The Identity Whiplash of a Spinning Compass
It’s Sunday night. You’re curled up, scrolling, and you decide to retake that online personality quiz. The last time you took an MBTI test, you were a clear INFP—The Mediator. You felt seen. But tonight, after a grueling week of deadlines and team projects, the screen declares you’re an ESTJ—The Executive.
The whiplash is real. A quiet idealist one month, a structured commander the next? The immediate thought is often a self-critical one: Am I being fake? Do I even know who I am? This experience isn’t just confusing; it can feel like a deep invalidation of your identity, turning a tool for self-discovery into a source of self-doubt.
You're not alone in this frustration. The search for a stable self is a profoundly human one, and when a popular framework like the MBTI test provides shifting answers, it’s natural to question either yourself or the test itself. Let’s be clear: the problem isn’t your personality. It’s the rigid box you’re being asked to fit into.
The Frustration of Inconsistent Results
Before we break down the science, let’s just sit with that feeling for a moment. As our emotional anchor Buddy would say, it's completely valid to feel disoriented. You reached for a tool hoping for clarity, for a simple and affirming label, and instead, you got fog. That’s genuinely frustrating.
This search for your ‘type’ comes from a beautiful place: the desire to be understood. You want a shorthand that explains why you need a quiet weekend after a loud week, or why you organize your thoughts in spreadsheets while others dream in metaphors. When the MBTI test gives you one answer and then another, it can feel like your very nature is being questioned.
Remember, this fluctuation doesn't mean your character is unstable. It means you are a dynamic, living person responding to your environment. You are not a static four-letter code. The desire for a consistent result is a desire for a stable sense of self, and there is nothing wrong with that. The tool is the issue, not you.
Understanding Test Limitations: Why Your Type Fluctuates
Our sense-maker, Cory, urges us to look at the underlying mechanics here. The inconsistency you're experiencing isn't random; it points to fundamental issues with MBTI test accuracy and validity.
The most significant issue is what psychologists call poor test-retest reliability. A scientifically robust test should yield roughly the same result if you take it multiple times over a short period. Yet, studies have shown that as many as 50% of people get a different result when retaking the MBTI test, even just a few weeks later. This is one of the biggest problems with Myers-Briggs cited by professionals.
This happens because the MBTI test uses false dichotomies. It forces you into one of two boxes—Introvert or Extrovert, Thinking or Feeling—with no room for the vast middle ground where most of humanity lives. If you are 51% inclined towards Thinking and 49% towards Feeling, the test labels you a 'T'. A slight shift in mood the next day could easily flip that result, leading to a different type entirely.
Furthermore, the questions rely on self-reporting, which is notoriously susceptible to confirmation bias in self-reporting. Your answers reflect how you see yourself in that moment, not necessarily the enduring patterns of your personality. This is a key reason many in the scientific community view the rigid MBTI as a form of mbti pseudoscience when compared to more empirically supported models like the Big Five personality traits, which measure traits on a spectrum.
As Cory would remind us, here is your permission slip: You have permission to be more complex than a four-letter code. Your personality is a dynamic landscape, not a fixed address.
Action Plan: Using MBTI as a Tool, Not a Label
So, the instrument is flawed. Does that mean we discard it entirely? Not necessarily. Our strategist, Pavo, would argue that a flawed tool can still be useful if you know its limitations. The goal is to shift from seeking a static identity to gathering strategic insights. Here is the move.
Step 1: Reframe from Identity to Preference.
Stop saying, “I am an INFP.” Instead, say, “I often have a preference for Introversion and Feeling.” This language creates psychological flexibility. It acknowledges a tendency without engraving it into your identity, allowing you to access your ‘Thinking’ or ‘Extroverted’ side when a situation calls for it.
Step 2: Use It as a Starting Point for Curiosity.
Instead of accepting the label, question it. If you get a ‘J’ (Judging) result, ask: “Where in my life does a desire for structure and planning serve me well? Where does it make me too rigid?” The result of your MBTI test isn't the answer; it's the beginning of a better question about your own behavioral patterns.
Step 3: Leverage It as a Language for Communication.
A flawed MBTI test can still provide a useful, shared vocabulary. It can be a powerful tool in the workplace or relationships to explain your needs. For example, Pavo would offer this script:
Instead of saying, “I can’t join the brainstorming session, I’m an Introvert,” try saying: “To contribute my best ideas, I’ll do some thinking on this beforehand and bring my notes to the session. That’s how I process best.”
This approach uses the concept of introversion to communicate a need and propose a solution, which is far more strategic than using it as an excuse or a rigid definition of your capability.
FAQ
1. Why do I get a different result every time I take the MBTI test?
This is common due to the test's poor test-retest reliability. The MBTI forces choices between two categories (e.g., Thinking vs. Feeling), so even a slight change in your mood or circumstances can tip your answers and assign you a completely different four-letter type.
2. Is the 16 Personalities test scientifically valid?
While popular, the 16 Personalities test (and the MBTI framework it's based on) is not considered scientifically valid by most academic psychologists. It lacks predictive power and has low reliability, unlike more empirically supported models like the Big Five personality traits.
3. What is a better alternative to the MBTI test?
The most widely accepted alternative in psychological science is the Big Five (or OCEAN model), which assesses personality across five spectrums: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. It provides a more nuanced and stable picture of personality than the rigid types of the MBTI test.
4. How can I find my 'true' MBTI type if the test is unreliable?
It's more helpful to shift your focus from finding a 'true' type to understanding your preferences and cognitive functions. Rather than relying on an online MBTI test, explore the theories of Carl Jung that it's based on and reflect on your consistent, long-term patterns of behavior and thought.
References
psychologytoday.com — The Problem with the Myers-Briggs Personality Test