Do personality tests work? - Merve Emre

Summary

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and other personality tests are scrutinized in this script, which questions their validity and consistency. Despite being a multi-billion dollar industry, these tests, including the Big Five and DiSC, are criticized for their self-reported nature, leading to potential dishonesty or biased responses. The MBTI's forced choices and the evolving definitions of traits like introversion and extroversion further complicate the reliability of personality assessments. The script suggests that while tests can be useful for self-discovery, their use in educational and corporate settings may limit opportunities and misguide individuals.

Takeaways

• 📝 The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was created by Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in 1942 and classifies personalities into 16 types.
• 🌐 The MBTI has become one of the world's most widely-used personality tests, part of a multi-billion dollar industry.
• 🤔 Personality tests, including MBTI, Big Five, DiSC, Process Communication Model, and Enneagram, are questioned for their ability to reveal true personality traits.
• 📊 Personality tests are based on different metrics, with MBTI focusing on introversion/extroversion and the Big Five on five traits, making them subjective.
• 💭 Self-reported tests are prone to bias, as individuals may subconsciously aim to please or misrepresent themselves.
• 🔄 Forced-choice questions in tests like MBTI can lead to inconsistent answers and results, even when the same person is tested multiple times.
• 🔄 Personality definitions evolve over time, such as the shifting meanings of introversion and extroversion.
• 🔄 Research suggests that personality is not static but can change during key life periods, influenced by upbringing, experiences, and age.
• 🚫 Personality tests are not reliable predictors of job performance or educational success, despite being used for such purposes by schools and companies.
• 🏫 The use of personality tests in educational and corporate settings can limit opportunities and discourage individuals from exploring certain paths.
• 🧐 While individual use of personality tests may offer some self-discovery, caution is advised as results should be taken with skepticism.

Q & A

What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality questionnaire developed by Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in 1942 that classifies people's personalities into 16 types. It has become one of the world's most widely-used personality tests.

Why is the MBTI and other personality tests controversial?

The MBTI and other personality tests are controversial because they may not actually reveal truths about personality. There is debate over whether personality is a stable, measurable feature at all, and the tests often have design flaws and inconsistencies in their results.

How do self-reported personality tests like the MBTI have potential issues?

Self-reported personality tests can have issues because they rely on participants answering questions about themselves honestly. This can lead to bias, as people may subconsciously aim to please the test by answering in a way they believe is desired, making objective self-evaluation difficult.

What is the problem with forcing a choice in personality tests?

Forcing a choice in personality tests, like choosing between justice or fairness, can be problematic because it assumes a clear preference where there may not be one. People may value both sides of a pair, but the test results may not accurately reflect this complexity.

Why might the results of personality tests be inconsistent?

The results of personality tests can be inconsistent due to design flaws, such as forced choices and the difficulty of objective self-evaluation. Additionally, studies have shown that people can receive different personality types when retaking the test after a short period.

What does the script suggest about the stability of personality traits?

The script suggests that personality traits are not necessarily stable or unchanging. Research indicates that personality can shift during key life periods, and while some behavioral features may remain stable, others are malleable and influenced by upbringing, life experiences, and age.

How have the definitions of introversion and extroversion evolved over time?

The definitions of introversion and extroversion have evolved significantly. Originally defined by Carl Jung, introversion was about sticking to principles regardless of situation, while extroversion was about molding oneself according to circumstance. Over time, these terms have come to mean shyness for introversion and outgoingness for extroversion, with modern definitions focusing on how individuals find energy and restoration.

What are some potential misuses of personality tests in institutions?

Personality tests can be misused in institutions such as schools and companies by using the results to advise students on what to study or jobs to pursue, or by deciding who to hire and for what positions. However, these tests do not accurately predict how a person will perform in a specific role, potentially depriving people of opportunities they would excel at.

What is the potential harm of using personality tests for hiring decisions?

The potential harm of using personality tests for hiring decisions is that it can limit opportunities for individuals who may excel in certain roles but do not fit the predetermined personality type. This can also discourage people from considering certain career paths based on inaccurate or limiting personality categorizations.

How can individuals benefit from taking personality tests, despite their flaws?

Despite their flaws, individuals can benefit from taking personality tests by gaining self-insight and learning new terms and concepts about personality. While the results should be taken with a grain of salt, the process can still provide some value in terms of self-discovery and understanding.

What is the multi-billion dollar industry of personality testing used for today?

Today, the multi-billion dollar industry of personality testing is used by individuals for self-discovery, by schools for advising students on academic and career paths, and by companies for hiring decisions and determining suitable job positions.