By Pukun Fan

‘Are you an I or an E?’

‘I’m an ENFP, what about you?’

Such conversations on social media have become the norm for Gen Z. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is replacing horoscopes and blood types as the new language for young people. From social icebreakers to relationship matching, workplace adaptation to brand marketing, four letters are now shaping how we socialise.

However, does MBTI help Gen Z understand themselves better or is it subtly reinforcing stereotypes?

MBTI: Gen Z’s new social code

On TikTok, the number of #MBTI videos has exceeded 69.7 million. Brands aren’t far behind—hot pot chain Haidilao has set up ‘I/E zone’ seating, extending psychological labelling to the consumer experience.

Unlike horoscopes, the MBTI test is easy to understand, and generates personality labels with positive connotations within minutes, such as INTJs are calm and rational or ENFPs are free-spirited, making it easy for users to identify themselves and build self-awareness.

I first heard about MBTI when a friend casually asked me, ‘Are you an I or an E?’

Back then, people often described me as quiet or reserved, but I didn’t know what I really meant. Curious, I asked, and my friend sent me a link to a MBTI test. It only took a few minutes to click through the questions, and at the end, I got my result: INFJ.

That was the first time I realised that I stood for introvert, and that there was a whole vocabulary to describe something I had only vaguely felt before.

MBTI as social fun

The growing interest in MBTI isn’t just about introspection. It’s also about participation, play and sharing.

In the age of social media, information is entertainment. As social scientist William Stephenson proposed in his Play Theory of Mass Communication, people share content simply because it’s fun. MBTI is a prime example of such a communication game.

On platforms such as TikTok, Xiaohongshu and Twitter, young people have created many memes and interactive tests around MBTI, such as: ‘How different MBTIs behave at parties’ or ‘Which film character does your MBTI correspond to?’

This fun and lighthearted content quickly became popular. Young people like to test themselves and enjoy sharing, discussing and finding similar social circles through MBTI.

Moreover, MBTI is highly shareable with no need for expert knowledge and a quick, easy format. Both its low barrier to entry and strong social appeal make it a popular label among young people.

MBTI’s vagueness: why it feels so accurate

Although MBTI is described as a psychological assessment tool, there’s an inherent ambiguity in how it’s categorised.

The Barnum Effect suggests that people are more likely to accept vague but seemingly accurate personality descriptions that they believe suit them well. MBTI fits this pattern—for example, claims like INFPs practise gentle empathy or ESTJs are natural leaders may sound specific, but they could also apply to anyone in different contexts.

The test acts like a soft-focus lens: you see what you want to see, and the more you identify with the label, the more you look for ways to confirm it.

As someone whose test result is INFJ, I remember how strangely comforting it was to be described as having an insightful nature and strong intuition—it felt like being seen. However, looking back, I wonder if it subtly nudged me to lean into that identity a little too much.

What do four letters really say about you?

When I first arrived in Melbourne to start university life, everything felt unfamiliar—new streets, new supermarkets, even the way people spoke. I was thousands of miles from home, and the loneliness crept in fast.

Hoping to find a sense of connection, I turned to Xiaohongshu, scrolling through posts tagged ‘Melbourne partner MBTI’. Dozens of people were looking for a partner (Dā Zi in Chinese)—friends to explore the city or grab a meal with.

As an INFJ, my eyes lit up when I saw posts like ‘INFJ looking for city walk partner’ or ‘INFP/INFJ study group’. Somehow, seeing those familiar four letters made the city feel a little smaller; a little safer.

It felt comforting to find quick connections this way. MBTI acted like a kind of social shortcut—giving instant signals about who we are and who might fit with us.

On social media platforms, it’s used as a series of code words, allowing Gen Z to easily identify their peers and filter their social contacts.

However, although MBTI makes social matching more efficient, does it help us understand each other or does it unknowingly build social barriers? Looking back, I wonder how many unexpected friendships I might have missed by relying too much on four letters before real connections had a chance to grow.

How MBTI might limit personal growth

MBTI was originally designed as a tool to help people understand themselves, but with the help of social media, it quietly created a sort of ‘personality hierarchy’.

INTJs and ENTPs are seen as high IQ personalities, while INFPs are labelled as overthinkers. Is are shy while Es are active, leaving introverts unfairly boxed into the socially awkward stereotype.

Meanwhile, people often use MBTI as a personality script. For example:

‘I’m an I, so I avoid social events.’

‘As an ENFP, I’m just naturally distracted.’

‘I’m an INTJ, so I can’t show emotions.’

These labels seem fun and relatable initially, but they can quickly become psychological suggestions—making people believe that this is just who they are. This is an example of confirmation bias, where individuals look for evidence to support their perceptions while ignoring information that contradicts them.

Psychologist Carl Jung, whose ideas inspired the MBTI, said that science is only a mental attitude, a form of human thought, not the conclusion of life. This reminds us that personality tests like the MBTI are best used as tools for self-reflection, not as fixed scripts for who we are or should be.

MBTI may help us categorise, but genuine relationships go far beyond labels. Social bias is also creeping in, what was once a tool becoming a shackle that limits understanding.

If people use four letters to understand themselves, are we really exploring or just hiding behind a label?

MBTI is a tool, not a life script

When I first learned I was an I,it felt like a slight relief, as if my quietness finally made sense.

But, as time went on, I realised that no label could capture everything I was becoming, no matter how comforting. I’ve taken chances, made unlikely friendships and ventured far beyond the lines those four letters once seemed to draw around me.

I started saying ‘yes’ to things I once thought weren’t for my type—group projects, spontaneous trips, conversations with strangers.

In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to rely on labels to understand things. MBTI is quick and accessible and can bring a sense of belonging. But, real social interaction isn’t just about matching types—it’s about genuine understanding between people.

Our identities aren’t fixed by four letters. They’re shaped by the choices we make, the experiences we seek and the people we dare to connect with. If we allow four letters decide everything, we might just lose the ability to explore who we are.

So, next time someone asks you: Are you an I or an E?’

Maybe you can smile and say: ‘I’m me—more than just a MBTI type.’

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Pukun Fan is a final-semester Master of Publishing and Communication student at the University of Melbourne. He plans to pursue further academic studies upon graduation. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music and reading.

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Cover image by Brett Jordan on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.