Debunking arguments against MBTI
1. MBTI is nonsense like astrology
Astrology: You happened to be born in March, therefore, you must have these characteristics of a Pieces.
MBTI: You already have these characteristics (from genes and developed through socializing), therefore, you’re an INFP.
One uses a random probability as a determining factor of who you’re supposed to be. The other uses who you already are to see which category fits you best.
2. You can’t fit people into boxes! Everyone is unique!
You could say the exact same thing with gender. Gender is not binary. Not even a scale (between male and female).
Would insisting that gender is not binary be useful for determining whether someone has a hereditary disease that’s only passed on through the Y chromosome? No. Doctors would need to categorize people into 2 groups in this case: those who have a Y chromosome, and those who don’t.
Categorization can be useful, so is MBTI.
3. The descriptions are so vague that anyone can fit into any type
Unfortunately, there are multiple sources of poorly written descriptions on the internet, and some of those are even on popular testing sites.
Many of these vague, inaccurate sources approached MBTI on the basis of stereotypical behaviors (i.e. this type always act like this) or dichotomy between letters (i.e. I vs E, S vs N, T vs F, J vs P), as opposed to the true understanding of cognitive functions.
Cognitive functions are the core of MBTI, and they are what makes MBTI an extremely useful tool in understanding the way people think and what their motivations are. MBTI is not meant to indicate outward behaviors, but to indicate thought processes.
4. MBTI is just some fun shit with no real use
Like any tool, you will only find it as useful as your level of its mastery.
With a sufficient level of understanding, MBTI can help recognize strengths and weaknesses in your thought process and your perception of the world. It can help you recognize what you already do well, what your problem areas are, and how they can be improved.
It also helps you recognize different dynamics between people of each type, and in understand the way other people think and approach problems in life, which can be drastically different from you. It gives you an effective way of addressing these differences when interacting with people.
5. It’s not scientifically proven
While this is true, it is also true of many other useful models like theoretical physics. Should we discredit theories that are not yet scientifically proven entirely? I don’t think so.
The theory that Earth is spherical was proposed by ancient Greek philosophers since the 6th century BC[ref], but the near-accurate computing of the earth circumference wasn’t achieved until the 10th century[ref], and the practical demonstration of Earth’s sphericity couldn’t be achieved until 1522.[ref]
I’m sure we can prove or disprove MBTI when we have a more scientific understanding of the brain. Unfortunately, we were born too early. For now, just treat it as a useful learning tool.
See my blogs @eilamona and @mbti-resources for more information on MBTI.
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