What is MBTI? 16 MBTI personalities

If you've ever taken the Myers-Briggs personality test, you know that it categorizes you into one of 16 personality types based on your unique combination of personality traits. Through a series of questions, the test measures your extroversion versus introversion, intuition versus feeling, thinking versus feeling, and judging versus perceiving. Your answers reveal the dominant trait in each group, making up a personality type like an ESTJ or INFP.

What is MBTI? 16 MBTI personalities Picture 1

Regardless of whether you agree with these findings, this personality assessment is a great tool for improving your self-awareness and helping you identify potential career paths. It can also provide you with areas to focus on for personal and professional growth.

Here's what you need to know about the MBTI and what the 16 MBTI personality types represent. They can help you learn more about yourself and your strengths, interests, and opportunities for growth.

What is the Myers-Briggs personality test? What is MBTI?

The Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment that identifies you as one of 16 typical personality types. It is a self-assessment questionnaire that helps you discover four things about yourself:

1. What energizes and drains you
2. How you receive information
3. Your decision making skills
4. How you approach the world around you

Writer Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, developed the MBTI during World War II. The assessment is based on psychologist Carl Jung's personality theory and personal preference theory, which suggests that fundamental differences in mental and emotional functioning lead to the variations seen in human behavior.

The Myers-Briggs personality assessment is often used to help people explore career areas, improve workplace communication, and support leadership development. You can also use the assessment as a personality development activity to identify your personality traits and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses.

The meaning of 16 letters in MBTI personality

The 16 personalities identified by the MBTI are all represented by combinations of four letters that stand for certain traits.

Extraversion (E) vs. introversion (I) - Extraversion (E) vs. introversion (I)

The first letter of your MBTI personality type will be E or I for extrovert or introvert. This difference helps determine where your energy comes from.

Extroverts tend to gain energy from spending time with other people and may enjoy social interaction. They process things by bouncing ideas off of others.

Introverts, on the other hand, tend to direct their energy inward. If you are an introvert, you are more likely to enjoy spending time alone and processing things internally rather than through discussion with others.

Intuiting (N) vs. sensing (S) - Intuition (N) vs. sensing (S)

The second letter of your personality type will be either N for intuition or S for feeling. These traits help explain how you take in and trust information.

If you choose intuition, you process information based on patterns and possibilities, especially if you are an introverted intuitive. You are a more abstract thinker, using your imagination to analyze situations.

In contrast, people with sensing personalities rely on specific details and events to process information. If you have a sensing personality, you can use your human senses to understand your surroundings and situations.

Thinking (T) vs. feeling (F) - Thinking (T) vs. feeling (F)

You'll find the letter T or F as the third letter of your personality type, which stands for thinking or feeling. These psychological functions, identified by Carl Jung and elaborated by Isabel Briggs Myers, help you understand how you make decisions.

If you're a "thinking" type, you're more likely to be practical and rely on logic to make decisions. If you're a "feeling" type, you're more likely to follow your heart and emotions.

Judging (J) vs. perceiving (P) - Judging (J) vs. perceiving (P)

The final letter on your MBTI personality test results will be either a J or a P for Judging or Perceiving. This area helps describe how you interact with the outside world.

Judgers tend to like structure and order. They are well organized and prefer to focus on one thing at a time rather than multitasking. Meanwhile, people in the perception group tend to be more flexible and adaptable. They tend to keep their options open and absorb information over longer periods of time.

What is MBTI? 16 MBTI personalities Picture 2

What are the 16 MBTI personalities?

INTJ

INTJs have a unique way of looking at the world, which makes them great innovators. They are logical, often relying on objective observation and careful analysis to come to conclusions. INTJs thrive when they are alone with their own thoughts, which makes them more introverted. They are good at organizing work and completing tasks to high standards of performance.

1. Strengths : Rational, thoughtful, independent
2. Areas for improvement : Accepting emotions, compromising, accepting failure

ENTJ

As the more extroverted version of the INTJ, ENTJ personality types make great leaders. They are direct, decisive, and quick to identify inefficiencies in processes and solutions. They enjoy setting goals and making long-term plans to solve complex organizational problems. Their ideas are often well thought out, and they find it rewarding to share their knowledge with others.

1. Strengths : Confident, strategic planner, inspiring others
2. Areas for improvement : Patience, emotional regulation, stubbornness

INFP

People with the INFP personality type are introverted dreamers and are good at working alone. They tend to be more introverted and self-expressive. They are loyal friends and protect their personal values. They are also empathetic, meaning they are good at understanding what other people need and making sure no one has to compromise their values.

1. Strengths : Holistic, generous, open-minded
2. Areas for improvement : Detail orientation, social skills, accepting constructive feedback

ENFP

Similar to the INFP, the ENFP personality type excels at creativity and passion. However, people with the ENFP personality type are extroverted. They are also outgoing and are great at bringing people together and turning any task into an adventure. They are great problem solvers and love a challenge.

1. Strengths : Enthusiastic, persuasive, spontaneous
2. Areas for improvement : Organizational skills, emotional response, intrinsic motivation

INTP

INTP personality types are introverted and value ideas over social interaction. They are analytical, curious, and think outside the box to find solutions that may seem counterintuitive. They are often quiet and capable of deep concentration. They are also receptive to new ideas and enjoy taking an unconventional approach to life.

1. Strengths : Intellectually curious, skeptical, original
2. Areas to improve : Overthinking, social disconnection, impatience

ENTP

ENTPs are quick-witted and have great brainpower. They are idea-driven, creative, and charismatic. People with ENTP traits have a unique combination of charm and knowledge, and their extroversion is marked by enthusiasm. They have strong communication skills and are experts at reading people. For this reason, they often excel in public-facing roles.

1. Strengths: Abstract thinking, idea generation, resourcefulness
2. Areas for improvement: Practice, tolerance, procrastination

ISTP

People with the ISTP personality are flexible and highly observant. They are hands-on people. This makes them ingenious and resourceful, especially when it comes to things like mechanics or manufacturing. They value straightforward communication and understanding the world through logical reasoning. They are also self-sufficient and excel at maintaining the status quo.

1. Strengths: Adaptability, problem solving, authenticity
2. Areas for improvement: Excessive skepticism, emotional sensitivity, commitment

ESTP

ESTP personality types have a practical approach to life and can get bored with general theories and concepts. They are energetic, spontaneous, and learn best by doing. They are very perceptive and good at knowing when something needs to change. They are also sociable. All of this makes them natural team leaders, even if they don't seek leadership roles.

1. Strengths: Action-oriented, tolerant, social skills
2. Areas for improvement: Impulsivity, adherence to structure, holistic thinking

ISFP

Although ISFPs are introverted, they are loyal and devoted to those in their group. Their introversion makes them quiet but kind and encouraging, making them likable and great team players. They have bold imaginations, are very passionate about their interests, and tend to encourage others to find their passions as well. They excel in positions where they can be creative and compassionate.

1. Strengths: Self-reliant, conciliatory, flexible
2. Areas for improvement: Sensitivity, long-term planning, self-esteem

ESFP

The more extroverted version of the ISFP is the ESFP. ESFPs are friendly and outgoing, making them good at entertaining. They are accepting and have great communication skills. They are also positive thinkers who adapt easily to new people and environments. They make work fun.

1. Strengths : Creative, optimistic, friendly
2. Areas for improvement : Conflict avoidance, sensitivity, focus

ISTJ

ISTJ personality types are detail-oriented, reliable, and responsible. People with this personality type are practical, disciplined, and highly organized. They follow instructions closely, so they work efficiently and meet deadlines reliably. They are also calm and practical, which helps them make sound decisions.

1. Strengths: Reliable, honest, trustworthy
2. Areas to improve: Fighting burnout, stubbornness, spontaneity

ESTJ

People with the ESTJ personality type are decisive and quick to act. They can make excellent people managers and project managers due to their effective organizational skills. ESTJs are dedicated, strong-willed, and enjoy creating order from chaos. They enjoy predictability and are completely committed to high standards.

1. Strengths : Good execution, integrity, reasonable division of labor
2. Areas for improvement : Flexibility, stress management, emotional expression

ISFJ

ISFJ personality types are conscientious and observant. They remember specific details and care about how their decisions make others feel. They pride themselves on working hard, often going above and beyond expectations. They are also detail-oriented, supportive, and practical. This makes them an excellent team player for any project.

1. Strengths : Committed, patient, diligent
2. Areas for improvement: Dislike of change, emotional repression, sensitivity

ESFJ

As the more extroverted counterpart of the ISFJ personality, the ESFJ personality is sociable, community-minded, and great at connecting with others. They are loyal, assertive, and proactive, and they have a strong desire to help others. They value stability and value their contributions and are practical collaborators.

1. Strengths: Teamwork, consistency, eager to help
2. Areas for improvement: Confidence, self-care, fear of judgment

INFJ

INFJ personality types value connection and meaningful relationships. They want to use their strengths to help others, and they have strong beliefs when it comes to ethics. They have deep insights that help them understand what motivates the people around them. They also exhibit passion and creativity, which drives them to strive to achieve their goals.

1. Strengths: Altruism, honesty, execution
2. Areas for improvement: Perfectionism, fighting burnout, defensiveness

ENFJ

Similar to the INFJ personality, ENFJ personality types are warm and have a strong moral compass. They naturally inspire others through their desire to help each individual realize their full potential, which makes people feel seen. Their empathy, coupled with their charisma and ability to command attention, makes them great leaders.

1. Strengths: Trustworthiness, openness, passion
2. Areas for improvement: Assertiveness, over-commitment, people-pleasing

Is the MBTI personality test accurate?

Although the MBTI personality test is a useful tool for improving self-awareness, it is not considered accurate or reliable because:

1. Lack of research
2. Inconsistent
3. Subjective
4. Vague description

How to do MBTI personality test

You can take the full MBTI personality assessment in one of three ways:

1. Online : You can purchase a full assessment online for yourself using MBTIonline.
2. Through an MBTI Certified Professional : An MBTI certified professional can administer the test for you in person.
3. Through work or school: If you are working or a student, you can take the MBTI personality test through your organization.

Samuel Daniel

Update 09 December 2024