Evaluating the validity of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator theory: A teaching tool and window into intuitive psychology
Stein and Swan offer a teaching reference on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, noting that despite its popularity and longevity it has sat apart from mainstream social and personality psychology. They examine the validity of the Jungian theory behind it, which holds that people have a true type set across four dichotomies, against theoretical criteria: agreement with known facts and data, testability and internal consistency. They also discuss what the continued popularity of the idea says about how the public thinks about personality.
Stein and Swan offer a teaching reference on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, noting that despite its popularity and longevity it has sat apart from mainstream social and personality psychology. They examine the validity of the Jungian theory behind it, which holds that people have a true type set across four dichotomies, against theoretical criteria: agreement with known facts and data, testability and internal consistency. They also discuss what the continued popularity of the idea says about how the public thinks about personality.
Written from the abstract as shown on the OpenAlex record, read 2026-11-04.
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Stein, R., & Swan, A. B. (2019). Evaluating the validity of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator theory: A teaching tool and window into intuitive psychology. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 13(2), e12434. doi:10.1111/spc3.12434.