Is The Myers-briggs Better Than The Four Temperaments?
The debate between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Four Temperaments model has been a long-standing one in the field of personality psychology. Both models aim to categorize human personalities to better understand behaviors and preferences. However, the question arises: Is the Myers-Briggs better than the Four Temperaments?
Understanding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in 1958, building on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. The MBTI, categorizes personalities into sixteen distinct types based on four dichotomies:
– Introversion (I) vs. Extraversion (E): Orientation towards the inner world or the external environment.
– Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Preference for concrete information or abstract ideas.
– Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Decision-making based on logic or emotions.
– Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Approach the outer world through structured planning or flexibility.
These combinations create a framework where each person can be identified as one of 16 personality types, such as INTJ or ESFP.
Evaluating the Reliability of MBTI
While the MBTI is widely used, it has faced criticism regarding its reliability and validity. In his evaluation, David J. Pittenger, Ph.D., noted inconsistencies in the MBTI’s test-retest reliability. Studies have shown that individuals might receive different personality types when taking the test at different times, which raises questions about the consistency of the results (Pittenger, 2005).
Another significant critique is the MBTI’s rigid dichotomies. It does not account for individuals who may exhibit traits of both ends of a spectrum, such as being both introverted and extroverted in different contexts. This limitation suggests that the MBTI may oversimplify complex human behaviors by forcing them into one of two categories.
The Four Temperaments Model
The Four Temperaments model is a much older system from ancient Greek philosophers. Researchers, scientists, and psychologists have validated it for thousands of years. It categorizes people into four primary temperaments:
– Sanguine: a people-oriented person who is sociable, enthusiastic, lively, and likes to be with people.
– Choleric: a results-oriented person who is brief, direct, decisive, and confident.
– Melancholy is a quality-oriented, analytical, detail-oriented person who likes to plan. * Please note that Melancholy is different from Melancholia, a medical term.
– Phlegmatic: a service-oriented person who is steady, likes routine, and loyal person who dislikes conflict.
Unlike the MBTI, the Four Temperaments model allows for combinations, acknowledging that individuals can exhibit traits from multiple temperaments. For example, a Sanguine-Melancholy person might be both outgoing and reflective by needing time alone, capturing a broader spectrum of human behavior.
Comparing the Two Models
Flexibility and Combinations
One of the main advantages of the Four Temperaments model is its flexibility. It recognizes that personality is not always black and white and that people can have a mix of traits. This stands in contrast to the MBTI’s more rigid structure, which does not accommodate overlapping traits.
Practical Applications
Both models can be applied to understanding a person’s wiring. However, the Myers-Briggs test does not take into account people who may be introverted in some ways and extraverted in others when it comes to their personality types. Therefore, the Four Temperaments model would be preferable as it is more specialized and understands that people have a cluster of traits which they can possess from low to high and each person is a unique combination of those traits.
Reliability and Validity
Reliability is crucial for any psychological assessment tool. The MBTI has faced challenges in this area, with studies showing inconsistent results over time. The Four Temperaments model has stood the test of time due to its simplicity and intuitive appeal.*
Conclusion: Is the Myers-Briggs Better?
Both the Myers-Briggs and the Four Temperaments have proven to be helpful tools in understanding personality. However, where MBTI often places individuals into one of sixteen distinct categories, it can fall short in accounting for the complexity and nuance of human behavior. On the other hand, the Four Temperaments model allows for greater flexibility by acknowledging that people can exhibit traits from multiple temperaments. This model gives a more nuanced understanding of why people act differently in various contexts and how the same temperament patterns can manifest uniquely in different individuals.
Given its simplicity and intuitive appeal, the Four Temperaments provides an in-depth look at the complexities of human personality, offering insights that resonate with people on a deeper level. Backed by thousands of years of historical use and real-world application, we believe that the Four Temperaments offer a more comprehensive framework for personal growth. We’ve invested decades talking to real people—having thousands of conversations with people about why it’s important to understand their temperament.
Try It for Yourself
Are you curious to see how the Four Temperaments might apply to you? Take our online personality assessment today and discover which combination of temperaments best describes your unique personality. Whether you’re new to personality assessments or have taken MBTI, our online Four Temperaments Test (Assessment) can offer fresh insights into your traits, motivations, and how you interact with others.