Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality test that is widely used and popular with the general public. There is something appealing in the idea that we all belong to one of 16 definite perosnality types, especially if the description of those types is vague enough so it seems flattering to most people. However, researchers have long had suspicions about the validity and reliabuility of that test. The following article summarizes some of the most damning findings:
The MBTI is a very popular test of personality. Each year millions of copies of the test are administered in the workplace, schools, churches, community groups, management workshops, and counseling centers. Many people see the MBTI as an invaluable tool that helps them understand their own behavior as well as the behavior of others. In spite of the popularity of the MBTI, there are many problems with its use. There is a large body of research that suggests that the claims made about the MBTI cannot be supported. In other words, although the MBTI appears to measure something, many psychologists are not convinced that any significant conclusions can be based on the test. In this article I will review the basic research that questions the validity of the MBTI.
The full articel can be read here.