“What’s your MBTI?”

“I bet you’re an introvert because you’re shy!”

“Are you letter F? You seem to act based on emotions!” 

“I’m an INFP, what about you?”

These are just a few of the phrases that people throw around to define themselves, or others, using only four letters. For years, many turned to zodiac signs to understand themselves better. But, another personality identifier has taken the spotlight—the MBTI.

But, how did it evolve from a psychological framework into a filter for understanding, connecting, or even judging people?

Four-letter personality types

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify a person’s personality type, strengths and preferences. It sorts individuals into one of the 16 personality types. 

Developed in 1943 by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, and based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological type, the test measures personality preferences into four categories:

• Where you focus your attention – Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
• The way you take in information – Sensing (S) or iNtuition (N)
• How you make decisions – Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
• How you deal with the world – Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

Originally meant to help individuals to better understand their personality types, the MBTI has since gained a strong online presence. Countless people take the the test and share memes, fan edits, and aesthetics on social media. Gradually, it became a viral personality label for them.

Beyond borders

This MBTI craze became a part of everyday life in many countries, especially in South Korea. Personality types often come up in casual conversation, and the trend has embedded itself deeply into their culture, with some referencing things using this four-letter code.

In fact, it is a common practice among South Korean companies to require job applicants to disclose their MBTI during the hiring process.

K-pop group NCT Dream even released a song titled ‘ISTJ,’ which centers on the idea of getting to know someone beyond what a personality test reveals—proving the relevance of the test in the country.

Korean culture values harmony and social order, often classifying people based on age, background, and personality. Perhaps, that’s why the MBTI is popular among them.It’s a tool that makes it easier for them to understand people’s personalities, assign roles, and maintain harmony within groups.

Similarly, the Philippines has adopted this online craze, though not as extensively as South Korea. For young Filipinos, the MBTI provides a sense of belonging, self-discovery, and connection. It serves as a tool for reflection and self-definition. 

What is MBTI to you?

Julianne Clemente, who first tried the test way back years ago, said she was amazed that a simple four-letter code could encapsulate so much about her. It helped her better understand why she act, think, and decide the way she does.

“Because of the MBTI, I can say I’ve come to understand myself better, especially how I perceive and handle things. It’s like having a ‘gotcha!’ moment every time my actions and thoughts align with the analysis I got from the test,” she said.

For Myka Alinea, curiosity led her to explore her MBTI characteristics which helped her understand some aspects of herself.

“After knowing my results, I would be so hooked on reading related articles that describe the MBTI type I got and I would feel related to it,” she shared.

The test made them realize how they have changed over the years. Having a different result from when they first took it made them reflect on their distinct ways of thinking and perception in life. 

MBTI on professional standard

“While MBTI may be used as a self-reflection tool, its validity and reliability is questionable considering the current professional standards,” said Lourcynth Jade Pineda, a licensed psychometrician.

Pineda emphasized that the MBTI oversimplifies people’s personalities, by labelling them as either introverted or extroverted. Psychological traits exist on a continuum, not as all-or-nothing categories. Pineda also pointed out that MBTI results can change overtime, raising concerns about the tool’s consistency.  

When it comes to making real-life decisions, the psychometrician doesn’t recommend solely relying on these test results.

“I don’t think it should be used to make consequential real-life decisions,” she said. “There are far more psychometrically sound tests [people may use] for these kinds of matters.”

Additionally, the MBTI can also influence how people treat others. Pineda believes that people may develop biased perceptions and the risk of stereotyping when they start to box themselves or others based on MBTI types.

Clemente shared that knowing someone’s MBTI, as well as sharing hers, helped the both of them understand each other better. However, she’s also aware how to use it with limitations.

“When it comes to understanding people, we shouldn’t only focus on their MBTI type. We need a broader kind of understanding to truly get to know a person, something that goes beyond what MBTI types can offer,” Clemente said. “It can be used as a guide to learn about people, but should never be a tool to undermine, insult, or bully others,” she added.

According to Alinea, boxing people into these personality types might have the tendency to dehumanize someone when used for stereotypes and prejudice, “But I do believe it still has its benefits in understanding other people’s perspectives,” she furthered.

Acceptance, belongingness and understanding

In psychology, the Barnum effect explains why people tend to accept vague and general statements as accurate descriptions of themselves. Those who attach themselves to their MBTI types often see it as accurate reflections of themselves, giving them a sense of belonging and validation.

Perhaps the popularity of the MBTI is a result of individuals wanting to make sense of themselves—how they act, think, and decide. 

People want to be known. And these simple four letters can be a starting point for them.

So when people ask you, “I’m an INFP, what about you?” maybe it’s not just a label. It’s a way to understand and be understood.

But, as the psychometrician expressed, “While you can use it to understand yourself better, remember that the results do not define who you are. Our personalities are complex, they’re not just black or white.”  

After all, no four-letter code can truly define a person’s identity.

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