The use of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator test to determine personality types
It is perceptible that people exhibit different types of personality which defines their difference from the rest of the population. Over the years, many tests have been invented, to help people understand their personalities. One such test is the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator test by Katharine and Isabel Briggs. The test is accurate, but how accurate it is, is subject to scrutiny. Illana Strauss in the article, "soul searching through the Myers-Briggs Test”, explores this issue. Strauss explores the effectiveness of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator test citing from the real life example of how the test operates while reinforcing it with several studies conducted by scientists on MBTI. She presents her arguments objectively citing reasons why the test gives credible results. She however, points out that the test should be applied cautiously to determine personality types. Therefore, this paper focuses on assessing how Strauss derives her contentions regarding the test up to making her conclusion in terms of structure, language and writing techniques.
The author begins by quoting research done by credible sources on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator test and its accuracy. She focuses the reader’s attention on the importance of taking MBTI tests. She also provides the reader with a short overview of the main characteristics of the test together with its positive and negative views. However, she maintains neutrality as she points out research for and against the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator tests. This allows readers ample space to analyze the matter critically without being inclined to either support or oppose the claims presented. She focuses on unequivocal results of the tests and supports them by the fact that people with the same results of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator tests, who belong to the same personality types, have similar behavior models. Furthermore, she adds that these people tend to understand each other better. They also tend to find common interests more easily since they have similar life priorities, system of values, features of character, and specifics of mindset (Strauss 4)
The author also uses other techniques to help derive her contention to the readers. To start with, she uses a first person narrative in order to shorten the distance between author and reader. Applying personal experience is an efficient method to make reading more conscious. This is because people prefer trusting other people instead of blindly following bare facts. Secondly, Strauss prepares the structure of the article thoroughly to enhance the flow of her content. The text is divided into five parts, which makes the comprehension of the writing easier. All of the five parts vary in the messages passed across; for instance, the first part is an introductory one. It highlights basic theoretical moments of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator testing together with its strengths and weaknesses. The second part comes closer to the core of the issue, accenting reader’s attention at a real-life experience of the author. The third part refers to the positions of Leon Sao, that provided a detailed description of how people with different personality types interact with each other, share emotions and feelings, and even have the same problems in establishing relations with their family members or coworkers (Strauss 6). The fourth part develops a thesis about common conflicts between different personality types while referring to the positions of Manju Pradhan and his invaluable experience in counseling psychology (Strauss 8). In the fifth part, the author comes to a conclusion, that, despite the complicated nature and controversial character of MBTI testing, it helps in self-discovery; it enables one to better understand the inner and external world (Strauss 10).
This article serves a wide range of audiences; for one, the author does not give personal opinions on the issues she presents but rather focuses her arguments on scientific based evidence. This makes the article ideal for scholars who require credible material. In addition, this article can also be used by an everyday person who is interested in knowing more about the MBTI test. This is because the author uses simple language that the average audience can relate to and understand. Moreover, she draws personal experiences to help drive her points home (Strauss 6). Besides this, the author is responsible for selecting the proper rhetorical features to use in this type of writing. Strauss used figurative language and strict organization of the article, making it short but overwhelmed by valuable information. Figurative language in this article is represented by the use of the following metaphors: “soul searching”, “coloring perception”, “comfortable silences break up the conversation”, “putting people in boxes’, ‘quenching some kind of thirst for understanding”. The position of the author is reasonably objective, as the author describes how people with the same personality types act in the same conditions, proving that there is actually a neat boundary between test results and their implementation in real life. In this way, the author achieves the main purpose of the article that is to explain the importance and effectiveness of MBTI tests. However, she does not persuade readers to take part in these tests or give them the idea of taking other types of tests.
In conclusion, this article serves its intended purpose; the author carefully cites arguments toward and against the use of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator tests in determining personality traits and in the end gives her stand on the issue. She uses various techniques to ensure that she connects with different audiences, which includes; providing scientific based evidence, using simple language and also drawing examples from her own experiences. According to the article Myers–Briggs Type Indicator tests are reliable but just like all scientific tests, is not 100% effective; therefore, Strauss advices readers to employ the test critically and objectively.
Works Cited
Strauss, Ilana E. "Soul Searching Through the Myers-Briggs Test." The Atlantic., 16 Sept. 2015.P11
