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The Personality Type Controversy: Why Do Psychologists Have Such a Problem with It?
In psychology, personality type refers to the psychological classification of individuals. However, compared to personality traits, the existence of personality types has always been a very controversial subject. Some theories suggest that personality types are qualitative differences, while personality traits are quantitative differences. This leads to fundamental distinctions between individuals, such as introverts versus extroverts.
Valid personality typing enhances understanding of individuals, rather than diminishing it, as stereotypes tend to do.
Effective personality type models can improve the predictive ability of human behavior and help develop effective treatment strategies. The psychological literature has been extensively researched on various models for classifying human temperament and personality. However, the classification of personality disorders is more oriented towards psychiatry - a profession that defines illnesses through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
Personality Types and Personality Traits
In psychology, the term "personality type" is not consistently used and has caused a lot of confusion. Because the results of personality tests often fall into a normal distribution rather than clear categories, the personality type theory has been criticized by psychologists, especially psychometric experts. A study compared personality type measurement tools (such as MBTI) with personality trait measurement tools (such as NEO PI) and found that the latter are more effective in predicting personality disorders. These problems have caused the personality type theory to gradually fall out of favor in the psychology community.
Many researchers now believe that it is impossible to explain the diversity of human personality in terms of a small number of discrete types.
Personality Type Theory
Early personality type indicator theories can be traced back to the four temperament systems of ancient Greece, and later to the famous Type A and Type B personality theories. According to this theory, impatient, achievement-oriented people are classified as Type A, while easygoing, relaxed people are Type B. Initially, the theory suggested that individuals with type A personality were more susceptible to coronary heart disease, but this claim has not been supported by empirical research.
Developmental psychologist Jerome Kagan, a strong supporter of the Type Indicator theory, believes that shy and introverted children should be viewed as having an inhibited temperament that is qualitatively different from other children. Although scholars of personality trait theory often use the word "type" in their explanations to describe people who score extremely high or extremely low on a particular personality trait, their core idea is always that there are persistent differences in personality traits.
Influence of Carl Jung
Carl Jung's contribution to the theory of psychological types is profound. In his book Psychological Types, he provided a detailed classification of psychological functions. Jung's theory began with his attempt to reconcile the theories of Freud and Adler, and eventually formed his own distinct views. Many modern personality tests, such as MBTI and Keirsey Temperament Sorter, are derived from Jung's theory.
Jung pointed out that psychological type determines and limits a person's judgment.
Four different types of personality functions
Jung divided individuals into two pairs of functions: rational (thinking and feeling) and irrational (sensing and intuition). He believed that these functions manifested in an introverted or extroverted manner, forming eight possible psychological types. These theories not only help to understand individual differences, but are also closely linked to the explanation of social behavior.
Worry and Personality Type
Recent research shows that a tendency to worry is significantly correlated with Jung's Introversion and Feeling dimensions. Introverts are generally more cautious, while extroverts are more social and adaptable. Knowledge of these psychological types not only helps psychologists understand human behavior, but also makes personalized treatment possible in clinical practice.
Personality type labels can sometimes limit our understanding of individuals, so does this simplification of personality really help us understand the complexity of human beings?
