In the digital age, a peculiar set of four-letter combinations has taken the internet by storm. Whether on Weibo’s trending lists, corporate questionnaires, dating app profiles, or WeChat group chats, personality types like ENTP, INFP, and ESTJ have become a virtual passcode, ushering individuals into heated discussions akin to a secret language.
These four-letter designations originate from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a widely recognized personality test. The MBTI divides an individual’s personality into four dimensions, each with two corresponding tendencies, resulting in 16 distinct personality types.
Despite its recent surge in popularity, the MBTI has maintained a steady following over the years. This exploration delves into the development and communication logic behind the MBTI phenomenon, addressing questions such as how MBTI gained traction on the internet, why psychological tests remain perennially captivating, and the role of evolving social environments and communication mechanisms.
Historical Context and Evolution of MBTI:
The MBTI, with a lifespan spanning over 70 years, originated from the collaborative efforts of Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. Beginning as the “Universe Laboratory of Children’s Education,” a project collecting parent questionnaires related to children’s personality traits, the test evolved from a simple prototype to its present form under the influence of psychologist Jung’s psychological type theory.
The online version of the MBTI we encounter today consists of four dimensions: Extroversion (E) – Introversion (I), Intuition (N) – Sensing (S), Feeling (F) – Thinking (T), and Perception (P) – Judgment (J). Initially employed to support labor recruitment during World War II, the test expanded its influence to universities, hospitals, churches, and later became a standard tool for recruitment in major corporations.
MBTI in the Online Sphere:
Before its recent surge in popularity, MBTI had experienced cycles of appearances and disappearances in online discussions. Participants moved beyond the confines of the test itself, engaging in “text poaching” activities. Post-test, individuals actively sought lists of celebrities sharing their personality type, establishing connections with historical figures and characters in literature and cinema.
The discussion formats surrounding MBTI underwent transformations, aligning with the evolution of social media communication and popular culture. For example, South Korea witnessed a shift from classifying idol personalities to the production of observational variety shows and web dramas centered around MBTI. Even Disney’s first Korean drama incorporated MBTI as a significant element in character announcements.
In content communities like Douban and Zhihu, users formed communities around MBTI, discussing its psychological origins, academic applications, and real-world implications. The test’s applicability to various facets of life led to a widespread consumption of MBTI-related content, generating a large-scale network communication phenomenon.
Psychological Tests: A Timeless Content Business:
The allure of personality-related content is not exclusive to MBTI. Throughout history, categorization tests aiding individuals in “anchoring themselves” have been consistently popular, evolving from zodiac signs and astrology to the contemporary MBTI.
Even in the 1970s, New Journalism figure Guy Tellis highlighted the prevalence of astrology in New York City. Similarly, early 21st-century magazines featured personality tests alongside fixed columns on horoscopes. As the internet gained prominence, enthusiasts gathered on forums to discuss various aspects of zodiac signs.
With the rise of the mobile internet, horoscopes, birth horoscopes, and tarot divination found a new platform for engagement. Notable figures, like “Alex is an uncle” and “Uncle of the same profession,” provided horoscope interpretations that served as indispensable guides for certain individuals.
In essence, the enduring appeal of personality tests, from tarot to MBTI, underscores the timeless and pervasive nature of categorization tests in the realm of personal psychology.
