When does MBTI stop being useful to an individual?

[nearfantastica]

I've been pretty deeply invested in MBTI for about 3 years now (which all started in this very forum, mind you, although I've been over at /r/INTP ever since I've been using reddit). And, well, I'm beginning to question the overall healthiness and productivity of focusing on MBTI so much. At first it promoted introspection; it helped me realize a lot about myself and others. For the most part, the communities surrounding all of this are largely helpful and positive. Yet at the same time, I find there's a counterproductive groupthink (which is less obvious here than on reddit, I must say) and tendency to validate each others' thoughts/beliefs without really doing or saying anything...useful.

I may be projecting but I've begun to think MBTI is holding me back in development. Like it's a fallback - almost a learned helplessness-type ordeal. I'm only 19 and I know that I inevitably still have a lot to learn about myself, but is MBTI really a medium I should pursue self-knowledge through?

Not entirely sure what my point is, specifically.

A lot of people on this forum, I'm sure, have been in this scene for a lot longer than I have. What are your thoughts on the usefulness and healthiness of seeing the world at least partially through an MBTI lens?

Before anyone says it, I know moderation should be exercised with pretty much everything. But, eh. Would we be better off if we stopped thinking about MBTI entirely at some point?

 

[Architect]

I find there's a counterproductive groupthink (which is less obvious here than on reddit, I must say) and tendency to validate each others' thoughts/beliefs without really doing or saying anything...useful.

Which is either the truth, or your perception due to not fully understanding it

I may be projecting but I've begun to think MBTI is holding me back in development. Like it's a fallback - almost a learned helplessness-type ordeal. I'm only 19 and I know that I inevitably still have a lot to learn about myself, but is MBTI really a medium I should pursue self-knowledge through?

Yes. It's not complete however, you won't find Satori via MBTI alone.

A lot of people on this forum, I'm sure, have been in this scene for a lot longer than I have. What are your thoughts on the usefulness and healthiness of seeing the world at least partially through an MBTI lens?

I've found that MBTI has a profound impact on our lives.

Before anyone says it, I know moderation should be exercised with pretty much everything. But, eh. Would we be better off if we stopped thinking about MBTI entirely at some point?

Such as breathing? Or enjoying life? Or loving people? Or working at something you love, or doing anything you love? What about the inverse, is a moderate amount of poison OK? The whole concept of "moderation in everything" is false and trite in my view.

 

[nearfantastica]

Realizing my post came off more negative and narrow-minded than I meant for it to. Sorry about that - I've been in a bit of a mood for the past couple days. I'm genuinely curious about real-life practicality in the long term.

Anyway. Would you not agree, at the very least, that there are certain traps people are prone to falling prey to when it comes to MBTI? Such as putting constraints on yourself due to the category you've fallen under? "I'm an INTP; I'm not meant to be emotional, so it's okay that I suck at empathizing," etc.

 

[Tannhauser]

I think this is an extremely shrewd observation.

It seems that MBTI has this one side effect: things that you would normally would want to rectify in yourself now instead become something you take as a part of your identity.

Your example is perfect. Here is another one: "I don't like routine because Im INTP, so I don't care about rehearsing [some skill]".

For me, it had a utility: shed light on some of my tendencies. I then proceeded to fix what I didn't like.

 

[paradoxparadigm7]

Anyway. Would you not agree, at the very least, that there are certain traps people are prone to falling prey to when it comes to MBTI? Such as putting constraints on yourself due to the category you've fallen under? "I'm an INTP; I'm not meant to be emotional, so it's okay that I suck at empathizing," etc.

It could go that way but there is also plenty of posts in this forum alone that asks how to overcome a typical typological tendency. Is MBTI useful? That depends on the person and how they use it.

 

[Inquisitor]

Wait until you're faced with a major career and/or relationship decision...you'll be glad you've heard of MBTI at that point in time...Also if don't get along well with a certain individual you frequently interact with, and you have no idea why, MBTI/Jungian psychology may hold some answers...help you avoid some major landmines.

 

[Idunno]

when you piitb ofc