Why the Myers-Briggs test is totally meaningless
Vox・2 minutes read
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator, a widely used personality test, generates $20 million annually, but experts dismiss it as unreliable due to its inconsistency and lack of scientific basis. Developed in 1942, the test oversimplifies human personality into 16 types and is critiqued for its inability to predict job success accurately, appealing to people's desire for categorization akin to astrology and pseudoscience techniques.
Insights
- The Myers Briggs Type Indicator, a widely-used personality test, generates significant revenue despite being criticized for its unreliability and lack of scientific validity, raising concerns about its widespread acceptance and impact on individuals' perceptions of themselves.
- Developed in the 1940s based on Jung's theories, the test oversimplifies human personalities into 16 types, offering vague results that resonate with individuals seeking categorization, akin to astrology, highlighting the allure of simplistic frameworks over nuanced understandings of personality and behavior.
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Recent questions
What is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator?
A personality test with 93 questions assigning 16 types.
How accurate is the Myers Briggs test?
Studies show high inconsistency rates in results.
Who developed the Myers Briggs test?
Catherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs-Myers in 1942.
Why is the Myers Briggs test popular?
Provides vague, positive results fitting into desire for categorization.
Is the Myers Briggs test reliable?
Professionals in human behavior fields deem it unreliable.
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Summary
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Myers Briggs Test: Popular but Unreliable
- The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a 93-question personality test, widely used globally, with CPP earning around $20 million annually from 2 million test-takers and administering companies. However, the test is deemed meaningless by professionals in human behavior fields due to its unreliable results.
- Developed in 1942 by Catherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs-Myers based on Carl Jung's theories, the test assigns individuals one of 16 personality types, disregarding the complexity of human personalities. Studies have shown a high inconsistency rate in test results, undermining its reliability.
- Despite its popularity in corporate settings, the Myers Briggs test fails to predict job success accurately. Its appeal lies in providing vague, positive results that fit into people's desire for categorization, akin to astrology and pseudoscience techniques, exploiting the Forer effect.
