Young Chinese Asking ‘What’s Your MBTI?’

Based on the personality theory formulated by Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was created in 1962 by American mother and daughter Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers to assesses individuals’ personality preferences. The test typically comprises over 100 questions and upon completion, respondents receive a 4-letter acronym representing their personality type out of 16 available options and a detailed description of their type, including personality traits, values, tendencies in interactions and relationships and career choices. 　

The MBTI has become one of the most popular icebreakers among Chinese youth, akin to horoscope readings but with a perceived sense of scientific grounding. The four-letter acronym enables quick understanding of a person’s personality, inclinations and habits, and can easily help people find the traits they share in common.Online platforms are abuzz with amusing MBTI-related memes and discussions, such as “Which one of the 16 types would be most loyal in love?” or “What MBTI types are the main characters of Harry Potter?” 　

Its popularity also sparked controversy. Critics argue that defining people into one of 16 types is an arbitrary way of understanding a person, and such over-generalization can perpetuate stereotypes instead of fostering an appreciation for people’s individuality. Some employers use the MBTI test in interviews, but many caution against this practice, as it can easily lead to misunderstandings and arbitrary judgments.