Why is the MBTI personality test so popular among young people?

The popularity of MBTI in East Asia

The MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) test is a personality test that divides people into 16 personalities that has seen a massive surge in popularity, particularly in East Asia. A 2022 Hankook Research survey showed that over 9 in 10 South Koreans aged 19-28 had taken the test. The test involves a questionnaire that then categories participants on each end of 4 dichotomies of personality. For example, Introvert (I) or Extrovert (E). The test has become fully integrated into the social culture of South Korea, where most young people have a perception of what each personality type is like and how it can affect all sorts of aspects of life from relationships to careers and habits.

People are so compelled and allured by the results because it is very interesting to see how your personal sense of identity aligns with the assigned one, and many people believe the MBTI test seems very accurate to them. This can be partially credited to the Barnum Effect, where people can personally relate to very vague descriptions, especially when these descriptions are positive.

The reason for this popularity isn’t only due to how interesting it is to take the test and see your personality but also for MBTI’s role in East Asian social interaction. MBTI has been described as a sort of “social lubricant” and is said to be one of the first topics to be brought up in social interactions such as when meeting new people. Fans of the test have said that instead of having an awkward phase where people are trying to see what they have in common, the MBTI is something that everyone should know and be able to engage with.

Why is the MBTI test so much more popular in Asia?

The MBTI test was created by two Americans as a way of matching women to jobs in World War

II. Despite this the test doesn’t have anywhere near as much popularity in the West as in Asia. One potential reason for this is the cultural tendency of judging based on group categorization in Asia. Compared to the West it is much more culturally acceptable to judge somebody based on group identity, such as family, career and nationality. This established way of thinking made it easy for MBTI to be integrated into the social systems. People’s individual identity within groups is also important and MBTI can help individuals come to terms with their role within a group’s harmony.

When does the MBTI test go too far?

Despite its popularity there are many who criticize the level of integration MBTI has had into the culture of East Asian countries. A key moment of controversy was when MBTI made its way into the Business sector. One social media post went viral of an advertisement for a job at a South Korean cafe that specifically excluded some MBTI types from applying. Many other job seekers in South Korea have reported being asked about their MBTI in interviews. Personality types were even used in South Korea’s presidential candidate elections where in 2022 Yoon Suk Yeol used his typing as an ENFJ in his campaign, comparing himself to former US president Barack Obama, who had the same type.

In the scientific community the MBTI test is regarded as pseudoscience and something similar to Astrology and the Blood Type Personality types formerly popular in Japan. Ultimately, although the social integration of MBTI is fascinating, most people online draw the line when it directly invades important sectors such as careers and politics.

Written by Sean Furniss