If you’ve ever wondered, “What is my Myer Briggs personality?” you’re not alone. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the world’s most well-known personality frameworks, helping millions of people understand themselves and others on a deeper level. Your Myer Briggs personality type can reveal how you think, communicate, make decisions, and relate to the world around you.
In this article, you’ll learn what the Myers-Briggs personality system is, how it works, and how to identify which of the 16 personality types best describes you.
What Is the Myers-Briggs Personality System?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a psychological model developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. Based on the theories of Carl Jung, it categorizes people into 16 unique personality types using four key dimensions of personality. These dimensions describe how you gain energy, process information, make decisions, and interact with the world.
Each dimension has two possible preferences, and your combination of these four pairs forms your Myer Briggs personality type.
The Four Personality Dimensions
To discover your Myer Briggs personality type, it’s important to understand the four foundational pairs that make up the system:
1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
Extraversion (E): You gain energy from being around people, enjoy socializing, and often think out loud.
Introversion (I): You recharge through solitude, prefer smaller groups or one-on-one interactions, and often reflect internally before speaking.
2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
Sensing (S): You focus on facts, details, and present realities. You trust what you can see and experience directly.
Intuition (N): You focus on patterns, possibilities, and abstract ideas. You enjoy imagining future possibilities and thinking conceptually.
3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
Thinking (T): You make decisions using logic, fairness, and objective reasoning.
Feeling (F): You make decisions based on personal values, empathy, and how choices affect others.
4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
Judging (J): You like structure, organization, and clear plans. You prefer making decisions and sticking to them.
Perceiving (P): You prefer flexibility, spontaneity, and keeping options open. You adapt easily to changing situations.
How the 16 Myer Briggs Personality Types Are Formed
Your Myer Briggs personality type is created by combining one preference from each of the four dimensions. This creates 16 possible combinations, each represented by a four-letter code such as INTJ, ENFP, or ISFJ.
Here’s a breakdown of all 16 types and what they mean:
- ISTJ – The Inspector: Responsible, reliable, and detail-oriented.
- ISFJ – The Protector: Caring, loyal, and dependable.
- INFJ – The Advocate: Insightful, empathetic, and driven by purpose.
- INTJ – The Architect: Strategic, independent, and visionary.
- ISTP – The Virtuoso: Practical, adaptable, and action-focused.
- ISFP – The Artist: Sensitive, creative, and gentle.
- INFP – The Mediator: Idealistic, compassionate, and imaginative.
- INTP – The Thinker: Analytical, curious, and logical.
- ESTP – The Entrepreneur: Energetic, bold, and spontaneous.
- ESFP – The Entertainer: Outgoing, enthusiastic, and fun-loving.
- ENFP – The Campaigner: Passionate, creative, and full of energy.
- ENTP – The Debater: Innovative, witty, and challenge-driven.
- ESTJ – The Executive: Organized, assertive, and efficient.
- ESFJ – The Caregiver: Warm, supportive, and community-oriented.
- ENFJ – The Protagonist: Charismatic, inspiring, and empathetic.
- ENTJ – The Commander: Confident, decisive, and natural at leadership.
Why People Want to Know Their Myer Briggs Personality Type
Understanding your Myer Briggs personality can give you insight into how you think, work, and connect with others. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Self-awareness: Learn about your natural strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers.
- Career alignment: Discover which jobs or roles best fit your personality.
- Relationship compatibility: Understand how you interact with romantic partners, friends, or coworkers.
- Personal growth: Identify habits that help or hinder your progress.
- Communication: Learn how to express yourself effectively and understand others better.
How to Figure Out Your Myer Briggs Personality
To determine what your Myer Briggs personality is, reflect on how you tend to think, feel, and act in everyday situations. Here are a few self-assessment tips:
- Do you gain energy from being around others or from spending time alone?
- Do you prefer concrete facts or abstract ideas?
- When making decisions, do you rely more on logic or emotions?
- Do you like having plans or prefer to go with the flow?
Your answers will help you identify which side of each pair you naturally lean toward—eventually leading you to your four-letter personality type.
Examples of Myer Briggs Personality Traits in Daily Life
Each personality type expresses itself differently in relationships, work, and communication. Here are some examples of how personality affects everyday life:
- INFJs tend to listen deeply and offer thoughtful advice.
- ESTPs are confident in fast-paced environments and love taking risks.
- ISFJs find joy in helping others and maintaining harmony.
- ENTJs thrive in leadership roles where they can make strategic decisions.
- ENFPs inspire others with enthusiasm and creativity.
Can Your Myer Briggs Personality Type Change Over Time?
While your core preferences tend to remain consistent, certain aspects of your Myer Briggs personality can evolve as you grow and adapt to new experiences. For example, introverts might become more outgoing over time, or thinkers might become more emotionally aware. However, your fundamental traits—how you gain energy and process the world—usually stay stable throughout life.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what your Myer Briggs personality is can be a life-changing experience. It helps you make sense of how you think, communicate, and form relationships. Whether you’re an introverted idealist, an analytical thinker, or an outgoing leader, knowing your personality type empowers you to embrace your strengths and improve the areas where you struggle.
So take the time to explore your type, reflect on your preferences, and use this knowledge to grow into the best version of yourself. The magic of personality awareness is that it not only helps you understand who you are—it also helps you understand others more deeply, too.