Item Format and Social Desirability: Implications for Interpretation of the MBTI

Abstract

The MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) remains widely used in many counseling applications despite extensive criticism of its basic nature and psychometric properties. The present study was designed to examine specifically the accuracy of the claimed minimal influence of social desirability on Form G of the MBTI. Undergraduate students (n = 26) judged the desirability of each item option of Form G, which was compared across the 60 item pairs in which both options were scored. The rated values were approximately equal for two domains, while J and E item options were judged to be more desirable than their P and I paired response options. A second study (n = 52) evaluated the social desirability of the 16 MBTI type descriptors, finding most descriptions to be above the neutral range in desirability. These results suggest that stylistic responding contaminates MBTI profiles and interpretative material. Consequently, users should consider alternative measures and at the very least, take great care in interpreting the MBTI because of its flawed structure.