Selects: How Personality Tests Work

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck delve into the world of personality tests, particularly focusing on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and its criticisms. They explore the history of personality categorization, from the four humors to Carl Jung's psychological types, and discuss the development of the MBTI by Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. The hosts examine the validity and reliability of personality tests, highlighting the subjective nature of these assessments and the potential for misuse in corporate settings. They also touch on other personality tests like the Rorschach test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), discussing their flaws and the controversies surrounding their use in legal and professional contexts. The episode concludes with listener mail from a listener in the UK who shares how the podcast has helped them manage anxiety.