or types that is widely used in the business world and in research. It is designed as an instrument to help individuals gain insight into their particular personality "type," and the personality types of others. In a business setting, it can be used to improve communication, and to facilitate career development, team building, decision-making, conflict resolution, and so forth. Yet, the makers of the MBTI are quick to acknowledge its limitations. For example, the scales are not meant to measure traits or behaviors per se. Further, the MBTI is not intended to be a predictive device, and should “never be used for hiring, screening or to dictate life decisions" (CPP website). Those limitations aside, the MBTI is nevertheless a practical measure of personality preferences that may be helpful in a variety of counseling, business and research settings. The instrument is well supported by ancillary materials available from the CPP website and other sources. Translated into over 20 languages, the MBTI is administered to over one million individuals each year.

Bibliography

1 

Hess, A. K. (2003). Review of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Step II (Form Q). In B. S. Plake, J. C. Impara, & R. A. Spies (Eds.) The fifteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 612–613).

2 

Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements. The Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) is a trusted reference book on tests that provides descriptions of tests, as well as objective critiques by knowledgeable reviewers, such as the one referenced here.

3 

Jung, C. G. (1923). Psychological types: Or, the psychology of individuation. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Carl Jung's book in which he discusses his analytic theory of psychological types.

4 

Lanning, K. (2003). Review of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Step II (Form Q). In B. S. Plake, J. C. Impara, & R. A. Spies (Eds.) The fifteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 614–616). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements. Another critique by a knowledgeable reviewer published in the MMY.

5 

Myers, I. B. (1998). Introduction to Type: A Guide To Understanding Your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Sunnyvale, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. Revised by Linda K. Kirby and Katharine D. Myers, this brief book provides descriptions of the 16 types.

6 

Myers, I. B., & McCaulley, M. H. (1993). Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Sunnyvale, CA: CPP, Inc. The manual for users of the MBTI. It includes details regard its development, and guidelines for its use.

7 

Saunders, F. W. (1995), Katharine and Isabel: Mother's Light, Daughter's Journey. Boston: Nicholas Brealey Publishing. A biography of the mother-daughter team that created the MBTI: Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Carney, Russell N. "Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator." Psychology & Behavioral Health, edited by Paul Moglia, Salem Press, 2015. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=PBH_0427.
APA 7th
Carney, R. N. (2015). Myers-Briggs personality type indicator. In P. Moglia (Ed.), Psychology & Behavioral Health. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Carney, Russell N. "Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator." Edited by Paul Moglia. Psychology & Behavioral Health. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2025. online.salempress.com.