Z Generation uses MBTI for self-understanding and social interaction

A survey conducted by the Z-SOZOKEN think tank among 500 members of Japan's Generation Z reveals how personality assessments, commonly referred to as MBTI, are being used for self-understanding and social interaction.

Regarding self-understanding, 82.2% of respondents reported that MBTI helped them understand themselves better. Among those who understood their specific personality traits, the rate of positive self-understanding rose to 94.5%. Additionally, 48.4% of participants felt it became easier to accept their own weaknesses.

In terms of social impact, 52.6% of respondents noted a positive effect on their interpersonal relationships. For those who experienced these benefits, 68.4% found it easier to engage in self-disclosure. The survey identified four primary ways the youth use these labels: as conversation starters, to understand differences, for entertainment regarding compatibility, and to compare diagnostic results with actual relationships.

The report notes that while these personality types act as a “borrowed language” to help explain oneself, there is a risk of using them as rigid labels that lead to premature judgments of others.