Humans have found ways to categorize each other over many centuries. One of these ways is known as the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI. The MBTI is a test whose number of questions vary, but are usually around ninety. It was designed to group people into one of sixteenpersonality types. Of course a person would not fit into one category seamlessly, but one should be able to fit into a category comfortably. These sixteen types are normally used to help an individual in a career pathway, and are even used at work and schools. The assessment involves answering questions about one’s habits, likes, dislikes, and ability to do certain tasks.

According to encyclopedia, the MBTI began being used in 1942, after it was invented by mother and daughter team, Katherine C. Myer Briggs and Isabel Briggs. These women based their work off of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychoanalyst and psychiatrist.

Each type is made up of four letters. The first letter in a type, may be an “E”, or an “I”, meaning Extroversion or Introversion. The assessment determines which one the subject is based on social questions. Verywell.com states, Those who are are categorized under extroversion, or extroverts, are “characterized by sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and excitability.” Introverts, being the opposite, are described as being, “quiet, reserved, and less involved in social situations.”

The second letter in a type is either an “S” or “N”. The S represents Sensing, while the N means iNtuition. Changing minds includes that people who are characterized by an “S” normally use their senses more than an “N” would. Those who sense typically rely on facts and concrete information. Intuitive people rely less on the sense and tend to “trust their subconscious”.

The third out of four letters could be an “F”, which stands for Feeling, or a “T”, meaning Thinking. The descriptions are exactly how they seem. The very last letter combination is “J” and “P”. The last letters are described by the Myer Briggs Foundation as how people like to live their outer life. Judging or “J” has a more structured lifestyle. Those with a perceiving trait normally adapt to their lives as they go.

The Myer-Briggs indicator can be used in a multitude of ways. Several schools use the test to further inform students on what careers options they might like. The test can also be used to teach people about themselves and how their brain works. All in all the Myer-Briggs test is an informative way to learn something about oneself.