Personality and the Barnum Effect
Based on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, my personality type is Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging (INFJ). The test consists of a series of questions with two choices from which one selects an answer. My relative scores and interpretations according to MBTI are given below (HumanMetrics, 2012):
I have a moderate preference of introversion over extraversion (56%).
I slightly prefer intuition over sensing (12%).
I have a moderate preference of feeling over thinking (25%).
I have a slight preference of judging over perceiving (22%).
These results offer a near valid description of my personality but only to the extent that they are generally applicable. The MBTI personality classification approach assumes only 16 categories as universal (HumanMetrics, 2012). This implies that these descriptions are applicable to many people. They are therefore not describing my unique personality, but identifying me with the larger humankind population.
According to the research by Barnum, personality profiles like the one above often use statements that could apply to many people to assert some attributes of an individual’s personality and should be approached with skepticism (Beins, 2010). One should be alert and critical of such personality profiles. It is imperative that the targeted individuals make more enquiries concerning the bases used just to ensure that they are not tailored to apply to the entire population. In a bid to guard against the Barnum Effect, one can use his or her knowledge, ask for proof of validity of the system or rational, or base their judgment on professional stance on the issues presented in Barnum statements.
References
Beins, C. B. (2010) Barnum Effect. Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology, Corpsy0108.
Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0108/pdf
HumanMetrics (2012). Jung Typology Test. Retrieved from:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
