The Myers-Briggs personality type classification was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, a mother and daughter to help American women choose jobs according to their personalities during World War II. The idea behind this method is the human tendency, such as right-handed or left-handed people, to adopt patterns of thought and behavior that they feel most comfortable with. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) analyzes four preferences resulting in 16 combinations. Want to know your personality type? Read on for this article.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Determining Personality Type Using the Dichotomy
Step 1. Understand the meaning of introvert and extrovert
This preference has more to do with behavioral tendencies than how well you socialize (though the terms introvert and extrovert are often associated with this). When solving problems, ask yourself: would you rather find the solution yourself or involve someone else?
- For private extrovert, activities involving social networks excite them. Extroverts tend to like group interactions and really enjoy being together, such as at parties. Sometimes they want to be alone, but they get bored easily if they stay in a quiet environment for too long.
- For private introvert, the serene atmosphere was very pleasant. Introverts can be sociable (even in groups), but they prefer to spend time alone or with those closest to them. They prefer to work in a calm and quiet environment.
Do you know?
Shyness is not an indicator to categorize someone as an introvert or extrovert. There are shy extroverts and cheerful introverts. As a guide, think about what excites you and what makes you easily bored (even if this feels good).
Step 2. Identify by figuring out how you collect information
Is it using ratio or intuition? Ratio analyzes trees, intuition observes forest conditions. Ratio seeks to answer the "what" question, while intuition seeks the answer "why".
- People who put ratio focus on the facts and details of what is going on. Introverts are used to saying, "I didn't believe it until I saw it myself." They tend to ignore prejudices or predictions that are not based on logic, observation, or facts and prioritize details. They are also very concerned about themselves and try to make what they want.
- People who put intuition likes abstract ideas and concepts. In general, they have a creative imagination and think of various possibilities that could happen. Their thinking revolves around patterns, connections, and inspiration. They often daydream and often ignore details when going about their daily lives (eg forgetting to eat lunch while focusing on work).
Step 3. Identify by considering how you make decisions
After gathering information, either by reason or intuition, what is the basis for your decision? The answers can be divided into 2 categories: "feelings" (prioritizing emotions and the common good) and "thoughts" (prioritizing logic and practicality).
- Before making a decision, people who prioritize feeling will consider the opinions of all interested parties to determine mutually agreed solutions so that relations remain harmonious. Conflict makes them very depressed.
- People who put thought accustomed to finding the most reasonable and consistent solution based on certain rules or assumptions.
Tip:
The two categories can be balanced and complement each other. Many people who prioritize the feeling of being able to use reason and who prioritize the mind still consider the feelings of others when using logic. Both types can experience negative emotions and make wrong decisions. Both have positive and negative sides.
Step 4. Consider how you interact with other people in your daily life
Do you often share your judgments or opinions with others?
- People with personality types evaluate tend to be oriented towards decision-making and order. They are used to making resolutions and ready to explain why. They are the type of planner who regularly makes to-do lists and tries to complete tasks before the deadline.
- People with personality types observe tend to hesitate to make decisions, do not provide answers, and continue to make observations. They have difficulty making choices, especially with regard to important matters. They continue to wait even though they can make changes. They are less serious at work and often procrastinate.
Step 5. Use the initials of the four dichotomies to define acronyms for your personality type
Each personality type is represented by 4 letters, for example INTJ or ENFP.
- First letter: I (short for introvert) or E (short for extrovert).
- Second letter: S (short for sensing [logic]) or N (short for intuitive [intuition]).
- Third letter: T (short for thinking) or F (short for feeling).
- Fourth letter: J (short for judging) or P (short for perceiving).
Part 2 of 3: Taking the Test
Step 1. Take 1-2 free online tests
Use a website search engine by typing "MBTI free test". Answer the questions in full to get the results.
- If your score is close to the upper range of one or more aspects of your personality, the results may differ depending on the questions asked or your mood while taking the test.
- Answer questions from your heart, rather than according to what other people should or want.
Step 2. Take the official MBTI test for detailed results
If you have doubts about the results of the free online MBTI test, take a test administered by a professional, such as a psychologist or career counselor. This test has been taken by more than 10,000 companies, 2,500 educational institutions, and 200 government offices to identify the personality types of employees and students.
Step 3. Read your personality type profile
Information describing your personality type can help you get to know yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you better understand what the "thinker" or "observer" personality type means. Each personality type is labeled, for example, "Advocacy", "Debater", etc.
A complete profile reveals your personality type in various aspects of life, such as work, personal relationships, family, and others. The information conveyed is useful even though it does not cover all aspects of life and certain aspects may not be relevant
Part 3 of 3: Using Test Results
Step 1. Make use of information about personality types
Once you know your personality type, use that information to learn how to interact with other people. If you are an INTJ salesperson, reconsider your job! The results of this test can be applied in various aspects of life, for example:
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Education:
How do you habitually understand facts and concepts?
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Personal relationship:
When choosing a life partner, what kind of person are you looking for? What is the most ideal personality type to be your partner?
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Self-development:
What are your strengths that can be developed? What are your shortcomings that need to be corrected?
Step 2. Know that all personality types are equal
The MBTI identifies based on personal preferences, not a person's abilities. When figuring out your personality type, answer questions according to your daily habits or patterns, rather than "should be." Understanding personal preferences is very useful for self-improvement.
The MBTI determines personality types based on priorities, not abilities. For example, people who prioritize feelings of being able to think logically, people who are used to judging are not necessarily prejudiced about other people, and many types of thinkers who have high emotional intelligence
Step 3. Find out the other person's personality type
This topic can be an interesting conversation material and help you understand new things about other people. The MBTI test is relatively easy and millions of people take it every year. Tell your friends about this test. If he has taken it, use the test results to get to know each other better and strengthen the friendship.
You can broaden your horizons through people with the same and very different personality types
Step 4. Avoid stereotyped mindsets
Don't assume that you know the other person's personality type based on how they look or behave on any given day. Even if you know, don't use this to blame her negative traits or justify her bad behavior. Use test results to get to know other people and build rapport, instead of judging them.
- Don't define personality based on demographics, such as gender or disability. For example, not all men are thinkers and not all people with autism are intuitive introverts.
- Don't give negative opinions about other people's personality types. If someone's behavior upsets you, describe it as bad behavior, rather than failure to be a good person. For example, the thinker type must learn to respect the feelings of others and the observer type must learn to fulfill responsibility.
- Don't assume that the weaknesses commonly associated with personality types are irreversible. You need to keep learning and improving yourself.
Step 5. Remember that test results do not determine your future
The information you get takes into account only certain aspects of your personality, such as your perspective on other people and your preferences. There are many other aspects that are not asked in the test. Use test results as a source of information, rather than limiting you.
- Apart from the 16 MBTI personality types, there are many other combinations that have not been discussed. The initials that represent your personality only reveal a few things about you, not all.
- Don't assume the personality type shown by test results is permanent. It may be that the results are different depending on the test provider and the mood when answering the questions. In addition, personality can change over time.
