What's Your Type?: The Story of the Myers-Briggs, and How Personality Testing Took Over the World

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most popular personality test in the world, used by Fortune 100 companies, universities, hospitals, churches, and the military. Despite its widespread adoption, experts struggle to account for its success and validate its results. This book explores the history and development of the MBTI, from its conception by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1920s to its global spread today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely recognized personality test that has gained immense popularity worldwide. It has been embraced by Fortune 100 companies, universities, hospitals, churches, and even the military. The test's language, which distinguishes between extraversion and introversion, thinking and feeling, has permeated various aspects of our lives, including online dating platforms and Buzzfeed quizzes. Despite its widespread adoption, experts in the field of psychometric testing, a $500 million industry, struggle to explain the test's success and validate its results.

The Myers-Briggs was first conceived in the 1920s by the mother-daughter team of Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, two aspiring novelists and devoted homemakers. Their goal was to bring the teachings of Carl Jung to the broader public, particularly through the medium of a personality test. However, the Myers-Briggs would evolve beyond their initial intentions, taking on a life of its own.

From the smoke-filled boardrooms of mid-century New York to the intellectual hubs of Berkeley, California, the Myers-Briggs underwent refinement and refinement. It was tested against some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century, including Carl Jung himself. The test's versatility allowed it to transcend geographical boundaries, traveling to cities such as London, Zurich, Cape Town, Melbourne, and Tokyo. It was used in elementary schools, nunneries, wellness retreats, and even closed-door corporate training sessions of today.

In "Whats Your Type?", author Philip Hensher delves into the history and impact of the Myers-Briggs. Drawing from extensive research and previously unpublished documents, Hensher provides a comprehensive account of the test's development, its widespread adoption, and its influence on various aspects of our lives. The book explores the test's origins, its theoretical underpinnings, and the controversies surrounding it. It also examines the ways in which the Myers-Briggs has been used in personal development, career counseling, and organizational management.

One of the key themes of "Whats Your Type?" is the test's ability to tap into our unconscious biases and assumptions. The Myers-Briggs relies on a set of dichotomous questions, which are designed to elicit responses that fall into one of four categories: extraversion, introversion, sensing, and intuition. These categories are based on Carl Jung's theories of personality, which suggest that individuals have a dominant personality type that influences their behavior and decision-making.

Despite its popularity, the Myers-Briggs has faced criticism from some quarters. Some experts argue that the test is too simplistic and that it does not capture the complexity of human personality. Others question the validity of the test's results, pointing out that there is no scientific evidence to support its claims.

Despite these criticisms, the Myers-Briggs continues to be widely used and influential. Its language has permeated popular culture, and its concepts have been adapted into various self-help books, workshops, and training programs. The test has also been used in the workplace to improve team communication, leadership, and decision-making.

In conclusion, "Whats Your Type?" is a fascinating and insightful exploration of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Author Philip Hensher provides a comprehensive account of the test's history, its theoretical underpinnings, and its impact on various aspects of our lives. The book challenges our assumptions about personality and offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which we interact with others and navigate the world. Whether you are a Myers-Briggs enthusiast or a skeptic, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the power of personality testing and its potential to shape our lives.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008201418