Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Philosophical Inquiries - A Study on the Popularity of MBTI in Social Media Platform Brings Self-labeling and Group Stereotype to College Students

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

Internet development has driven the MBTI personality test into college students’ everyday view through its accessible and entertaining format. For students experiencing life-choice uncertainty, MBTI is treated as a relatively scientific aid for self-cognition and group sociability. This study investigates negative outcomes using questionnaires and PLS-SEM, finding effects such as self-labeling and group stereotyping that hinder accurate self-cognition. Internet exposure and intelligent algorithms show intermediary roles, leading to recommendations for improved student literacy and correct guidance from online platforms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

MBTI overview and theoretical basis

MBTI popularity on social media

Identity development and stereotype effects

Debates on validity and effectiveness

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Philosophical Inquiries DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/10/20231357 A Study on the Popularity ofMBTI in Social Media Platform Brings Self-labeling and Group Stereotype to College Students Shiyao Li1,a,* 1Department of Media and Communication, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea [a. lishiyao@korea.ac.kr](a. lishiyao@korea.ac.kr) *corresponding author Abstract: With the development of the Internet, MBTI personality test has rapidly entered the field of view of college students with its accessible and entertaining characteristics. For college students who are in a period of life choice and confusion, the “relatively scientific”MBTI personality test has become an important rely on their self-cognition and group sociability. In order to explore the negative impact of MBTI personality test on college students, quantitative statistics were carried out through questionnaires and PLS-SEM to analyze its impact on college students ’ self-cognition and social choice. From the results, there are negative effects on college students such as self-labeling and group stereotype, which is not conducive to the formation of correct self-cognition. In addition, through the analysis of the results, it is found that the Internet and the intervention of intelligent algorithms have played a non-negligible intermediary role. Therefore, at the level of solutions, it is suggested that students improve their own literacy and emphasize the role of the Internet as a correct guide to improve the existing problems. Keywords: MBTI, PLS-SEM, barnum effect, stigmatization theory 1. Introduction The MBTI, or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, is a forced selection, self-reported personality assessment tool used to measure and describe people ’s mental activity patterns and manifestations of different personality types in terms of information acquisition, decision-making, and handling of life. It is based on Jung ’s psychological type theory and developed jointly by Briggs and Myers mother and daughter in the United States [1] . Each individual’s personality type is described in terms of a four-letter code. Four dichotomous dimensions classify individuals either as extraverted (E) or introverted (I), sensing (S) or intuitive (N), thinking (T) or feeling (F), and judging (J) or perceiving (P) . Combinations of the four preferences determine personality types. Each individual is classified in terms of one of 16 possible four-letter codes (such as ESFJ, ENFP, INTP, and ISFJ) . Each type is said to define a specific set of behavioural tendencies, reflecting differences in attitudes, orientation, and decision-making styles [2] . On China’s social media platform Weibo, the number of MBTI-related topics has surged since March 7, 2022. As of June 9, 2023, the \#MBTI\# has been read 3.15 billion times and discussed 737,000 times. In addition to \#MBTI\#, there are also dedicated topics for different personality © 2023 The Authors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)). Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Philosophical Inquiries DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/10/20231357 categories, such as hashtag\# INFP \#, which has been read 1.17 billion times and discussed 634,000 times. The MBTI is far more entertaining and commercial than simple personality or psychological tests. Attracting audiences through scientific labels, combined with simple and accessible test content and analysis, quickly entered the public eye with the help of the Internet. Adolescence is a crucial period for establishing self-identity and becoming a social person. However, under the conflict of society, culture and self, teenagers at this stage usually fall into an“identity crisis” [3] . Young people who st

FAQs

What intermediary roles are suggested in the study’s explanation?

The Internet and the intervention of intelligent algorithms are found to play a non-negligible intermediary role in producing the observed effects.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve