MBTI: A Guide to Understanding and Applying the Personality Test

The MBTI is a widely used tool to identify personalities and make connections with career opportunities.

It works through the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI), and uses 4 combinations of criteria to identify people's psychological profiles.

So, continue reading and understand how the MBTI personality test works and how to apply it.

What is MBTI personality test?

As mentioned above, the MBTI is a test that indicates people's personality type and was inspired by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung's theory on psychological types.

Therefore, the MBTI aims to assess people's psychological preferences using four opposing pairs of categories as a basis.

Categories of personality types

• Introvert (I) vs. Extrovert (E): How You Expend Energy

It means how you interact with things and situations around you, the extrovert tends to seek external stimuli and social interactions.

While introverts tend to opt for moments of reflection and recharge their energy in quieter environments.

• Sensing (S) vs. Intuitive (N): How You Receive Information

The more sensory person seeks concrete and detailed information, based on their feelings and experiences.

But intuitive people tend to be more abstract and focus on future possibilities, relying more on intuitive insights.

• Thinker (T) vs. Feeler (F): How You Make Decisions

Thinking people seek to make decisions in a more logical and objective way, based on rational criteria.

However, people who prefer feeling typically make decisions based on the emotions of the people involved.

• Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): How You See the World

Judgmental people tend to be more structured and organized, but always with defined plans and schedules.

On the other hand, perceptive people are more adaptable, spontaneous and are more flexible when it comes to plans.

In this way, from the 4 category pairs, the MBTI is mainly used as a tool to help people understand their preferences and psychological characteristics.

That's why the MBTI can provide you with some related insights into how you make decisions, communicate, interact socially, and seek meaning in life.

However, it is important to remember that the MBTI should only be used as a tool and not as a measurement.

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How does MBTI work?

The MBTI test is carried out through a series of questions that assess your preferences in relation to the 4 opposing characteristics mentioned above.

This way you must choose which of the two options in each pair best describes your behavior and characteristics.

For example, answering whether you prefer to spend time in large groups (extrovert) or spend more time alone (introvert).

Therefore, the test normally contains 60 to 100 questions, depending on the version you chose.

However, it is important for you to get a more accurate result, that you answer the questions honestly and based on your real preferences and behaviors.

Then, at the end of the test, all your answers are analyzed and you will be classified within one of the 16 possible combinations that are represented by the 4 opposing classifications mentioned above.

What are the 16 personality types?

There are 16 personality types in the MBTI that are formed by the combinations of the 4 opposite pairs: Extroversion x Introversion, Sensing x Intuition, Thinking x Feeling and Judging x Perceiving.

Therefore, find out what the 16 personality types are and what each one represents.

• ISTJ: Introverted, sensible, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are responsible, organized, practical people but use a logical approach to solving problems.

• ISFJ: Introverted, sensible, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are dedicated, value traditions, are careful and have great empathy.

• INFJ: Introverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, judging.

Idealistic, creative, and compassionate people who have strong inclinations to understand people's feelings.

• INTJ: Introverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judging.

They are strategic and analytical people who have a long-term vision.

• ISTP: Introverted, sensible, thinking-oriented, perceptive.

They are practical, calm observers and have skills in solving technical problems.

• ISFP: Introverted, sensible, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are kind, sensitive and adaptable people with an appreciation for beauty and sensory experiences.

• INFP: Introverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

Idealistic, creative people who value authenticity.

• INTJ: Introverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judging.

Strategic and analytical, independent and with a long-term vision.

• ESTP: Extroverted, sensible, thought-oriented, perceptive.

They are adventurous, practical, energetic and enjoy action and challenges.

• ESFP: Extroverted, sensible, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are spontaneous, charismatic and friendly people who like to be the center of attention.

• ENFP: Extroverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are creative and enthusiastic, resourceful, empathetic and have a natural ability to inspire others.

• ENTJ: Extroverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judging.

They are natural leaders, assertive, efficient and have a strategic vision.

• ESTJ: Extroverted, sensible, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are practical, organized, responsible people and have a direct and efficient approach.

• ESFJ: Extroverted, sensible, feeling-oriented, judgmental.

They are warm, sociable, trustworthy and have a strong concern for the needs of others, they are kind and caring to the people around them.

• ENFJ: Extroverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, judging.

They are charismatic, empathetic, dedicated and have a natural ability for leadership and motivation to help others reach their potential.

• ENTJ: Extroverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judging.

Natural leaders, assertive, efficient and have a good strategic vision.

It is worth remembering that each personality type has its own characteristics and preferences.

However, this is just one way of categorizing people's preferences, so it completely defines who they are.

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How can MBTI be applied in your professional life?

MBTI personality types can be applied in many practical ways to your professional life, so understand how:

• Professional guidance: The MBTI can help you identify which area you fit best in according to your preferences.
• Career development: By understanding your personality it will be easier to identify your strengths and weaknesses and consequently this will guide your career development.
• Communication and teamwork: Knowing different personality types with the MBTI can help you develop better communication, especially when it comes to understanding your coworkers' preferences.
• Leadership: The MBTI greatly assists the work of leaders, as it helps when making decisions, since it recognizes the personality of each person on your team.   
• Conflict resolution: In the workplace, knowing the personality of the people on your team can be very helpful when approaching conflict resolution.

Conclusion

The MBTI is a great tool for understanding personality, however it is not an exact and definitive measurement, but it helps as a tool in the general overview of individual preferences.

In this way, it is a way of seeking self-knowledge and reflection, but it should not be seen as a diagnosis.

Remembering that the test is normally applied by professionals, where the results are interpreted and discussed with an adequate basis.

So that you can have a good understanding for a better application of your MBTI personality in your personal and professional life.  

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Given that June 2, 2023