Exploring MBTI: A New Approach to Relationships and Self-Understanding
“What is your MBTI?”
This question is becoming an increasingly popular topic in society. Whether in the workplace, love, or friendship, MBTI has become one of the main tools for understanding others. Alongside astrology, MBTI has become a second popular way to judge whether people are compatible.
Various MBTI tests have spread across the internet, helping people better understand themselves and their relationships. In recent years, MBTI has influenced many aspects of social relationships. Its widespread influence on personal relationships and social interactions can help us navigate life more effectively.
What exactly is MBTI? Why can MBTI become a tool for evaluating others? And what relationships do MBTI factors affect?
MBTI stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a psychological test that has recently gained popularity. Created in 1962 by American writer Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, MBTI is based on four dichotomous preferences, dividing people into sixteen different personality types. These four pairs are:
E (Extroversion) vs. I (Introversion)
N (Intuition) vs. S (Sensing)
F (Feeling) vs. T (Thinking)
P (Perception) vs. J (Judgment)
The article “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Personality Types with Zodiac Signs” by Hermes Astrology, mentions that each personality is formed from these four letters. Each plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s personality. Many value MBTI because it helps them find a soulmate or a good partner. In any case, MBTI has become part of the self-introduction:
“This is who I am.”
After discussing its origins, let’s explore why MBTI has become a widely recommended approach for assessing personalities and relationships.
Many people wonder why MBTI is so popular, especially when so many psychological tests developed by professionals exist. While MBTI is not a test created by psychologists, it was inspired by the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. Therefore, MBTI does have some credibility.
Compared to more formal and certified psychological tests, there are three main reasons why MBTI is more popular among the public.
First, MBTI has more straightforward and relatable questions. Although professional tests are more accurate, their questions are often complex. To gather precise data, professional tests include detailed questions that may seem difficult or unnatural to the public. Conversely, MBTI offers questions that align more with everyday experiences, making it easier to take.
Secondly, MBTI provides quick and clear results. Professional psychological tests can take days or weeks to deliver reports, often containing dense numbers and text that confuse people. MBTI offers a personality analysis almost immediately, with explicit, easy-to-understand content. It also highlights your personality's strengths and weaknesses in relationships, helping you better understand yourself.
Third, MBTI offers more flexibility and convenience. Formal tests require specific environments to ensure accuracy, and retakes involve strict procedures. In contrast, MBTI has fewer restrictions, making it more accessible. People can retake the test as often as possible, requiring less time for testing. This allows people to “test at any time, anywhere.”
Of course, some people still prefer professional psychological tests, but that varies from person to person.
Now that we understand why the public prefers MBTI, let’s explore how it influences personal and relational dynamics.
MBTI impacts self-relationships, romantic relationships, friendships, workplace dynamics, and social relationships. C. L. Nichols's article “How do the 8 MBTI Cognitive Functions relate to human emotions?” emphasizes the influence of MBTI in various relationships.
For example, in self-relationships, MBTI shapes how people view themselves, their values, goals, and beliefs. In love, MBTI plays a role in everything from crushes and partner selection to relationship maintenance and marriage. As for friendships, MBTI influences how friendships are formed, maintained, and interacted with.
In the workplace, MBTI affects everything from how bosses select employees to how coworkers compete or collaborate. Some companies even use MBTI as a hiring criterion, demonstrating its influence in the professional world.
In social relationships, MBTI shapes how people interact, integrate into society, and build energy through social connections. Clearly, MBTI has become a key factor in many areas of life. It can be concluded that MBTI provides a psychological framework for better understanding oneself, others, and society.
In summary, MBTI offers a new perspective for understanding relationships and self-knowledge. While it may not be as credible as formal psychological tests, MBTI provides a more accessible way to explore self-identity and interpersonal dynamics.
Understanding personality types can improve how we relate to others in a world where good communication and self-awareness are essential. In your opinion, how do you think MBTI will help you to understand yourself and your relationships?
