The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed by Isabel Myers and her mother, Katherine Briggs, during World War II.
Their work came off the back of Jung’s theory of psychological types, as well as their own observations of the marked differences between personality types. They began researching and developing the concept and then tested their theory on their friends and family.
This led to extensive research, and the pair quickly realised that the theory could have real-world applications. They penned their first version of the assessment in the 1940s, and continued to develop the tool over the next couple of decades.
But what exactly is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?
The MBTI assessment is a psychometric tool that was created as a way of identifying a person’s personality type, strengths and preferences. The assessment is conducted using a questionnaire, and the results provide insight into what makes you who you are.
It is one of the most popular and widely recognised personality assessments used today. It has a number of applications, for example, in business, educational and counselling settings to support recruitment, build teams, develop self-awareness, and of course, in the dating world.
The MBTI helps us to understand personality preferences in key areas, including:
- Extraversion Vs introversion – How you get your energy
- Sensing Vs intuition – How you absorb information and learn
- Thinking Vs feeling – How you make decisions
- Judging Vs perceiving – How you like to organise your time and environment
In doing so, people can better understand themselves. Myers and Briggs believed this would be important for helping people select their occupation, lead healthier lives and find love and happiness.
What are the different personality types?
After taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment, you will be given a four-letter score that represents your personality type. There are 16 different types as identified by Myers and Briggs, and though we won’t outline them all below, some examples include:
Analysts
- INTJ – Imaginative and strategic thinkers, with a plan for everything
- INTP – Innovative inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
- ENTJ – Bold, imaginative and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way – or making one
- ENTP – Smart and curious thinkers who cannot resist an intellectual challenge
Diplomats
- INFJ – Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealists
- INFP – Poetic, kind and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause.
- ENFJ – Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerize their listeners.
- ENFP – Enthusiastic, creative and sociable free spirits, who can always find a reason to smile.
Sentinels
- ISTJ – Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliabilitly cannot be counted
- ISFJ – Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones
- ESTJ – Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing things – or people
- ESFJ – Extraodinarily caring, social and popular people, always eager to help
Explorers
- ISTP – Bold and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of tools
- ISFP – Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new
- ESTP – Smart, energetic and very perceptive people, who truly enjoy living on the edge
- ESFP – Spontaneous, energetic and enthusiastic people – life is never boring around them
How is MBTI used in dating?
At Ignite Dating, we conduct MBTI as part of our interview process. This can be done either verbally or via online self-assessment, but either way, the test will generate your four-letter score (as outlined above).
We then add this score to your profile and use it to get a better and deeper understanding of your personality, preferences, behaviours and communication habits. This helps our matchmakers find your perfect partner!
Are you ready to take the test?
If you want to know more about your personality type so that you can make more informed decisions moving forward, or if you’d like to boost your chances of finding the perfect partner, it might be time that you took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment!
And if you’d like to know more about how we apply MBTI and use your results to help you find love, get in touch with the team at Ignite Dating today. If you think this approach is right for you, the team can help you to complete your assessment right away.
