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Comment by liquidise | Hacker News Reader

> the most obvious flaw is that the MBTI seems to rely exclusively on binary choices….For example, in the category of extrovert v introvert, you’re either one or the other; there is no middle ground

This is categorically false. Myers Briggs results are quite literally reported on a spectrum of 100 I - 0 - E 100, with your position on the spectrum shown. The 4 letter rollup is exactly that: a summary rollup of your test results.

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Then why do we use the summary rollup when it completely loses any of the granular insights? It makes no sense for me to say I'm an E when it was 51E, 49I. For me personally, shouldn't I instead say something like 51E64N60F65J? Likewise, the "insights" you get into your 4 letters is based on whatever the majority letter was, even when your percentages are nowhere near 100% for each.

Eh, I'm right on the E/I border and pretty strongly test one way in the other categories so I just say i'm barely an I and then NTJ.

I believe this is classified as an "x" within the MBTI community, where x means on the border.

So xNTJ? Cool

A lot of the tests will give you those granular numbers, but as a summary it's easy to see why they use only 4 letters compared to your example. Personally I'm surprised any reasonable person would think the test is strictly binary.

You're rolling perilously close to the cliff that has your Geek Code signature block at the bottom.

Precise geek coding is typical behavior for NTPs. ;-)

When I did this test, the trainer was pretty clear that it's not meant to be a 'spectrum'. You're either an E or an I and that was that. The only one they claimed might be a spectrum was P to J.

Sounds like your trainer was a doofus. Each pair is a continuum and most people exhibit at least a mild preference in one direction or the other.

My trainer was certified by the people who make and sell the course/questionnaire. She made it clear that this was the official position.

So, no, she was not a doofus.

This isn't actually true. During construction of the test they throw out questions that don't categorize you. It has discriminative validity even when it looks close.

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