Personality Tests: Who Are You Really? | Science vs

Intro

In this episode of the “Science vs” podcast titled “Personality Tests: Who Are You Really?”, the hosts explore the world of personality tests, with a particular focus on the widely-used Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. They delve into the validity of these tests and their impact on relationships and overall well-being. The episode aims to provide listeners with a critical understanding of personality tests and their limitations.

Main Takeaways

Personality Test Basics

• Personality tests like the Myers-Briggs test are widely used by companies and in dating apps.
• The test categorizes individuals into specific personality types, such as introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving.
• For some people, discovering their personality type can be a game changer, providing a sense of belonging and understanding.
• The tests are often used to explain relationships and help individuals find the perfect job or romantic partner.
• There is skepticism surrounding the validity of personality tests like the Myers-Briggs, with some dismissing it as meaningless or akin to astrology.

The Complexity of Personality

• Personality types are labels that people may reject, yet they are willing to be labeled in other ways.
• Babies who show fear of strangers and new toys are more likely to become introverts as they grow up.
• Personality tests attempt to categorize people into specific buckets, which may not accurately capture the complexity of human personalities.
• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was not developed by scientists but by a magazine writer and her daughter.
• The MBTI categorizes people based on four types: extroverted or introverted, sensing or intuitive, thinking or feeling, judging or perceiving.

The Reliability and Limitations of the MBTI

• Many people find excitement and validation in discovering their Myers-Briggs letters, feeling like it gives them a sense of control and understanding.
• However, studies have shown that many people do not consistently get the same result when retaking the test, indicating its unreliability.
• The inconsistency may be due to the test’s binary categorization and oversimplification of complex human personalities.
• The concept of ambiversion is discussed, where individuals may exhibit both introverted and extroverted traits.
• The MBTI test may place individuals in categories that don’t fully represent their personality, as it tends to group people together despite differences.

The Big Five Personality Test

• There is a scientifically backed personality test called the Big Five that can predict things like longevity, divorce likelihood, and dementia risk.
• The Big Five personality test was developed in the 1920s to identify core personality traits in humans and consists of five traits: agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, extraversion, and neuroticism.
• The test measures kindness, organization, open-mindedness, sociability, and vigilance, offering a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s personality.
• The Big Five is favored by scientists for its ability to avoid categorizing individuals and account for the complexity of human personalities.
• Instead of providing statements, the Big Five test results are expressed in percentiles for each trait.

Personality Change and Flexibility

• Personality can change over time, with increases in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability throughout adulthood, and a slight decline in extroversion, openness, and conscientiousness after age 50.
• Life events can significantly change a person’s personality, as observed in studies by personality psychologist Ted Schwabba.
• Trauma can affect personality, making some people more neurotic but also more open and adaptable.
• A personality coaching app in Switzerland helped people change their personalities through challenges and interventions.
• Recognizing the potential for personality change can be hopeful, as individuals can actively work on changing aspects of their personality.

Summary

Personality Test Basics: Understanding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), are widely used by companies and in dating apps to categorize individuals into specific personality types. These tests aim to provide a sense of belonging and understanding, helping people explain relationships and find suitable job or romantic partners. However, skepticism surrounds the validity of these tests, with some dismissing them as meaningless or akin to astrology. Despite this skepticism, many people find excitement and validation in discovering their Myers-Briggs letters, feeling like it gives them a sense of control and understanding.

The Complexity of Personality: Beyond Labels and Categories

While personality types can provide a framework for understanding individuals, they may not accurately capture the complexity of human personalities. Babies who show fear of strangers and new toys are more likely to become introverts as they grow up, highlighting the influence of early experiences on personality development. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), although widely used, was not developed by scientists but by a magazine writer and her daughter. This raises questions about its scientific validity and accuracy in capturing the nuances of human personalities.

The Reliability and Limitations of the MBTI: Inconsistencies and Oversimplification

Studies have shown that many people do not consistently get the same result when retaking the MBTI test, indicating its unreliability. The test’s binary categorization and oversimplification of complex human personalities may contribute to these inconsistencies. Additionally, the concept of ambiversion challenges the notion of strict introversion and extroversion categories, highlighting the fluidity of personality traits. The MBTI test may place individuals in categories that don’t fully represent their personality, as it tends to group people together despite differences.

The Big Five Personality Test: A Scientifically Backed Alternative

The Big Five personality test offers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s personality by measuring five core traits: agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Developed in the 1920s, this test avoids categorizing individuals and instead provides results in percentiles for each trait. The Big Five is favored by scientists for its ability to account for the complexity of human personalities and its predictive power in areas like longevity, divorce likelihood, and dementia risk.

Personality Change and Flexibility: Recognizing the Potential for Growth

Contrary to the belief that personality is fixed, research shows that personality can change over time. Increases in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability are observed throughout adulthood, while extroversion, openness, and conscientiousness may decline slightly after age 50. Life events, including trauma, can significantly impact personality, making individuals more neurotic but also more open and adaptable. Recognizing the potential for change allows individuals to actively work on aspects of their personality they wish to modify or develop.

Conclusion

Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, can provide some insight into individuals’ tendencies and preferences. However, their validity and reliability are subject to debate, with concerns regarding oversimplification and inconsistent results. The Big Five personality test offers a scientifically backed alternative, accounting for the complexity of human personalities and predicting various life outcomes. Ultimately, personality is a multifaceted and dynamic aspect of individuals that can change over time. Recognizing this allows for personal growth and the understanding that individuals are more than just the labels assigned to them by tests.