Visual Mapping Analysis of International Research Hotspots and Trends for the MBTI Test

Sep 17, 2026

The MBTI assessment has been widely used in counseling, management, and education, yet its research history and evolution in China remain insufficiently mapped. This study employs CiteSpace visual analysis to examine 468 MBTI-related publications in the Web of Science database from 1990–2018. Results trace the MBTI’s U.S. origin and global spread, outlining four development stages and showing a shift toward self-development, personality type research, and online learning from theory to practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Abstract and Keywords

Visual Mapping Analysis Method

Research Trends and Development Stages

Related Work and Comparison of Previous Studies

Visual Mapping Analysis of International Research Hotspots and Trends for the MBTI Test He Li1, Pengyan Zhao2 1School of Educational Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China 2School of Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing, PR China Correspondence: He Li, College of Educational Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, No. 92, Wucheng Road, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China. Received: December 22, 2024 doi:10.11114/ijce.v8i2.7421 Accepted: February 5, 2025 Online Published: February 10, 2025 URL: [https://doi.org/10.11114/ijce.v8i2.7421](https://doi.org/10.11114/ijce.v8i2.7421) Abstract Since its creation, the MBTI test has been widely used in the fields of counseling, management, and education. However, it has yet to be thoroughly studied in China. This paper uses the visual analysis software CiteSpace to analyze 468 MBTI-related publications from the Web of Science database (1990-2018) . The study aims to clarify the development process and research trends ofthe MBTI test. We found that the MBTI originated in the United States and gradually spread globally. Its development has gone through four stages: theory interpretation, model explanation, type performance, and type application. Currently, research focuses on self-development, personality types, and online learning, indicating a shift from theory to practical application and from single-discipline to interdisciplinary development. Keywords: CiteSpace, MBTI, visual knowledge graph, personality types 1. Introduction In today’s globalized and highly connected world, the ability to handle complex, dynamic, and unpredictable challenges is more important than ever. Traditional linear thinking—relying solely on rules, logic, and cause-and-effect reasoning—is no longer enough (Siggelkow & Rivkin, 2005) . To thrive in such environments, individuals need to combine different thinking styles and adapt flexibly. Understanding and measuring these thinking styles within groups can help people grow and better navigate the complexities of modern life. Enter the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a personality assessment tool developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in 1942, based on Carl G. Jung’s theory of personality. The MBTI-A scale, the earliest version of the test, was introduced in 1962 (Briggs-Myers, 1962) . Jung believed that personality types are innate and shape how individuals perceive and interact with the world. He also suggested that people have unconscious tendencies, or archetypes, that influence their behavior (Ellis, 2009) . The MBTI identifies 16 personality types, each defined by four dimensions: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I), Sensation (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) . These types reflect how people gather information, make decisions, and approach life. Unlike trait-based models, the MBTI categorizes individuals into distinct types rather than placing them on a spectrum (Myers et al., 1998). While the MBTI has faced criticism over the years, recent studies have bolstered its credibility. For example, a 2020 meta-analysis by Smith et al. found that the MBTI is useful in predicting job performance and career satisfaction. Additionally, cross-cultural research by Lee and Kim (2021) has shown that the MBTI can be effectively adapted for use in non-Western societies, highlighting its global relevance. Since the 1990s, the MBTI has gained widespread popularity due to its strong theoretical foundation, focus on personality types (rather than traits), and its accessibility to the general public (McCrae & Costa, 1989) . Despite some controversy, the MBTI has proven valuable in clinical, counseling, and educational settings. It has been used to predict personal challenges, group behavior, and even career success (Carlson, 1985; Davito, 1985) . Internationally, it has been applied in field

FAQs

What database and time range does the study analyze for MBTI research?

It analyzes 468 MBTI-related publications from the Web of Science database covering 1990 to 2018.

Which tool and approach does the paper use to study MBTI research trends?

The study uses CiteSpace visual analysis to construct and interpret research patterns through visual knowledge graphs.

What major trend shift does the paper report in MBTI research?

Research focus shifts from theory to practical application, and from single-discipline work to more interdisciplinary development, emphasizing self-development, personality types, and online learning.

Sep 17, 2026

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