While psychology wonks have been going on for years about the statistical rigor and calibration of the Big Five, most people have just carried on using the Myers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI), which may not be statistical or scientific but is able to categorize people without insulting them.
A serious critique of the MBTI is the Myers-Briggs entropy distribution paradox (or, "Why are there 16 personality types when everyone I know is an INTJ?") A new personality test which has been gaining ground recently, the MLPTI, does not break up the INTJ into multiple categories; but does reduce the number of bothersome non-INTJ personality types and thus ameliorates the entropy paradox. For those not yet familiar with it, here is a rough translation between MLPTI and MBTI types.
MLP type
Traits
M-B types
TS
conscientious, introverted, self-conscious
INTJ
RD
impulsive, activity-oriented, high stimulation threshold
ESFJ, ESFP
PP
creative, un-self-conscious
ENFP
AJ
pragmatic, disciplined, outcome-oriented
ISTJ
FS
introverted, empathetic, anxious
ISFJ, INFJ
R
extroverted, creative, status-seeking
ENFJ
The loss of half of the MBTI categories is not a serious problem, as demonstrated by the fact that you can't even name the ones that were left out without going back and looking.Seriously, when was the last time you met an ENTP?
I'm gonna go out on a limb that most of you wouldn't climb the tree for. You see I have a severe problem with all of this categorization of traits to determine one's personality type. 6, 9, 16...? It's ridiculous. And limiting. What if I told you that there was a bonafide personality type theory that consists of just 3 personality types based on how we perceive the world? Of course they include the traits listed above, but just not as rigid. All of the old-time personality type theories need to be brought into the 21st century. If Myers and Briggs were alive today I think that they would most certainly change much of their theory.
While psychology wonks have been going on for years about the statistical rigor and calibration of the Big Five, most people have just carried on using the Myers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI), which may not be statistical or scientific but is able to categorize people without insulting them.
A serious critique of the MBTI is the Myers-Briggs entropy distribution paradox (or, "Why are there 16 personality types when everyone I know is an INTJ?") A new personality test which has been gaining ground recently, the MLPTI, does not break up the INTJ into multiple categories; but does reduce the number of bothersome non-INTJ personality types and thus ameliorates the entropy paradox. For those not yet familiar with it, here is a rough translation between MLPTI and MBTI types.
The loss of half of the MBTI categories is not a serious problem, as demonstrated by the fact that you can't even name the ones that were left out without going back and looking. Seriously, when was the last time you met an ENTP?