Personality tests have become a common tool for self-discovery, career guidance, and relationship compatibility. But where did these assessments come from? What are their origins, and how have they shaped the way we view personality today?
In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of some of the most popular personality tests—like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Big Five personality traits—while also exploring their psychological and cultural impact.
What is the History of Personality Tests? Where It All Began
While the idea of understanding human behaviour has been a topic of interest for centuries, modern personality testing has its roots in the early 20th century. Psychologists began to seek more scientific methods for measuring personality traits, driven by the desire to better understand human nature and mental processes.
1. How Did the Myers-Briggs Test Come to Be? Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): A Family Collaboration
One of the most widely recognised personality assessments, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), was created through a unique mother-daughter collaboration. Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, were inspired by the psychological theories of Carl Jung, particularly his ideas about personality types.
Jung’s ideas about introversion, extroversion, and the different ways people process information (thinking vs. feeling, sensing vs. intuition) laid the foundation for the MBTI. Katharine Briggs was particularly fascinated by Jung’s theories, and she began researching and developing her own ideas about human behaviour in the 1910s. Isabel Briggs Myers later joined her mother in expanding these concepts into what became the MBTI.
By the 1940s, the MBTI had been formally developed, with its 16 personality types providing a framework for understanding individual differences. The appeal of the MBTI lies in its simplicity and the idea that personality traits can be categorised into these distinct types.
The MBTI organises personality into 16 types based on four key dichotomies:
- Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Focus on outward activities and people (Extraversion) vs. inward thoughts and ideas (Introversion).
- Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Gathering information through direct, concrete data (Sensing) or abstract possibilities (Intuition).
- Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Decision-making based on logic and objectivity (Thinking) vs. personal values and emotions (Feeling).
- Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Preference for structure and decisiveness (Judging) or flexibility and spontaneity (Perceiving).
These combinations form 16 unique personality types, offering insights into personal preferences, motivations, and career paths.
Find out your own Myers-Briggs type by downloading the Interpretr app today!
2. What Are the Big Five Personality Traits?
While the MBTI is rooted in Jungian theory, the Big Five personality traits—also known as the Five-Factor Model—emerged from a more scientific and data-driven approach. In the 1940s and 1950s, psychologists began using factor analysis, a statistical method, to study personality traits.
After years of research and refinement, the Big Five model was born. It outlines five broad dimensions of personality:
- Openness to Experience (imaginative, curious)
- Conscientiousness (organised, dependable)
- Extraversion (outgoing, energetic)
- Agreeableness (friendly, cooperative)
- Neuroticism (anxious, emotionally unstable)
These five traits are seen as a spectrum, with individuals scoring higher or lower on each one. Unlike the MBTI, which places people into rigid categories, the Big Five is considered more flexible and grounded in empirical research, making it highly respected in academic and clinical psychology.
Want to explore where you fall on the Big Five spectrum? Take a test today on the Interpretr.
Why Are Personality Tests So Popular Today?
Personality tests offer a quick, easy way for people to understand themselves and others. Whether it’s used in the workplace for hiring decisions or by individuals looking for personal insight, personality assessments tap into the universal human desire to make sense of our identities.
- Workplace Adaptations: Companies use personality tests like the MBTI and Big Five to understand employee strengths, improve communication, and foster better teamwork.
- Self-Discovery: In a time where individual identity is more fluid than ever, people use these tests to reflect on who they are and where they fit in a complex social landscape.
- Cultural Phenomenon: Personality tests have also found a foothold in pop culture, with people sharing their personality types on social media and using them in dating profiles. The allure of labelling oneself as an “INFJ” or “High Openness” personality has created an engaging narrative around identity.
Curious about your own personality? Download the Interpretr app and uncover new insights about yourself today.
Can I trust these personality tests?
While personality tests like the MBTI are widely used, they have been criticised for their lack of scientific validity. The MBTI’s method of categorising people into one of 16 types can be seen as too simplistic, failing to capture the nuances of human behavior. Additionally, the results can be inconsistent, meaning that someone might get different personality types at different times.
On the other hand, the Big Five model is supported by extensive research and is generally accepted by scientists. Still, some argue that it oversimplifies human personality by reducing it to just five traits.
How might personality testing develop in the future?
As psychology evolves, the field of personality assessment is also changing. Advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence could soon transform how we understand and measure personality traits. In the future, we may see more dynamic and personalised tests that move beyond traditional models like the MBTI and the Big Five. Additionally, as we gain deeper insights into mental health, personality tests could become more prominent in clinical settings, assisting psychologists in better diagnosing and treating patients.
The Importance of Understanding Your Personality Type
Understanding your personality type can unlock new perspectives about yourself—how you approach relationships, work, and even stress. Whether you identify with the MBTI’s 16 types or prefer the Big Five’s flexible dimensions, personality tests offer valuable insights into your strengths and challenges.
In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, these tests give us a framework to reflect on who we are and where we fit in. It’s not just about labelling ourselves—it’s about growth and self-awareness.
Start your journey of self-discovery by visiting the Interpretr website or downloading the app today.
