The Myers-Briggs Personality Test is an online test that places users into a specific category based on the characteristics one demonstrates from one’s answers.
On a scale of “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree,” users must answer very personal questions and statements. The test then uses the answers to sort users into one of sixteen categories.
The four traits each have two different possible outcomes: introvert versus extrovert, feeling versus rational thinking, observant versus intuitive, and judging versus prospecting. The website, 16 Personalities, describes these four different personality types as Mind, Energy, Nature, and Tactics.
From these categories, each person is assigned one of the letters, making up their final scripture. For example, an ENFP would be an extroverted, intuitive, feeling-based prospector.
The different types include the Analysts, the Diplomats, the Sentinels, and the Explorers. Each type has a subdivision.
The different types of Analysts include the Architect (INTJ), Logician (INTP), Commander (ENTJ), and Debater (ENTP).
The Diplomats include the Advocate (INFJ), Mediator (INFP), Protagonist (ENFJ), and Campaigner (ENFP).
The Sentinels have the Logistician (ISTJ), Defender (ISFJ), Executive (ESTJ), and Consul (ESFJ).
Lastly, the Explorers include the Virtuosos (ISTP), Adventurer (ISFP), Entrepreneur (ESTP), and Entertainer (ESFP).
Freshman Biology teacher Mr. Edgar Esteves said, “I, personally, have trouble fitting into one category. If you are a versatile person, it is a bit more difficult to measure, but for those who have strong opinions about things, it works. It is impossible to predict how one would react in certain situations, and getting the answer to a test like this can dictate people’s personalities. It really works best for people who are cut-and-dry.”
The test is based off of the philosophies of Carl Gustav Jung, often referred to as the father of analytical psychology. One of his key contributions was the development of the concept of “extroversion” and “introversion.”
He theorized that humans fall into one of those two categories based on their focus on the inside and outside world. He also coined the concept of cognitive functions, separating the categories into Judging and Perceiving, relying on experiences and everyday encounters.
Jung’s theory was renewed and simplified by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1920s.
Myers goes more into detail with her theory in her book “Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type.”
Freshman Parth Shah says, “I find it so interesting that they can determine so much from just a few personal questions. Everything I have read from my own personality type is super accurate, and the questions themselves answered some things about myself that I might not have been truthful about before.”
Not only does it classify personalities, it tells users what percent of each aspect they are. Someone may be considered more Ambiverted, but still gain a higher score in Extroversion.
One can explore one’s type even further. The website gives an introduction, then predicts that types’ strengths and weaknesses, romantic and platonic relationships, parenthood, career paths, workplace habits, and then concludes it. It also shows some important people of the same type that one may know. For example, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Scott are ENFPs.
Freshman Theodore Bloom says, “It is a fascinating concept; it reminds me of zodiac signs where you can compare your types with those around you, but this one is accurate and backed up by science.”
If you take the test, which one of these personalities were you?